Thus they fared until evensong, and then they came to a waste land, where their way led through a narrow darkling valley. And at the head thereof they entered upon a wide land, black and drear to the very skies, and beside the way was a black hawthorn, and thereon hung a black banner and a black shield, and by it, stuck upright, was a long black spear, and beside it was a great black horse covered with silk, and a black stone fast by it. And upon the stone sat a knight in black armour, at sight of whom the damsel cried: 'Now, my kitchen knight, 'tis not too late. Fly back through the valley, or this knight will surely slay thee.' 'Nay, I will not,' said Beaumains, 'for I fear him not.' The black knight came to the damsel and asked if she had brought this knight from King Arthur's court to be her champion. 'Fie!' she said angrily, 'he is no knight. He is but a knave that was fed for alms in the king's kitchen, and would follow me in spite of all I say. And I would that you would rid me of him. To-day he slew two noble knights at the passage of the water, and all by evil chance.' 'A strong knave, in truth,' answered the knight, 'and a saucy one. Then this will I do. He shall leave me his horse and armour, for since he is but a knave, my knightly hands may not harm him.' 'You speak lightly of my horse and armour,' said Beaumains, 'but I will have you know that you get naught from me, and moreover I will pass these lands with this lady in spite of you.' 'Thou knave!' cried the knight angrily, 'yield me this lady and thyself without ado!' 'Let me see what thou canst do to take us,' replied Beaumains, and laughed gaily. At this the knight in a rage leaped upon his horse and they thundered together. The black knight's spear broke, but Beaumains' lance pierced him through the side and broke off short. Nevertheless, though badly wounded, the black knight drew his sword and fought manfully, striking Beaumains many mighty blows and bruising him sorely. But suddenly his lifted sword fell from his hand, and turning in his saddle, he dropped to the ground in a swoon, and shortly died. And Beaumains, seeing that the black armour was better than his own, armed himself in it with the aid of his dwarf squire, and rode after the damsel. But ever as before she railed at him, telling him he had conquered the black knight by a cowardly blow; but Beaumains would answer her nothing in anger. Anon they came to the edge of a vast and dark forest, and from its shadows came a knight in green armour, who cried to the damsel: 'Lady, is that my brother the Black Knight whom ye bring riding behind ye?' 'Nay, sir knight, it is not your brother,' she replied. 'It is but a kitchen knave who by treachery hath slain your noble brother, the Knight of the Black Lands.'