a river that had but a
single ford, and on the opposite side stood two knights, ready to
dispute the passage with any who should attempt it.

"What say you to this?" asked the damsel. "Will you face yonder knights,
or turn back?"

"I shall not turn; nor would I, if there were six more of them. You
shall see that I can deal with knights as well as knaves."

Then he rode into the water, in the midst of which he met one of the
knights, their spears breaking as they came fiercely together. They then
drew their swords and began a fierce fight in the centre of the ford.
But at last Beaumains dealt his opponent a blow on the helm that stunned
him, and hurled him from his horse into the water, where he was quickly
drowned.

Beaumains now spurred forward to the land, where the other knight rushed
upon him as he touched shore, breaking his spear, but not shaking the
young champion in his seat. Then they went at it with sword and shield,
and with the same fortune as before, for Beaumains quickly cleaved the
helmet and brain of his opponent, and left him dead on the ground.

He now turned and called proudly to the damsel, bidding her to ride
forward, as he had cleared the ford for her passage.

"Alas!" she cried, "that a kitchen page should have the fortune to kill
two valiant knights. You fancy you have done a doughty deed, but I deny
it. The first knight was drowned through his horse stumbling, and the
other one you struck a foul blow from behind. Never brag of this, for I
can attest it was not honestly done."

"You may say what you will," rejoined Beaumains. "Whoever seeks to
hinder me shall make way or kill me, for nothing less than death shall
stop me on my quest to aid your lady."

"You can boast loudly before a woman. Wait till you meet the knights I
take you to, and you will be taught another lesson."

"Fair damsel, if you will but give me courteous language, I shall ask no
more. As for the knights you speak of, let come what will come."

"I say this for your own good; for if you continue to follow me you
will be slain. What you have done is by misadventure, not by prowess. If
you are wise, you will turn back with what little honor you may claim."

"Say what you choose, damsel, but wherever you go there go I, and it
will take more than insulting words to turn me back."

So they rode on till evening, she continuing to chide and berate him,
and bid him leave her, and he answering meekly, but with no abatement of