ight on the black horse, grasping the lance with the
black pennon. Straightway we charged each other, and though I fought
my best, he soon overcame me, and I was thrown to the ground, while the
knight seized the bridle of my horse, and rode away with it, leaving me
where I was, without even despoiling me of my armour.

'Sadly did I go down the hill again, and when I reached the glade where
the black man was, I confess to thee, Kai, it was a marvel that I did
not melt into a liquid pool, so great was my shame. That night I slept
at the castle where I had been before, and I was bathed and feasted, and
none asked me how I had fared. The next morning when I arose I found a
bay horse saddled for me, and, girdling on my armour, I returned to my
own court. The horse is still in the stable, and I would not part with
it for any in Britain.

'But of a truth, Kai, no man ever confessed an adventure so much to his
own dishonour, and strange indeed it seems that none other man have I
ever met that knew of the black man, and the knight and the shower.'

'Would it not be well,' said Owen, 'to go and discover the place?'

'By the hand of my friend,' answered Kai, 'often dost thou utter that
with thy tongue which thou wouldest not make good with thy deeds.'

'In truth,' said Guenevere the queen, who had listened to the tale,
'thou wert better hanged, Kai, than use such speech towards a man like
Owen.'

'I meant nothing, lady,' replied Kai; 'thy praise of Owen is not greater
than mine.' And as he spoke Arthur awoke, and asked if he had not slept
for a little.

'Yes, lord,' answered Owen, 'certainly thou hast slept.'

'Is it time for us to go to meat?'

'It is, lord,' answered Owen.

Then the horn for washing themselves was sounded, and after that the
king and his household sat down to eat. And when they had finished, Owen
left them, and made ready his horse and his arms.

With the first rays of the sun he set forth, and travelled through
deserts and over mountains and across rivers, and all befell him which
had befallen Kynon, till he stood under the leafless tree listening
to the song of the birds. Then he heard the voice, and turning to look
found the knight galloping to meet him. Fiercely they fought till their
lances were broken, and then they drew their swords, and a blow from
Owen cut through the knight's helmet, and pierced his skull.

Feeling himself wounded unto death the knight fled, and Owen pursued him
till they