ay sourly, for he had ever been jealous of
Sir Owen, even when he had been but a page, 'if thy mouth were not more
ready to say more than thou ever carest to do.'

'Thou art worthy of punishment, Sir Kay,' said Gwenevere sharply, 'in
that thou speakest thus of a man so tried in prowess and brave deeds as
Owen.'

'Fair lady,' said Sir Owen, laughing, 'we take no heed of Kay's raw
words. He ever growls like a surly dog.'

At that the king awoke, and asked whether it was not time for meat. And
the horn was sounded, and men came in from the tilting-ground and the
play-field, and washed, and the king and all his household sat down to
dinner.

On the morrow, before dawn, Sir Owen rose privily, and put on his
armour and took his horse, and rode out of the town, and for many days
rode over mountains, until he saw the sea like a sheet of burnished
lead lying on his left hand.

Then he turned his horse's head away, and rode far through wild and
distant places, into the heart of the land. And at length he arrived at
the valley which Conan had described to him, whereat he rejoiced
greatly.

He descended to the path beside the river, and journeyed along it till
he came to the castle of Sir Dewin, as Conan had described. And the two
youths were on the green before the gate wrestling together, and the
tall knight of proud mien was standing by. To Owen it seemed that he
was fiercer and prouder-looking than Conan had described. Nevertheless,
he returned the salute of Sir Owen courteously and led him into the
castle.

Sir Owen was entertained as well as Conan had been, though the hall
seemed poorer, the food coarser, and the maidens seemed careworn, and
not so fair as his friend had described. After the meal Sir Dewin asked
Sir Owen who he was and whither he wended, and Sir Owen replied:

'I have heard of the Knight of the Fountain, and I would fight him and
overcome him, if I may.'

Whereat Sir Dewin looked at him with keen fierce eyes, and observed
narrowly the build of Sir Owen's body.

'Knowest thou aught of the prize if thou slayest the Knight of the
Fountain?' asked Sir Dewin.

'Naught know I of that,' answered Sir Owen; 'but I would seek the
adventure, and whatever it will bring.'

At this the knight was silent, and seemed to brood for some moments,
with dark and frowning brows. Then he laughed and said:

'Take thou the path thou seest through the wood behind the castle.
Follow that till thou comest to a glade wh