But those who observed him noticed that, while he was well horsed and had trappings of cloth of gold, he bore neither shield nor spear. Among those who watched him was Kay, who said,-- "Yonder goes my kitchen drudge, as fine a knight as the best of us, if a brave show were all that a knight needed. I have a mind to ride after him, to let him know that I am still his superior." "You had better let him alone," said Gawaine. "You may find more than you bargain for." But Kay armed himself and rode after Beaumains, whom he overtook just as he came up with the damsel. "Hold there, Beaumains," he cried, in mockery. "Do you not know me?" "Yes," answered the young man. "I know you for an ungentle knight of the court, who has put much despite upon me. It is my turn to repay you for your insults; so, sirrah, defend yourself." Kay thereupon put his spear in rest and rode upon Beaumains, who awaited him sword in hand. When they came together, Beaumains, with a skilful parry, turned aside the spear, and then with a vigorous thrust wounded Kay in the side, so that he fell from his horse like a dead man. This done, he dismounted and took Kay's shield and spear, and bade his dwarf take his horse. All this was observed by the damsel, and also by Lancelot, who had followed closely upon the track of the seneschal. "Now, Sir Lancelot, I am ready to accept your offer to knight me," said Beaumains, "but, first, I would prove myself worthy of the honor, and so will joust with you, if you consent." "That I shall certainly not decline," said Lancelot, counting upon an easy victory. But when the knight and the youth rode against each other both were hurled from their horses to the earth, and sorely bruised. But Beaumains was entangled in his harness, and Lancelot helped him from his horse. Then Beaumains flung aside his shield and proffered to fight Lancelot on foot, to which the latter consented. For an hour they fought, Beaumains showing such strength that Lancelot marvelled at it, and esteemed him more a giant than a knight. He began, indeed, to fear that he might be vanquished in the end, and at length cried out,-- "Beaumains, you fight too hard, considering that there is no quarrel between us. I fancy you need no further proof." "That is true enough, my lord," said Beaumains. "But it did me good to feel your might. As for my own strength, I hardly know it yet." "It is as much as I want to deal with," said Lancelot. "I had to do my best to save my honor." "Then you think I may prove myself a worthy knight?" "I warrant you that, if you do as well as you have done to-day." "I pray you, then, to invest me with the order of knighthood." "That shall I willingly do. But you must first tell me your name, and that of your father." "You will keep my secret?" "I promise you that on my faith, until you are ready to reveal it yourself."