my faith, I shall joust
with him, and get myself in train for the tournament."

He hastily armed and rode from the gates. What Beaumains saw was a
knight all in red, his horse, harness, shield, spear, and armor alike
being of this blood-like color. The red knight was, indeed, brother to
those whom Beaumains had lately fought, and on seeing the black array of
the youth, he cried,--

"Brother, is it you? What do you in these marshes?"

"No, no, it is not he," said the damsel, "but a kitchen knave who has
been brought up on alms in Arthur's court."

"Then how got he that armor?"

"He has slain your brother, the black knight, and taken his horse and
arms. He has also overcome your brother, the green knight. I hope you
may revenge your brothers on him, for I see no other way of getting rid
of him."

"I will try," said the red knight, grimly. "Sir knight, take your place
for a joust."

Beaumains, who had not yet spoken, rode to a proper distance, and then
the two knights rushed together with such even force that both horses
fell to the ground, the riders nimbly leaping from them.

Then with sword and shield they fought like wild boars for the space of
two hours, advancing, retreating, feigning, striking, now here, now
there, till both were well weary of the fray. But the damsel, who looked
on, now cried loudly to the red knight,--

"Alas, noble sir, will you let a kitchen knave thus endure your might,
after all the honor you have won from worthy champions?"

Then the red knight flamed with wrath, and attacked Beaumains with such
fury that he wounded him so that the blood flowed in a stream to the
ground. Yet the young knight held his own bravely, giving stroke for
stroke, and by a final blow hurled his antagonist to the earth. He had
raised his sword to slay him, when the red knight craved mercy,
saying,--

"Noble, sir, you have me at advantage, but I pray you not to slay me. I
yield me with the fifty knights at my command. And I forgive you all you
have done to my brothers."

"That will not suffice," said Beaumains. "You must die, unless the
damsel shall pray me to spare your life." And he raised his sword as if
for the fatal blow.

"Let him live, then, Beaumains. He is a noble knight, and it is only by
a chance blow that you have overcome him."

"It is enough that you ask it," said Beaumains. "Rise, sir knight, and
thank this damsel for your life."

The red knight did so, and then prayed that they would