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diff --git a/6582-h/6582-h.htm b/6582-h/6582-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9b6068 --- /dev/null +++ b/6582-h/6582-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5654 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>In The Court Of King Arthur</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Court of King Arthur, by Samuel Lowe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In the Court of King Arthur + +Author: Samuel Lowe + +Posting Date: March 21, 2013 [EBook #6582] +Release Date: September, 2004 +First Posted: December 29, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR *** + + + + +Produced by Alan Millar and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<table summary="King Arthur" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=500 HEIGHT=728 src="images/illus-cover.jpg" alt="Cover picture"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<p align="center">In The Court of King Arthur</p> + +<p align="center">by Samuel E. Lowe</p> + +<p align="center">Illustrations by Neil O'Keeffe</p> + + +<p align="center">1918</p> + +<hr> +<h2 align="center">TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> + +<pre> +Chapter + +I. <a href="#chap01">Allan Finds A Champion</a> +II. <a href="#chap02">Allan Goes Forth</a> +III. <a href="#chap03">A Combat</a> +IV. <a href="#chap04">Allan Meets The Knights</a> +V. <a href="#chap05">Merlin's Message</a> +VI. <a href="#chap06">Yosalinde</a> +VII. <a href="#chap07">The Tournament</a> +VIII. <a href="#chap08">Sir Tristram's Prowess</a> +IX. <a href="#chap09">The Kitchen Boy</a> +X. <a href="#chap10">Pentecost</a> +XI. <a href="#chap11">Allan Meets A Stranger</a> +XII. <a href="#chap12">The Stranger And Sir Launcelot</a> +XIII. <a href="#chap13">The Party Divides</a> +XIV. <a href="#chap14">King Mark's Foul Plan</a> +XV. <a href="#chap15">The Weasel's Nest</a> +XVI. <a href="#chap16">To The Rescue</a> +XVII. <a href="#chap17">In King Mark's Castle</a> +XVIII. <a href="#chap18">The Kitchen Boy Again</a> +XIX. <a href="#chap19">On Adventure's Way</a> +XX. <a href="#chap20">Gareth Battles Sir Brian</a> +XXI. <a href="#chap21">Knight Of The Red Lawns</a> +XXII. <a href="#chap22">Sir Galahad</a> +XXIII. <a href="#chap23">The Beginning Of The Quest</a> +XXIV. <a href="#chap24">In Normandy</a> +XXV. <a href="#chap25">Sir Galahad Offers Help</a> +XXVI. <a href="#chap26">Lady Jeanne's Story</a> +XXVII. <a href="#chap27">Sir Launcelot Arrives</a> +XXVIII. <a href="#chap28">A Rescue</a> +XXIX. <a href="#chap29">Facing The East</a> +XXX. <a href="#chap30">Homeward</a> +XXXI. <a href="#chap31">The Beggar And The Grail</a> +</pre> + +<hr> +<table summary="arthur2" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=699 HEIGHT=100 src="images/illus-header2.png" alt="IN THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<h2>WHO WAS KING ARTHUR?</h2> + +<p>King Arthur, who held sway in Camelot with his Knights of the +Round Table, was supposedly a king of Britain hundreds of years +ago. Most of the stories about him are probably not historically +true, but there was perhaps a real king named Arthur, or with a +name very much like Arthur, who ruled somewhere in the island of +Britain about the sixth century.</p> + +<p>Among the romantic spires and towers of Camelot, King Arthur +held court with his queen, Guinevere. According to tradition, he +received mortal wounds in battling with the invading Saxons, and +was carried magically to fairyland to be brought back to health and +life. Excalibur was the name of King Arthur's sword--in fact, it +was the name of two of his swords. One of these tremendous weapons +Arthur pulled from the stone in which it was imbedded, after all +other knights had failed. This showed that Arthur was the proper +king. The other Excalibur was given to Arthur by the Lady of the +Lake--she reached her hand above the water, as told in the story, +and gave the sword to the king. When Arthur was dying, he sent one +of his Knights of the Round Table, Sir Bedivere, to throw the sword +back into the lake from which he had received it.</p> + +<p>The Knights of the Round Table were so called because they +customarily sat about a huge marble table, circular in shape. Some +say that thirteen knights could sit around that table; others say +that as many as a hundred and fifty could find places there. There +sat Sir Galahad, who would one day see the Holy Grail. Sir Gawain +was there, nephew of King Arthur. Sir Percivale, too, was to see +the Holy Grail. Sir Lancelot--Lancelot of the Lake, who was raised +by that same Lady of the Lake who gave Arthur his sword--was the +most famous of the Knights of the Round Table. He loved Queen +Guinevere.</p> + +<p>All the knights were sworn to uphold the laws of chivalry--to go +to the aid of anyone in distress, to protect women and children, to +fight honorably, to be pious and loyal to their king.</p> + +<HR> + +<table summary="arthur3" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=600 HEIGHT=277 src="images/illus-header1.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<h2><a name="chap01">CHAPTER ONE</a></h2> + +<h3>Allan Finds A Champion</h3> + +<p>"I cannot carry your message, Sir Knight."</p> + +<p>Quiet-spoken was the lad, though his heart held a moment's fear +as, scowling and menacing, the knight who sat so easily the large +horse, flamed fury at his refusal.</p> + +<p>"And why can you not? It is no idle play, boy, to flaunt Sir +Pellimore. Brave knights have found the truth of this at bitter +cost."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, Sir Knight, you must needs find another message +bearer. I am page to Sir Percival and he would deem it no service +to him should I bear a strange knights message."</p> + +<p>"Then, by my faith, you shall learn your lesson. Since you are +but a youth it would prove but poor sport to thrust my sword +through your worthless body. Yet shall I find Sir Percival and make +him pay for the boorishness of his page. In the meantime, take you +this."</p> + +<p>With a sweep the speaker brought the flat side of his sword +down. But, if perchance, he thought that the boy would await the +blow he found surprise for that worthy skillfully evaded the +weapon's downward thrust.</p> + +<p>Now then was Sir Pellimore doubly wroth.</p> + +<p>"Od's zounds, and you need a trouncing. And so shall I give it +you, else my dignity would not hold its place." Suiting action to +word the knight reared his horse, prepared to bring the boy to +earth.</p> + +<p>It might hare gone ill with Allan but for the appearance at the +turn of the road of another figure--also on horseback. The new +knight perceiving trouble, rode forward.</p> + +<p>"What do we see here?" he questioned. "Sir Knight, whose name I +do not know, it seems to me that you are in poor business to +quarrel with so youthful a foe. What say you?"</p> + +<p>"As to with whom I quarrel is no concern of anyone but myself. I +can, however, to suit the purpose, change my foe. Such trouncing as +I wish to give this lad I can easily give to you, Sir Knight, and +you wish it?"</p> + +<p>"You can do no more than try. It may not be so easy as your +boasting would seeming indicate. Lad," and the newcomer turned to +the boy, "why does this arrogant knight wish you harm?"</p> + +<p>"He would have me carry a message, a challenge to Sir Kay, and +that I cannot do, for even now I bear a message from Sir Percival, +whose page I am but yesterday become. And I must hold true to my +own lord and liege."</p> + +<p>"True words and well spoken. And so for you, Sir Knight of the +arrogant tongue, I hope your weapon speaks equally well. Prepare +you, sir."</p> + +<p>Sir Pellimore laughed loudly and disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"I call this great fortune which brings me battle with you, sir, +who are unknown but who I hope, none the less, are a true and brave +knight."</p> + +<p>The next second the two horses crashed together. Sir Pellimore +soon proved his skill. The Unknown, equally at ease, contented +himself with meeting onslaught after onslaught, parrying clever +thrusts and wicked blows. So they battled for many an hour.</p> + +<p>Allan, the boy, with eyes glistening, waited to see the outcome +of the brave fight. The Unknown, his champion, perhaps would need +his aid through some dire misfortune and he was prepared.</p> + +<p>Now the Unknown changed his method from one of defense to one of +offense. But Sir Pellimore was none the less skillful. The third +charge of his foe he met so skillfully that both horses crashed to +the ground. On foot, the two men then fought--well and long. Until, +through inadvertence, the Unknown's foot slipped and the next +moment found his shield splintered and sword broken.</p> + +<p>"Now then, by my guardian saint, you are truly vanquished," Sir +Pellimore exclaimed exultantly. "Say you so?"</p> + +<p>But the Unknown had already hurled himself, weaponless, upon the +seeming victor and seizing him about the waist with mighty +strength, hurled him to the ground. And even as the fallen knight, +much shaken, prepared to arise, lo, Merlin the Wizard appeared and +cast him into a deep sleep.</p> + +<p>"Sire," the Wizard declared, "do you indeed run many dangers +that thy station should not warrant. And yet, I know not whether +we, your loyal subjects, would have it otherwise."</p> + +<p>Now Allan, the boy, realized he was in the presence of the great +King. He threw himself upon his knees.</p> + +<p>"Rise lad," said King Arthur kindly. "Sir Percival is indeed +fortunate to have a page, who while so young, yet is so loyal. So +shall we see you again. Kind Merlin," and the King turned to the +Wizard, "awaken you this sleeping knight whose only sin seems an +undue amount of surliness and arrogance, which his bravery and +strength more than offset."</p> + +<p>Now Sir Pellimore rubbed his eyes. "Where am I?" he muttered +drowsily. Then as realization came, he sprang to his feet.</p> + +<p>"Know you then, Sir Pellimore," said Merlin, "he with whom you +fought is none other than Arthur, the King."</p> + +<p>The knight stood motionless, dumbfounded. But only for a +moment.</p> + +<p>"If so, then am I prepared for such punishment as may come. But +be it what it may, I can say this, that none with whom I fought has +had more skill or has shown greater bravery and chivalry. And more +than that none can say."</p> + +<p>And the knight bowed low his head, humbly and yet with a touch +of pride.</p> + +<p>"Thou art a brave knight, Sir Pellimore. And to us it seems, +that aside from a hasty temper, thou couldst well honor us by +joining the Knights of the Round Table. What saith thou?"</p> + +<p>"That shall I gladly do. And here and now I pledge my loyalty to +none other than Arthur, King of Britain, and to my fellow knights. +And as for you, boy, I say it now--that my harsh tongue and temper +ill became the true knight I claim to be."</p> + +<p>"Brave words, Sir Pellimore," said the King. "So let us back to +the castle. We see that Merlin is already ill at ease."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap02">CHAPTER TWO</a></h2> + +<h3>Allan Goes Forth</h3> + +<p>So then the four, the good King, Sir Pellimore, Merlin the +Wizard, and Allan, page to Sir Percival, came to the great castle +of Britain's king.</p> + +<p>Arthur led them into the great hall in which were placed many +small tables and in the center of them all was one of exceeding +size and round. Here was to be found a place for Sir Pellimore but +though the King searched long, few seats did he find which were not +bespoken. Yet finally he found one which did well for the new +arrival.</p> + +<p>"Here then shall you find your place at the Round Table, good +knight," said the King. "And we trust that you will bring renown +and honor to your fellowship, succor to those who are in need and +that always will you show true chivalry. And we doubt not but you +will do all of these."</p> + +<p>Sir Pellimore bowed low his head nor did he make reply because +within him surged a great feeling of gratitude.</p> + +<p>The King turned away and Merlin followed him to the upraised +dais. So now the two seated themselves and joined in earnest +talk.</p> + +<p>At the door, Allan had waited, for he would not depart until His +Majesty had seated himself. A strange gladness was in the boy's +heart, for had not his King fought for him? Here in this court, he +too would find adventure. Sir Percival mayhap, some day, would dub +him knight, should he prove faithful and worthy. What greater glory +could there be than to fight for such a King and with such brave +men?</p> + +<p>"But I must be off," he suddenly bethought himself, "else Sir +Percival will not be pleased." And therewith, he made great haste +to depart.</p> + +<p>"Aye, sire," Merlin was now speaking, "my dream is indeed +weighted with importance. But by the same taken, it cannot be known +until you call your court together so that it may be heard by +all."</p> + +<p>"Then mean you, kind Merlin, that we must call not only those of +the Round Table but all other knights and even pages and +squires?"</p> + +<p>"Even so, sire. And yet, since Whitsunday is but a few days +away, that should be no hard matter. For the knights of your court, +except Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine are here, prepared for such +tourneys and feasts fit to celebrate that day."</p> + +<p>"So then shall it be. Even now our heralds shall announce that +we crave the attendance of all those who pledge loyalty to our +court. For I know well that they must be of no mean import, these +things we shall hear. We pray only that they shall be for our good +fortune."</p> + +<p>The Wizard, making no reply, bent low and kissed his King's +hand. Then he departed.</p> + +<p>Came now his herald whom the King had summoned.</p> + +<p>"See to it that our court assembles this time tomorrow. Make far +and distant outcry so that all who are within ear may hear and so +hurry to our call. And mark you this well. We would hare Sir +Launcelot and our own nephew, Sir Gawaine, present even though they +departed this early morn for Cornwall. See you to it."</p> + +<p>Swiftly the herald made for the door to carry out the commands +of his King. But even as he reached it, Arthur called again to +him.</p> + +<p>"We have a fancy, good herald, we fain would have you follow. +Ask then Sir Percival to let us have the services of his page who +seems a likely youth and bid this youth go hence after the two +absent knights, Sir Gawaine and Sir Launcelot and give to them our +message, beseeching their return. Tell not the boy it is we who +have asked that he go."</p> + +<p>"It shall be done as you will, sire," replied the herald. No +surprise did he show at the strangeness of the King's command for +long had he been in his service and well he knew the King's strange +fancies.</p> + +<p>Sir Percival gave ready consent, when found. So when the boy had +returned from the errand forespoken, the herald announced that he +must hasten after the two knights and bid them return.</p> + +<p>"And by my faith, lad, you have but little time and you must +speed well. For tomorrow at this time is this conclave called, and +the two knights are already many miles on their journey. Take you +this horse and hasten."</p> + +<p>Then, as the eager youth, quick pulsed, made haste to obey, the +herald added in kindly voice: "It would be well could you succeed, +lad. For it is often true that through such missions, newcomers +prove future worthiness for knighthood."</p> + +<p>"I thank you greatly for your kindness," replied the boy. "I can +but try to the uttermost. No rest shall I have until I meet with +the two knights."</p> + +<p>So now Allan sought out and bespoke his own lord.</p> + +<p>"I wish you well, Allan," said Sir Percival. "And say you to my +friends Launcelot and Gawaine should they prove reluctant that they +will favor their comrade, Sir Percival, if they would make haste +and hurry their return. Stop not to pick quarrel nor to heed any +call, urgent though it may seem. Prove my true page and +worthy."</p> + +<p>"I shall do my very best, my lord. And, this my first +commission, shall prove successful even though to make it so, I +perish."</p> + +<p>Swiftly now rode forth the boyish figure. Well, too, had Arthur +chosen. Came a day when, than Allan, no braver, truer knight there +was. But of that anon.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap03">CHAPTER THREE</a></h2> + +<h3>A Combat</h3> + +<p>"Good Launcelot, I trust that good fortune shall be with us and +that our adventures be many and the knights we meet bold and +brave."</p> + +<p>"Of that, Gawaine, we need have no fear. For adventure ever +follows where one seeks and often enough overtakes the seeker. Let +us rather hope that we shall find Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadian, +both of Cornwall. For myself I would joust with Sir Tristram than +whom braver and bolder knight does not live."</p> + +<p>"And as for me," spoke Gawaine, "my anxiety is to see Mark, the +king of Cornwall, and tell him to his face that I deem him a scurvy +hound since he promised protection to Beatrice of Banisar as she +passed through his lands and yet broke his promise and so holds her +for ransom."</p> + +<p>"And there shall I help you, dear Gawaine. For bitterly shall +Mark rue his unknightly act. Shall I even wait for my event with +Sir Tristram until your business is done."</p> + +<p>"Aye, and gladly will Sir Tristram wait, I wot, if he deems it +honor to meet with Sir Launcelot du Lake. For no knight there is +who doth not know of your prowess and repute, Sir Tristram least of +all."</p> + +<p>"Kind words, Gawaine, for which I thank you. Yet, if I mistake +not, yonder, adventure seems to wait. And we but a little more than +two score miles from our gates."</p> + +<p>Ahead of them and barring their way were ten knights. Launcelot +and Gawaine stopped not a moment their pace but rode boldly +forward.</p> + +<p>"And wherefor do you, strange Knights, dispute our passage?" +asked Sir Gawaine.</p> + +<p>"Safely may you both pass unless you be gentlemen of King +Arthur's court," quote the leader who stepped forward to +answer.</p> + +<p>"And what if we be, Sir Knight?" replied Sir Launcelot +mildly.</p> + +<p>"And if you be then must you battle to the uttermost. For we owe +loyalty to King Ryence who is enemy of King Arthur. Therefore, are +we his enemies too, and enemies also of all of King Arthur's +subjects. And thus, we flaunt our enmity. We here and now call King +Arthur an upstart and if you be of his court you cannot do aught +else but fight with us."</p> + +<p>"Keep you your words," said Sir Gawaine, "until we have ceased +our quarrel. Then if you will you may call Arthur any names. +Prepare you."</p> + +<p>Boldly Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine charged upon the foe. Nor +did the knights who met them know who these two were, else milder +were their tone. Such was the valor of the two and such their +strength that four men were thrown from their horses in that first +attack and of these two were grievously wounded.</p> + +<p>Together and well they fought. Easily did they withstand the men +of King Ryence. Four men were slain by their might, through +wondrous and fearful strokes, and four were sorely wounded. There +lay the four against an oaken tree where they had been placed in a +moment's lull. But two knights were left to oppose Launcelot and +Gawaine but these two were gallant men and worthy, the very best of +all the ten.</p> + +<p>So they fought again each with a single foe. Hard pressed were +the two men of King Ryence, yet stubbornly they would not give way. +And as each side gave blow for blow, so each called "for Arthur" or +"for Ryence," whichever the case might be. Many hours they fought +until at last Sir Launcelot by a powerful blow crashed both foe and +foe's horse to the ground.</p> + +<p>And as the other would further combat, though exceedingly weak, +Sir Launcelot, upraised lance in hand by a swift stroke smote sword +from out of his weakened grasp.</p> + +<p>"Thou art a brave knight, friend. And having fought so well, I +ask no further penance but this, that you do now declare King +Arthur no upstart. I care not for your enmity but I will abide no +slander."</p> + +<p>"So must I then declare, since you have proven better man than +I," declared the conquered knight. "And for your leniency I owe you +thanks. Wherefore then to whom am I grateful? I pray your +name?"</p> + +<p>"That I shall not tell until I hear your own," replied +Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"I am known as Ronald de Lile," the other replied in subdued +tone.</p> + +<p>"Truly and well have I heard of you as a brave knight," was the +reply, "and now I know it to be so. I am Sir Launcelot du +Lake."</p> + +<p>"Then indeed is honor mine and glory, too. For honor it is to +succumb to Sir Launcelot."</p> + +<p>But now both heard the voice of Gawaine. Weak had he grown, but +weaker still his foe. Gawaine had brought the other to earth at +last with swift and mighty blow and such was the force of his +stroke the fallen man could not rise although he made great ado so +to do.</p> + +<p>"So must I yield," this knight declared. "Now will I admit +Arthur no upstart, but though I die for it I do declare no greater +king than Ryence ever lived."</p> + +<p>"By my faith, your words are but such as any knight must hold of +his own sovereign prince. I cannot take offense at brave words, Sir +Knight. Now, give me your name, for you are strong and worthy."</p> + +<p>"I am Marvin, brother of him who fought with your comrade. And +never have we met bolder and greater knights."</p> + +<p>"I am Gawaine and he who fought your brother is none other than +Launcelot."</p> + +<p>"Then truly have we met no mean foes," replied the other.</p> + +<p>Conquered and conquerers now turned to make the wounded as +comfortable as they well could be. After which, our two knights +debated going on their journey or tarrying where they were until +the morn.</p> + +<p>"Let us wend our way until we find fit place for food and rest. +There can we tarry." So spoke Launcelot and the other agreed.</p> + +<p>Then they took leave of Sir Marvin and Sir Ronald and so on +their way. Not many miles did they go however before they found +suitable place. Late was the hour and weary and much in need of +rest were the two knights. So they slept while, half his journey +covered, Allan sped onward, making fast time because he was but +light of weight and his horse exceeding swift.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap04">CHAPTER FOUR</a></h2> + +<h3>Allan Meets the Knights</h3> + +<p>From the first day when Allan began to understand the tales of +chivalry and knightly deeds, he fancied and longed for the day when +he would grow into manhood and by the same token into knighthood. +Then would he go unto King Arthur on some Pentecost and crave the +boon of serving him. Mayhap, too, he would through brave and worthy +deeds gain seat among those of the Round Table. So he would dream, +this youth with eager eyes, and his father, Sir Gaunt, soon came to +know of his son's fancies and was overly proud and pleased with +them. For he himself had, in his days, been a great and worthy +knight, of many adventures and victor of many an onslaught. It +pleased him that son of his would follow in his footsteps.</p> + +<p>When Allan was fourteen, Sir Gaunt proceeded to Sir Percival who +was great friend of his and bespoke for his son the place of page. +And so to please Sir Gaunt and for friendship's sake, Sir Percival +gave ready consent. Therewith, he found the youth pleasing to the +eye and of a great willingness to serve.</p> + +<p>So must we return to Allan who is now on his way for many an +hour. As he made his way, he marveled that he should have had +notice brought upon himself, for he was young and diffident and +should by every token have escaped attention in these his first +days at court. How would his heart have grown tumultuous had he +known that none other than Arthur himself had made him choice. But +that he was not to know for many a year.</p> + +<p>Night came on and the boy traveled far. Yet gave he no thought +to rest for he knew that he could ill afford to tarry and that only +with the best of fortune could he overtake the two knights in time +to make early return. About him the woods were dark and mysterious. +Owls hooted now and then and other sounds of the night there were, +yet was the boy so filled with urge of his mission that he found +not time to think of ghosts nor black magic.</p> + +<p>Then, as he turned the road he saw the dim shadow of a horse. +Ghostly it seemed, until through closer view it proved flesh and +blood. Lying close by was a knight who seemed exceeding weak and +sorely wounded.</p> + +<p>Quick from his horse came Allan and so made the strange knight +be of greater comfort.</p> + +<p>Now the knight spoke weakly.</p> + +<p>"Grievously have I been dealt with by an outlaw band. This day +was I to meet my two brothers Sir Ronald and Sir Marvin yet cannot +proceed for very weakness. Which way do you go, lad?"</p> + +<p>"I keep on my way to Cornwall," replied Allan.</p> + +<p>"From yonder do my brothers journey and should you meet with +them bid them hasten here so that together we can go forth to find +this outlaw band and it chastise."</p> + +<p>"That shall I do. Sir Knight. It grieves me that I may not stay +and give you such aid as I may but so must I hasten that I cannot. +Yet shall I stop at first abode and commission them to hurry here +to you."</p> + +<p>"For that I thank you, lad. And should time ever come when you +my aid require, know then to call on Philip of Gile."</p> + +<p>So Allan pressed forward. At early dawn he came upon Sir Ronald +and Sir Marvin who had found rest along the wayside. And when he +found that these were the two knights he gave them their brother's +message.</p> + +<p>"Then must we hasten thence, Ronald. And thank you, lad, for +bringing us this message. Choose you and you can rest awhile and +partake of such food that we have."</p> + +<p>"Of food I will have, Sir Knights, for hunger calls most +urgently. But tarry I cannot for I must find Sir Launcelot and Sir +Gawaine. Mayhap you have met with them?"</p> + +<p>"Of a truth can we say that we have met with them and suffered +thereby. Yet do we hold proof as to their knightly valor and skill. +They have gone but a little way, for it was their purpose to find +rest nearby. We doubt not you will find them at the first fair +abode. In the meantime must we hasten to our brother's aid and +leave our wounded comrades to such care as they may get."</p> + +<p>The knights spoke truly, for Allan found upon inquiry that the +two he sought were lodged close by. Boldly the boy called, now for +Sir Launcelot, now for Sir Gawaine, but both were overtired and of +a great weariness and it took many minutes before at last Sir +Launcelot opened wide his eyes.</p> + +<p>"And who are you, boy?" for he knew him not.</p> + +<p>"My name is Allan and I am page to Sir Percival."</p> + +<p>"Come you with a message from Sir Percival? Does he need our +help?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, sir. Rather do I come with a message from the court--the +herald of which sent me urging you and Sir Gawaine to return before +sundown for a great conclave is to gather which the King himself +has called."</p> + +<p>"Awaken then, thou sleepy knight," Sir Launcelot called to his +comrade who had not stirred. "It were pity that all this must be +told to you again."</p> + +<p>Sir Gawaine now arose rubbing eyes still filled with sleep. To +him Allan repeated his message.</p> + +<p>"What say you, Gawaine? Shall we return?"</p> + +<p>"As for me," replied Sir Gawaine, "I would say no. What matter +if we are or are not present. Already we are late for our present +journey's purpose. So say I, let us not return but rather ask this +youth to bespeak for us the king's clemency."</p> + +<p>"And I, too, am of the same mind, Gawaine. So lad," Sir +Launcelot turned to the boy and spoke kindly, "return you to court +and give them our message. This errand on which we are at present +bound holds urgent need, else would we return at our King's +behest."</p> + +<p>Rueful and with a great gloom Allan saw his errand fail.</p> + +<p>"Kind sirs, Sir Percival bid me bespeak for him as well, and ask +you, as true comrades, to make certain to return. Furthermore, my +knights, this, my first mission would be unfortunate if it did not +terminate successfully. So I pray you that you return."</p> + +<p>Loud and long Sir Launcelot laughed and yet not unkindly while +Sir Gawaine placed hand upon the boy's shoulder approvingly.</p> + +<p>"By my faith, Launcelot, we can do no more than return. That +Percival speaks counts for much, but this youth's honor is also at +stake." The light of laughter played in the speaker's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Sir Launcelot, "let us return. It would be pity to +send this lad back after his long journey, without success. So then +to our horses and let us make haste. The hours are few and the +miles many."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap05">CHAPTER FIVE</a></h2> + +<h3>Merlin's Message</h3> + +<p>Now as the sun, a flaming golden ball about which played the +wondrous softer colors of filmy clouds, began sinking in the +western horizon, the heralds announced everywhere that the time for +assemblage had come. Of those few who were not present, chiefest +were Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. And for these two the herald of +King Arthur was searching the road in vain.</p> + +<p>"Think you, Sir Percival, these two will come?" the herald, +anxious of tone, inquired. "Our King would have them present and I +fancy not the making of excuse for their not appearing."</p> + +<p>"It is hard telling, Sir Herald. Far had the page to go and he +is young. Then too, it is a question whether should he meet with +them, these two have a mind to appear. For I know that their +journey to Cornwall is urgent."</p> + +<p>Now the knights entered and found place. Then followed the +pages, squires and after them such yeoman and varlets as could find +room. After each had found his place, came King Arthur leading his +queen. And as they entered, up rose the knights, their vassals, all +that were within the hall and raised a mighty shout.</p> + +<p>"St. George and Merrie England. Long live King Arthur. Long live +Queen Guenever."</p> + +<p>Then turned the King toward his loyal subjects and though his +lips were seen to move, none heard him for the clamor. So King +Arthur turned to seat his queen and then he himself sat down upon +his throne, high on the dais.</p> + +<p>Then soon after even as bell tolled the hour, Arthur arose. No +sign had yet come of Launcelot and Gawaine. So now the herald +slipped to the door to cast again a hurried glance for perchance +that they might be within vision. And as he went noiselessly, so, +too, a quiet fell that the King's words might be heard. But now +disturbing this quiet came a great clattering. Arthur turned his +eyes, frowning, at the sudden noise. Yet came a greater turmoil, +approaching horse's hoofs were heard and then into the great hall +thundered the steeds carrying the noble figures of Launcelot and +Gawaine, followed but a pace behind by Allan the page.</p> + +<p>Straight to the dais they came, the two knights. Allan, however, +turned, made hasty exit because he felt himself abashed to be +observed by so many eyes. On foot he entered once again and found +place far in the rear where few could observe him.</p> + +<p>The two knights now dismounted and knelt before their King.</p> + +<p>"We pray your pardon for the lateness of our coming. Yet did we +hasten and could not have come the sooner."</p> + +<p>"That we feel is so, Sir Knights, for we know you well enough. +Nor are we wroth, since come you did. But where, pray, is the +message bearer? Truly his speed was great to have reached you in +time for your return. And if I mistake not," added the King with +great shrewdness, "neither you, Gawaine, nor you Launcelot, were +any too ready to return. How then, did the lad urge you?"</p> + +<p>"You speak truly, sire," replied Gawaine. "For our errand had +need of urgent haste and we were both to give it up. Yet did the +boy urge us and chiefest urge of all to us was where he claimed his +own honor demanded the success of his mission. Those were fine +words, so did we therefore return."</p> + +<p>"Fine words, indeed. Where then is this page? Will you, Sir +Herald, bring him forth?"</p> + +<p>So Allan came forward, red of face and hating such womanness +that would let him blush before all these great men. Knelt he +before his King.</p> + +<p>"Thou art a good lad and will bear watching. Go thy way and +remember that the road ahead for those who wish to be knights of +high nobility is steep and arduous but well worth the trials. +Remember too, that this day, Britain's King, said that some day +thou wilt prove a worthy and brave knight."</p> + +<p>And as Allan with flaming cheeks and glorious pride went to his +place far in the rear of the hall the King turned to the +assemblage.</p> + +<p>"Merlin is here but departs from us tomorrow for many a day. He +has had a great dream which affects this court and us and which +must be told to all of you. So he has asked us to call you and this +we have done. Stand up now Merlin, wisest of men and truest of +counselors. Speak."</p> + +<p>Up rose Merlin and for wonder as to what his dream might be all +held their breath.</p> + +<p>"But the other night came Joseph of Armathea to me while I +slept. And he chided me that in all Britain so few of all the true +and brave knights had thought to seek the wondrous Holy Grail which +once was pride of all England.</p> + +<p>"And me thought I heard him say, 'Truly do I misdoubt the valor +of these knights who seek adventure and glory.'</p> + +<p>"'Yet.' said I, 'doubt not their valor for can I give surety for +it. For Holy Grail, every varlet, let alone those of true blood, +would give his life and count it more than worthy.'</p> + +<p>"'So shall it be!' replied Sir Joseph. 'For the Holy Grail will +be found. Whether knight or varlet shall the finder be, I will not +say. But this I tell you now. He who finds it shall be pure of +heart and noble beyond all men. From whence he cometh, who he is, I +will not say. Remember this, Merlin, brave and noble knights there +are now in England, brave knights shall come, and some shall come +as strangely as shall the Grail. Many deeds will be done that will +bring truest of glory to England's name. And never again shall more +noble or more worthy knights hold Britain's banner so high. For +they who seek the Holy Grail must be worthy even of the search.'</p> + +<p>"'Let your King beware that he listens well to all who come to +his court on every Pentecost. And though they who search may not be +overstrong, yet while they seek it they will find in themselves +many men's strength.'</p> + +<p>"And then he left me. But even after he was gone I dreamt on. +And I say to you, oh men of England, go you forth and seek this +Holy Grail, if within you, you know that you are pure of heart and +noble. If you are not, go then and seek to be purified for that is +possible. Only one of you will find the Holy Grail, yet is there +great glory in the search. May he who finds it and all the rest who +search for it bring greater fame and worthiness to this our land +and to him who is our King."</p> + +<p>Now Merlin turned to seat himself. But yet before he found his +place every man within the hall stood up prepared to make oath then +and there to begin the search. Only two kept still, nor did they +move. One was Sir Launcelot, the other the youth Allan.</p> + +<p>But quick as they who upstood, Merlin spoke again. And though +his voice was low, yet was it heard throughout the hall.</p> + +<p>"Pledge not yourself today, nor yet tomorrow. Go you hence, +first. In your innermost heart find answer to this question. Am I +pure, am I worthy for the search? For that you must be before any +pledge suffices."</p> + +<p>Silent and thoughtful the men found each his seat. And when all +had been seated, Arthur, King, arose.</p> + +<p>"Wouldst that I felt myself worthy. Yet from this day shall I +strive to the uttermost for the time when I shall feel that I +am."</p> + +<p>And throughout the hall came answering vows: "So shall we all." +Within his heart, Allan, the youth, felt a strange radiancy, as he +too made this vow, "So shall I."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap06">CHAPTER SIX</a></h2> + +<h3>Yosalinde</h3> + +<p>Now came Pentecost and brought with it to King Arthur's +Tournament brave knights from everywhere. Distant Normandy, the far +shores of Ireland, sent each the flower of its knighthood. +Scotland's king was there, the brave Cadoris, to answer the +challenge of the King of Northgalis who was also present. Ban, King +of Northumberland, had come. Sir Palomides came too, and it was he +who was declared, by many to be the bravest and the most skillful +of all of Britain's knights. Yet there were equal number and more +who held the same for both Sir Launcelot and for Sir Tristram. Sir +Lauvecor, leading a hundred knights, came late, with the blessing +of his father, who was none other than King of Ireland.</p> + +<p>A brave show they all made, these many knights seeking +adventure, and each, as he so easily bestrode his steed, found it +hard matter to find comrade and friend, for the many who were +there. Gay were the colors each knight wore and on some fortune had +smiled, for these carried token of some fair lady. Of fair ladies +there were many to watch the deeds of skill and bravery and most +beautiful of them all, was Arthur's queen, Guenever.</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine had found no need to journey to +Cornwall. For word had come that Sir Tristram had had a bitter +quarrel with King Mark and had left his court carrying that wicked +King's curse. Tristram had made final demand on the traitorous King +to release the maiden Beatrice whom he was holding for ransom and +this the King had had no mind to do. Then had the bold knight +himself made for the door of the great dungeon and with hilt of +sword knocked long and loud to summon the keeper. And when the door +was opened this same keeper could not withstay him, nor would he. +Then had Tristram carried the maiden to point of safety and so +earned her gratitude. Nor would any knight of King Mark take issue +with him for none felt the King's deed to be knightly. And though +the King made pretense of bearing no ill will, yet did Sir Tristram +leave Cornwall that same day.</p> + +<p>And Sir Gawaine knew not whether to be pleased or otherwise at +the news.</p> + +<p>"I would have fancied making rescue of the Lady Beatrice myself. +And fancied even more to have told King Mark the scurvy knave I +deem him; yet I doubt not Sir Tristram did the deed well and since +it leaves me free to stay and have part in the jousting, I am not +displeased."</p> + +<p>"And methinks," added Sir Launcelot, "Sir Tristram will make his +way hither, for tournament such as this holds all alluring +call."</p> + +<p>King Arthur, together with Ban of Northumberland, and Sir +Percival were declared the judges for all but the last of the three +days.</p> + +<p>Now then Sir Percival, finding a moment's brief respite, +followed by his page rode to the palace where sat his mother and +two sisters. There he found Sir Uwaine already in deep converse +with Helene, who was the older of the two maidens and whose knight +he was.</p> + +<p>"See you, son, there do be knights who find time to pay respect +to us, even though our own are slower footed." So spoke the Lady +Olande yet did it jestingly and with no intent to hurt for she had +great love for her son.</p> + +<p>"And I doubt not, Uwaine does make up for any seeming lack of +mine," replied Sir Percival. "If, mother mine, I were not made a +judge, my time would be more my own.</p> + +<p>"But here, I must have lost what manners I have been taught. +Mother, this is Allan who is my page, and these, Allan, are my +sisters Helene and Yosalinde. Allan is son of Sir Gaunt, whom you +all know. Forgive my not making you known before this, lad."</p> + +<p>Pleasantly did the ladies greet him and so well that he found no +embarrassment therewith. And so now Sir Percival turned and spoke +in low tones to his mother. Sir Uwaine and his lady walked away, +claiming that they must give greeting to certain high ladies. And +therewith left Allan, the boy, and Yosalinde, who was even younger +than he, to themselves.</p> + +<p>Allan strove to speak but found he could not and so sat on horse +waiting. The girl calmly watched him from her place, yet was there +mischief in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"If you would, you may dismount from your horse and find place +hither. There is room, as you see," she suggested.</p> + +<p>The lad looked uncertain. Yet Sir Percival had already found +place next to his mother and was now in earnest converse. So he +found he could not do otherwise.</p> + +<p>Now Yosalinde laughed at what showed so plainly his +unwillingness to sit beside her.</p> + +<p>"I shall not bite you. See how harmless I am? No witch, I hope, +you think I am. For shame that youth, who would be brave knight, +should fear a lady and in especial one so young as I."</p> + +<p>"I fear you not," replied Allan hotly.</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps you dislike me?" the minx questioned +innocently.</p> + +<p>"Certes, no. How could I?" the guileless youth replied.</p> + +<p>"Then you do like me? Although I doubt I find any pride in that +since I must need force the words from you."</p> + +<p>At a loss now the lad could not answer. For the girl had better +of him because of her quick tongue and he found she twisted his +words and meaning to suit her taste. Yet finally, she turned the +talk and so Allan found himself telling her of his high hopes. So +simply too, without boasting, he told her of the fine words of +Arthur to him. And last, because it had made its deep impress upon +him, he spoke of Merlin's dream. And of this Yosalinde, now serious +and wide eyed, questioned him closely, and soon knew all that he +did.</p> + +<p>So now Percival uprose and made ready to return to his duties. +So therefore, too, did Allan, and found he now felt more at ease +and without constraint of the girl.</p> + +<p>"I <i>like</i> you, Allan, and I say it though I +should make it harder for you to know, than it was for me. I give +you my friendship and if it help you, take this ring and wear it. +May it serve you in time of stress. And at all times consider it +token of your lady."</p> + +<p>And then once again the laughing, teasing minx, she, added:</p> + +<p>"Yet, after all, you are but a boy and I am no less a girl. Yet, +let us make-believe, you a bold knight and I your lady. Mayhap it +may be true some day."</p> + +<p>So she was gone now to her mother leaving Allan with stirred +feelings and somewhat in a dream, too. For Sir Percival had to call +twice to him before he mounted his own horse. And even as they both +made their way, he turned his head back to see if he could perceive +aught of this strange girl. And thought he saw a waving hand but +was not sure.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap07">CHAPTER SEVEN</a></h2> + +<h3>The Tournament</h3> + +<p>On the first of the three days of the tournament there were +great feats of wrestling and trials of archery. So too did yeomen +prove their skill with mace and clubs. Foot races were many. And +constant flow of ale and food so that none among the yeomen and +even of the varlets found aught to want. Many fools there were too +and these pleased all mightily.</p> + +<p>But as the day advanced of all the yeomen but a half dozen +remained for the wrestling. And for each of these but one, there +was high acclaim from those other yeomen who were there and from +such knights as owed fealty to selfsame banner. And of the archers +too, but very few remained for last tests of skill.</p> + +<p>For the one yeoman, who wore green tunic and red cap, there was +none to cheer. A stranger, he kept silent and yet was equally +skillful with the best. He had entered himself for the archery +prize and for the wrestling.</p> + +<p>"Dost know this knave?" asked King Arthur of Sir Percival.</p> + +<p>"Only that he belongs not to any of us of the Round Table," +replied Percival.</p> + +<p>"Is he forsooth one of your men, worthy Ban?"</p> + +<p>"I would he were, Arthur, yet is he not."</p> + +<p>Now Sir Percival rode forward and divided these last six +wrestlers into teams. Yet did this man prove victor for he had a +wondrous hold which none of the others knew. And when he had won, +so turned he to watch and join in the archery. And as he watched +came there knaves to him and mocked him.</p> + +<p>"Faith though you wrestle well," one spoke, "it doth not make +you an archer. For here you find true archery than which none can +do better."</p> + +<p>"And I carry a club I would fain try on your thick skull," said +another who was even less gentle spoken.</p> + +<p>"Of a good time, my friend, and you may," replied the lone +knave.</p> + +<p>"No such time befits the same as now," replied the first +knave.</p> + +<p>"If they will wait for my trial with bow and arrow I would be +the last to keep you waiting." So spoke the stranger.</p> + +<p>So then one of the knaves hurried away and received +permission.</p> + +<p>"Then furnish me a club," said the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Here then is mine," offered the third knave.</p> + +<p>Yet, forsooth, the club was but a sorry one and so the unknown +would not use it.</p> + +<p>"Then show you a coward's heart," replied he who would strive +with him. And then the three rushed upon the stranger and would do +him hurt.</p> + +<p>So now came bearing down on the three none other than Allan who +had overheard the parley.</p> + +<p>"For shame, knaves. No true men would treat stranger so. He asks +nothing more than is fair. Give him a club of his choosing."</p> + +<p>"Of a faith, young master, this quarrel is none of yours, and +warrants no interference. Leave this fellow to us, and we shall +give him clubbing of his choosing." And the man who addressed the +boy, though he looked not straight at him, growled surlily.</p> + +<p>"I shall give you a thrashing, fool, unless you do my bidding," +replied the boy, hotly.</p> + +<p>But the three surly brutes moved uneasily. And then came Sir +Percival forward.</p> + +<p>"What have we here?" he asked.</p> + +<p>So Allan waited for the men to say. But they, now frightened, +made no spoken word.</p> + +<p>"These knaves would play foul tricks on this strange fellow. +This one, would strive with him and yet would not offer other club +than this. And when the stranger asked to have one of his choice +they called him coward and would beat him."</p> + +<p>"And I doubt not, fools, this club you offer will not stand one +blow." So Sir Percival brought it down on the first knave's head, +and, lo, though the blow was not a hard one, yet did the club break +in two.</p> + +<p>"So methought. Now go you Allan and get club that will do. And +then will you, stranger, give this villain a sound trouncing." And +Sir Percival stayed so that the troublemakers did not depart.</p> + +<p>So Allan brought a club which suited the stranger.</p> + +<p>Now did the two battle long and well. Both the stranger and he +who fought with him were of great strength and each was exceeding +quick.</p> + +<p>As wood struck wood and each tried to get full blow upon the +other, so turned all eyes upon the two. And except for glancing +blows neither could bring the other down. And though the sparks +flew, yet each held his club and was hardly hurt. So now they +rested for a few moments.</p> + +<p>And while they waited, the stranger turned to Allan and +spoke.</p> + +<p>"I thank you for your brave upstanding of me, young master. And +I hope some day I may serve you equally well."</p> + +<p>"You are a worthy man. Serve me now by trouncing the knave who +battles with you."</p> + +<p>"I can but try, yet right skillful is the fellow."</p> + +<p>So they turned to again. Yet this time the stranger fought the +better. Soon the other was forced back, foot by foot. And even as +the stranger seemed to have all the best of it, his foot seeming +slipped, and he went to his knees.</p> + +<p>Fiercely the other came upon him. Yet as he came closer the +stranger's club moved swiftly. From out the seeming victor's hand +flew his mighty club and next second found him clubbed to the +ground, senseless.</p> + +<p>Now the stranger sat himself down for he needed rest sorely. But +only for a little while and thereafter he turned to try his skill +with bow and arrow. And though he had shown skill in all of the +other feats he proved his mastery here. For he was wondrous expert +in his archery.</p> + +<p>"Here you, is fair target," he finally suggested after many +trials. And went to distant tree and removed from bough upon it, +all its leaves but one.</p> + +<p>"Shoot you all at this. And if you bring it down I will call you +skillful."</p> + +<p>But only one would try for it. And he came close but missed.</p> + +<p>Now did the stranger raise his own bow. Nor did he seem to take +aim but let the arrow fly. And the arrow carried the twig and leaf +with it to the ground.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth," said King Arthur, "a right worthy knave is that +and I would speak to him."</p> + +<p>So they brought the stranger before the king.</p> + +<p>"Thou hast done exceeding well, this day, fellow. Tell us then +the banner that you serve."</p> + +<p>"That I cannot do. For, sire, such are my master's commands. Yet +may I say no knight is more true and worthy."</p> + +<p>"Then must we wait for your master's coming. Go thou hence and +tell your master he can be proud of thee. And take you this bag of +gold besides such other prizes as are yours." So as the knave stood +there, the King turned to Sir Dagonet, his jester, who was making +himself heard.</p> + +<p>"A fool speaks, sire. Yet claim I, like master like man. So then +must this fellow's master be right skillful to hold him. And since +this master is not you, nor Sir Launcelot, then I pick him to be +Sir Tristram."</p> + +<p>"Fool's reasoning, yet hath it much sense," said the King.</p> + +<p>Now the stranger left. But ere departing, he turned to +Allan.</p> + +<p>"I trust, young master, I shall see you again. As to who I am, +know you for your own keeping--fools ofttimes reason best of +all."</p> + +<p>The yeoman rode far into the forest. Then when he came to a lone +habitation he dismounted. A knight seated near the small window at +the further wall greeted him as he entered.</p> + +<p>"How did the day turn out? No doubt they trounced you well."</p> + +<p>"No, master, no trouncing did I get. Instead, the good King +spoke pleasantly unto me, gave me this bag of gold, and commended +me to my master. Furthermore, see you these prizes that are +mine?"</p> + +<p>"Aye," the yeoman continued, not a bit grieved at the knight's +banter, "I even heard the King's fool remark that since the man was +so good, the master need must be. And then and there he hazarded a +shrewd guess that if this master were not the King, nor Sir +Launcelot, then it must need be you."</p> + +<p>"Then truly am I in good company. Now then tell me what news is +there of tomorrow?"</p> + +<p>"The King of Northgalis desires your aid. That I heard him say. +Sir Launcelot is to joust for Cadoris as is Sir Palomides, and +these two, of a truth, make it one-sided."</p> + +<p>"Worthy Gouvernail, prove again my faith in you. Procure for me +a shield, one that holds no insignia, so that I may enter the lists +unbeknownst to any. I would not have them know I am Tristram, so +that it may be my good fortune to joust with many knights who know +me not."</p> + +<p>"That, good master, is not hard. I know a place where I can +obtain a black shield, one that holds no other remembrance upon it. +It should serve your purpose well."</p> + +<p>"By my faith, did ever better knave serve master? Right proud of +you am I, Gouvernail. And would that I too had bags of gold I could +give you for your loyal service."</p> + +<p>"Nay, master, such service as I give I measure not by aught that +you can pay."</p> + +<p>"That do I know full well, else had you left me long since, for +little have I paid," Sir Tristram answered, soft spoken and with +great affection.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap08">CHAPTER EIGHT</a></h2> + +<h3>Sir Tristram's Prowess</h3> + +<p>So the next day Sir Tristram, carrying the black shield, went +forth to enter the lists. And none knew him. The great conflict had +already begun when he arrived. He found himself a place among those +knights who jousted for Northgalis. And very soon all perceived +that this knight with the black shield was skillful and strong. +Well and lustily did he battle and none could withstand him. Yet +did he not meet with Sir Launcelot nor with Sir Palomides, on this +first day. Nor did any know him, but all marveled at his worth and +bravery.</p> + +<p>So, as the day was done, this Unknown and his servant, +Gouvernail, rode back into the forest. And none followed him for he +was a brave knight and all respected him and his desire to stay +unknown. Yet did the judges declare the side of Northgalis victor +and as for single knight, the most worthy was the Unknown. And he +was called "the Knight of the Black Shield."</p> + +<p>Now as the judges' duties were done, King Arthur showed how +wroth he was that strange knight had carried off such great +honors.</p> + +<p>"Yet do we hope tomorrow shall show other reckoning than this. +For good Launcelot shall be there and so shall we."</p> + +<p>On the morn the heralds called forth the brave knights once +again. And with the call came the "Knight of the Black Shield."</p> + +<p>Sir Palomides was await for him, eager and alert, to be the +first to joust. And so they, like great hounds, went at each other. +And truly, Sir Tristram found his foe a worthy one. Long did they +joust without either besting the other until he of the black shield +by great skill and fine force brought down a mighty blow and did +smite Sir Palomides over his horse's croup. But now as the knight +fell King Arthur was there and he rode straight at the unknown +knight shouting, "Make thee ready for me!" Then the brave +sovereign, with eager heart, rode straight at him and as he came, +his horse reared high. And such was the King's strength he unhorsed +Sir Tristram.</p> + +<p>Now, while the latter was on foot, rode full tilt upon him, Sir +Palomides, and would have borne him down but that Sir Tristram was +aware of his coming, and so lightly stepping aside, he grasped the +arm of the rider and pulled him from his horse. The two dashed +against each other on foot and with their swords battled so well +that kings and queens and knights and their ladies stood and beheld +them. But finally the Unknown smote his foe three mighty blows so +that he fell upon the earth groveling. Then did they all truly +wonder at his skill for Sir Palomides was thought by many to be the +most skillful knight in Britain.</p> + +<p>A knight now brought horse for Sir Tristram, for now, all knew +that it must be he. So too was horse brought for Sir Palomides. +Great was the latter's ire and he came at Sir Tristram again. Full +force, he bore his lance at the other. And so anew they fought. Yet +Sir Tristram was the better of the two and soon with great strength +he got Sir Palomides by the neck with both hands and so pulled him +clean out of his saddle. Then in the presence of them all, and well +they marveled at his deed, he rode ten paces carrying the other in +this manner and let him fall as he might.</p> + +<p>Sir Tristram turned now again and saw King Arthur with naked +sword ready for him. The former halted not, but rode straight at +the King with his lance. But as he came, the King by wondrous blow +sent his weapon flying and for a moment Sir Tristram was stunned. +And as he sat there upon his horse the King rained blows upon him +and yet did the latter draw forth his sword and assail the King so +hard that he need must give ground. Then were these two divided by +the great throng. But Sir Tristram, lion hearted, rode here and +there and battled with all who would. And of the knights who +opposed him he was victor of eleven. And all present marveled at +him, at his strength and at his great deeds.</p> + +<p>Yet had he not met Sir Launcelot, who elsewhere was meeting with +all who would strive with him. Not many, however, would joust with +him for he was known as the very bravest and most skillful. So as +he sat there all at ease, there came the great acclaim for the +Knight of the Black Shield. Nor did Sir Launcelot know him to be +Sir Tristram. But he got his great lance and rushed toward the cry. +When he saw this strange knight he called to him, "Knight of the +Black Shield, prepare for me."</p> + +<p>And then came such jousting as had never been seen. For each +knight bowed low his head and came at the other like the wind. When +they met it was very like thunder. Flashed lance on shields and +armor so that sparks flew. And each would not give to the other one +step but by great skill with shield did avoid the best of each +other's blows.</p> + +<p>Then did Sir Tristram's lance break in two, and Sir Launcelot, +through further ill fortune, wounded Sir Tristram in his left side. +But notwithstanding, the wounded knight brought forth his sword and +rushed daringly at the other with a force that Sir Launcelot could +not withstand, and gave him a fearful blow. Low in his saddle +sagged Sir Launcelot, exceeding weak for many moments. Now Sir +Tristram left him so and rode into the forest. And after him +followed Gouvernail, his servant.</p> + +<p>Sore wounded was Sir Tristram yet made he light of it. Sir +Launcelot on his part recovered soon and turned back to the +tourney, and thereafter did wondrous deeds and stood off many +knights, together and singly.</p> + +<p>Now again was the day done and the tournament, too. And to Sir +Launcelot was given full honor as victor of the field. But naught +would Sir Launcelot have of this. He rode forthwith to his +King.</p> + +<p>"Sire, it is not I but this knight with the Black Shield who has +shown most marvelous skill of all. And so I will not have these +prizes for they do not belong to me."</p> + +<p>"Well spoken, Sir Launcelot and like thy true self," replied the +King. "So since this knight is gone, will you go forth with us +within the fortnight in search for him. And unless we are in great +error we shall find this Knight of the Black Shield no more, no +less, than Sir Tristram."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap09">CHAPTER NINE</a></h2> + +<h3>The Kitchen Boy</h3> + +<p>Among all those who came to the court of King Arthur at this +Pentecost seeking hospitality, were two strangers in especial, who +because of being meanly garbed and of a seeming awkwardness brought +forth the mockery and jest of Sir Kay the Seneschal. Nor did Sir +Kay mean harm thereby, for he was knight who held no villainy. Yet +was his tongue overly sharp and too oft disposed to sting and +mock.</p> + +<p>Too, the manner of their coming was strange. One was a youth of +handsome mien. Despite his ill garb, he seemed of right good +worship. Him, our young page Allan found fallen in a swoon, very +weak and near unto death, asprawl on the green about a mile from +the castle. Thinking that the man was but a villain, he would fain +have called one of the men-at-arms to give him aid, but that +something drew him to closer view. And then the boy felt certain +that this was no villain born for his face bespoke gentle breeding. +So he himself hastened for water and by much use of it the man soon +opened his eyes and found himself. So he studied the lad as he +helped him to greater ease but either through his great weakness or +no desire he did not speak.</p> + +<p>"Stranger," said Allan to the man, "if there is aught that I can +do for you or if I can help you in any way I give you offer of +service. Mayhap of the many knights who are here, there is one +whose aid you may justly claim."</p> + +<p>The stranger held answer for many moments, then he spoke.</p> + +<p>"There are those here, lad, whose service I may well accept for +they hold ties of blood to me. But I would not. Rather, if your +patience will bear with me, I would fain have your help so that I +can appear in the presence of the King this day. For so it is +ordained and by appearing there I shall find some part of my row +accomplished. On this holy day, I have boon to ask from your +King."</p> + +<p>"So shall I and right gladly lead you there. Good sir, my name +is Allan. I am page to Sir Percival, and I would bespeak your +name."</p> + +<p>"I beg of thee, Allan, think not that I am churlish and yet must +I withhold my name. For it is part of the vow I have made. Nor, +forsooth, am I therefore the less grateful."</p> + +<p>"No offense take I, friend. So when you feel disposed I shall +guide your steps for audience with our good King."</p> + +<p>The stranger, weak and spent, leaning mightily on his young +friend made his way to the great hall. And as we have recounted, +though all were struck by oddness and meanness of the stranger's +clothes, yet only Sir Kay made point to taunt him. Yet did he make +no answer to these taunts but waited with a great meekness for his +turn before the King. And that he should wait with such meekness +was strange for he seemed to be a high born knight.</p> + +<p>There were many who sought audience with the King and it was +long before the stranger's turn came. Weak he still was, but he +made no complaint, and when others would crowd before him so that +they could speak the sooner to King Arthur, he did not chide them +but permitted it. At last Sir Launcelot came forward, for he had +observed this and made each of them find the place which was first +theirs, so that the stranger's turn came as it should. Weak though +he was he walked with a great firmness to the dais, and none there +saw his poor clothes for the fineness of him. The King turned to +him and he nodded kindly.</p> + +<p>"Speak, friend. In what way can we be of service to thee?"</p> + +<p>"Sire," said the stranger, "I come to ask of thee three boons. +One I ask this day and on this day one year I shall come before you +and crave your favor for the other two."</p> + +<p>"If the boon you ask, stranger, is aught we can grant, we shall +do so cheerfully, for on this day we heed all prayers."</p> + +<p>"I ask very little, sire. This and no more do I wish--that you +give me food and drink for one year and that on this day a year +hence I shall make my other two prayers."</p> + +<p>"It is indeed little you ask. Food and drink we refuse none. It +is here. Yet while your petition might well beseem a knave, thou +seemeth of right good worship, a likely youth, too, none fairer, +and we would fain your prayer had been for horse and armor. Yet may +you have your wish. Sir Kay," and the King turned to his Seneschal, +"see you to it that this stranger finds his wish satisfied."</p> + +<p>So the King turned to others present, for of those who sought +audience there were many. And so forgot all of the fair youth for +many a day.</p> + +<p>Sir Kay laughed mockingly at the unknown.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth this is villain born. For only such would ask for +food and drink of the King. So therefore he shall find place in our +kitchen. He shall help there, he shall have fat broth to satisfy +himself and in a year no hog shall be fatter. And we shall know him +as the Kitchen Boy."</p> + +<p>"Sir Kay," frowned Sir Launcelot, "I pray you cease your +mocking. It is not seemly. This stranger, whosoever he may be, has +right to make whatsoever request he wishes."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Sir Launcelot, of a truth, as he is, so has he asked."</p> + +<p>"Yet I like not your mocking," said Sir Launcelot as he looked +frowningly at Sir Kay, while next to him stood Sir Gawaine and Sir +Percival, neither of whom could scarce contain himself.</p> + +<p>"It is well, we know you, Sir Kay. Or, by our guardian saints we +would make you answer for your bitter tongue. But that we know it +belies a heart of kindness we would long since have found quarrel +with you." So spoke Sir Percival and Sir Gawaine nodded in +assent.</p> + +<p>"Stay not any quarrel for any seeming knowledge of me, kind +friends," frowned back Sir Kay.</p> + +<p>But the two knights moved away. Sir Kay was of great shame. And +so to cover it he turned to the stranger in great fury. "Come then +to your kennel, dog," he said.</p> + +<p>Out flashed the sword of Sir Gawaine. Yet did Sir Launcelot +withhold him.</p> + +<p>"Sir, I beg you to do me honor of feasting with us this +day?"</p> + +<p>"I thank you Sir Launcelot. Yet must I go with Sir Kay and do +his bidding. There do be knights well worth their places at the +Round Table. And I note right well that they set high example to +those who are still but lads and who are to become knights in good +time. So to you all I give my thanks."</p> + +<p>Then followed the stranger after Sir Kay while the three knights +and Allan watched him go and marveled at his meekness.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap10">CHAPTER TEN</a></h2> + +<h3>Pentecost</h3> + +<p>And so in turn came the second stranger before King Arthur. +Poorly clothed, too, yet had his coat once been rich cloth of gold. +Now it sat most crookedly upon him and was cut in many places so +that it but barely hung upon his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Sire," said the stranger, "you are known everywhere as the +noblest King in the world. And for that reason I come to you to be +made knight."</p> + +<p>"Knights, good friend," replied the King, "are not so easily +made. Such knights as we do appoint must first prove their worth. +We know thee not, stranger, and know not the meaning of thy strange +garb. For truly, thou art a strange sight."</p> + +<p>"I am Breunor le Noire and soon you will know that I am of good +kin. This coat I wear is token of vow made for vengeance. So, I +found it on my slain father and I seek his slayer. This day, oh +King, I go forth content, if you make promise that should I perform +knightly deed you will dub me knight of yours."</p> + +<p>"Go thou forth, then. We doubt not that thou wilt prove thy true +valor and be worthy of knighthood. Yet proof must be there."</p> + +<p>On this selfsame day, Breunor le Noire departed.</p> + +<p>Next morn, the King together with Sir Launcelot, Sir Percival, +Sir Gawaine, Sir Pellimore, Sir Gilbert, Sir Neil and Sir Dagonet, +indeed a right goodly party, prepared to depart. Nor did they +purpose to return until they met with Sir Tristram, for King Arthur +was of great desire to have this good knight as one of the Round +Table.</p> + +<p>Now as these, the flower of King Arthur's court, were waiting +for Sir Dagonet who was to be with them and who had delayed, Sir +Launcelot saw Allan the boy watching them from the side. Saw too, +the great wish in the lad's eyes. Nor did Allan see himself +observed for Sir Launcelot was not then with the others.</p> + +<p>A thought came to this fine spirited knight and it brought great +and smiling good humor to his lips. He rode to Sir Percival's side +and the two whispered for many moments. Then did the two speak to +the King and he laughed, but did not turn to gaze at the boy. Sir +Gawaine now joined in the whispering. Then did all four laugh with +great merriment. So Sir Pellimore and the other knights inquired +the cause for the merriment and, being told, laughed too. Kindly +was the laughter, strong men these who could yet be gentle. Sir +Launcelot now turned and rode hard at the boy.</p> + +<p>"And wherefore, lad," and dark was his frown and greatly wroth +he seemed, "do you stand here watching? Rude staring yours and no +fit homage to pay your betters. Perchance, we may all be +displeased, the King, Sir Percival, and all of us."</p> + +<p>Now the lad's eyes clouded. To have displeased these knights, +the greatest men in all the world, for so he thought them. Then and +there he wished he could die. Woe had the knight's words brought to +him.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, and I meant no disrespect, Sir Launcelot. Indeed--" and +said no more for he knew he would weep if he spoke further. So he +saw not the dancing laughter in the knight's eye, nor the wide +grins on the faces of the others.</p> + +<p>"Yet we must punish thee, lad. So then prepare you to accompany +us. Get your horse at once. Nor will we listen to any prayer you +may make for not going because of your youth."</p> + +<p>Agape, Allan turned to look at him. For he knew he could not +have heard aright. But now, as he looked, he saw that Sir Launcelot +was laughing and then as he turned wondering, he saw his own lord +and the King and the other knights watching him with great +glee.</p> + +<p>"You mean then, that I--I--may go with all of you!"</p> + +<p>And then so that there would be no chance of its being +otherwise, he rushed in mad haste to get his horse. Joy was the +wings which made his feet fly. He came back in quick time, a bit +uncertain, riding forward slowly, diffidently, and stopped a little +way from them, awaiting word. Then did Sir Launcelot ride to him +and place kindly arm about the youth and bring him among them +all.</p> + +<p>Now Sir Dagonet was with them and they rode forth.</p> + +<p>With the equipage came the hounds, for the first day of their +journey was to be given over to hunting. There came also the master +of the hounds who was to return with them at the close of the +hunt.</p> + +<p>None other than the great Launcelot rode with Allan and none sat +straighter and more at ease in his saddle than the boy as they +passed the Queen, the Lady Olande, her two daughters and many other +ladies of the realm. Nor did the boy see any other than the minx +Yosalinde. But she--she did not seem to find him among the knights, +yet he wondered how she could help but see him. He would have liked +to call to her, "See, here am I among all these brave knights." +Instead he rode past very erect. If she would not see him, what +matter, since, he was there, one of the company.</p> + +<p>Then, of a sudden, she smiled straight at him. So that for him +was the full glory of the world. And we doubt not, for that smile +he would have fought the bravest knight in all the world and found +man's strength therein.</p> + +<p>Now the company found itself in the woods and many hours journey +away. So they rode hard for they liked not to tarry on the +road.</p> + +<p>Long after midday, King Arthur and his men spread out for the +hunt. The forest in which they now found themselves held game and +wild animals in plenty. Soon thereafter did the hounds give tongue +for they had found the scent. No mean prey had they found though, +for the quarry gave them a long race. Close behind the hounds came +King Arthur and almost as close, Sir Percival and Sir +Launcelot.</p> + +<p>Now, at last, the stag, a noble animal with wondrous horns, +lithe body and beautifully shaped limbs was at bay. Straight and +true, at its throat, flew the leader of the pack, and sank its +teeth deep into it, while above the King blew loud and long the +death note of the chase. No need for other hounds nor for weapons +of the men.</p> + +<p>Dark had stolen over the forest when the men with huge appetites +came to sup. Juicy venison steak was there, so was the wild duck +and the pheasant in plenty. To the full they ate as did the few men +at arms that were with them.</p> + +<p>Yet none stayed awake long thereafter. It had been an arduous +day. Allan alone was wide-awake; his eyes would not close. And he +knew of a certainty that he was the most fortunate lad in all the +world. When he should become a man, he would be--well, he was not +certain whether he would be like unto the King, Sir Percival or Sir +Launcelot. Yes, he did know, he would be like them all. Now there +came mixed thoughts of a maid who waved her hand and smiled at him. +And he felt of a precious ring upon his finger.</p> + +<p>So now his eyes closed; he found himself seeking the Holy Grail. +And during all of the night dreamed that he had found it.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap11">CHAPTER ELEVEN</a></h2> + +<h3>Allan Meets a Stranger</h3> + +<p>The noble cortege, after the first day's hunt, continued on its +journey.</p> + +<p>It had reached Leek, in Stafford on the morn of the fifth day +ere word came of Sir Tristram. Here, was heard from some, Sir +Tristram was then on way to Scotland, and from still others, that +he was bound for Kinkenadon in Wales.</p> + +<p>"By my faith," spoke Sir Gawaine, "there are none that are more +ready to testify to Sir Tristram's greatness and ability, too. Yet +still, have I many doubts as to his being both on way to Scotland +and to Wales as well."</p> + +<p>"If it were left to me," said Sir Dagonet, "I would hie me to +Ireland. A likely spot to find him, say I. For there are none who +have said that they know of the good knight's journey +thitherward."</p> + +<p>"We, for ourselves, think it best," the king interrupted, "to +tarry here this day. Our comrade, Pellimore, expresses great desire +to have us partake of his hospitality and we are fain, so to do. +What say you?"</p> + +<p>"It were wisdom to do so, methinks," agreed Sir Percival. +"Tomorrow we may find here some further news of Sir Tristram's +way."</p> + +<p>"Aye, sir knights," added Sir Launcelot, "for we need must know +whether we continue our travel north or west from this point."</p> + +<p>So all of them were housed within the castle walls. And Sir +Pellimore spread bounteous feast before his guests at midday for he +held it high honor to be host to such as these.</p> + +<p>Now, as the repast had been completed, Allan grew restless. He +was of a mind to ride forth and so craved permission from Sir +Percival who gave ready consent.</p> + +<p>Forth he went and rode for many an hour. And then, since the day +had great heat, he found himself turn drowsy. Thereupon finding a +pleasant, shaded spot, he quickly made a couch of cedar boughs and +soon was fast asleep.</p> + +<p>It seemed to the boy he had slept but few moments when his eyes +opened wide with the certainty that other eyes were directed upon +him. Nor was this mere fancy nor dream. Near him sat a monk, and +from under the black hood the face that peered forth at him was +gaunt, cadaverous, with eyes that seemed to burn straight through +the lad. But for the eyes, this figure could well have been carven, +so still and immovable did it sit there and gaze at the youth. Nor +did the monk speak far many minutes even though he must have known +that the boy was awake and watching him.</p> + +<p>The sun now hung low in the sky. Allan knew that he must have +been asleep for at least two hours. He knew, too, that he should +rise and return to the castle, since the hour was already late and +his time overspent. Yet did the monk's eyes hold him to the spot. +Nor was the thing that held him there fear; rather could it be +described as the feeling one has before a devout, sacred and holy +presence. Despite the holy man's unworthy aspect he inspired no +fear in the lad.</p> + +<p>"Allan, boy," and the lad wondered that the monk knew him by +name, "two things I know have been chief in your thoughts these +days." Kindly was the monk's tone. "What then are these two +things?"</p> + +<p>No thought had the boy of the oddness of the monk's words, nor +of his questions. Nor of the fact that the monk seemed to be there +present. Somehow, the whole of it took on some great purport. Allan +stopped not to wonder, which the two things the monk mentioned were +uppermost in his mind but straightway made reply.</p> + +<p>"Strange monk, I think and dream of the Holy Grail. And think +too of Yosalinde, sister to my Lord Percival. And of naught else so +much. But pray you, holy father, who are you?</p> + +<p>"Truth, lad. As to who I am or as to where I come, know you +this. I come to you from that same place as do all dreams.</p> + +<p>"Aye lad. Dreaming and fancying shall ever be yours. These son, +shall bring you the visions of tomorrow and many another day.</p> + +<p>"I have come to tell you this, lad. But two years or more and +you shall start in earnest on your search for the Grail. And +whether you find the same, I shall not and cannot say, for the +finding depends on you. The way shall be hard, youth of many +dreams, though you will have help and guidance, too. But the great +inspiration for it all shall come to you from the second of these, +your two big thoughts.</p> + +<p>"I sought you many a day, lad. Merlin has sounded the message +for me to all the knights of Britain. Once before, years ago, I +came to find the likely seeker for the Grail and thought that I had +found him. Yet did the crucible's test find some alloy and so I had +need to come again.</p> + +<p>"Then," said Allan but barely comprehending, "you are none other +than Sir Joseph of Armathea."</p> + +<p>"Lad, it matters not as to who and what I am. It is of you, we +are now concerned. Dear, dear, lad, they shall name you again and +the name which shall be yours shall ever after be symbolic with the +very best that manhood holds."</p> + +<p>"Go your way, now. For I must speak with many more this day ere +I return. A knight comes but now, with whom I must hold counsel. +And I would fain speak to him, alone."</p> + +<p>"True, father, I had best go. For Sir Percival will think me +thoughtless, if not worse. As to what you have said, I can do but +that best which is in me and ever seek to make that best better. +And so, I ask your blessing."</p> + +<p>The boy knelt. The monk, lean, black cowled, eyes glowing with a +light that held the supernatural, placed hand upon the boy's head +and gave him blessing. So then the boy mounted horse and was +away.</p> + +<p>He rode hard for he held great anxiety to return quickly. And +all the time he rode he thought of the things the strange monk had +told him, Some of it, he did not altogether understand. That was +because of his youthfulness. It was to come back to him when many +months had passed. This however, he knew, he was destined to make +search for the Holy Grail. For so, the holy man had ordained.</p> + +<p>Sir Percival, a bit anxious, was waiting for the lad when he +returned.</p> + +<p>"I went far and then fell asleep," Allan explained. "Nor did I +awaken until the sun hung low." He did not speak of the meeting +with the monk.</p> + +<p>"It is well you are back, lad. For I was fast growing worried +over the lateness of your return. Turn in then. I wot not, but that +food will be found for you on which you can sup. Sir Launcelot went +forth some hours ago. I fancy he went in search of you, though he +would not admit this to be the purpose of his departure."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap12">CHAPTER TWELVE</a></h2> + +<h3>The Stranger and Sir Launcelot</h3> + +<p>Let us then turn to Sir Launcelot now making his way along the +road over which Allan had been seen to depart. Though the knight +had denied that he purposed to seek the lad, yet had his horse +taken that way. A growing fondness for the boy which he had not +made too obvious, for it was not his wont to show too easily his +feelings. Display or show of emotion ever embarrassed him. He had +noted the long absence of Allan and so had mounted his horse intent +to all appearance on a short canter.</p> + +<p>Half way to where Allan had made his couch, the road over which +he had ridden branched right and left and some miles down came +together again. Now when Allan returned he took the road to his +right having ridden the other way earlier in the day. Sir Launcelot +made for the road to the right of him and so missed the boy +returning.</p> + +<p>He found himself at the place at which the boy had slept. He +dismounted to observe more closely. Then he beheld the holy man as +he stepped from the shadows.</p> + +<p>"Good day to you, holy father," the knight greeted him.</p> + +<p>"God's blessing stay with thee, son. I have been expecting +thee."</p> + +<p>"Nay, father, not me. Other knight, mayhap. For I knew not +myself I would be here."</p> + +<p>"Yet did I know, Sir Launcelot. You came here to seek the youth +Allan and knew not that you came in obedience to greater will than +your own. And having come, you must, prithee, listen to the things +that must be told you."</p> + +<p>"Launcelot," and the monk spoke sternly and yet with great +sadness, "as measured by men thou art the bravest knight in +Christendom. Chivalrous, strong, yet gentle and ever ready to +succor the weak and distressed. Your name shall be emblazoned as +symbolic of chivalry." The strange man paused for a time.</p> + +<p>"I speak now of the Holy Grail," he resumed. "Who would be +better fitted to seek and find the Holy Grail? Are there any who +hold greater desire to find the same? And who seeks to make himself +more worthy?"</p> + +<p>"And yet, though you seek until Judgment Day you will never find +it. In the innermost soul of you, you know it to be so. The pity of +it."</p> + +<p>"Strange monk," and a dull red mantled the knight's cheeks, +"those are bold words you speak. None but Launcelot himself can +tell the things he may or may not do. And since I am not in search +of father confessor, nor since I sought not this meeting, I pray +thee offer not your counsel nor advice."</p> + +<p>"The truth, then, sears, sir knight!" Now the monk's eyes +flashed. Straight and tall he stood and his lean figure held so +much of that which was not earthly, that even the mighty Launcelot +was daunted.</p> + +<p>"Who then has more right or reason to tell you of these things. +It is I who first picked you, long since, as likely finder of the +Holy Grail. And when I found you slipping ever so little, and well +you know wherein you have failed me, I sent Merlin to all of you. +For since he on whom I had built my faith could not measure to the +test I had strong need to find someone else.</p> + +<p>"For Britain must hold the Grail. Somewhere in it, there must be +the man who measures up to the test, high though it be."</p> + +<p>"Son, son, the things you could have done. The fineness of you, +coarsened by the temptations you have met and not overcome. The joy +you have found in things that are sordid and count for so +little."</p> + +<p>Low hung the knight's head, His anger had left him now. In its +stead was a deep humility.</p> + +<p>"Father, you bare my soul. And yet have I striven. High did I +hold the ideals which first inspired me, I have overcome much, have +tried to keep to the high set purpose. Yet I am but common clay, +after all."</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay son. I would all men held half thy nobility. Only," +and now the monk's tone was again kindly, "there are some we weigh +on much finer scales than others. We ask more of them, seek more +from them. Forgive less, too. Perhaps we are wrong to desire so +much from any mortal soul. Yet have we faith,--we believe."</p> + +<p>"I find no complaint, holy father, in the measure you have set +for me. For I saw the things, I had the vision to see them. Saw +too, the things that were wrong even as I did these things."</p> + +<p>"Yet, my son, a great task shall be yours. Now of the boy +Allan." The monk paused.</p> + +<p>"What of him, father? A fine lad is he. So young, yet is he too, +to be burdened with great responsibilities? I pray thee, let him +keep his youth."</p> + +<p>"Launcelot, my son, when will you grow to thy true self? For +there lies your failure. You who took your responsibilities as +burdens, when you should have found great joy in that they were +yours. Yet, now listen to me as to this boy Allan. I have seen him +this day, have spoken to him of the Holy Grail. A dreaming youth, +yet is he fired by fine inspiration and great ideals. He is +ordained to seek it. That holds no strangeness for there are many +such. As to whether he finds it or not is dependent upon him, as it +was once upon yourself. And since you cannot find it, seek it as +you will, I charge you with helping him keep clean souled. Should +he do so, ere many years will pass, he may find it. For you, there +will be the joy, the glory of service, of having helped. Without +your help, success for him will be so much less likely. Will you +help him Launcelot? Think well before you make reply."</p> + +<p>Not at once did Sir Launcelot answer. Yet it was the best within +him that did give final utterance.</p> + +<p>"I promise you father, that such help as I can give the lad I +shall. Much have I learned. And with these things that I have +learned he shall be guided. No bitterness mine. Since I am not to +be the finder of the Holy Grail, I pledge you now my aid to +Allan."</p> + +<p>"Launcelot, so little fails you for that needed greatness. None +have I loved so much. If you have sinned you have been great and +glorious even in the sinning.</p> + +<p>"Never have you been finer than now. Allan will need your help, +your strength. There shall be a maid too, to help him. The threads +have also been woven for that now. When the time shall come, you +will call this lad Galahad, the Chaste. Treat him ever as your son, +Launcelot."</p> + +<p>"Son and comrade, too, he shall be for me. Father, I thank +you."</p> + +<p>"So then I go, son. I could not love you more were you less a +mortal sinner."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap13">CHAPTER THIRTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>The Party Divides</h3> + +<p>When the morning came there was great indecision as to the +further way, for no new information had come of Sir Tristram. Sir +Gawaine now spoke for going north to Scotland. So too, was Sir +Pellimore minded and Sir Gilbert as well. But Sir Percival spoke +for Wales and so did Sir Neil.</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Sir Dagonet, "I pick Wales, since Kinkenadon +is the nearer to Ireland. My fool's head still fancies that we +shall have need to turn there ere we shall find this errant +knight."</p> + +<p>Neither the King nor Sir Launcelot up to this time had expressed +a choice. But now the King vouchsafed a plan.</p> + +<p>"It seems to us good plan for our party to divide. Some of us to +go north, some west. You Launcelot could well go with one party and +we with the other. What say you friends?"</p> + +<p>That plan suited them all. So then the King went with Sir +Gawaine, Sir Pellimore, and Sir Gilbert, while Sir Launcelot +accompanied Sir Percival, Sir Neil, Sir Dagonet and Allan. With +each party, too, went three men-at-arms.</p> + +<p>Our way shall be with Sir Percival.</p> + +<p>At the end of the first half day they found themselves near the +crossroads of Nantwich.</p> + +<p>"We must soon find place for food," remarked Sir Percival and +lustily they all agreed.</p> + +<p>"See you castle beyond yonder crossroads?" questioned Sir Neil, +"Sir Manstor lives there with his three brothers. Right skillful +knights are these but woe the lone stranger who passes by. For +these are villainous four."</p> + +<p>"Right bitterly do you speak of them, Neil," remarked Sir +Launcelot. "And why?"</p> + +<p>"I pray fortune to permit me to meet with this Manstor. I +stopped there for food one day. Then did this knight, his brothers +by his side, demand the bag of gold I carried with me. Nor would +single one among them battle with me. It would have fared ill with +me but for two knights who passing by, came to my aid."</p> + +<p>"Our vow," said Sir Launcelot thoughtfully, "is to find Sir +Tristram. Yet can I see no harm in straying from our way an hour or +two, can you, Percival?"</p> + +<p>"Not if there is promise of such entertainment as this," was the +reply.</p> + +<p>"These knights," interrupted Sir Neil, "have stomach for neither +joust nor other encounter when the odds are not with them. Nor will +they venture to impede our way unless we number less than +they."</p> + +<p>"If greater or equal number withholds them," said Sir Dagonet. +"I would favor them and withdraw. Then would there be one less +doughty sword."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Dagonet, we know your unselfish spirit," said Sir Neil and +laughed.</p> + +<p>"The knight does not live who has bested me, nevertheless," +replied the jester, with pretended heat.</p> + +<p>"The knight does not live who has had the chance," said Sir +Percival. "Yet we love you none the less, brother."</p> + +<p>Said now Sir Launcelot: "One of us could ride ahead. And, +perchance, these scheming knights will think that easy prey comes +and so strive to impede the way. Then when they bear down upon him +we can appear and give them such entertainment as they have not had +in many a day."</p> + +<p>Now one of the men-at-arms came forward.</p> + +<p>"And if you will, masters, yonder cruel knight is cruel master +as well. And he holds my own brother within his prison walls for +small cause. So I pray you, masters, succor him."</p> + +<p>"Of a surety, Wonkin," said Sir Percival, "we shall make every +effort to set your brother free. Neil and I shall go forward and so +find ourselves seemingly enmeshed by them. Then will you, at proper +time, Launcelot, come forward. And if Dagonet so wishes, he can +protect our rear."</p> + +<p>The two knights then hurried on. They had not far to go to the +turn of the road and there the four knights within the castle +grounds, seeing them, stood watching for a moment or so. Then each +mounted his horse and in armor, rode forth from within the +walls.</p> + +<p>"We are knights on way to Wales," said Sir Percival in mild +tone. "We seek food for our midday meal."</p> + +<p>"Food we will give you right gladly," replied the oldest of the +four. "But ask in payment such gold as you may have."</p> + +<p>"That would be poor bargain," replied Sir Percival, still mild +spoken. "We had liefer go our way to place which seeks not such +high pay."</p> + +<p>"That may you well do, strangers, yet must you still leave your +gold behind. For we have great need of it."</p> + +<p>"Yet no greater need for it than have we. Come, comrade, we must +be on our way." So spoke Sir Percival to Sir Neil. And now the +robber knights were certain that these were but timid men. So out +came their swords as they rode at the two. But they found them +ready and watchful. And though the odds were two to one, it was not +hard matter to hold the robbers off until Sir Launcelot came +charging into the melee.</p> + +<p>As the four robbers turned to the newcomer and beheld his shield +and armor, they knew that it was Launcelot. And knew too that this +was trap set for them. Thereupon did Sir Manstor withdraw for the +moment from the struggle and blow horn he carried--two long and one +short note.</p> + +<p>One of the brothers had already been unhorsed and most +grievously wounded. Sir Manstor now came back to the aid of his +brothers and of them all he was most skillful. So Sir Launcelot +turned to him and him, the robber knight found more than a +match.</p> + +<p>But from within the walls came forty and more men at arms, some +with bow and arrow and others with club and mace. And with them, +two other knights.</p> + +<p>When Sir Launcelot saw these, he called to his comrades. "Hard +at them, hard."</p> + +<p>For he had in mind to down these three before the others +came.</p> + +<p>Then did the three, that is, Launcelot, Percival and Neil with +wondrous strength of arm, each by mighty blow, bring rider to the +ground. And Sir Manstor was dead because of the fearful blow of Sir +Launcelot. The other two were asprawl on the ground and but barely +moving.</p> + +<p>"I call this right skillfully done," said Sir Dagonet who now +came toward them. He had watched but had not joined in the +struggle.</p> + +<p>Now, Wonkin and the two men at arms were there and so was +Allan.</p> + +<p>"Will you, good men, try out your bows on these hinds who are +coming thitherward?" said Sir Percival.</p> + +<p>Straightway then there flew three well aimed arrows. Then others +flew and now answering arrows from the oncomers. But these did not +harm for Wonkin and the other two stood under cover of trees and so +were not easy targets.</p> + +<p>Twice more they let their arrows fly and five men of the forty +had been stopped.</p> + +<p>Now as the others came at them with clubs and mace, Sir +Launcelot commanded Wonkin and the other two to withdraw a hundred +pace and from there continue to let their arrows fly. And this was +great wisdom for else the three could not have long withstood the +large number.</p> + +<p>So now the knights with their great lances fought off the +villains and the two knights who were with them. Very few who came +within the reach of the long weapons escaped. And from their place +the three men at arms shot arrow after arrow into the +attackers.</p> + +<p>Three of the knaves had hold of Sir Percival's horse and +thereupon others swarmed upon him and what with the blows of their +maces and clubs, he was in sorry plight. Nor could Sir Launcelot +turn to help him for he was in great conflict with the two knights +and a large number of them on foot and Sir Neil equally so. As for +Allan he had already ridden down two of the attackers and had +brought his weapon which was cross between sword and dagger down +upon their skulls. Now as he turned he saw the plight of his lord. +So did Sir Dagonet, who though timid had up to then made some ado +to help. Whereupon both sped hard to Sir Percival's aid. And so +skillful was the boy that he hewed down several of the knaves and +Sir Dagonet too, soon found that others of Sir Percival's attackers +were turning their attention to him. All of which gave needed time +for Sir Percival to escape from his difficulty, draw sword and +begin anew.</p> + +<p>Now Sir Launcelot brought down the two knights and the others +like wolves stood off snarling at him, yet out of reach. Sir Neil +too was freer.</p> + +<p>There were but ten of the attackers now. The others were either +strewn about the ground or were making their escape. And of these +ten, two even then were brought down by the arrows of Wonkin and +his two comrades.</p> + +<p>Whereupon the last of the attackers turned and made haste to +fly, the three archers in close pursuit.</p> + +<p>"These hinds would fair have overswarmed me had not the boy and +Dagonet come to my aid," remarked Sir Percival as he lifted his +helmet from his head.</p> + +<p>"How then, Allan, did you like the affray?" inquired Sir +Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"Greatly," replied the lad. "But I had wish I carried a lance +instead of this, which is neither dagger nor sword."</p> + +<p>"Right soon, shall these be yours as well, lad. Yet now we have +earned such food as we may find within the castle. And I wot not," +added Sir Percival, "many prisoners, too, who will be glad of +freedom."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap14">CHAPTER FOURTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>King Mark's Foul Plan</h3> + +<p>Sir Neil and Sir Dagonet now loudly summoned the castle servants +before them but there were none to answer. So they prepared +kitchenward where they found the wretches in great affright not +knowing what dire fate was to befall them. Yet they, when assured +that naught was intended against them, eagerly hastened to obey the +commands of the good knights to prepare a sumptuous meal.</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot, Sir Percival and the other knights made, their +way to the dungeon. And truly they found a sad sight there. Though +a large place, yet was it overly crowded. In one place they found +six knights, an unhappy six, three of whom had been imprisoned for +many months, two had been made captives within the fortnight and +one had joined this joyless group but two days before.</p> + +<p>"Aye," one of the first three explained to them, "it is through +God's mercy that we still live. There were three others with us, +two of whom were already here when this dire misfortune befell us +and one who came some weeks later. These three could not survive +the foulness of this hole."</p> + +<p>But now Sir Percival was seen to speak to the lone knight, the +one who had been made prisoner last of all. A melancholy figure, he +did not seem to realize that release had come with the advent of +these knights. In fact, through all the hubbub he seemed to have +been lost within himself. No doubt, they were bitter thoughts that +possessed him and at such times one is verily unmindful of things +about him. Nor did this knight seem mindful of the words spoken by +Sir Percival for he made no answer and lost none of his brooding +air.</p> + +<p>Yet, of a sudden, he seemed to awaken. For Sir Percival who had +not been able to place him at first, had at last realized who the +stranger was.</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" the other questioned in turn rubbing his eyes. +"And these other knights? But then, I know you all. How came you +here, Sir Percival?"</p> + +<p>When he was told, some of his dejection left him.</p> + +<p>"Mine was truly a great unhappiness. These four robber knights +did beset me. And when I was overcome they demanded great ransom +which I had no means wherewith to satisfy. Then, when I heard the +tale of how long these fellow prisoners had been here I was greatly +discouraged as to carrying out my intent to prove to King Arthur my +worthiness for knighthood."</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Sir Launcelot and Allan had made their way to +where the imprisoned yeomen and hinds had been kept. Here there +were more than fifty and a sad sight they were. It brought a great +gulp of pity into Allan's throat and unbidden tears came to his +eyes. Sir Launcelot too was moved. Some of the prisoners were so +weak they could hardly move. Wonkin had found his brother almost at +once and theirs was a happy meeting.</p> + +<p>"Go you up, good Allan, and order that food be brought for these +wretches. And see to it that there is plenty of it."</p> + +<p>Allan gladly went and repeated Sir Launcelot's orders which the +servants made great haste to obey.</p> + +<p>So that all within the castle, fared well that day. And when Sir +Launcelot and his party were ready to continue their journey the +next morning, there was with them Breunor le Noire and an added +number of yeomen picked from the men who had been prisoners.</p> + +<p>Just before departure, Sir Percival went to the two brothers of +Sir Manstor who still were living, the other had not lived an +hour.</p> + +<p>"Sir Knights, we leave you now. Take you heed from this day's +happenings that such outlawry as yours brings just punishment. +Remember, too, that King Arthur and all his knights will be ever +watchful that you conduct yourself in knightly ways. Woe betide +you, if you do not."</p> + +<p>The knights made no reply. Grievously wounded, with their +brothers dead, they were in no mood for words. Yet must the truth +of Sir Percival's words have been in their minds.</p> + +<p>Onward now went Sir Launcelot's party. Through that and the next +day they made their way and were well in Cornwall without further +untoward happening. Everywhere, the party made inquiries as to the +whereabouts of Sir Tristram and from such news as they were able to +gather they felt assured that they had taken the right way and that +King Arthur and the men with him were on a false trail.</p> + +<p>It was on this day that they met with two knights who made them +friendly greetings and finding out the purpose of their journey +pretended not to know the whereabouts of Sir Tristram. Nor would +they stay for any length of time giving as reason therefore great +need of urgency on their part. Yet when these two knights had but +gone a little way they turned, in great haste along another road. +The end of the day found them in the presence of King Mark of +Cornwall who had no great love for King Arthur nor for any of his +knights and who would do any or all of them great harm could he do +so without discovery.</p> + +<p>"Who then is this party?" inquired the King after listening.</p> + +<p>"They number but few," replied one of the knights. "Sir +Launcelot, Sir Percival, Sir Neil, and one other, and that fool who +is jester to Arthur. A boy is there too and fifteen +men-at-arms."</p> + +<p>"You speak truly," replied the king, "as to their being few in +number but I would that two of these few, were not Launcelot and +Percival. Yet even with these two we should be able to overcome +them. And in that way I shall find some recompense for the many +slights and haughty overbearingness of Arthur and his men." As he +so spoke, King Mark's face plainly showed its cruelty and +craft.</p> + +<p>"Will you, good Bruyan, call Sir Bertram and Sir Pendore to me? +And be sure to return for we must be speedy should we decide that +it is wise for us to take any step for their discomforture."</p> + +<p>Now as Bruyan returned with the two aforementioned, there also +came into the room a yeoman who served Sir Pendore. But of him +neither the king nor any of the knights took notice but instead +immediately began discussion as to the wisdom of waylaying these +knights of King Arthur who were now in Cornwall.</p> + +<p>Whether King Mark knew this to be so or not, yet of all his +court, there were no two who had more reason to hate Sir Launcelot +than Sir Bertram and Sir Pendore. For Sir Launcelot had come upon +them once when they were in the midst of tormenting two holy men +having first taken from them a paltry purse which these two monks +were carrying for worthy purpose. Then when Sir Launcelot had asked +that they desist and return the holy men's purse they had replied +with foul tongue and had made for him. Soon, however, they found +that this single knight was master of them both and would they then +have complied with his requests. However, Sir Launcelot who was +ever slow to anger was now in great rage and he had taken them to +the castle grounds of Sir Gawaine and there, before a large number +he told of what had happened. And while fair ladies laughed at them +and while men looked at them as they would at hinds, Sir Launcelot +had taken the flat of his sword and had brought it down on both. +Then he had asked two yeomen to club them from the castle grounds +since they were unfit to be in the company of knights. This the +yeomen had done right lustily.</p> + +<p>Neither Sir Pendore nor Sir Bertram had ever made mention of +this event. But there was no one in all of Britain whom they so +fully hated as Sir Launcelot. Now, there seemed likely chance for +revenge.</p> + +<p>"How many men can you muster?" asked Sir Bertram, speaking not +over anxiously yet with meaning looked at Sir Pendore.</p> + +<p>"Seven score or more" replied the king of Cornwall.</p> + +<p>"I would have more," replied Sir Pendore. "What with Percival +and Launcelot and this Neil whom I know not, one must make it more +than certain."</p> + +<p>It was at this point that the yeoman who was busily at work over +the weapons, cleaning them and putting them into perfect condition, +as none other in Cornwall could do, had become interested. Sir +Percival?</p> + +<p>It was this Sir Percival, knight of the Round Table, who had +saved the father of this yeoman from the deadly mace of one of his +men in one of many melees. It was but a small thing to the knight, +long forgotten no doubt, but to Walker, the son of the man who was +saved, it meant that he was in debt to this knight. So now he +listened, interested. Then too, he had no great love for his master +who was never kindly and he had decided long ago that he would find +a new master when the opportunity offered.</p> + +<p>"I shall find more men, if I can," Mark offered in reply to Sir +Pendore's suggestion. Nor did it seem strange to him that the +knight should think that odds of seven to one were not enough.</p> + +<p>"Where are these knights?" asked Sir Bertram.</p> + +<p>Sir Bruyan told him, the yeoman listening all the while.</p> + +<p>"Let us then be off within thrice this hour," Mark concluded. +"Get you as many men ready as you can," he said to Sir Bertram and +to Sir Pendore who were his chiefs.</p> + +<p>Walker, the yeoman, soon had completed his work. Thereupon he +made his way into the forest to find him, who was best friend of +his, to get advice as to what to do.</p> + +<p>He, whom he sought, was none other than our old friend +Gouvernail, who, of course, was not far from Sir Tristram, his +master.</p> + +<p>Though he had long since severed fealty to King Mark, Sir +Tristram had returned near unto the court because of the love he +bore one of the damsels who was in it. It was Walker who had +carried the messages Gouvernail had brought from his master to this +same lady.</p> + +<p>Walker soon came to the hiding place of his friend.</p> + +<p>"What ho?" asked Gouvernail. "What brings you here at this +unseemly hour?"</p> + +<p>"I need your advice," replied Walker. "My poor head carries too +great a muddle."</p> + +<p>"You come to one who can offer but poor solace there," replied +Gouvernail. "If it were trusty arm, good club or something belike, +you could well come to me. But speak, what troubles you?"</p> + +<p>So Walker told him. Except that at first he made no mention of +names.</p> + +<p>"Keep you from it," advised Gouvernail. "It is the business of +your betters and not of your meddling."</p> + +<p>"Yet had Sir Percival done this thing for my father, and if he +would, he could have thought the same,--that it was not his affair +but an affair of hind or yeoman."</p> + +<p>"Is this Percival, he who is of King Arthur's court?" asked +Gouvernail.</p> + +<p>"Aye," replied Walker, nodding his head. "Do you know him?"</p> + +<p>"Somewhat. Who else is there?" he further questioned, now +interested.</p> + +<p>"Sir Launcelot, Sir Neil and some others."</p> + +<p>"Did they speak of a boy being there?"</p> + +<p>"I do not remember. Yet I seem to recall that they did," replied +Walker.</p> + +<p>"I will help you. Come," and Gouvernail took his friend but a +little way to where Sir Tristram was lodging.</p> + +<p>Sir Tristram seated himself and listened to the two. He +understood at once.</p> + +<p>"When did King Mark say that he would start with his men?" he +asked Walker.</p> + +<p>"In three hours, Sir Knight," the man answered.</p> + +<p>"Good. Let us be off. Good Gouvernail, get you my mail ready for +I would don it."</p> + +<p>Within the half hour Sir Tristram with the two yeomen were on +their way to meet Sir Percival and Sir Launcelot. So, strangely, +they who sought him, were to find him come among them.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap15">CHAPTER FIFTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>The Weasel's Nest</h3> + +<p>"Greeting, good knights," he announced. "I am Sir Tristram."</p> + +<p>Nothing could have thrown Sir Launcelot's party into greater +astonishment. And yet no news could have been pleasanter.</p> + +<p>"Right glad are we to see you, Sir Tristram, since we have +sought you for a great number of days. I am Sir Launcelot. Here is +Sir Percival." And so this knight announced them all.</p> + +<p>The two knights, Sir Tristram on the one hand, Sir Launcelot, on +the other, observed each other. Each of them found much to like in +the other. Then and there was the beginning of a friendship that +was to last until the day of Sir Tristram's death.</p> + +<p>After the first few moments, had passed, Sir Tristram came to +the reason for his coming among them.</p> + +<p>That the danger was grave, they knew at once. King Mark was +cruel and crafty. He would not venture this attempt unless he were +certain that he had great numbers behind him.</p> + +<p>"My thought seems to be to retire to the nearest castle and +there defend ourselves as best we can," said Sir Percival.</p> + +<p>"A right kindly thing, this of yours, Sir Tristram, to bring us +this news. And if we come out of this, I hope that I shall be able +to find you at any place you bespeak," Sir Launcelot remarked.</p> + +<p>"The kindness is on the part of this man here." And Sir Tristram +told them of Walker. "Need I say that I stay with you and share in +your fortune such as it is. It should offer great sport and I would +not miss it, if I could."</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot nodded his head nor did he make any further +demur.</p> + +<p>"And you two?" he now asked of Gouvernail and Walker.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I," replied Sir Gouvernail, "I find my place where my +master is."</p> + +<p>"And I?" added Walker. "I owe something to Sir Percival and so I +too will stay."</p> + +<p>"Well then, perhaps we may keep them off, though not so easily," +said Sir Neil.</p> + +<p>"We can but try," added Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>But now Sir Dagonet, jester and fool, made his way forward.</p> + +<p>"Spoke you of finding castle?" he asked of Sir Percival.</p> + +<p>Sir Percival nodded his head.</p> + +<p>"Good man," Sir Dagonet spoke now to Walker. "Did this weasel +king say aught as to the number of men he would send against +us?"</p> + +<p>"Only, master, that when he mentioned that he would send one +hundred or more and with them twenty knights, one there, thought +that number not enough and advised that the king add to it. Which +the king said he would do."</p> + +<p>"The more the better," said Sir Dagonet.</p> + +<p>"A strange wish," said Sir Neil. "But then you are fool and that +wish belongs to a fool."</p> + +<p>"Yet not such a great fool after all," spoke up Sir Launcelot. +"Truly Dagonet, I often wonder at you. For here is what is in +Dagonet's mind. Since the weasel comes after us and leaves his home +empty, why not go to the home of the weasel?"</p> + +<p>Such a laugh now went up. For all of these knights saw that this +would be a deed that would ring throughout Britain and if +successful, make Mark the laughing stock of the land.</p> + +<p>But after the laughter, Sir Tristram spoke, "I ask a strange +thing, good knights, and hope it will receive favor in your eyes. +King Mark has been a strange uncle to me. He has treated me +scurvily oft enough. Yet when, if we come through this event as we +hope, I would that you hold no further ill will against him. +Understand me well. I ask for naught, if any among us are hurt at +his hand, for then he deserves all that comes to him. But if we +come through so that all can laugh at him, then I ask you to forget +the ill will for which he gives you such good cause. For after all, +he is blood kin of mine, a sorry thing, yet which I cannot forget." +And now the knight waited answer.</p> + +<p>Now all the knights turned to Sir Tristram and there was +something about him that made them nod their heads in assent.</p> + +<p>"Then do we promise this thing, you ask," said Percival. "So now +let us go to the weasel's nest."</p> + +<p>In great humor and with many jests the men made their way to the +road upon which the two knights of King Mark had made their return. +And so we find that as the crafty king was making his way forward +to the attack, believing that it would be an overpowering surprise, +and already counting the fruits of victory, his intended victims +were slipping through his clutches and making their way into the +last of all places he could imagine.</p> + +<p>Now on their way, Sir Percival called the two yeomen, Gouvernail +and Walker to him. And though he did not remember the event that +Walker narrated yet was he glad he had followed a kindly thought. +And Allan too, realized that bread cast upon the water often +returns.</p> + +<p>"Need you a good yeoman?" ventured Walker hopefully.</p> + +<p>"If you are half as good as your friend here, then indeed have I +need for you," was Sir Percival's reply.</p> + +<p>"I count him my better, Sir Knight," replied Gouvernail.</p> + +<p>"This fool would overpraise me and lead you to expect overmuch," +said Walker. "I will do my best if you will but try me."</p> + +<p>"That I shall," replied the knight. And thereupon the two, +Gouvernail and Walker, fell back a little way and came to Allan who +was glad of a chance to talk to Gouvernail. And as they rode +forward the boy listened to some of the tales and some of the +doings of Sir Tristram.</p> + +<p>Now in the front there rode, the two, Sir Tristram and Sir +Launcelot and with them Sir Dagonet.</p> + +<p>"Truly, I often wonder, good Dagonet, wherefore they call you a +fool," spoke Sir Launcelot. "Here comes this thought of yours that +could come only from the wisest man or the greatest fool. Often, I +wonder which you are."</p> + +<p>"Yet good Launcelot, since I am I, I know which of these I am. +What sooth, what matters it, which you and all of these," and Sir +Dagonet pointed to the others with them, "which you think me? If it +pleases all of you, it pleases me to be a fool. Howsoever, it is +ill wind that does not blow some good and here we have Sir Tristram +who is not in Ireland though I had reason for believing him +there."</p> + +<p>"Faith, friend, and I had but decided that I would journey +henceward within two days," replied Sir Tristram wonderingly.</p> + +<p>"See you then, Launcelot. I made but a fool's guess. Had I been +a wise man I would not have been two days ahead of Sir +Tristram."</p> + +<p>Now Sir Tristram who knew the way advised silence. For they were +nearing the great castle walls. When they came thereto they found +the gates closed and the drawbridge up.</p> + +<p>Then did Sir Tristram make call to those within. And these +mistaking this for the party that had gone therefrom hastened to +obey and lowered the drawbridge and unlocked the gates. And then +found themselves facing strange knights, a strange party. And of +all of them they only recognized Sir Tristram.</p> + +<p>Then would they have made great ado to close the gates but it +was too late.</p> + +<p>"Tell you all within these gates, that we shall treat none +harshly except those who would make trouble."</p> + +<p>So when Sir Percival's party was safely esconced, Sir Tristram +left them for a few moments. A few moments that lasted into the +half hour. For he went to see his lady love who was even then with +the queen.</p> + +<p>Nor did the queen treat him as harshly as she might have. +Perhaps this was because she felt that they were safe as long as +this nephew was with these intruders. Or perhaps she had not +favored the ill treatment by her royal spouse of so brave a +knight.</p> + +<p>And if King Mark and his men had been surprised to find the bird +flown, imagine then what must have been their thoughts when they +returned and found that they could not enter their own gates. That +the bird was there and was shouting defiance at them. And worse +yet, that in these shouts of defiance there was laughter and taunt +and jest at their expense.</p> + +<p>"What now?" asked the cruel and crafty king.</p> + +<p>Nor could one of his men tell him.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap16">CHAPTER SIXTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>To The Rescue</h3> + +<p>"Methinks," said King Arthur on the fourth day of their journey +into Scotland "that we will not find this Sir Tristram. What say you +Gawaine?"</p> + +<p>"Only that I cannot find it in me to do aught but agree with +you," the latter made reply. "And I advise that we return, for had +Tristram made his journey hitherward we should long ago have had +inkling of it."</p> + +<p>"So then, we return today, friends," Arthur announced to his +knights. "We have it in us to hope that Percival and Launcelot have +had better fortune than we."</p> + +<p>And none loath, the party joyously made preparations for return. +It had been an eventless search for the brave knight, Tristram, and +these men hated inactivity.</p> + +<p>"What say you, to sending someone of us to Cadoris announcing +that we shall pay him a visit of not more than a day?" So queried +the king.</p> + +<p>"If there is promise of joust and adventure there," said +Pellimore. "I for one can see no harm therein. What matters a day +more or less?"</p> + +<p>The other knights agreed with Pellimore and as Gawaine pointed +out, it was not more than but few leagues from their returnward +way.</p> + +<p>So the party having first sent Sir Gilbert before them to herald +their approach arrived at the court of Cadoris, king of Scotland. +And never was king or knights more royally received than was Arthur +and his men. Of a truth, there was warm affection for Arthur, and +Cadoris and his knights, though they held great rivalry, for the +Knights of the Round Table had ever proven honest and worthy +opponents.</p> + +<p>The stay of the day stretched into the fourth day and not one of +King Arthur's party had thought of returning. Jousts were there, +much hunting and activity, enough to suit the most exacting. +Howsoever, Arthur announced on the fifth day that they could stay +but another day.</p> + +<p>"Of a truth, am I downright sorry that you must depart. For +highly have I been honored by your visit, and as greatly have I +enjoyed it." Warm spoken was Cadoris.</p> + +<p>"And we shall remember your hospitality for many a day," replied +Arthur. "If we but make you half as much at home when you visit us, +good Cadoris, we shall feel that we have accomplished much. Is it +not so, friends?"</p> + +<p>"Truly," assented King Arthur's knights. "And I would, your +Majesty, that you make that visit right soon," added Gawaine.</p> + +<p>"That we surely will," replied Cadoris heartily.</p> + +<p>So King Arthur and his men made their preparations having been +much cheered by their stay. And they had turned to their last meal +which was a sumptuous one and were greatly enjoying it when a +servant of King Cadoris came into the great dining hall and +whispered into the ear of Sir Donald, one of the bravest knights in +the kingdom of Scotland. He in turn, whispered the news to the +king.</p> + +<p>"There are two riders without, Arthur, who want word with you," +the Scottish King announced. "Shall I ask them to wait until we +finish this meal? It were pity to disturb you now and I doubt not +their message may wait."</p> + +<p>"That may well be so, good friend. Yet, if it disturbs you not, +I shall ask Gawaine here to see these men and find out what message +they bear."</p> + +<p>Cadoris nodded his head in assent and Gawaine thereupon hastened +outside the dining hall.</p> + +<p>It was none other than Allan he saw. Allan with Breunor le +Noire. Great was his surprise at seeing them and greater still, at +their account of what had occurred. And when he heard how Launcelot +and Percival and the others, together with Sir Tristram were +holding the very castle of King Mark, he shook with a great +laughter. So loud was this that the kings and the knights at the +dining table heard it and wondering greatly, hurried out to find +the cause for it. Forgot their food for the time being in their +curiosity.</p> + +<p>The king of Britain was no less surprised to see Allan and this +stranger whom he but faintly recalled. And to him, to Cadoris, and +the assembled knights, the two had to recount again what had +occurred. And when the full gist of it came home, Arthur brought +down a heavy hand on the shoulder of Cadoris who was shaking with +laughter and himself fell into a seat nearby for very faintness at +his own mirth. While about him there was great boisterousness and +loud guffaws. A yeoman who had listened eagerly to the account +hurried without and himself recounted to the men there what had +happened at the court of King Mark. So that there were great +shouts, much merriment.</p> + +<p>"To think," said King Arthur, "a bare few took King Mark's own +castle. I marvel at their impudence and yet it is but what could +be expected from such as they."</p> + +<p>"As for me," said Gawaine, "I would give all I have to have been +there. And all I ever expect to have, to have been near Mark when +he realized what had happened."</p> + +<p>"Yet," said Arthur now grown serious, "let us hear what Allan +and this other brave youth are here for. They did not come this +great distance to tell us of their impudence. That, I'll +swear."</p> + +<p>"Nay, sire," said Allan, who was spokesman because of greater +acquaintance with those assembled. "Sir Percival and Sir Launcelot +sent Breunor le Noire to you and me with him for aid. For King +Mark, furious at the sorry figure he makes has sworn vengeance and +has laid siege to those within his castle. Sir Launcelot sent us +with this message. That while they could perhaps make their escape +yet they thought that you would wish to come to their aid so that +they need not run from King Mark. For they wish to see that king, +to look at him. Half the jest they have played lies in that."</p> + +<p>"That we will do, of course," replied Arthur. "And though we +must first return home to gather our men, yet we will do so quickly +and hurry just as quickly to the court of Cornwall. For we too, +would like to see Mark, and though we envy your party its good +fortune, yet can we share in the jest. Say you not so, friends?</p> + +<p>"Aye, sire, that we do. Yet haste is indeed necessary." So spoke +both Pellimore and Gawaine.</p> + +<p>"Methinks, it would be a right friendly act on your part, +Arthur, should you allow me and my men to accompany you. So then +there will be no need for you to first return home and thereby save +time. For I too," added Cadoris, "would like to call on Mark at +this time."</p> + +<p>"Come then," said King Arthur. "It would not be in us to refuse +you. Let us return to finish our food and both of you, we doubt not +must be right hungry by now."</p> + +<p>So all of them returned to the dining hall. And Gawaine found +room next to him for Allan and Breunor le Noire.</p> + +<p>"How long Allan, is it since you left them?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"This is our third day," was the boy's reply.</p> + +<p>"How did you escape the besiegers?" Arthur, who with the rest +was listening now inquired.</p> + +<p>"It was done at night, sire. We two climbed over the wall. Two +yeomen helped us over. One of King Mark's men saw us and at first +mistook us for men from his own camp. Him, Breunor le Noire, gave +little time for outcry. We gagged and bound him and then Walker and +Gouvernail climbed back for a long rope and lifted him over on the +castle side. For we had no wish to have King Mark's men find him +and suspect that some of those within had gone for aid."</p> + +<p>Now the meal was over. Within another hour King Cadoris had +gathered five hundred of his men. King Mark and his men would never +have stomach for affray. When the afternoon's sun was in the low +western sky, the rescuing party was well on its way.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap17">CHAPTER SEVENTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>In King Mark's Castle</h3> + +<p>So we return to the doughty few who are behind the walls of the +great castle.</p> + +<p>"We shall wear out these impudent knaves," King Mark had said +after the first great surprise. "Surely they cannot expect to hold +out for any great length of time."</p> + +<p>"Aye," had agreed the ever present Pendore and Bertram. "And +when they are overcome," Sir Pendore had added darkly, "then shall +we find our day has come. For Launcelot shall surely suffer."</p> + +<p>But the days went and the besiegers found a far greater and more +stubborn resistance than they had expected. Their losses were many, +due to the skillful archery of the few within. King Mark's castle +was of the kind that could only be assailed at two points which was +in itself great help to the besieged.</p> + +<p>If, perchance, the men of King Mark had had greater stomach for +the attack, things might have gone ill with those within. But there +were many of the men of this king who favored but little the +quarrel with the besieged, counting it, in their own hearts, a +scurvy action on the part of Cornwall's king. And men fight poorly +who have such thoughts.</p> + +<p>Not that all was well with those within. On this, the eighth day +of their occupancy of the castle, the men were a haggard lot. +Little sleep had they. Some of them had been wounded, wonder it was +that these were so few and that none were dead. Sir Neil was lost +to them for the time, Wonkin, too had fought heroically but had +fallen, sorely wounded in an attack. Three others had been hurt, +and for every man who fell, there grew the greater burden on those +who were left. Constant watch, constant need for being present to +repel the attackers had left the mark of weariness on Sir +Launcelot, Sir Tristram and Sir Percival. Yet these three were a +host in themselves as they, with Gouvernail and Walker, set an +inspiring example to the rest.</p> + +<p>"Faith," said Sir Percival at this moment, "I cannot say that I +would not welcome the arrival of Arthur and our men."</p> + +<p>"I had never thought sleep so great a luxury," rejoined Sir +Tristram.</p> + +<p>"Nor I," added Sir Launcelot. "However, do you both take such +little of that now as those knaves who are on the outside +permit."</p> + +<p>But this neither of the two had in mind to do. Yet Sir Launcelot +insisted and only had his way when he promised that he would also +take time for sleep after them.</p> + +<p>They had, so it seemed to them, but barely fallen asleep, when +there was great outcry from both within and without the gates. The +men of King Mark had evidently decided on a determined attack with +full intention to overcome the stubborn few. In a great mass they +came and though many fell and every arrow told yet were they not to +be denied. And as they came close to the walls King Mark's men +opened wide their ranks and a score of men were seen carrying a +bridge to throw over in place of the drawbridge which they could +not reach.</p> + +<p>"Now has it grown right serious," said Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"Will you Percival hold these walls while Tristram, I, +Gouvernail and Walker, make every effort to see that the bridge +does not stay."</p> + +<p>There was no time for further words. The four quickly made for +the gates. They opened and closed them quickly. Each held a stave +that seemed not unlike a young tree, of which a number were inside +the gates.</p> + +<p>"Let them place the bridge first," said Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>Upon them a hail of arrows fell but none were hurt. Gouvernail +and Walker were protected for the time in both coats and helmets of +steel which Sir Tristram had made them wear.</p> + +<p>Now the men of King Mark had thrown the bridge over the +embankment. But as the first of them rushed upon it the thick +staves of the four men did their work well. Mighty work it was but +it was question whether there were four men in all of England who +had greater strength than these. And so as the men came rushing +over, the bridge seemed moving with them.</p> + +<p>A great outcry came from them. The new made bridge, moving +slowly at first, now cleared its support, and fell into the depths +below carrying twenty men with it. Some managed to get back to +safety, some, almost as unfortunate as those who had fallen with +the bridge, made their way to the castleside. These Sir Tristram +and Sir Launcelot and the two yeomen easily overcame.</p> + +<p>From the walls a hail of arrows, stones and javelins were sent +on the attackers. The four outside the walls, their work +accomplished, returned within. But King Mark and his two +lieutenants, of whom one had been on the bridge, were now not the +less determined to carry the walls.</p> + +<p>The besiegers at the furthermost points were seen to clamber +over the walls. They were battering at the gates at which Sir +Tristram, Sir Launcelot and a number of the men had taken their +stand.</p> + +<p>Things indeed looked dark for those within. Sir Percival, for +one, had been grievously wounded in the last affray.</p> + +<p>But the gates made to withstand against attack held well.</p> + +<p>Yet it was now a mere question of time. This, both those within +and without fully realized.</p> + +<p>"Unless our two messengers find King Arthur," said Sir Tristram +calmly and unhurriedly, "it matters but little whether we fight our +way out now or later. Is it not so?"</p> + +<p>"I have faith in the coming of the king," said Sir Launcelot. +"For the boy Allan, I know to be tireless in the performance of +such duty. And if I mistake not the other will try his utmost too, +for he seeks to be dubbed a knight by our king."</p> + +<p>So now down at the gates, now on the walls, sending death and +destruction upon the attackers the two knights held their own, +fighting hopefully, unyieldingly, hour after hour.</p> + +<p>There was a cry of joy now, of exultation from Gouvernail. For +his eagle eye espied in the distance a horse and rider, then other +horses and other riders.</p> + +<p>The faint notes of the slughorn came to their ears. The men on +the outside ceased their attack for the moment watching +wonderingly, not guessing as yet what all this meant.</p> + +<p>From his bed of pain, not far off, Sir Percival called to the +two knights.</p> + +<p>"Is it Arthur who comes?"</p> + +<p>"Methinks so. Yet it seems I see the banners of Scotland. +Whether it is men of Cadoris or of Arthur, of what matter?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Launcelot, Scotland is there. But yonder figure is +Arthur." So spoke Tristram.</p> + +<p>"There too, is Gawaine and Pellimore. And there the boy, Allan. +See you him?"</p> + +<p>Sir Tristram nodded assent.</p> + +<p>Now Mark and his men gathered close together. The king and Sir +Pendore and Sir Bertram were in close converse.</p> + +<p>Up to the walls came the rescuing party. King Arthur in front +frowning, mighty, a majestic figure who seemed to breathe fire and +fury.</p> + +<p>"What does this mean, Mark? What scurvy trick have you now +tried?"</p> + +<p>"I found these men within holding my own castle when I returned +from a short journey. What else could I do but try to oust +them?"</p> + +<p>"I know better. If any harm, if but one of my knights is hurt, I +shall make you pay right fully."</p> + +<p>Now the gates opened wide. There stood Sir Launcelot, and Sir +Tristram, both supporting Sir Percival. Into the castle rode King +Arthur and King Cadoris.</p> + +<p>"Have you been hurt? Who else is wounded? Are any dead?" These +were the questions of the king.</p> + +<p>So Sir Launcelot told him. And now when the king found that none +were dead and he realized how many men Mark had lost, good humor +again came to him. His eyes twinkled merrily.</p> + +<p>"Shall we hang this scurvy king?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"If you will, sire," said Sir Tristram. "I fancy he has suffered +much by now. And since he is uncle of mine I beg of you treat him +more gently than he deserves. Let us rather laugh at him. True, +there are some of us who have been wounded, but none fatally."</p> + +<p>"And after all," said Sir Percival, "see how +<i>much</i> we can laugh?"</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot too nodded in agreement.</p> + +<p>"In truth," King Arthur agreed, "I have found no fancy to act as +hangman to him. For knave and villain though he is, yet is he still +a king. What say you Cadoris?"</p> + +<p>"It is no brew of mine, good Arthur. Yet were I he and you had +such good cause to laugh at me, I wonder if I would not rather +hang."</p> + +<p>So King Arthur turned to King Mark. Laughter was in his eye, +mocking laughter. About him the others gathered and these, too, +seemed laughing at him.</p> + +<p>"I offer you advice, Mark, which so it seems to me, you would do +well to heed. Keep not your doors so wide open hereafter. Knaves +like these are too apt to accept such hospitality. And, good Mark, +when next you go a hunting, I fancy, you had best hunt at home. It +is safer and for one thing you are sure to have it. 'Tis a sad +state for you to find these men making themselves at home while you +are away on so peaceful a mission. 'Tis a sad pity and should not +be permitted."</p> + +<p>"Tis sad,'tis sad," said the men about King Arthur.</p> + +<p>King Mark scowled in fury. And somehow, it seemed, he scowled +most at his own nephew, Tristram.</p> + +<table summary=arthur4 align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=699 HEIGHT=347 src="images/illus-chap17.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<h2><a name="chap18">CHAPTER EIGHTEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>The Kitchen Boy Again</h3> + +<p>Now King Arthur, his knights and all of his men were home once +again. Here they found great good humor at their account of the +adventure at the castle of King Mark.</p> + +<p>Tristram came with them. For many years thereafter he served +under King Arthur. Honor and glory he brought to the court of the +King and Arthur held him in high esteem as well he might. Between +Launcelot and Tristram there grew a great friendship. Each of them +believed the other to be the greatest knight in Christendom.</p> + +<p>And Allan, too. Now he was a year older. The urge to go forth, +strong within him, had grown that day a year earlier, when the +strange monk had met him in the forest and told him the things he +might do. Youth though he still was, not yet sixteen, he had learnt +much. Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram, too, had spent much time with +him--could there have been better teachers? Gouvernail and Walker, +as well, taught him to make the best use of such strength as he +had. So that by now he was the equal of many knights, better, too, +though none of his teachers would let him know that, and he, secure +in his own modesty, unknowing of his great prowess.</p> + +<p>The year, too, had brought Sir Kay's kitchen boy once again +before the King. Him, Allan had learned to know. Although his +friend had never admitted that he was better than his position +warranted, Allan was certain of it. When Pentecost had come again +he was curious as to what other boons were to be asked of the king +by this kitchen boy.</p> + +<p>But the day found him away--sent to the castle of Sir Percival, +which was a half day's journey. Yet was he not altogether +disappointed, for at that castle was Yosalinde, Sir Percival's +sister.</p> + +<p>Again there were many who sought the favor of the King on this +day. There, too, were many knights present and among these were Sir +Gawaine, Sir Percival and Sir Launcelot, the three who had been +there the year before.</p> + +<p>"And so, sire," the kitchen boy said, when the king turned to +him, "I have done my work as best I could. Now I crave my two +boons."</p> + +<p>"These shall be yours, if we have it in us to grant you item. +What are these boons you ask?"</p> + +<p>"That I be made a knight by Sir Launcelot. Him and him only do I +wish to dub me with knighthood. And that furthermore you permit me +to take up the first adventure which may need knight to carry +same."</p> + +<p>"So shall it be. We pray you, however, that you give your +name."</p> + +<p>"That will I do, sire, after Sir Launcelot had jousted with me, +if he then finds me worthy of knighthood."</p> + +<p>"Of a sooth," said Sir Kay, "you ask not much. That so brave a +knight should joust with a kitchen boy is fit cause for merriment." +Loud was that knight's laughter but none joined with him.</p> + +<p>"Mayhap," said the strange youth, "it will be your pleasure to +joust first with me."</p> + +<p>Uncertain seemed Sir Kay for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I promise you, Sir Kay, mine is gentle blood, and you may well +combat with me," the kitchen boy added mildly.</p> + +<p>Then did the two straightway prepare, horse and armor having +been obtained for the younger man.</p> + +<p>Not long did they battle however, for the kitchen boy proved Sir +Kay's master right quickly. Whereupon, Sir Kay becoming furious, +made great ado to wound his opponent. But could not do so; instead, +the other brought him down with fearful stroke which crushed +through helmet and all.</p> + +<p>"If you please, now, Sir Launcelot, to joust with me, I shall +find it great honor." So spoke the youth to the knight.</p> + +<p>Then there was such a battle as none had seen in many months. +Neither of these two brought to play his full, strength, yet right +cleverly, each struck, counterstruck and brought his skill to play. +Much marveled the knight at the youth.</p> + +<p>Then finally, Sir Launcelot said.</p> + +<p>"Your quarrel and mine, youth, is not so sore, we may not leave +off."</p> + +<p>"Truly, that is truth," replied the lad. "But it does me good to +feel your might."</p> + +<p>"So tell me your name, that I may dub you knight. Right gladly +will I do so."</p> + +<p>"My name," said the other, "is Gareth. I am brother to Gawaine. +I made vow to prove myself worthy of knighthood by finding myself +able to undergo the mean tasks as well as the noble ones."</p> + +<p>So Sir Gawaine came forward wonderingly, to see this brother +whom he had not seen since he was a babe.</p> + +<p>He made him fond embrace. "Right proud of you am I brother. +Proud too, that it is Launcelot, whose knight you shall be."</p> + +<p>Then Sir Gareth became knight. And as they made their way again +into the great hall, the King beckoned to Sir Gareth.</p> + +<p>"Are you still of a mind to take on yourself the first adventure +that cometh. For here is one that promises a lengthy time in its +fulfillment."</p> + +<p>Before the new knight could make answer, Sir Gawaine spoke.</p> + +<p>"This sire, is Gareth, my youngest brother. Worthy of knighthood +has he proven so far as strength and skill go."</p> + +<p>"Then are we right proud to have you among us, nephew. And we +pray that you will add lustre to your honored name and to the Round +Table as well."</p> + +<p>"That, I warrant, he will," vouchsafed Sir Launcelot. +"Perchance, it seemeth a wise thing to have Sir Kay feed all our +knights in prospect the same fat broth he has furnished +Gareth."</p> + +<p>"As to the adventure," the King returned. "There came but a +little while ago a maiden, Linet, by name, who craves that we send +a knight to succor her sister, the fair Dame Lyoness who is +besieged in her castle by the Knight of the Red Lawns."</p> + +<p>"Good herald," the King continued, "bring you the lady, Linet +before us."</p> + +<p>Into the great hall came a maiden fair. To her the king +addressed himself.</p> + +<p>"My Lady Linet, and it please you, pray tell us of what manner +of siege this knight holds against your sister. If to you it seems +of avail, we shall be glad to send a goodly number of our knights +and yeomen, too, to raise this siege."</p> + +<p>"Nay sire, that I deem not necessary. Only, since I have heard +that the knights of the Round Table are the bravest and best in all +Britain, I have come to you that you send one of these to battle +with the Knight of the Red Lawns. A stout knight is he, many have +come to rescue the fair lady who is my sister but the way is +perilous and he hath seven men's strength. So that I pray you to +send the best and bravest knight who is here."</p> + +<table summary=arthur5 align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=472 HEIGHT=700 src="images/illus-chap18.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">"My Lady, I Am Your Loyal Knight"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>"We would gladly heed your request, good lady. Nor do we care +what manner of knight this is, if Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram or +any one of ten or twelve more were to go to your fair sister's +rescue. But we have made promise that the next adventure, which +this is, was to be taken up by Sir Gareth and unless he forego +this, there is naught else left for us to do. What say you, +Gareth?"</p> + +<p>"I beg you, sire, that you permit me to carry out this +adventure. I shall do my utmost to bring it to successful +conclusion." So did Gareth reply.</p> + +<p>"And I for one, sire, doubt not, that if the adventure can be +carried out successfully, he will do so. For he is as brave and +stout a knight as is among us," added Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"Yet is he so young," said the maiden as she sighed. "I doubt +that any of you know how powerful is the knight he must +oppose."</p> + +<p>"Yet will he go," Arthur now decided. "Make you your plans +Gareth. The way seems long and I doubt not, you will be disposed to +continue on adventure's course, if this should be carried to +successful conclusion."</p> + +<p>Now the maiden left the great hall. Sir Gareth joined Sir +Launcelot, Sir Percival and his brother. As he did so, there came +to him, Breunor le Noire.</p> + +<p>"I pray you to favor me, good Sir Gareth by permitting me to go +with you and gather for myself such adventure as I may."</p> + +<p>Sir Gareth pondered for a moment, then made reply.</p> + +<p>"I had a mind to ask a boon of Sir Percival yet I can see no +reason why it would interfere with your going."</p> + +<p>"It is this, Sir Percival. I know how much your page Allan +craves for some adventurous journey before he also becomes knight. +Be so kind, therefore, and permit him to go with me."</p> + +<p>"Truly, it will be Youth seeking adventure. For each of you is +indeed youthful." So spoke Sir Gawaine, while Sir Percival thought +before making reply.</p> + +<p>"What say you, Launcelot?" he finally asked.</p> + +<p>"It cannot harm the lad to go with others than ourselves for +then he will receive opportunity to test himself. I would say that +you permit him, if he wishes it."</p> + +<p>"Then may he go," said Sir Percival. "Except that I would wish +that one of my yeomen, whose name is Walker, go with you. You will +find him useful and a willing knave."</p> + +<p>"For that I thank you," replied Gareth. "Tomorrow, my friend," +and he turned to Breunor, "we begin our journey."</p> + +<p>"I shall be ready," replied Breunor le Noire.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap19">CHAPTER NINETEEN</a></h2> + +<h3>On Adventure's Way</h3> + +<p>Now, as the knights separated, Sir Launcelot, who had donned but +part of his armor, called Sir Gareth.</p> + +<p>"I would a word with you, Gareth. I pray you to spare me the +time."</p> + +<p>"Right gladly," said Gareth and seated himself beside the other. +Sir Percival, who had a mind to return to them, on seeing them so +seated, swerved his horse and passed by them. Nor did they see +him.</p> + +<p>"See you this sword and shield. Take you these and use them +well. They are good weapons and you will find the answering well to +urge and parry.</p> + +<p>"Yet it is something of far more urge than this that I would +speak to you about. I am right glad that you are to have Allan with +you. I hope he will find much adventure and many experiences. +Listen well to this."</p> + +<p>Then did Sir Launcelot tell of the message that had been given +both to him and the boy. Told also of the need for Allan to stay +the fine and devout lad he was.</p> + +<p>"You can help, too. I made promise to Sir Joseph of Armathea +that I would do what I can. Since you are knight dubbed by me, I +pray you to help me."</p> + +<p>"That shall I do right gladly, for I like the youth and his +kindly ways. I give you my promise to give him by such example as I +may set and in other ways the meaning of knighthood worthy of the +search for the Holy Grail."</p> + +<p>"I wish you good fortune, Gareth, and that you overcome this +knight of the Red Lawns. If you should need aid at any time, I +promise I will come if I get word, no matter how distant you may +be."</p> + +<p>"I know that," said Gareth soberly. So then they sat for many +moments each thinking of many things. Until at last it was time for +them to separate.</p> + +<p>Allan had returned a little while before. He had already heard +who the kitchen boy was and how he had been dubbed knight by Sir +Launcelot. It had been a day of events for him, too. Walker, who +had made the journey with him had talked with him of many +things.</p> + +<p>"This world is large," Walker had said.</p> + +<p>"Soon," Allan had said, "I shall go forth and find out for +myself just how large it is."</p> + +<p>"Aye, lad," was Walker's reply, "if you travel all the years you +live I doubt if you could see half of it. Far to the southeast is +Rome and there are many lands one must pass before he reaches +there. And to the northeast live the Norse and the Dane and other +tribes equally wild and fierce. Then there are many seas, which I +have heard tell are bigger than the sea of Cornwall, which I know +well. And west of us, there is Ireland and beyond that the world +ends."</p> + +<p>"Yet shall I go and see what I can. For, if need be I must go to +the very ends of the world and I doubt not it will be right +soon."</p> + +<p>"Why, young master?" asked Walker, struck by the seriousness of +the boy's tone.</p> + +<p>But Allan answered not. Nor did the man press his question but +watched the lad as he rode on and dreamed.</p> + +<p>So they came to the castle. There Yosalinde was awaiting him. +Yet after the first greeting, the girl, whose usual contagion of +high and gay spirits carried the youth, who was inclined to be more +sober minded, along with her, fell into a brown study. Nor would +she listen or attend to his attempts to bring her forth into +lighter mood. So the boy, a little vexed and nettled, withdrew +feeling hurt and gloomy.</p> + +<p>But all this was soon swept aside. For Yosalinde came to him and +in her eyes was a great light.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, Allan. I had mind made up at first that I would +not tell you but have decided otherwise. I too, have dreamed of the +Holy Grail. Does it not seem strange that I, a girl, should so +do?"</p> + +<p>The boy nodded but remained quiet waiting for her to +continue.</p> + +<p>"You and I are to soon part, Allan. I am to go to a convent +where I can bring my mind altogether to the spiritual. I dreamed +that when I became worthy I was to help you right well in the +finding of it. A spirit will come to me which will guide us both. +Think, Allan, if the dream is true, I am to help you and you are to +find the Grail."</p> + +<p>"So the strange monk told me, Yosalinde. He spoke of one who was +to help me and she of whom he spoke, I could not take to be other +than you. You and one other and unless I mistake not that other is +Sir Launcelot. But it hurts, this thought that you and I will not +see each other for the long time you are in the convent."</p> + +<p>"But, dear Allan, there is always that time beyond that. It is +wonderful to look forward to that, is it not?"</p> + +<p>The boy nodded in assent, a little slowly, as if he were +realizing that it was so. He looked at the girl now and the feeling +grew that Yosalinde was to be the one who would lead him onward. +Even now, her fine spirit was helping him to cross the first of the +pitfalls. The wish for the girl was the first rung on the high +ladder of worthiness.</p> + +<p>In the late afternoon the boy returned to the court. Of a truth +he had almost forgotten that this was the day for the kitchen boy +to come forth. Nor did he, what with thinking of Yosalinde and his +mission that must soon be, remember it until he had almost +returned.</p> + +<p>"Come Walker, let us make haste, for I would know the news."</p> + +<p>So they hurried and had not been inside the gates many moments +before Allan had found out. But it was only when he came to Sir +Launcelot that he heard the other news that he could go forth with +the other two on adventure's way.</p> + +<p>He was glad that he could go with these two who were also young +for he could himself adventure so much the more readily. He would +have been abashed to do so with knights such as his own lord or Sir +Launcelot and Sir Gawaine.</p> + +<p>Sir Launcelot found the boy soon after.</p> + +<p>"When you return, and I think it will not be for more than a +year, mayhap, two, the King will dub you knight, so I think. +Remember Allan, to be worthy for the things ahead and remember, +too, that I am at beck and call, if you need me, if so be you can +find me.</p> + +<p>"This journey will be the great test. I pray that you return and +prove what I think you will be. Sir Percival, I understand has +armor, sword, lance and spear for you. I shall furnish you with +shield. So go you your way and remember that there are few knights +who will be found stouter or more skillful than Gareth."</p> + +<p>Allan found Gareth soon thereafter and thanked him for letting +him go with him. Then did the three, Sir Gareth, Breunor le Noire +and Allan plan for many things. The blood of youth raced in their +veins even as they planned. Many things would they do. Britain +would hear of these three, so they hoped.</p> + +<p>A goodly trio, of a truth, they made as they rode forth the next +day, the maid Linet with them, and only Walker following behind. +Three most worshipful knights watched them as they made their way +down the long road and disappeared from view.</p> + +<p>Perhaps, too, it was only chance that led them again past the +castle of Sir Percival. There Allan made point to enter the same +promising to catch up with the others as they continued on their +way. Nor could he stay more than but a few moments but in those few +moments he had told all to Yosalinde. She, too, watched him, as he +hastened to join the others.</p> + +<p>Long before he returned she had entered the convent in +accordance with the plan of her mother and brother. Yet, in the +heart of each of them was only the thought of the future, their +hopes were in the far away.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap20">CHAPTER TWENTY</a></h2> + +<h3>Gareth Battles Sir Brian</h3> + +<p>Brave and adventurous were the days that followed. Many days +they journeyed to the north. Eager was Sir Gareth to reach the +castle of the fair Dame Lyoness and to take issue with the Knight +of the Red Lawns, her oppressor.</p> + +<p>"Yet, good knight," said the fair Lady Linet. "Not an easy road +will you find it. There do be many brave knights you will find on +this road who will seek to joust with you. Many brave knights who +seek adventure as do you."</p> + +<p>"If it were not so, then would the way be long indeed. May such +adventure come right soon, we shall welcome it." So spoke Gareth +and his two friends echoed his words.</p> + +<p>Yet it was not until the second day that their wish was +fulfilled. For as they rode forward there came a man in great haste +toward them. He further increased his pace and gave a glad cry of +relief.</p> + +<p>Said Allan, who was foremost, "What ails you. Why your +haste?"</p> + +<p>"I have just escaped from some thieves who have entrapped my +master. They number six and fierce and sturdy did they seem. I +beseech your aid, good masters, for my master is a brave knight who +has suffered misfortune."</p> + +<p>So then did the three, undecided for the moment, look to each +other. Until Breunor le Noire exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Let us to this knight's aid at once." The same thought being in +the mind of the other two, they begged the Lady Linet to await them +and hurried forward to this, their first adventure.</p> + +<p>But the man who came to them, unknowingly, had misled them. For +the outlaws numbered more than six as they soon found out. So that +when they came to the dell in which the thieves were lodged, the +three of them together with Walker, there came forth to oppose them +over a dozen ruffians, each carrying either club or mace or +spear.</p> + +<p>Now did the three give proof of their mettle. Walker, too, +wielded a mighty mace that spelled sure death on any of the thieves +whom it reached.</p> + +<p>Right skillfully, as if they were veterans, did they hold their +place. Right well, they withstood the onslaught of the outlaws and +even pressed them back in defense.</p> + +<p>A number of the foe had fallen and others uncertain made as if +to flee. But they could not go far, for the conquerers, mounted, +overtook them. So that there was nothing left for them to do but to +turn with their backs to a nearby wall and make a last stand.</p> + +<p>Now there were but four of these ruffians left and these threw +their arms from them and pleaded mercy. And our youths took heed of +their plea and permitted them to escape.</p> + +<p>They made rescue of the imprisoned knight who marveled much, +after his first expression of gratitude, how so youthful a trio +could have overcome the large number of outlaws. Then did he give +further proof of his appreciation in that he begged of them that +they make his home their abode for that night and he promised them +food in plenty and goodly lodging.</p> + +<p>Though they were of mind to accept they first besought the +wishes of the Lady Linet and she, they found, was not opposed +thereto. Right well did they sup then and made themselves find +comfort before the great fire which blazed merrily. As the night +went by, they talked of many things and found their host full of +tales of days gone by.</p> + +<p>The next morn found them on their way again. Many days they +journeyed. Other adventures befell them and in each they accredited +themselves right well.</p> + +<p>On one of these days, Breunor le Noire who had speeded ahead so +that he was an hour's journey before them had a sad adventure. For +as he rode there came toward him an equipage which held many +knights and the leader of these was none other than Sir Brian de +les Isles.</p> + +<p>So as Sir Brian saw him he rode toward him.</p> + +<p>"Of what fellowship are you, youth?"</p> + +<p>"Of King Arthur's court and it is King Arthur himself who will +soon make me his own knight."</p> + +<p>"Ill will do I owe this king of yours and all who hold lealty to +him. Therefor will I imprison you."</p> + +<p>But this they found not quite so easy. Well did the youth oppose +them, and many of them suffered thereby. Until there were those +among them who were ready to believe that this was no youth in life +but fiend instead.</p> + +<p>Yet did he at last succumb because their number was so many. And +then did Sir Brian cast him into a prison where Breunor found as +many as thirty knights who were prisoners of Sir Brian, some of +these were knights of the Round Table.</p> + +<p>Soon Gareth and Allan speeded their way to overtake Breunor le +Noire of whose absence they began to wonder. Nor did they find +trace of him anywhere. Until Allan suggested that they return to +the large castle which they had passed, where trace of their +comrade might be.</p> + +<p>So then did Sir Gareth come to the castle gates; Allan with him. +To his beckoning there came forth one of Sir Brian's henchmen.</p> + +<p>"Tell your master, Sir Gareth waits outside the gates and would +bespeak him."</p> + +<p>But when Sir Brian was given the message, he did not deign to +answer in person, instead, he sent one of his knights in answer to +the call.</p> + +<p>"Sir Knight," addressed Sir Gareth, "I seek the master of this +castle. Are you he?"</p> + +<p>"Nay, but then Sir Brian deems it not fit for him to answer all +calls. Such business as you may have, I doubt not, I may quickly +dispose with and so not keep you from your journey."</p> + +<p>"I seek a youth, companion of ours, who had strayed from us and +who mayhap, has met with foul adventure. His name is Breunor le +Noire. Do you or the knight who is your master here know aught of +him?" So spoke Sir Gareth disdaining the insolence in the tone of +the other.</p> + +<p>"It may be that we do. Wait you here, while I make return to the +castle to find the answer for you."</p> + +<p>Therewith the knight left them to stand in front of the castle +gates and made his own way back to the house.</p> + +<p>"He is an ill bred knave," said Allan hotly. "To think that such +as he holds knighthood."</p> + +<p>"Knighthood," said the ex-kitchen boy, "is merely a cloak. And I +find, Allan, that it is a garment that is only seemly when he who +dons it wears it well. Yet this is no time for anger. Of what +matter that this knight is ill bred. If there is any quarrel I +shall seek it with his master."</p> + +<p>"Think you that they know of his whereabouts?" asked Allan. "I +liked not the manner in which he made answer."</p> + +<p>"Nor I. But I doubt not we shall know more surely within the +next few moments."</p> + +<p>Nor did the two have long to wait. For there came from the +castle another who seemed to be the high lord. In armor and shield, +carrying lance and riding a great black horse, he stood out from +among the knights who followed him.</p> + +<p>When he came to the gates they were opened wide for him. Then as +he saw Sir Gareth and the boy, he made them a sweeping +courtesy.</p> + +<p>"Forgive our boorishness, Sir Gareth. Pray to enter our humble +lodging. Are you then Prince of Orkney?"</p> + +<p>"I am so known," replied the young knight. "Yet I seek to be +known as Gareth, Knight of the Round Table. I know not your name, +Sir Knight, but I find your courtesy welcome."</p> + +<p>But now Allan had noted how the knight's manner had changed. No +longer did he seem kindly; instead a dark scowl frowned his +face.</p> + +<p>"I am Sir Brian de les Isles," was the answer. But the voice was +no longer a voice that welcomed, instead it was menacing and +stern.</p> + +<p>But Sir Gareth seemed to take no note of this. "I seek, Sir +Brian, to find a youth who accompanied us. His name is Breunor le +Noire, and he seemed to have met with foul adventure."</p> + +<p>"Not foul, Sir Gareth, but only such as is meet for all of King +Arthur's henchmen."</p> + +<p>"Then, I take it, you know of him and of his whereabouts," said +Sir Gareth. Still was his manner mild, yet forked lightning seemed +to flash from his eyes.</p> + +<p>"That we do," replied the other. "He is indeed in safe keeping, +such keeping being no other than ours."</p> + +<p>"I must trouble you, Sir Knight, to make return of him to +us."</p> + +<p>"And if I will not?" questioned Sir Brian. Insolence was in his +tone, a sneering smile was on his lips.</p> + +<p>"I take it, if you will not release him you will fight me as +would any honorable knight."</p> + +<p>"That will I. Right gladly and to the uttermost, Sir Gareth. For +all knights of the Round Table, I am sworn foe."</p> + +<p>Then there began a battle such as there was seldom seen. +Confidence was in Sir Brian's every move, and truly it would seem +that this young knight, still unknown in the field of chivalry, was +but a poor adversary to one of the best known of England's +knights.</p> + +<p>But if Sir Gareth was young, if he was but little known, yet the +skill at which Sir Launcelot had marveled, stood him in good stead. +This, Sir Brian soon realized. As steel met steel, the older knight +knew that his adversary was no mean one.</p> + +<p>So they battled for a time, neither of them gaining advantage +over the other. Great strength was Sir Brian's, but it was matched +by skill and quickness of thrust and parry.</p> + +<p>Allan, a lone figure, the only one of the group assembled to +stand for Sir Gareth, watched the struggle with bated breath. This +boy who had seen men like Sir Launcelot, Sir Tristram, Sir Percival +and others of almost equal repute, found his friend no less able +and bold. Clenched were his hands, tense the boyish figure, as with +heart and soul afire he watched the two knights.</p> + +<p>But soon it became evident that unless untoward happening +occurred the outcome of the brave fight was but a matter of time. +Slowly, yet surely Sir Brian gave ground. Slowly but surely Sir +Gareth pressed him. All the cunning of his foe availed him naught. +To the last Sir Brian fought bitterly, silently. His heart held +bitterness over the probable outcome, over the youthfulness of the +victor to be.</p> + +<p>Now as he parried a bold stroke of the other, for each of them +had turned to swords long before, there came a flash of steel and +Sir Brian felt a great nausea overcome him. Then he knew nothing +more for a long time.</p> + +<p>He came to later. Eager hands were ministering to him. Feebly he +turned, not knowing for the moment why all of this should be. Then +his eyes beheld the victor and the boy next to him and he realized +what had taken place.</p> + +<p>"Sir Gareth," he murmured, as his knights moved aside in +response to the weak gesture of his hand, "yours are a victor's +spoils. Well have you fought and won."</p> + +<p>"Sir Brian," the other replied, "I seek but Breunor le Noire and +the release of such knights as you may hold who owe lealty to king +Arthur. You are a brave knight, would that your cause were worthy +you."</p> + +<p>Now Sir Brian called one of his knights to him. The latter +followed by Sir Gareth and Allan made their way to the dungeon of +the castle. There they found their companion, there too, they found +the other knights of the Round Table who had been made prisoners by +those within the castle. Great was their joy at release and warmly +they thanked their fellow knight.</p> + +<p>And now there came a knight to them and told of how well Breunor +had fought and what difficulty they had had to make him +prisoner.</p> + +<p>"If this youth fights but half as well as do the two we have +seen, you do indeed make a formidable trio."</p> + +<p>Then the three rejoined the Lady Linet and the next morn they +were well on their way.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap21">CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE</a></h2> + +<h3>Knight of the Red Lawns</h3> + +<p>Events followed swiftly thereafter for their journey toward the +castle of the Dame Lyoness was not made on easy road. Yet through +all these, good fortune stayed with them and so at least they were +within a day's journey of their destination.</p> + +<p>Word had come to the Red Knight of the Red Lawns of the coming +of Sir Gareth. Word too had come to him of the brave deeds of this +knight and his two companions. Yet did the Red Knight find naught +in it all but cause for great merriment.</p> + +<p>"Truly will their courage ooze from them when they behold those +many knights hanging from yonder oaks, knights who thought to +battle with me and so rescue the Dame Lyoness. Nor did I blame them +overmuch, for it is well worth hanging for, perchance to win a +smile from so fair a lady. Would that I could be so fortunate."</p> + +<p>So said the Red Knight and sighed. No crueler knight there was +in all of Christendom yet was he gentle minded in his love for his +fair lady. And though he would not free her of his presence and +though he held her closely besieged within the castle, yet had he +no desire that harm should come to her.</p> + +<p>Now he again made his way to her castle wall where his herald +did blow his slughorn and announce that the Red Knight of the Red +Lawns besought the light of the lady's countenance and also word +with her.</p> + +<p>After a due wait there came forth on a balcony within the wall a +lady who was indeed beautiful. Straight she held herself, straight +and direct her look. Soft brown hair, and her eyes shaded from a +dark to lighter brown as they flashed her moods.</p> + +<p>Fine was her face, a face of true nobility and gentleness.</p> + +<p>And as the Red Knight beheld her, his voice grew gentle, his +words strangely softspoken.</p> + +<p>"My lady, I am your loyal knight. I pray you to listen to me as +I pledge again my loyalty and homage."</p> + +<p>There was scorn in the lady's voice, as she cast a withering +look upon the knight.</p> + +<p>"Soft are your words, Sir Knight. Yet if I do not do the cat a +great injustice it is the same softness as is hers when she spies +her prey. For yonder I have proof of such knighthood as is yours." +And Dame Lyoness pointed to the dead knights hanging from the +trees.</p> + +<p>"Aye," replied the Red Knight, "and I would go further, I would +tear such as would deign to keep me from you, limb from limb. Yet, +gentle lady, have I ever shown you proper courtesy and respect as +you may well testify. What, I pray you, keeps me from entering this +castle now and taking you by force, if need be?"</p> + +<p>"My lord," answered Dame Lyoness simply, "that moment you enter +these gates I shall drink this brew. A brew that will quickly +dispose of all the misery that this earth holds for me. Then will +you be able to claim my dead body but naught else. If hope were not +mine, if I did not feel certain that some brave knight would come +here from King Arthur's court to rescue me from your unwelcome +presence, a knight sent here at the beseeching of my sister Linet, +I would long ago have drunk this poison and so rid the world of one +who has brought naught but misery to many brave knights."</p> + +<table summary="arthur6" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=460 HEIGHT=700 src="images/illus-chap21.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">He Knocked With The Hilt Of His Sword</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>"Lady," the Red Knight rejoined, "I hear that such a knight is +now on his way. Yet have you overmuch faith in him or mayhap I have +given you poor proof of my own skill and strength. If he should +come, if his blood does not turn to water, think you he will win +from the Red Knight?"</p> + +<p>"Yet do I so hope. I pray that he has greater skill and strength +than yours. And I shall dare hope."</p> + +<p>Then did the lady turn and make her way within, giving the +knight no further glance. Ruefully he turned away, and so woeful a +figure that few would have known him for the brave and commanding +Red Knight of the Red Lawns.</p> + +<p>There came the Lady Linet first of all our party of five. She it +was who entered the gates of the castle of Dame Lyoness unmolested. +So had it been arranged. There she recounted of Sir Gareth and of +the others, too. She told of the knight's bravery and how he had +overcome Sir Brian de les Isles, and of all their other adventures. +Told too, of who Sir Gareth was, and how gentle and how eager he +was to take up her gauntlet. Until Dame Lyoness' eyes grew large +and their shade dark brown. For she was overly pleased at the +description of her champion.</p> + +<p>"Yet must he be of the strongest and most skillful," she said +fearfully, "to overcome this cruel knight. For the Red Knight is +far superior to even Sir Brian."</p> + +<p>"Dear Sister," replied Linet, "I have faith in this youthful +knight. Naught has he found too difficult as yet and I do not fear +the Red Knight whom he meets tomorrow."</p> + +<p>So the next morning, Sir Gareth arrived. Awaited him the Red +Knight of the Red Lawns who had been advised of his nearness.</p> + +<p>As the lady's champion turned with the road, Allan, Breunor and +Walker with him, there rode forward to meet him, the knight he was +to do battle with.</p> + +<p>"What brings you here?" asked the Red Knight, though he knew +full well.</p> + +<p>"I come to the rescue of Dame Lyoness, who, it seems, is +besieged by some unworthy knight who finds it worthy him to war on +women."</p> + +<p>"I am the Red Knight," the other replied without parley. "See +you, my fair knight, yonder trees. See you the things that hang +therefrom. They are the bodies of such other fools who have come +here to teach me what I may or may not do."</p> + +<p>"That, too," replied Sir Gareth, "makes me but doubly certain +that knighthood is not the garment you should wear. I shall do +battle with you, Sir Knight, so soon as you don armor. Meantime I +await your pleasure."</p> + +<p>Then did the three ride toward the castle. And as they neared it +there came to the open window both the Lady Linet and the Dame +Lyoness. Low did the latter courtesy to them all, but chiefest to +Sir Gareth. Long did these two gaze at each other and in that gaze +love was in the dawning.</p> + +<p>Now, the Red Knight came forward. For a few moments each watched +the other, their horses stepping now this way, now that. Then of a +sudden, they made at each other, with all their might. And well it +was that shields were there to meet the blows. For such was their +force that breast plates, horsegirths and cruppers burst. Both +knights were sent to earth, Sir Gareth holding the reins of his +bridle still in his hands. Sore stunned was each for many minutes. +Wonder it was that neck of either was not broken.</p> + +<p>Now the two left their horses and with shields in front they +battled with their swords. And they fought until midday and until +they both lacked wind. So that each was forced to take rest.</p> + +<p>From their window, the two ladies watched the affray. Both of +them prayed that harm should not come to their champion.</p> + +<p>But the Red Knight watching them and seeing how in especial Dame +Lyoness was interested, conceived a new idea.</p> + +<p>"I fancy that when I overcome this knight and prepare to hang +him, yonder good lady will give herself to me to save him. For she +seems to care overmuch for him and greatly do I wish I were in his +place. Yet must she be the lady of the Red Knight." So he +mused.</p> + +<p>They fought all of the afternoon. Now one would grovel in the +earth, the other too weak to carry the battle to successful +conclusion, now the second would grow equally weak.</p> + +<p>Then did they rest again and Breunor and Allan brought water for +Sir Gareth so that he could drink and bathe his face. They rested +for a half hour and then battled once again.</p> + +<p>Now the younger knight seemed weaker. The Red Knight pressed him +hard as he saw this. Things began to look dark for the lady's +champion.</p> + +<p>She, too, saw this. And coming far to the edge of the balcony +she called out.</p> + +<p>"Sir Gareth, I pray for your success." And as he looked toward +her there was a great, eager light on her countenance. It gave to +him renewed strength, renewed faith. As if he had ten men's +strength. And so he turned on the Red Knight and the other could +not withstay him. Fearfully he struck him, such a fearful blow that +the Red Knight never moved again. Yet even as his foe succumbed, +the victor slowly crumbled to the ground, spent and so weak that +for a few seconds Allan, Breunor le Noire and the two ladies who +had hurried to him, thought he was dead.</p> + +<p>In a few moments however the young knight opened his eyes. Then, +beholding the gentle face of Dame Lyoness, he closed them again, +well content.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap22">CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO</a></h2> + +<h3>Sir Galahad</h3> + +<p>Of the things that befell Sir Gareth, of how he wedded the good +Dame Lyoness and of how he gave right seemly proof of his worship, +this story will not detail. Nor can we go on the byway that deals +with the deeds of Breunor le Noire who was made a knight of the +Round Table by King Arthur soon thereafter and who then avenged the +cowardly slaying of his father by the unknown and false knight.</p> + +<p>For our tale must hold its course hereafter. The boy Allan had +grown with the two years that had passed since the adventure of the +Red Knight of the Red Lawns. He had not returned to the court of +King Arthur, instead he and Walker had set out on journey of +adventure. No hit and miss journey this, instead it followed a call +that the boy had had, a call which he knew meant that the time had +come for him to begin seeking the Holy Grail.</p> + +<p>The two years had been eventful ones for Allan. All over England +had he found his way, he and Walker. Adventures were many and +everywhere this youth through kindly deeds and brave actions left +good repute behind him.</p> + +<p>So at the period which our narrative now covers there had grown +from a whispering into a more or less certainty and belief that a +man had come who would find the Holy Grail again for Britain and so +add honor and fame to England. And therewith there was great +wonderment as to whether the finder would be of the court of +Northgalis, or of Northumberland, or of Cornwall, or of Arthur's +court.</p> + +<p>Pentecost was but a few days away. Now on this day the good King +Arthur with Launcelot, Percival and Merlin, the wizard, made the +round of the sieges or seats of the Round Table, each of which held +a name, for on this Pentecost to come, there were to be many new +knights made and place must be found for them.</p> + +<p>So then here and there the places were assigned. Now they came +to the last of the places.</p> + +<p>"What new knight shall be placed here?" asked the King. "It +seems to us that this place his been empty this long time."</p> + +<p>"This," answered Merlin, "is the Siege Perilous. Here no one +shall sit until four hundred and fifty four years after the passion +of the Lord."</p> + +<p>Now then Sir Launcelot make quick reckoning.</p> + +<p>"In the name of God," he made haste to say, "then should this +siege be filled on this Pentecost day that comes."</p> + +<p>"That I doubt not," replied Merlin, "And no one else but the +rightful occupant may fill it for he that is so hardy as to try it, +he will be destroyed."</p> + +<p>So Pentecost day came. And all but Merlin wondered as to who the +newcomer, who would fill this seat could be.</p> + +<p>Early day found the new knights already seated. Early day, too, +found Allan, once again, after the many months away from the court, +returned. This was home to him--and close to three years had passed +since he had been there. He had learned much, he had searched thus +far in vain for the Holy Grail. Yet not altogether in vain, for he +felt within him that he was closer to his quest with the passing of +each day. The boy, now in young manhood, had indeed developed well. +Broad shouldered, slim-waisted, supple limbed, he gave little +indication of his strength, yet Walker riding close beside him, had +watched him, had trained him and had with great pride, noted his +skill with lance, sword and spear. Well he knew that this youth +would soon be second to none in ability to cope with foe or in +friendly jousting as might befall in tournament or elsewhere.</p> + +<table summary="arthur7" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=470 HEIGHT=672 src="images/illus-chap22.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">A Solitary Horseman</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Now on this Pentecost day, Allan had returned because it was +wont that he should do so and also because desire urged him thence. +So then he entered the great hall and because all of King Arthur's +court were within, none there were who knew him.</p> + +<p>And once he found himself within, only Merlin the Wizard knew +who he was. The others knew him not, not even Sir Percival nor Sir +Launcelot. So Merlin came forward and greeted him.</p> + +<p>"They do not yet know you lad, for greatly have you changed with +these few years. Almost grown to full manhood and of a truth full +well and ready for the further conduct of your mission. Come you +with me for your seat is saved."</p> + +<p>"Nay, sir, I hold no seat for I am as yet no knight, though +hopeful," replied the lad.</p> + +<p>"Yet is your place here, lad. So come."</p> + +<p>And herewith the lad had need to follow. While all about, the +knights and others watched them both.</p> + +<p>So now as they came to the Siege Perilous, Merlin stopped and +motioned Allan toward it. Yet the boy hesitated and turned his eyes +to his king, whose eyes searched both the Wizard and the boy.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Merlin turned to them all.</p> + +<p>"Here is Galahad, he who shall achieve the Grail. And proof of +it is in this that he shall sit in the Siege Perilous and no harm +shall come to him therewith. Sit you down, lad."</p> + +<p>So Allan sat down in the place assigned. There seemed to play +about him and the seat a strange light. Well be seemed to fit +therein.</p> + +<p>"Oh, King," went on Merlin. "Some years since, there came a +stranger to this youth and also to one other here. There and then +he declared that the finding of the Grail was made possible. That +the finder was to be known as Galahad the Chaste. Pure and upright +must the seeker be and up to now there is none other among you who +so well fills this requirement. He who left here as Allan, page to +Sir Percival, returns, fitted and grown to the task. He shall +henceward be known as Galahad. And it please you sire, make you him +a knight of the Round Table. So that if he do find the Grail, honor +and glory shall be with you, too."</p> + +<p>Wondered the boy yet, but at word from the king he came forward +and knelt.</p> + +<p>"We dub you knight, Allan. You shall be known as Sir Galahad. +Fruitful may your mission be. We know that knighthood shall not +suffer through you."</p> + +<p>A little apart, Sir Launcelot watched the boy. And though the +newly made knight knew it not, the former had watched him through +the many days he had been away from the court, had never been very +far, yet never so near that the young adventurer knew it. Most keen +and watchful had he been to see that the lad kept on the clean road +ahead. And of a truth he had noted, with a restful content, that +such was the boy's inclination and desires. Yet he kept apart even +as he watched and in all the years had not come face to face with +the boy.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap23">CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE</a></h2> + +<h3>The Beginning of the Quest</h3> + +<p>A week and a day Sir Galahad stayed at the court. Nor was he +there many hours before he found that Yosalinde was not home as yet +but would be within the month. Yet he would not stay, for after +long and serious converse with both Merlin and Sir Launcelot, he +followed the great urge to go forward. For he felt the call now +greater, more insistent. Yet did he somewhat fret since this urge, +this call seemed to lead him nowhere, seemed only to beckon that he +go.</p> + +<p>"Fret not, lad, perhaps many a year shall you wander before you +find the Grail. Many places shall you go. Yet let not your way ever +be impatient." So spoke the Wizard.</p> + +<p>"I go to Normandy soon, Merlin."</p> + +<p>"You shall find me there," now spoke Sir Launcelot, "for I too +go hither to seek adventure. I pray that we meet, Galahad and that +together we have many eventful days. Though full well do I know +your way in great part, must be alone."</p> + +<p>"That it must be," Merlin advised.</p> + +<p>And so the next day and the next he stayed. From everyone and +everywhere great favor was his. King Arthur, too, held much +converse with him and he remembered the first days the lad had come +to court and how he had ordered the herald to send him forth for +Sir Launcelot and Gawaine.</p> + +<p>But the day came at last when he and Walker adventured forth. +And the new knight carried no shield for one was awaiting him, a +shield that carried a great cross to signify his seeking. This he +was to find at the convent near Carboneck. So Merlin had advised +him.</p> + +<p>Two days of journey passed without ontoward event but on the +third day there came to him a yeoman in great woe.</p> + +<p>"What grieves you, friend?" asked Walker while Sir Galahad +waited.</p> + +<p>"Great are my troubles for my master will surely flay me until I +die. I was bringing him his best horse from the castle when a +knight stopped me. Though I told him that the horse was my master's +and how much store he set by it yet did he take the same from me. +When I protested as best I might, he brought his sword upon me and +it was fortune that I was not slain."</p> + +<p>"Know you the knight?" asked Sir Galahad kindly.</p> + +<p>"Nay, Sir, except that he told me he needed the horse at +Calomet."</p> + +<p>"I shall go hither. It is but a short journey and you may come +with me. For it does not seem a knightly act, this taking of your +master's horse and it needs explaining."</p> + +<p>"I thank you master. For little value though my life may be, I +value it nevertheless," replied the yeoman.</p> + +<p>So they went on to Calomet. And when they arrived there the +yeoman most fortunately espied his master's horse.</p> + +<p>"Yonder, Sir Knight, is the horse," and he pointed +excitedly.</p> + +<p>There stood a white horse, truly a beast well worth owning. A +beautiful head, a great body that showed strength and grace, set +well on strong, shapely limbs. A head which its owner held right +fearlessly, yet the eyes of the beast were soft and kindly and +indicated that he could be ridden by child or woman.</p> + +<p>"A good beast and well worth fighting for, if need be," said +Walker.</p> + +<p>"Yet more worthy the fight, if there is need of one, the fact +that this knight we are to meet is so unfair," replied Sir +Galahad.</p> + +<p>So now they came to the house. Walker and the yeoman dismounted +and went up to the horse, which had been tied but temporarily and +was awaiting its rider.</p> + +<p>And as they stood there, there came from within the house a +knight who had espied them.</p> + +<p>"What wish you, knaves?" he asked, scowling.</p> + +<p>"It is my master who wishes your presence," replied Walker.</p> + +<p>"He shall have his wish satisfied," the knight made reply, +turning to Galahad, who was a little further away.</p> + +<p>"Do you wish word with me, Sir Knight?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I seek him who claims to be the owner of this horse," replied +Sir Galahad.</p> + +<p>"Then you have found him for he is no other than I," was the +answer.</p> + +<p>"Yet how can he be yours, Sir Knight, if this yeoman claims it +is his master's horse?" Sir Galahad questioned.</p> + +<p>"I have made you answer to question that should concern you but +little. What ado wish you to make of it?"</p> + +<p>"Only that the horse goes to this yeoman so that he can bring +him to his rightful owner."</p> + +<p>The other laughed aloud.</p> + +<p>"I wot, strange knight, I wonder well how you can do this thing +when I am here to say you nay. And when my sword is even more +severe in keeping you from boastful attempt."</p> + +<p>And then without further parley the knight brought his sword to +play. But sorry adventure this for him and Sir Galahad though still +without shield brought him right quickly to earth. A sorry match +was he for the young knight, so ill matched that Walker smiled in +glee at his efforts.</p> + +<p>The knight now held his peace as Sir Galahad told the yeoman to +take his master's horse and go hence. But he scowled and as Sir +Galahad turned to go he bespoke him.</p> + +<p>"Sir Knight, I shall not forget your meddling in what was of no +concern to you. And the day may come when you will regret this +deed."</p> + +<table summary="arthur8" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=498 HEIGHT=700 src="images/illus-chap23a.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Sir Galahad In The Forest</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>"True, Sir Knight," replied Sir Galahad. "I shall have need to +make assurance that my horse is secured so that he may not be +stolen." And laughing and full at ease he left the beaten knight to +his surly thoughts.</p> + +<p>Yet as he went the strange yeoman followed him. So that Sir +Galahad turned to him somewhat in amaze.</p> + +<p>"I thought that your way was opposite."</p> + +<p>"My way, Sir Knight, goes only to yonder turn. Yet before I +leave I make you gift of this horse. He is yours. That was not a +true tale as to who owned this horse. For its true owner is none +other than you and my story such as to test you and find answer to +whether you would help those who are in trouble, though the trouble +owner be lowly born. The horse is sent by friend of yours whose +name is not to be related. I wish you well, Sir Knight."</p> + +<p>Much overcome was Sir Galahad at the princely gift, for the +horse had impressed him much.</p> + +<p>"Tell you this unknown friend of mine, that I value this gift as +naught else. Tell you too, that I name him the Seeker, in full +honor of my quest."</p> + +<p>So then the strange yeoman departed whilst the knight and his +faithful man went on their way.</p> + +<table summary="arthur8" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=400 HEIGHT=416 src="images/illus-chap23b.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + + +<h2><a name="chap24">CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR</a></h2> + +<h3>In Normandy</h3> + +<p>Of the travels of Sir Galahad, of how he journeyed through many +lands and new scenes, there is much to be told. Ever with him, went +his faithful man, Walker, who served him well and loyally.</p> + +<p>Eager was the young knight to reach Normandy of which he had +heard much. So he sailed away and since many rumors held the Grail +to be there he hoped to find it.</p> + +<p>In Normandy, a strange land, he met with much adventure, many +knights brave and true, and some who were not. But no sign of the +Grail was there to be had.</p> + +<p>On his white horse, the Seeker, he made his way southward, +finding lodging where he could.</p> + +<p>It was so, in the first month of his travels, that he came to +the castle of one of the best of Normandy's knights. Of him, Sir +Launcelot had spoken highly; he held him in great esteem, and so +had counseled the youthful knight to make it his purpose to visit +him when there.</p> + +<p>Sir Guilbert gave him friendly greeting. Many had been his +visits to England, well he knew Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival and +the great King himself. Sir Galahad found his stay a pleasant one; +there were friendly jousts in which he met some of Normandy's +worshipful knights. In all of these he was victor.</p> + +<p>Sir Guilbert had full praise for the young knight. There was son +of his, a youth of seventeen, who also admired the newcomer, even +as Allan the boy had admired Sir Launcelot. When his visitor's stay +was drawing to a close, Sir Guilbert spoke of this.</p> + +<p>"My son Charles, Sir Galahad, has taken great fancy to you and +wishful am I that you could find it in your plans to take him as +page. He is a quiet lad, sturdy and obedient, you will find. And +following wish of his mother, he knows your English tongue well, +for she is Englishborn. He has made study of Latin too, it seemed +for a time that he would turn to priesthood. But that will not be, +and I cannot say that it finds me regretful. I would have him a +true knight, had I my way."</p> + +<p>"Your wish, Sir Guilbert, may well be served. But if I may, I +should like first to speak to the lad, before I make answer."</p> + +<p>"Faith, and you may. For we should want the lad to satisfy you +and merit your friendship. I shall see to it that you have the +chance to speak with him. It were better, that he know not the +reason for your questioning. Is it not so?"</p> + +<p>"It would be best, Sir Guilbert," Sir Galahad replied.</p> + +<p>Then the two talked of other things and the young knight +questioned his friend as to the likely whereabouts of the Holy +Grail.</p> + +<p>"Many rumors have I heard, Sir Galahad. But never actual trace. +Understand you well, my friend. Knights from every land seek this +Grail and I would wish that it were Norman who found it. But if it +cannot be one from my own land, I would it were one from your +country. I fear me, it shall not be easy search, it may lead you +far."</p> + +<p>"I am well prepared for that," replied the Seeker. "If it were +easy to find, the glory would be so much the less. I can but hope +that I shall have the vision to see it when it is near me."</p> + +<p>"I wish you well," Sir Guilbert made answer. "Now let us repair +to the dining hall for the meal waits."</p> + +<p>It was after they had eaten that Sir Galahad found the +opportunity to hold speech with the youth, Charles.</p> + +<p>He found the lad to be all that his father had said of him.</p> + +<p>"What have you wish for, Charles?" he said.</p> + +<p>"I should like to journey far and to many places," the boy +replied. "There is much to see and I envy the many who have +traveled to foreign lands."</p> + +<p>"How then, if you could, would you travel?"</p> + +<p>"As a true Norman knight serving God and the Church against all +infidels."</p> + +<p>"Well spoken, lad. But it needs many years and one must learn +much to be a good knight. It is not easy work."</p> + +<p>"I know that, Sir Galahad. But I shall not count the years for I +am still young."</p> + +<p>More questions the knight asked the lad and he made eager though +respectful answer. It was apparent that he had thought of it for +many a day. But Sir Galahad said never a word to him of the reason +for his questions and left the lad without knowledge of his +purpose.</p> + +<p>But the next day he spoke to Sir Guilbert and gave him +answer.</p> + +<p>"I should like the youth as my page. He is the kind I could well +use. And I promise you that he shall come back to you so that +neither you nor his mother shall have reason to be other than proud +of him. He will be of great help to me when I reach Rome for I +purpose to journey there, I know naught of the tongue."</p> + +<p>"Have you told the lad, as yet?" the father asked.</p> + +<p>"I thought it best that either you or your lady speak first with +him and then will I."</p> + +<p>"That is a gracious deed on your part, my knight. And if it +bears fruit or not, I shall indeed be in your debt."</p> + +<p>"Not so, Sir Guilbert. For the boy will but have such chance as +I was given by Sir Percival when I was even younger than he."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap25">CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE</a></h2> + +<h3>Sir Galahad Offers Help</h3> + +<p>It was but a week and a day later that Sir Galahad proceeded +further. With him was the faithful Walker who was overly pleased to +be on his way and also Charles, the young son of Sir Guilbert. +Eager was the lad and highly pleased to go forth with the brave +knight.</p> + +<p>Sir Galahad had had hopes of meeting Sir Launcelot who had +planned to be in Normandy, and Merlin as well. But he would wait no +longer, he was in no mood to tarry now.</p> + +<p>There came a day of storm, fierce was the rain and sleet and the +wind so strong that the knight, and his party found it arduous task +to keep the road. Sir Galahad decided to stop and seek shelter at +the first refuge that they should find.</p> + +<p>A little later they came to an old but magnificent castle and in +answer to the summons of Walker, an ancient man appeared.</p> + +<p>"What will you?" the old man quavered.</p> + +<p>"My master seeks shelter until the storm passes. He is a +worshipful knight. Go you to your master with his request."</p> + +<p>The man hobbled within the castle. Soon he returned.</p> + +<p>"There is no master here but my mistress bids me welcome the +worshipful knight and beseech his entrance."</p> + +<p>So they went within and the old man threw logs on the open fire +which blazed right merrily. Sir Galahad and the two with him made +themselves comfortable. Soon food and drink was brought to them of +which they partook with good grace.</p> + +<p>The storm did not subside and night came on.</p> + +<p>"Old man," Sir Galahad said to the ancient servitor. "Pay you my +respects to the lady whose hospitality we enjoy and ask that she +grace us with her presence. Tell her that it is Sir Galahad, Knight +of the Round Table, who seeks it."</p> + +<p>There came a long wait which left the three a wondering. Then +there came forth a lady who was followed by the ancient servitor. +Stately she was and of noble bearing. Yet it could be seen that she +was fearful and disturbed.</p> + +<p>"My lord wished my presence?" she asked and her tone was +tremulous.</p> + +<p>"I owe you apology for this disturbance," the knight said +courteously. "But we also owe you thanks for your gracious +hospitality. There seems need that we disturb you further since the +storm stays and we cannot proceed as we would. May we find lodging +within your walls?"</p> + +<p>The lady looked fearfully about.</p> + +<p>"I cannot deny you. Truly it is no night to be outdoors. Stay +then and welcome."</p> + +<p>Morning found the storm in no wise abated. The lady of the +castle did not appear at the morning meal. But the old man was +there to serve them. He too, seemed much disturbed and made as if +to have speech with Sir Galahad, once or twice.</p> + +<p>"What troubles your pate, old man?" Walker finally asked +him.</p> + +<p>"These are dark days for the house of Sanscourt," the latter +replied and crossed himself.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, good man, it may be within us to lighten them," Sir +Galahad said kindly, "If we can, it may repay in part for your +mistress' hospitality."</p> + +<p>"Would that my lady could find it in her to confide in you. For +you seem right friendly, my lord."</p> + +<p>"Beseech you her. Tell her that Sir Galahad offers his services +if she has need of them."</p> + +<p>The man soon returned.</p> + +<p>"My lady thanks you kindly for your offer and she will see you +soon," he said.</p> + +<p>The Knight waited but a few moments when his hostess came into +the room.</p> + +<p>"You are gracious, Sir Galahad. I doubt whether there can be any +help for me. Yet I shall tell you my story for there still may be +hope for so wretched a person as myself."</p> + +<p>"My lady, it is the duty of all true knights to be of help to +those in distress. Wherefore, I hold but to my knightly vow, in my +promise of service to you."</p> + +<p>The Lady Jeanne made no answer, seemingly she had not heard him. +Sir Galahad watched her, saw her look which seemed afar, saw the +dark rims around her eyes. They spoke of many hours of weeping.</p> + +<p>Now she turned to him.</p> + +<p>"I think, my lord, this storm that seems as if it will not cease +has been sent by God. Strange though it may seem it brings me hope, +dim though that hope may be, yet I treasure it. Little reason for +hope have I had.</p> + +<p>"Think me not rude, Sir Galahad, and think not that I question +your valor or skill. But this is task for no lone knight, for my +enemy is strong and powerful. I may be selfish too, in that I draw +you into my troubles but I am like one who drowning, must need +snatch at a straw. And many knights would hesitate long to offer +service where the cause is as hopeless as mine seemingly is. Nor +will I blame you or hold you, if after my story is done, you find +no way in which you can help me.</p> + +<p>"Listen then and you will see why I count this storm as sign of +hope sent to me."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap26">CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX</a></h2> + +<h3>Lady Jeanne's Story</h3> + +<p>Two years will it be next month when the Duke of Gascony with +fifty knights went forth on a quest that would take them to far +Eastern lands. Of these fifty, Sir Vilard, my husband, was one.</p> + +<p>"He left with me, my son Ambrose, my daughter Helene and two +servitors, old men who could not go with him. It was in a good and +holy cause so I had no tears for him to see. Rather did I bid him +Godspeed and a safe and quick return.</p> + +<p>"You see me alone now. Two years, and I have neither son, nor +daughter, nor husband. Did I know they were dead, bitter would be +my woe yet would I count God's mercies many, His ways strange, but +not for any mortal to question. But I do not know that. They would +have me believe my husband dead. Ambrose went forth one day and I +have had no word of him since then. And my daughter is lodged +within prison walls waiting the whim of Sir Dolphus who holds her +in his power.</p> + +<p>"They tell me that my husband perished with the Duke and all but +three of the knights that went forth with him. And that before he +died he sent word that it was his wish that I permit Sir Dolphus to +marry our daughter. Yet do I know that Sir Dolphus is already +lawfully wedded to a wife whom he would discard. Knowing my husband +as I do, I could not believe such to be his message. So I withstood +the pleadings of this knight until his pleadings turned to bitter +threats.</p> + +<p>"He would make himself Duke of Gascony. And when I would not +listen to him, his pleadings or threats, he came here one day with +two other knights and professed to abide by such decision as I had +made. They dined with us. Ambrose, my son, was away that day.</p> + +<p>"Enough to say that they stole my daughter from me. This old man +you see and the other, Albert, were clubbed to earth, the one to +death. I tried so hard to resist them but my hand was weak.</p> + +<p>"When Ambrose returned, I could not keep him. He went forth to +rescue his sister. Poor lad, I have had no word from him since +then. Is he dead? Did they kill him? I have sent for word, have +begged that they tell me what fate has befallen him but they +profess not to know.</p> + +<p>"I have heard that the Church will not sanction his marriage to +Helene. Nor will it permit Sir Dolphus to annul the marriage with +his wife. A good priest also tells me that Sir Dolphus has set his +black heart upon marrying my poor Helene so that he can then +lawfully own all this land and estate that belongs to us. It will +be small matter to rid himself of me and I fain would not wish to +live were it not that I still have hope.</p> + +<p>"My lord, I have hoped so much. Until my very hope turned black +for never was there any one so helpless against the power of this +wicked man. I dread the coming of each day and yet mixed with my +dread there still is ever present that one small hope which will +not be killed.</p> + +<p>"I think I would have died but for this small hope," she added +wistfully. She paused now and seemed lost in the dark thoughts that +possessed her.</p> + +<p>"All of them gone. Not one of them to remain with me."</p> + +<p>"Sir Galahad," she turned to him. "It is not a pretty story. I +seem to be encompassed with tragedy. I would not include you in my +woes, you have other missions, other work ahead. And though you +have the valor and strength of ten, it would count for so +little."</p> + +<p>"My lady," the knight replied. "What use would such valor be, if +I had it, if I did not but use it for its full worth? Could I be a +true knight and not heed the call your sorrow brings? I can but try +to help you. And that, I swear, I will."</p> + +<p>A light shone in the lady's eye. "I was not wrong to hope. Even +now I feel that succor must come. Your words, dear knight, give me +strength. Surely then, the storm has brought me some ray of that +hope I speak of."</p> + +<p>"I shall devise some plan," Sir Galahad said, "wherein we can +make rescue of your daughter, and find out the fate of your +son."</p> + +<p>The Knight's thoughts were deep for many minutes. "Did this Sir +Dolphus say where your husband met his death?"</p> + +<p>"Near Lombardy," she replied.</p> + +<p>"If I succeed here, my lady, I shall continue my way to Rome. +From there I shall journey north and seek news of your husband. It +may be that he is not dead. Dead or alive, you at least will +know.</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow, if the day clears, we shall turn to the work before +us. It seems a hard task but as I have said, we can but try. In the +meantime, my Lady Jeanne, have courage and keep your patience."</p> + +<p>So Galahad left her. But Walker stayed.</p> + +<p>"Lady, I would but add my humble word of cheer. In all of +England, of all the Knights of the Round Table, there is none who +equals my master in skill and bravery. I tell you this so that you +may know how worthy your champion is. Would that he had but one +other with him and I would not care what odds were against +him."</p> + +<p>"And who, my man, is that other?"</p> + +<p>"Sir Launcelot," Walker made reply.</p> + +<p>"I thank you for telling me of Sir Galahad. It adds to the hope +I have and the courage he bids me possess."</p> + +<h2><a name="chap27">CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN</a></h2> + +<h3>Sir Launcelot Arrives</h3> + +<p>The day dawned bright and clear. But it brought to Sir Galahad +no plan for the rescue of the daughter of his hostess.</p> + +<p>My lady came down to the breakfast table greatly cheered, as was +plain to be seen. Sir Galahad had not the heart to tell her that as +yet he had found no way for the rescue of her daughter. Instead he +said.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that there is one thing I can but do. I shall +seek this knight's castle and wait for such event there as may +befall. Luck may come my way. But I promise you this, my lady, I +shall make no rash or fruitless attempt at rescue. Rash acts may +well come after the rescue of your daughter, not before."</p> + +<p>The Lady Jeanne agreed. So then immediately after the meal +Walker, and the page Charles prepared the things they would need +for the journey.</p> + +<p>"I go forth to prepare the horses, young master. Will you see to +these things here?" So spoke Walker and when Charles agreed he +hurried outdoors.</p> + +<table summary="arthur9" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=462 HEIGHT=700 src="images/illus-chap27.jpg" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center">Suddenly They Made For Each Other</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Hardly had he reached there, however, when he saw two horsemen +coming toward him. His trained eye easily recognized them. One +could be no other than Sir Launcelot. Only he sat his horse so. And +the rider with him was Gouvernail, he who had been squire to Sir +Tristram until that brave knight had died and who now was in the +service of Sir Launcelot.</p> + +<p>"By my faith," spoke out Walker to the empty air. He rubbed his +eyes. Yes, it was they.</p> + +<p>"A wish come true," was all he could think of. And then he +danced first on one foot, then on the other, uncertain whether to +rush to meet the advancing horsemen or to run inside and advise his +master. His uncertainty ended only when he was indoors again.</p> + +<p>"Master, master, come you here," he called. "See who comes," he +shouted gleefully.</p> + +<p>Sir Galahad came toward him. But not as quick as the eager, +youthful Charles. After them all, came the Lady Jeanne.</p> + +<p>"It is Launcelot, by my faith," Sir Galahad shouted gleefully. +"He was to meet me in Normandy and has followed close on my heels. +What luck!" And he waved to the approaching knight who returned the +salute and increased his speed.</p> + +<p>The Lady Jeanne turned questioning eyes to the squire, who +nodded happily.</p> + +<p>"My lady," Sir Galahad turned to her. "Now you may well have +hope and faith. And well may you give us your blessing for we shall +bring your daughter to you, have no fear."</p> + +<p>So spoke the knight whose faith in Sir Launcelot's prowess was +most profound.</p> + +<p>Now the approaching knight came up to them.</p> + +<p>"Good Allan," he said still calling his friend by the name of +his boyhood. "I have traveled through a day of storm to catch up +with you. Until I am sure that this knave here is prepared to seek +a master who would be saner and more considerate."</p> + +<p>"Not so," replied Gouvernail, "for I was no less the +anxious."</p> + +<p>"You come in good time, dear friend. For never were you more +needed. There is work ahead for us, serious work. This lady here +needs our help. She is sore distressed. But let her meet you."</p> + +<p>So the Lady Jeanne met Sir Launcelot. And once again the tale of +her plight was revealed. And even as Sir Launcelot listened, the +plan of what to do came to Sir Galahad. But he kept his tongue +until his friend was fully informed and had in turn had time to +question their hostess.</p> + +<p>Charles stood close to his master, whose arm encircled him as if +it would include him in all of it. A little in the background stood +the two squires who were close friends and old comrades. +Gouvernail's interest was keen.</p> + +<p>So when the tale was done, Sir Galahad turned to his friend and +said "Know you perchance where Merlin is?"</p> + +<p>"We left him behind us. His old bones could not risk yesterday's +storm. But he promised me that he would follow when it cleared and +so he is but a day behind. But have you a plan, Allan?"</p> + +<p>"It has but just come to me--this possible plan. It may be that +he can be emissary from Arthur to the Duke of Gascony for such +purpose as may be devised. And we go with him as knights. We +<i>know not</i>, of course, that a pretender sits where +the Duke of Gascony should. And I fancy that this Dolphus will be +right well pleased to welcome us and if we seemingly appear not too +scrupulous ourselves we can worm the story from him and act +thereon."</p> + +<p>"It can be done, if the plan is well thought out. Only dear lad, +I doubt whether thy face will not count against you in any +pretended villainy. Think you not so, madame?"</p> + +<p>The Lady Jeanne smiled. It was strange to see her smile but it +gave proof that she was lighter hearted.</p> + +<p>"I think that Sir Dolphus is not the kind to think that there +are any who hold aught but villianous thoughts," she replied.</p> + +<p>"So then, we must need delay until Merlin comes."</p> + +<p>"Think you the king will be provoked at our use of him and his +court?" Sir Galahad asked.</p> + +<p>"Aye, that I do. Provoked that he was not with us to share in +the adventure." Launcelot laughingly replied.</p> + +<p>"Lady," Sir Launcelot addressed her in a moment's pause. "You +had little need to worry when this knight became your champion. He +is overly modest. Gladly shall I help him."</p> + +<p>"God is good," the Lady Jeanne replied brokenly. "And He has +placed me and my troubles in godly hands." And then she wept. And +it seemed as if like a spring freshet, her thoughts, soul, and +heart, were cleared and cleansed.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap28">CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT</a></h2> + +<h3>A Rescue</h3> + +<p>"I seek speech with him who is Duke of Gascony. I bring him a +message from Arthur, King of England." So spoke Merlin as he stood +at the entrance of the great and splendid castle of the ruler of +Gascony.</p> + +<p>By his side were the two knights, Galahad and Launcelot. The +page Charles stood close by and somewhat behind them were the two +squires, Walker and Gouvernail.</p> + +<p>"From England's king?" the Gascon knight questioned. And made as +if he would further satisfy his curiosity. But changed his +mind.</p> + +<p>"I pray you wait, good sir, until I tell my lord, your message." +So then he went within the great hall.</p> + +<p>"A rash adventure, say I," and Merlin shook his head +dolefully.</p> + +<p>"You were ever a croaker, good Merlin," replied Sir Launcelot. +"See not the thing so dolefully, I pray you."</p> + +<p>"And think of the worth of what we accomplish," added Sir +Galahad. "Here now comes the Gascon with his answer, I see. Let us +listen to what he says."</p> + +<p>"We bid you welcome to Gascony and pray you to come within. My +master sends his greetings and awaits you."</p> + +<p>They followed then their guide and so came within the great hall +of state where Sir Dolphus awaited them.</p> + +<p>"Come you from England?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"That we do," replied Merlin, "and carry a message for the +Duke."</p> + +<p>"There is no Duke of Gascony. He is dead. But I, by the will of +all the nobles of the land, rule in place. If you have message from +England's king honor is mine to receive it."</p> + +<p>"That message will I deliver right gladly. My king has long +desired to come to Gascony and to other countries in France. So has +he sent me forth to find first, how welcome will his visit be, +second, as you may well understand, that such country as may come +within his plans may worthy be his presence. For England's king +must hold his honor and his presence at their royal worth.</p> + +<p>"So come I to this brave land the which my king has heard well +spoken and which he holds in high esteem. I find it sad news that +he who reigned is dead, yet Gascony cannot suffer if you, most +worshipful sir, rule instead."</p> + +<p>Now did the crafty Dolphus find himself quick to see the worth +to him of such a visit from the great king of England who was held +in high esteem everywhere. If Arthur were to visit him then could +none question his pretense to the throne. Too, were such visit +soon, there would be need for him to be declared Duke of Gascony at +once, so that Arthur could be met in royal state.</p> + +<p>"Gascony, good sir, would welcome your king. And count it honor +to receive him with all the honors due so great a name. When does +your master plan to come?"</p> + +<p>"Shortly, sir, after I make my return to England and make +report. For he hopes also to visit Rome and pay homage to His +Holiness, the Pope."</p> + +<p>When he heard this, Sir Dolphus urged the emissaries of +England's king to tarry awhile in Gascony.</p> + +<p>"So that, kind sirs, you find our friendship for your master, +such as may befit his visit to us. Greatly do we desire him to come +and we would wish your report to be a kindly one. So find you +welcome here. We shall eat, drink and be merry."</p> + +<p>So the party made itself at home. Sir Dolphus soon took great +fancy to Sir Launcelot who proved a merry soul and the two spent +many hours together.</p> + +<p>"I would count it fortunate, Sir Launcelot, were you knight of +this court. For I need friends such as you."</p> + +<p>"Rather, I fancy, is the need otherwise. For the Duke of +Gascony's friendship is no small thing and many there are who would +hold it high honor. Of friends, you should have many." So the +knight made flattering answer.</p> + +<p>"Aye, but you know not. There are those who would believe that +the dead duke lives and who though silent, yet are sullen over my +rightful claim to take his place. And I find the Church of little +help to me. Though I have offered it many gifts, and promised it +great riches, yet will it oppose my will."</p> + +<p>"Does the Church object to you as Duke?" Sir Launcelot +questioned. "I see not why."</p> + +<p>"Nay, 'tis not as Duke but in other matters."</p> + +<p>Caution seemed to overcome Sir Dolphus for many minutes. But he +had great desire to confide in this friendly knight whose good will +he wished.</p> + +<p>"Art thou married, Sir Launcelot?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"A strange question, my friend. Yet do I find my happiness in +the single blessedness which is at present mine."</p> + +<p>"Yet is marriage a most convenient thing sometime. 'Twould be +for me at present."</p> + +<p>"Say you, <i>'twould be?</i> Yet, if I mistake not, +have I heard that that blessed state is already yours. Though no +sign have I seen as yet, of the Lady Dolphus.</p> + +<p>"Aye, friend, married am I, worse the pity. And when I ask the +Church to annul this unhappy state, and give it many gifts, still +does it turn stubborn over such a little thing."</p> + +<p>"What harm therein, my friend? Since that the lady is not with +you?" Friendly was Sir Launcelot's tone and right sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"Aye, there I come back to what I have said--about marriage +being most convenient at times. For would they annul the marriage I +could then marry again, one who owns vast estate. And that would +make me all powerful in Gascony."</p> + +<p>Such laughter as shook the frame of Sir Launcelot. Nor was it +unkindly.</p> + +<p>"A great rogue you," he spoke pleasantly. "Off with the old and +on with the new. Is it not so? And I fancy the new is also right +young or I am greatly mistaken? Eh?"</p> + +<p>Great was Sir Launcelot's hilarity. Nor did the other take +offense thereat.</p> + +<p>"I care little as to her youth or not. But I do care for the +estate that goes with her," replied Sir Dolphus.</p> + +<p>"She must like you greatly, to be willing?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly could I say, she's that. But that would be small matter +if I could but get the Church to sanction the deed. Yet have I hope +that if I could get your king's goodwill, he could persuade the +Pope on his visit to Rome. And there, good friend, you could help +me greatly and well would I repay such kindness."</p> + +<p>Not once did Sir Launcelot permit the hot temper within him to +be unloosed. Played he so well with the wicked knight that it was +but a few days thereafter Sir Dolphus invited him to visit with him +the young damsel who was kept within prison walls. Never once did +the knight demur or permit the other to think that he did not +sympathize and agree with his plans.</p> + +<p>As they walked away from the prison door, he turned to the +other. "Strange that she should be all alone. Has she no one who +would make you trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Her father went forth with the Duke and others among us to the +land of the infidels. On our way back, in Lombardy, our small force +was overcome by disaster. But three of us escaped, I know not what +happened to the others. Then it was, I decided to possess the land +of the Sanscourt and told the Lady Jeanne that her husband wished +and commanded that her daughter Helene marry me. But she would have +none of this. So that I had to steal the damsel. And when her +brother came here to rescue her, we overcame the helpless youth. He +would not have lived had I my way, but the others would not permit +that and so we have him safely lodged in the dungeon below and I +fancy he will not abuse our hospitality for long."</p> + +<p>That night Sir Launcelot spoke to the others and told what he +had heard. Great was his rage, which he had curbed so well when in +the presence of the other.</p> + +<p>"I would," Merlin spoke in great gloom, "that we were well out +of this."</p> + +<p>"We can be well out of it when the youth and girl are also +safely out," Sir Galahad replied and there was a stern look in his +eye. "Tomorrow we shall find the dungeon place. Then will we act +quickly. But also we must see to it that this false knight receives +his just deserts. Is it not so, Launcelot?"</p> + +<p>"Tomorrow, it shall be," the other replied. "And I myself, shall +deal with this Sir Dolphus, for I have had to listen to his +foulness without demur."</p> + +<p>So they planned. And the next day, Sir Galahad professed a great +desire to see the whole of the castle. And so was shown in due +course the great dungeon and saw there, the weak and spent lad, +Ambrose.</p> + +<p>That night, Sir Dolphus and Sir Launcelot went by themselves to +the chamber of the former to make merry. And there, Sir Dolphus who +counted the other's sympathy as beyond doubt, told more of his +knavish plots. Until the listener sick with listening turned to him +in the quiet and secrecy of the great chamber and said in stern +tones.</p> + +<p>"Sir Dolphus, I would advise you to pray now. For you die in +three minutes!"</p> + +<p>Nor did the other mistake the voice, the tone. Nor even make +pretense to misunderstand. Instead he made as if to raise a great +shout. But found the other's mighty hand closed over his foul mouth +so that his call for aid was unuttered. And the hand remained +there--even as the owner forced him to his knees with no great +effort.</p> + +<p>"Pray, if you will. Your time is almost gone."</p> + +<p>But the wretch groaned and squirmed and tried to escape the hold +that held viselike over him.</p> + +<p>It was five minutes later that Sir Launcelot left the room. +There was a grim, fixed look on his face that few had ever seen +before.</p> + +<p>He joined the others. And then while [he] and Gouvernail went to +the prison chamber of the damsel, Helene, and rescued her with +little effort, Sir Galahad went down to the dungeon door and there +overcame the guard with ease and opened the door wide with the keys +obtained. And Walker carried the weak lad to the entrance door and +so they joined the others.</p> + +<p>So then Sir Galahad and Sir Launcelot with the two squires went +for and obtained their horses, without suspicion. With the two they +had rescued, the whole party rode forth from the castle. And but +for the outcry of the guards at the gate which they forced them to +open wide, they had no one to cope with.</p> + +<p>Forth they road swiftly, Merlin carrying the young girl and +Charles supporting the boy, leaving the others free to ride behind +and meet such pursuers as might come.</p> + +<p>But none pursued.</p> + +<p>"I think they will find a task on hand to care for the other +prisoners the open dungeon door unloosed," Sir Galahad said.</p> + +<p>"And with the wonder over Sir Dolphus," Sir Launcelot added and +his look was far away.</p> + +<p>A day later found them at the castle of Sanscourt. Happy was my +Lady Jeanne over the return of her dear children and grateful, too. +It did not take long for them to prepare to go forth to England +with Sir Launcelot and Merlin.</p> + +<p>So they bade each the other goodbye. And as they went forth, Sir +Galahad watching them go, said to the Lady Jeanne,</p> + +<p>"Still hope, my lady. For I shall bring or send you word of Sir +Vilard, good or bad."</p> + +<p>"I shall never cease to hope, Sir Galahad. And I shall pray for +you, each day until you return."</p> + +<table summary="arthur10" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=446 src="images/illus-chap28.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<h2><a name="chap29">CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE</a></h2> + +<h3>Facing the East</h3> + +<p>So then the trio turned toward the East seeking but never +finding that all elusive Grail which seemed ever ahead of them. +Strange lands they passed through and it left them with wonderment +at the bigness of the world in which they lived.</p> + +<p>For Sir Galahad and for the boy Charles, each day brought the +wonder of new things to see. For Walker, the Squire, though he +would not make confession to his master, there grew the wish to see +again the pleasant green of England's shore. None of the wonders of +these strange lands held allure for him, since they but proved +England's greater worth.</p> + +<p>But when twitted by his master he would make no confession of +his home-sickness.</p> + +<p>"Nay master. I am a man and would hold it weak whimsy to let +yearning for my home land encompass me. I go where you will and +soon enough will I make return to our home shores."</p> + +<p>And the Grail, Symbol of Honor, of Faith, of Service and of +Piety! No nearer to the finding did the young knight appear to be. +Even so, the zest for it, the need for finding it stayed ever with +him.</p> + +<p>So he reached Rome and stayed in it for many days. Many +strangers were there from many lands but few who knew of the Holy +Grail. And none who could tell him where it could be found.</p> + +<p>"I would seek, were I you, in the Holy Land," said one pious +man. While still another thought so holy a thing would never be +permitted to go so far as England and that the knight's search was +fruitless.</p> + +<p>From Rome Sir Galahad went north to Lombardy in search of news +of Sir Vilard. Long was his search here but not hopeless. Nor need +we make record of how at last he found that the Gascon was not dead +but imprisoned with some of the other knights of that ill fated +group. And when ransom was agreed to, he returned to Rome and sent a +message to Sir Launcelot by a friendly English knight to find the +Lady Jeanne and have sent to him the ransom desired.</p> + +<p>Months passed. Then came Ambrose and with him the gold for the +freedom of his father and his companions. So that they were free. +Only then did Sir Galahad go on.</p> + +<p>He reached the Holy Land in company with others, men who came +there to pay reverence, men who came to repent of many sins, men +who ever restless must journey everywhere. And on the way he had +gained the friendship of an old priest whose journey he had made +somewhat the lighter by such help as youth may offer old age.</p> + +<p>The priest had been greatly interested in the mission of the +knight. Many were his questions, of where Sir Galahad had traveled, +how far he purposed to journey in his search.</p> + +<p>"My journeys shall not cease, good father, until I have found +the Grail. For so have I set my whole life that I may find it. And +time counts not. Though I wish it could be found right soon for +then may I turn my face to England." Since Sir Galahad had spoken +of Yosalinde, the priest understood.</p> + +<p>"What then, Sir Knight, makes you think you will find the Grail +in far lands?" the priest asked.</p> + +<p>"It must need be so, since were it nearer home it would have +been found long since."</p> + +<p>To which the priest made no answer.</p> + +<p>Days later, when they were gathered about again he told the +story of Elam, the son of Anner, who had a great desire to gain +wisdom and knowledge.</p> + +<p>"So then, young friends, he started out to learn from all the +founts of wisdom. Far he traveled and much he learned."</p> + +<p>And then the reverend man gave long account of the places to +which Elam had gone and the things he had learned. It was a tale of +many years and it took time in the telling.</p> + +<p>"Then when he had learned much of the wisdom of the then world +and had gained in knowledge, he returned home. And when he was +there but a few days, lo, he found that yet had his father Anner, +greater knowledge than he and wisdom more profound. And he knew +this now, returned home from all his sojournings. Nor would he have +known this unless he had traveled far, for my sons, it was in this +way that he gained the vision to see. Of a truth, it was then that +he knew that his father was wisest of men and well could he learn +from him."</p> + +<p>"I have not heard of this man Elam, before," Sir Galahad said. +"Yet had he great need to travel, if he gained this vision to +see."</p> + +<p>"True and well spoken, Sir Knight," replied the priest and +watched him keenly.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap30">CHAPTER THIRTY</a></h2> + +<h3>Homeward</h3> + +<p>Still further did Sir Galahad have a mind to travel but he found +from learned men that to go further East was to travel into +uncertainties which few had ventured before him. Nor would he have +paused even then, were it not that he realized well that little +likelihood was there for the Lost Grail to be found in the far +East.</p> + +<p>So he turned his face west again. Slowly he made his way home. +There were days now, he misdoubted the success of his search and he +questioned his own worthiness.</p> + +<p>After months and months of travel he reached France once again. +When he came to Gascony he found the rightful ruler on the throne +and the house of Sanscourt, well and happy. Great was the welcome +given the knight by the happy family and a great feast was held for +them. The Lady Jeanne was radiant with the happiness which had +returned after seeming desertion.</p> + +<p>"We owe you much, Sir Galahad," said Sir Vilard, "so very much +that it is beyond repayment."</p> + +<p>"Mine and Sir Launcelot's was the joy of service, my lord. That +you must well understand."</p> + +<p>When they reached Normandy, Charles was given a happy reception. +He had grown, and had profited well by his travels and service to +Sir Galahad whom he would not leave now. For he hoped to be made a +knight by him. In Normandy, Sir Galahad stayed for more than a +month. He had acquired great fame because of his travels and deeds +yet did he find small pleasure in this for the great purpose of his +journeys had failed.</p> + +<p>It was on a day just before he was to return to England. He had +mounted the Seeker and without companion had gone forth for the +morning. His thoughts were of the Grail, of his great wish to find +it, and ever with his thoughts the wish to prove to Yosalinde that +it was in him to find it. Well he knew that she would understand +his desire even though he could not bring to her the fulfillment of +that desire.</p> + +<p>"Yet who am I to find myself disheartened. I must not question, +keep ever seeking." So he thought to himself and gave no heed to +where the Seeker carried him.</p> + +<p>Nor did it seem strange to the knight that he found himself in a +narrow path of the woods and before him the strange monk who had +first given him urge to seek the Holy Grail.</p> + +<p>"I greet you, holy father. Nor can I say to you that I have yet +proven worthy of the finding of that which I have long sought."</p> + +<p>"Yet have you traveled far, my son. Is it not so?"</p> + +<p>"Far and to many lands, holy sir. But nowhere have I found that +which brought me nearer to it."</p> + +<p>"Too, I know how worthy of the finding you are. Well have you +kept your purpose high, knightly have your deeds been?"</p> + +<p>"Holy father, I have but tried. Ever have I kept your words +before me. And deem it all worth the while, even though it end with +my not finding the Grail. For, father, this will I always say, that +joy has there been in the seeking."</p> + +<p>"Think you then, my son, you will not find it?" the monk +asked.</p> + +<p>"I know not, father. Think me not grown tired of the search. +Think not that I complain that the search is long or arduous. I +shall go on seeking where the call may lead me. And ever seek to be +worthy of finding it. He who decides all things shall decide as to +that. Nor will He find me ever questioning. For this I have found. +God is good and His ways are ever for the best."</p> + +<p>"Glad am I to hear that the search goes on. My blessing goes +with you. Well have I kept the count of all the days of your +journeyings and great is my pride in you. So son, seek on for who +can tell what the morrow brings."</p> + +<p>Then the holy man left him. Yet Sir Galahad did not go until +long after sundown. And when he did, doubled was the strength of +his purpose.</p> + +<p>And on the morrow he was on his way to England.</p> + +<table summary="arthur11" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=500 HEIGHT=344 src="images/illus-chap30.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + +<h2><a name="chap31">CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE</a></h2> + +<h3>The Beggar And The Grail</h3> + +<p>England to Charles, was indeed strange but so much had Walker +spoken thereof that he looked forward to seeing it as if it were +his native land. The joy of Walker at its nearness, though he tried +to hide it under pretended calm was yet a thing quite obvious to +Sir Galahad and the boy and much did it amuse them.</p> + +<p>"Of all the fair lands we have passed through, have you yet +found none that pleased you more, good Walker?" the knight asked +him.</p> + +<p>"There is but one heaven, my master and there is but one +England," replied Walker.</p> + +<p>"Then must I confess my sorrow at keeping you this long time +from heaven," said his master with mock regret.</p> + +<p>"Nay, master, one can only know heaven when one has seen all the +other places. Too, I care not even for England when my master is +not there."</p> + +<p>"Kind words, good Walker. And spoke I ten times as kindly, yet +could I not do justice to how much you have counted and how well. +Will I say this, that I find it sweet to know that we are so near +to England's shores and that it is but a few days when we shall +again find ourselves at home. I would see all our friends, the good +king, Sir Percival, Sir Gareth, Sir Launcelot and the others. This +wind that fills these sails cannot blow too strong for me."</p> + +<p>Well did the wind hold yet did it seem as if the next days were +over long. At last they were but a half day from the great castle +of King Arthur.</p> + +<p>Now as they rode, adventure there had been none since they had +left Normandy, they were stopped by a strange beggar who sought +alms. Sick did he seem, ragged and wretched, and as if life could +hold but little for him. It was the selfsame beggar they had passed +when they started on their journey.</p> + +<p>"Good master, I starve. Charity I seek."</p> + +<p>Now though, Sir Galahad was impatient to reach the castle, yet +did he stop for the poor wretch drew his pity.</p> + +<p>"What will you, my man?"</p> + +<p>"Food, if you have it, Sir Knight. Such help as you can give so +low a thing as me."</p> + +<p>So then without further ado, he bade Walker feed the knave, +which the latter did, grumbling at the delay the same must cause. +Then, the knight spoke kindly again to the beggar and gave him some +silver.</p> + +<p>"Master," the beggar said. "The Lord will bless you, for you +found time for so wretched a soul as me. Far have you traveled, +many of high degree have found it honor to hold speech with you. So +great a knight as you and yet have you had time for the beggar on +the road.</p> + +<p>"Honor have you shown, Faith have you ever had. Service have you +rendered. This day you prove that you have Piety and Charity. So +then for your food and for your silver and your kind words and the +spirit behind it all, I pay you now. Here, then is the Grail. Long +sought in many lands, in many places, yet was it always near at +home."</p> + +<p>"The Grail? Here, where I never thought to see it. And a beggar +to possess it. Aye, even the lowliest possesses riches."</p> + +<p>Mixed were the knight's emotions nor could he voice the thoughts +and the feelings within him. While nearby the two with him watched +it all in awed silence.</p> + +<p>"Aye, Sir Galahad. Think not that your search in far lands was +fruitless. Rather was it the caldron in which your worth was +seasoned. Yet will this fact ever remain--that one need not travel +far to find Honor, Faith, Service and Piety. For these are ever +near."</p> + +<p>"I am like Elam who went everywhere and found that what he +sought was near at home."</p> + +<p>"True, good knight. This day shall be a great day for England, +for through the worth of one of its knights, the Grail stays here. +Go you then, for word will already be at the Round Table that Sir +Galahad comes with the Grail."</p> + +<p>"Strange man, I know not what to say. Dear is the possession of +this precious vessel to me. Long have I sought it. And to find it +to have been so near at home stirs mixed and wondrous feelings +within me. So I can but go and if I fail to say the thing I should, +forgive me."</p> + +<p>The knight, Charles and Walker as well, found themselves +kneeling to receive the benediction of this strange man who was +both beggar and holy man. And when they looked up again he was +gone.</p> + +<p>"Thought I," said Walker, "that that day, my master found this +Grail there would be great doings, that there would be great +combats. Instead of which a seeming beggar has it to give us. +Verily, it is far beyond me."</p> + +<p>And the good squire scratched his head in great puzzlement.</p> + +<h2><a name="chap32">CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO</a></h2> + +<h3>Conclusion</h3> + +<p>We find our story now near ended. We can well see the great +welcome given the still youthful knight as he entered the great +hall. There was King Arthur in high good humor. About him stood +many of the knights of the Round Table, and among them Sir Galahad +saw his many friends. And as the young knight stood there there +came to him the memory of that first day and the wondrous hope he +had had now come true.</p> + +<p>In all the hall none was so happy as that brave and noble +hearted knight, Sir Launcelot. Well pleased he was. Merlin was +there, also well content. And there, when they sat down to the +great feast spread out for them, Sir Galahad told the story of his +search or the Grail. A long tale it was for they would hear it all. +To it they listened in silence, without interruption, until he had +done.</p> + +<p>Though he showed it not, the young knight was eager to be free +of all these friends. For he had great desire to hasten to the home +of Sir Percival. He knew from what Sir Percival told him, Yosalinde +would he there. Yet could he not leave until the late +afternoon.</p> + +<p>Swiftly did the Seeker take him there. Eagerly he sought the +sight of the castle as if in seeing that, he would also see this +damsel who had helped so much to give him the great purpose of his +search. But it was not until he had entered within, that he saw +her.</p> + +<p>So we draw the curtain and leave you to suppose the joy and the +gladness of this welcome. And though to each the finding of the +Holy Grail was of high importance yet they spoke not of that but of +other things for many an hour until the sun had gone down and +darkness had come.</p> + +<p>Wonderful was the picture Sir Galahad had carried of his lady, +yet he found the real presence far dearer. Of the things they +talked, one was the future and what it meant to both of them.</p> + +<p>We leave them then. High the moon shines, the stars are +everywhere. It is a wonderful night, soft the gentle breeze. Such a +night as each had pictured for their first meeting.</p> + +<p>Charles, the Norman lad, had his wish come true in good time, +when Sir Galahad made him a knight. Then the new knight made his +way back to Normandy. It was his children's children who made their +way in later days to England and settled there.</p> + +<p>The deeds of the brave knights of the Round Table continued +great and glorious. Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot, Sir Percival and +the others upheld the honor of King Arthur's court. And never did +Sir Galahad lower the banner of his great house.</p> + +<p>Honor, Faith, Service and Piety.</p> + +<table summary="arthur12" align="center"><tr><td align="center"> +<img WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=463 src="images/illus-chap32.png" alt="Illustration"> +</td></tr> +</table> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's In the Court of King Arthur, by Samuel Lowe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR *** + +***** This file should be named 6582-h.htm or 6582-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/5/8/6582/ + +Produced by Alan Millar and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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