of mending, and he rode aside to see to it and to drink water, for he was sore athirst with all his mighty feats of strength.  And while he drank, his dwarf said to him, “Give me your ring, lest ye lose it while ye drink.”  So Sir Gareth took it off.  And when he had finished drinking, he rode back eagerly to the field, and in his haste forgot to take the ring again.  Then all the people saw that he wore yellow armour.  And King Arthur told a herald, “Ride and espy the cognizance of that brave knight, for I have asked many who he is, and none can tell me.”

Then the herald rode near, and saw written round about his helmet in letters of gold, “Sir Gareth of Orkney.”  And instantly the herald cried his name aloud, and all men pressed to see him.

But when he saw he was discovered, he pushed with haste through all the crowd, and cried to his dwarf, Boy, thou hast beguiled me foully in keeping my ring; give it me again, that I may be hidden.”  And as soon as he had put it on, his armour changed again, and no man knew where he had gone.  Then he passed forth from the field; but Sir Gawain, his brother, rode after him.

And when Sir Gareth had ridden far into the forest, he took off his ring, and sent it back by the dwarf to the Lady Lyones, praying her to be true and faithful to him while he was away.

Then rode Sir Gareth long through the forest, till night fell, and coming to a castle he went up to the gate, and prayed the porter to let him in.  But churlishly he answered “that he should not lodge there.”  Then said Sir Gareth, “Tell thy lord and lady that I am a knight of King Arthur’s court, and for his sake I pray their shelter.”  With that the porter went to the duchess who owned the castle.  “Let him in straightway,” cried she; “for the king’s sake he shall not be harbourless!” and went down to receive him.  When Sir Gareth saw her coming, he saluted her, and said, “Fair lady, I pray you give me shelter for this night, and if there be here any champion or giant with whom I must needs fight, spare me till to-morrow, when I and my horse shall have rested, for we are full weary.”  “Sir knight,” she said, “thou speakest boldly; for the lord of this castle is a foe to King Arthur and his court, and if thou wilt rest here to-night thou must agree, that wheresoever thou mayest meet my lord, thou must yield to him as a prisoner.”  “What is thy lord’s name, lady?” said Sir Gareth.  “The Duke de la Rowse,” said she.  “I will promise thee,” said he, “to yield to him, if he promise to do me no harm; but if he refuse, I will release myself with my sword and spear.”

“It is well,” said the duchess; and commanded the drawbridge to be let down.  So he rode into the hall and alighted.  And when he had taken off his armour, the duchess and her ladies made him passing good cheer.  And after supper his bed was made in the hall, and there he rested that night.  On the morrow he rose and heard mass, and having broken his fast, took his leave and departed.