he more quickly be rid of thee, for of a surety thou
wilt soon be slain.'

Beaumains answered naught, and so they went on their way.

[Illustration: BEAUMAINS WINS THE FIGHT AT THE FORD]

Thus they fared until evensong, and then they came to a waste land,
where their way led through a narrow darkling valley. And at the head
thereof they entered upon a wide land, black and drear to the very
skies, and beside the way was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung a
black banner and a black shield, and by it, stuck upright, was a long
black spear, and beside it was a great black horse covered with silk,
and a black stone fast by it.

And upon the stone sat a knight in black armour, at sight of whom the
damsel cried:

'Now, my kitchen knight, 'tis not too late. Fly back through the
valley, or this knight will surely slay thee.'

'Nay, I will not,' said Beaumains, 'for I fear him not.'

The black knight came to the damsel and asked if she had brought this
knight from King Arthur's court to be her champion.

'Fie!' she said angrily, 'he is no knight. He is but a knave that was
fed for alms in the king's kitchen, and would follow me in spite of all
I say. And I would that you would rid me of him. To-day he slew two
noble knights at the passage of the water, and all by evil chance.'

'A strong knave, in truth,' answered the knight, 'and a saucy one. Then
this will I do. He shall leave me his horse and armour, for since he is
but a knave, my knightly hands may not harm him.'

'You speak lightly of my horse and armour,' said Beaumains, 'but I will
have you know that you get naught from me, and moreover I will pass
these lands with this lady in spite of you.'

'Thou knave!' cried the knight angrily, 'yield me this lady and thyself
without ado!'

'Let me see what thou canst do to take us,' replied Beaumains, and
laughed gaily.

At this the knight in a rage leaped upon his horse and they thundered
together. The black knight's spear broke, but Beaumains' lance pierced
him through the side and broke off short. Nevertheless, though badly
wounded, the black knight drew his sword and fought manfully, striking
Beaumains many mighty blows and bruising him sorely.

But suddenly his lifted sword fell from his hand, and turning in his
saddle, he dropped to the ground in a swoon, and shortly died.

And Beaumains, seeing that the black armour was better than his own,
armed himself in it with the aid of his dwarf squire, and rode aft