"Alas, noble sir, will you let a kitchen knave thus endure your might, after all the honor you have won from worthy champions?" Then the red knight flamed with wrath, and attacked Beaumains with such fury that he wounded him so that the blood flowed in a stream to the ground. Yet the young knight held his own bravely, giving stroke for stroke, and by a final blow hurled his antagonist to the earth. He had raised his sword to slay him, when the red knight craved mercy, saying,-- "Noble, sir, you have me at advantage, but I pray you not to slay me. I yield me with the fifty knights at my command. And I forgive you all you have done to my brothers." "That will not suffice," said Beaumains. "You must die, unless the damsel shall pray me to spare your life." And he raised his sword as if for the fatal blow. "Let him live, then, Beaumains. He is a noble knight, and it is only by a chance blow that you have overcome him." "It is enough that you ask it," said Beaumains. "Rise, sir knight, and thank this damsel for your life." The red knight did so, and then prayed that they would enter his castle and spend the night there. To this they consented, but as they sat at supper the damsel continued to berate her champion, in such language that their host marvelled at the meekness of the knight. In the morning the red knight came to Beaumains with his followers, and proffered to him his homage and fealty at all times. "I thank you," said Beaumains, "but all I ask is, that when I demand it you shall go to Arthur's court, and yield yourself as his knight." "I and my fellowship will ever be ready at your summons," replied the red knight. Then Beaumains and the damsel resumed their journey, while she, as if in a fury of spite, berated him more vilely than ever before. "Fair lady," he said, with all meekness, "you are discourteous to revile me as you do. What would you have of me? The knights that you have threatened me with are all dead or my vassals. When you see me beaten, then you may bid me go in shame and I will obey, but till then I will not leave you. I were worse than a fool to be driven off by insulting words when I am daily winning honor." "You shall soon meet a knight who will test your boasted strength. So far you have fought with boys. Now you have a man who would try Arthur's self." "Let him come," said Beaumains. "The better a man he is, the more honor shall I gain from a joust with him." CHAPTER III. THE RED KNIGHT OF THE RED LAWNS. Beaumains rode forward with the damsel till it was close upon the hour of noon, when he saw that they were approaching a rich and fair city, well walled, and with many noble buildings. Between them and the city extended a new-mown meadow, a mile and a half in width, on which were placed many handsome pavilions.