The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-08-27

In ana Sdlu BOOu-Dy W hiub IA tuut
and Gauvain and bade Sir Launcelot
follow him. Then he rode after the
lady. But many followed to look at
him clothed in cloth of gold and all
fine armor, but they saw that he had
neither shield nor spear
When Sir Kay saw Beaumains de-
part in such splendor he was vexed,
and said
II will follow him, and see II he
knows me for his superior"
And so Sir Kay armed himself and
followed Beaumains, and Sir Launce-
lot also followed.
When Beaumains came up to the
maiden. Sir Kay also was there. ana
he said:
How now, Beaumains; do ye know
me?"
"Yes," answered the youth, II know
ye for an ungallant and cowardly
knight OF Arthur's court"
Then Sir Kay ran at Beaumains with
his lance, but Beaumains. fighting only
with his sword, wrested the lance from
Sir Kay's hand, and threw the knight
to the ground, sorely wounded. Just
then Sir Launcelot came up, and saw
the encounter, and Beaumains cnai-
lenged Sir Launcelot, and using the
lance of the fallen knight ne agaln
mounted his horse. So another terri
BILE tilt did they have. and at last SIT
Launcelot called out to Beaumalns 10
stop the quarrel, for braver man nave
| never fought with" said Launceiot'
land We need fear no man"
Then If that be true, make me
knight" said Beaumains.
Right gladly will l. II ye tell me
your name"
And Beaumains, after making Sir
Launcelot promise not to reveal his
birth. told that he was Gareth, the
brother to Gauvain. Then was Launce-
lot glad and he knighted him upon the
spot.
All this did the maiden see, but her
anger was unappeased. And continu-
ally she said to Beaumains:
Depart from me, thou page OF the
kitchen! I'll have naught with thee.
And she chided him and taunted him.
but always he was meek and he pore
with her.
So, in time, they came to dark for
est. and a man came flying to them
begging help Six robbers had besieS-
ed his master, and were now binding
him and taking his property. All SIX
did the newly-made knight Kill after
fierce struggle, and the lord whose ite
he had saved offered him great re-
wards, but he would take nothing.
And when he again approached the
maiden she still scoffed at him, ana
said that only through unhappiness
and misadventure had he been success
full. He answered nothing to her abuse,
but bore all with the honor and respect
towards her that knight ever gave
to women.
In the meantime, Sir Launcelot had
returned to the court, his men bearing
the wounded Sir Kay. And when Ar
thur and the court heard of the brav-
cry of the newly-made knight ana
that he was of noble birth. though as
yet his name remained unknown. they
made feast and rejoieed. But SIP
Kay, ever after. was held in scorn,
and received back the mockery that ne
was so wont to bestow upon others.
The damsel still rode on, followed
by Beaumains. One day, at twilight
time, they came to a black lawn, and
on the lawn was a black hawthorne;
and a black shield and banner were
there beside horse in sable trap
pings. When they approached the
maiden said:
"Oh, kitchen page, flee away, for here
is knight that will lay you IN the
dustw
But Beaumains answered not. And
the knight came out, and long and bit
terly they fought. At last the black
knight lay nigh unto death, and he
pleaded for his life. But Beaumains
would not heed him, and so he died.
Shortly afterwards they met the
brother of the black knight, and when
Beaumains had subdued him he prom
lsed to serve him with all his follow
ers, If only he might live.
And so it was that Beaumains ever
conquered, but still the maiden ever
chided him and said it was only by
misadyenture. At last he conquered
with so much strength the bravest
men that the maiden repented ana
begged his forgiveness
But return now" she said, for we
approach the knight of the Red Lawns,
and he has the strength Of seven men.
Forbear to challenge him"
Maiden" said Beaumains in reply,
when you scorned me l had renewed
strength to prove to you my greatness,
but now that you speak kindly to me
/ feel my might hundredfold. Let the
Red Knight be ever so strong, him
will subdue"
So they approached the land OF the
Red Knight, and Beaumains saw hang
ing from the trees many knights clad
in cloth of gold, with golden spurs up
on their boots, and with their shields
and lances hanging upon them.
What means this dreadful sight?'
said he.
ALAS, sir" wept the maiden, these
are the champions who have tried to
rescue my sister, the Lady Lyoness!
See! Yonder she stands at her win
dow! But how can you hope to over
come the knight who committed these
good lords to such shame"
Fear not, maiden! Now that
have seen the Lady Lyoness will suf-
fer such death rather than not at
tempt to succor her"
Three days did Beaumains fight with
the Red knight, and in the end he was
successful; but so earnestly did all his
baronS and serfs beg for his life thai