ght their
necks were broken.

But after a time, leaving their horses, they fought on foot. And
the battle was so rough that great pieces of their shields and
armour were knocked off, and left lying on the field.

And they fought till twelve o'clock. But by that time they were so
worn out that they staggered about, scarcely knowing where they
went, and their wounds bled so much that they were faint.

They fought till evening, and then they both agreed to rest for a
little while.

Then Gareth took off his helmet, and looked up to the castle
window. And when he saw the Lady Lyonors looking down at him, with
great kindness in her eyes, his heart felt all at once light and
glad.

And her kindness made him strong, and he started up quickly and
called to the Red Knight to fight, 'and this time to the death,'
said Gareth.

In his fury the Red Knight knocked the sword out of Gareth's hand,
and before he could get it again, he gave him such a blow on his
helmet that Gareth stumbled and fell to the ground.

Then Lynette called out, 'O Gareth, have you lost your courage? My
sister weeps and breaks her heart, because her true knight has
fallen.'

When Gareth heard that, he got up, and with a great effort leaped
to where his sword lay, and caught it in his hand, and began to
fight as if he fought a new battle.

[Illustration: THE LADY LYONORS

Page 84]

And his strokes fell so quickly on his foe, that the Red Knight
lost his sword and fell to the ground, and Gareth threw himself on
him to slay him. But the knight begged piteously for his life.

'Go to the castle and yield your homage to the Lady Lyonors,' said
Gareth. 'And if she is willing to pardon you, you are free, after
you restore the lands and castles you have taken from her.'

Then the Red Knight gladly restored all he had stolen. And after he
had been forgiven by the Lady Lyonors, he journeyed to the court,
and told Arthur all that Sir Gareth had done.

And Lynette came and took off Gareth's armour and bathed his
wounds, and he rested in his tent for ten days.

'I will go to the castle and ask Lyonors to come home with me and
be my wife,' thought Gareth, as soon as his wounds were healed. But
when he came to the castle, he found the drawbridge pulled up, and
many armed men were there, who would not let him enter.

'But Lyonors, I must see Lyonors,' thought Gareth. 'Surely she will
wish to see me,' and he looked wistfully up to the window, and
there be