ing them with a
precious salve she carried.

Sir Brune thought that she was sorry because she had been
scornful of him, and he began to talk to her. But she said:

"Do not talk to me. If you want to please me, go back to Arthur's
Court."

Sir Brune did not know why she spoke so, but he was too tired to
think. So he lay down on the grass by the brook and went to
sleep.

Meantime, at Arthur's Court Sir Lancelot had returned from his
hunting expedition, and was told how Sir Brune had gone out with
a damsel on the adventure of the shield.

"Oh!" cried Sir Lancelot, "what have you done! He will surely be
killed. Merlin has told me what this adventure of the shield is.
Many and many a knight has taken it up and each has been killed.
A knight who vows to follow this adventure has to meet dangers of
all sorts. This young untried Sir Brune will certainly be
killed."

He called for his horse and arms, and said to the king:

"My lord, I will ride after this poor young man and give him what
help I can. Perhaps I shall be too late; but if not, I shall ask
him to give me this adventure of the shield."

Then Sir Lancelot mounted his horse and rode after Sir Brune.
When he came near the brook where Sir Brune and the damsel had
rested, he heard the sound of a great combat. Spurring forward he
saw Sir Brune, fighting single-handed against six knights. Sir
Lancelot rushed to the rescue and quickly overthrew the enemy. He
found that they belonged to the company of the hundred knights
whom Sir Brune had attacked. He ordered them, first of all, to
free the lady of the castle, and then to go to Arthur's Court and
surrender themselves to the mercy of the king.

Poor Sir Brune was almost dead, but Sir Lancelot revived him, and
in a feeble voice he thanked Sir Lancelot for his help. But the
damsel begged:

"Take him back to the Court of your king. I do not want him to
follow this quest any longer."

"This is surely ungrateful of you," said Sir Lancelot. "He has
fought bravely and well."

"The maiden scorns me, though I love her," bitterly said Sir
Brune.

Then the damsel Elinor cried out:

"I will tell the truth. I love you and I am afraid you will be
killed. Therefore, I wish you to return to Camelot."

Sir Brune was very glad, and he said:

"I have pledged my word and must follow this quest. When I have
succeeded we shall go together back to Arthur's Court."

"Give this adventure to me," said Sir Lancelot, "and go bac