[Illustration:  So he rode into the hall and alighted.]

And as he rode past a certain mountain there met him a knight named Sir Bendelaine, and cried unto him “Thou shalt not pass unless thou joust with me or be my prisoner!” “Then will we joust,” replied Sir Gareth.  So they let their horses run at full speed, and Sir Gareth smote Sir Bendelaine through his body so sorely that he scarcely reached his castle ere he fell dead.  And as Sir Gareth presently came by the castle, Sir Bendelaine’s knights and servants rode out to revenge their lord.  And twenty of them fell on him at once, although his spear was broken.  But drawing his sword he put his shield before him.  And though they brake their spears upon him, one and all, and sorely pressed on him, yet ever he defended himself like a noble knight.  Anon, finding they could not overcome him, they agreed to slay his horse; and having killed it with their spears, they set upon Sir Gareth as he fought on foot.  But every one he struck he slew, and drave at them with fearful blows, till he had slain them all but four, who fled.  Then taking the horse of one of those that lay there dead, he rode upon his way.

Anon he came to another castle and heard from within a sound as of many women moaning and weeping.  Then said he to a page who stood without, “What noise is this I hear?” “Sir knight,” said he, “there be within thirty ladies, the widows of thirty knights who have been slain by the lord of this castle.  He is called the Brown Knight without pity, and is the most perilous knight living, wherefore I warn thee to flee.”  “That will I never do,” said Sir Gareth, “for I fear him not.”  Then the page saw the Brown Knight coming and said to Gareth, “Lo! my lord is near.”

So both knights made them ready and galloped their horses towards each other, and the Brown Knight brake his spear upon Sir Gareth’s shield; but Sir Gareth smote him through the body so that he fell dead.  At that he rode into the castle and told the ladies he had slain their foe.  Then were they right glad of heart and made him all the cheer they could, and thanked him out of measure.  But on the morrow as he went to mass he found the ladies weeping in the chapel upon divers tombs that were there.  And he knew that in those tombs their husbands lay.  Then he bade them be comforted, and with noble and high words he desired and prayed them all to be at Arthur’s court on the next Feast of Pentecost.

So he departed and rode past a mountain where was a goodly knight waiting, who said to him, “Abide, Sir knight, and joust with me!” “How are ye named?” said Sir Gareth.  “I am the Duke de la Rowse,” answered he.  “In good sooth,” then said Sir Gareth, “not long ago I lodged within your castle, and there promised I would yield to you whenever we might meet.”  “Art thou that proud knight,” said the duke, “who was ready to fight with me?  Guard thyself therefore and make ready.”  So they ran together, and Sir Gareth smote the duke