But Gareth had not much time to think of the trees and streams, for
suddenly he heard the steps of some one hurrying through the
forest, crushing the fallen twigs and crisp leaves underfoot in his
great haste. Was it an adventure?

'Where are you running to?' said Gareth, as a man came in sight.

'O sir, six thieves have fallen upon my lord, and bound him to a
tree, and I am afraid they will kill him.'

'Show me where your lord is,' said Gareth. And they rode together
to the place where the knight was tied to a tree.

Then Gareth struck the first robber down with his sword, and killed
another, and slew the third as he turned to run away.

'There were six thieves,' thought Gareth; but when he turned to
look for the other three, they were nowhere to be seen. They had
all run away in great fright.

Then Gareth unbound the knight. And the knight was very grateful,
and said, 'Come and stay at my castle to-night, and to-morrow I
will reward you.'

'I want no reward,' said Gareth. 'And besides, I must follow this
lady.' But when he rode up to Lynette, she said, 'Ride further off,
for still you smell of the kitchen.' 'You are no knight, though you
killed the robbers.'

Then the knight who had been set free rode up, and asked Lynette to
come to his castle, and as it was getting dark in the forest, she
was glad to stay with him that night.

At supper-time, the knight put a chair for Gareth beside Lynette.

'Sir Knight, you are wrong to put a kitchen-knave beside me,' said
the lady, 'for I am of noble birth.'

'The noble-looking knight a kitchen-knave! What does the lady
mean!' But he took Gareth to another table, and sat there himself
with him.

The next morning Gareth and Lynette thanked the knight, and rode
on, till they came to another great forest, and at the end of the
forest they reached a broad river. There was only one place where
the river was narrow and could be crossed, and this passage was
guarded by two knights.

'Will you fight two knights,' mocked Lynette, 'or will you turn
back again?'

'Six knights would not make me turn back,' said Gareth, as he
rushed into the river. One knight rushed in from the further side,
and Gareth and he fought with their swords in the middle of the
stream. At last Gareth smote him on the helmet so violently that he
fell down into the water and was drowned.

Then Gareth spurred his horse up the bank where the other knight
stood waiting for him, and this knight fou