"Fair damsel," cried out the Green Knight, as she hesitated, "I beseech you, ask for my life, and I have thirty men at my command, and they shall all be at his orders, if he will but spare me."

So, much against her will, the proud Lynette was obliged to ask Gareth for her sake to spare the prostrate man, and Gareth agreed. The Green Knight, all his fire and fury gone, and aching horribly in all his bones, did homage to Gareth, and thanked Lynette for her intercession on his behalf. He also promised that he and his thirty knights should be ready at any time. to do battle for King Arthur, if called upon. He begged them to spend the night at his castle, which they did, and supped together, the only trouble being that again Lynette refused to sit down next to Sir Gareth. But the Green Knight-and he was a good judge of mensettled the matter in the same way as the other host had done, and again Lynette sat by herself.

Next morning, after breakfast, the Green Knight wished them god-speed, and away they rode once more. After an hour's riding, they came to a beautiful castle, shining in the morning sunlight, and over the tower there hung fifty shields of different colors, for there was to be a great tournament next day. Now, the lord of the castle was looking out of a window, and saw the lady approaching, and Gareth, armed at all points.

"I will go down and engage with him," said he, "for I see he is a knight-errant." So he armed himself in blue from top to toe, and he had a blue shield and a blue spear. Then he sallied out to meet Gareth, and again there was a fight, and, as before, Gareth was the

victor, and held his adversary under his sword. The Blue Knight cried out for mercy, and once more Lynette had to humble herself and beg for mercy, as she did not wish the man to be killed at her feet.

He had

fifty knights at his command, and he also promised to lead them in King Arthur's service if needed. They stayed the night, and in the morning they set off, Lynette no longer riding in front in her haughty way, but by Sir Gareth's side, for she was beginning to acknowledge in her heart that, whatever his name might be, he was a very fine fellow.

But now there was coming the greatest trial of all, for at last, after all these delays, they drew near the Castle Dangerous, where Dame Lyonors, who was really Lynette's sister, was besieged. The three knights whom Gareth had overcome were brothers of the Red Knight of the Red Lands, and they had been given the task of making an end on the way of any knight who should come to the rescue. However, this valiant youth was a match for them all, and even Lynette's caution that they were nearing the castle did not cause him the slightest fear. If he had a tremor, it was one of pleasure, for the fire in Lynette's eyes was softened, and there was quite a kindly tone in her voice as she begged him to be careful, " For," said she, "I dread me full sore lest that you should suffer some hurt or damage, and that I would not have, for you are a brave knight and a gentle, and I am truly sorry I used you So roughly."

"Dear lady," said Gareth, "do not speak of it; for you have done me no harm, and now I shall fight better than ever I did, under the sunshine of your smile." So

on they rode in high spirits, and in the afternoon they came to a gloomy castle, and there was martial music sounding from within. Close by the entrance there was a sycamore tree, and on it hung a horn of ivory, the largest they had ever seen. Said Lynette, "The Knight of the Red Lands has hung it up there, and if any errant knight should come by and wish to fight, he must blow that horn, and then the Red Knight will come out and do battle with him."

“But I pray you, sir" - Lynette was growing civil -"do not blow it now, but wait till it is night, for from now till sunset he has the strength of seven, but after that time he has only what belongs to him of right."

"Oh, my lady," cried Gareth, "do not talk to me of fear; no matter what strength he may have, I will rescue your sister or die."

And with that he spurred his horse up to the sycamore tree, and blew such a blast on the horn that the castle rang with the sound. Then the Red Knight armed himself in haste, and all was blood red — his armor, spear, and shield. And he rode out of the castle gate to meet Gareth.

"Sir," said Lynette, "look that you be merry and bold, for here comes your deadly enemy, and at yonder window is my sister, Dame Lyonors, whom he holds in bondage."

"She is the fairest lady save one that I have ever seen," said Gareth, "and I am proud to do battle for her." And he looked up to the window with a bright smile, and Dame Lyonors smiled in return, and waved her hand.

Then the Red Knight called out in a great voice, "Leave, Sir Knight, thy looking, and beware of me, for she is my lady, and for her I have fought many battles."

"That may be," said Gareth, "but I warrant she cares little for your company, or she would not have sent to ask for help against you. I will rescue her from your hands, or die in the attempt."

"You had better take warning," said the Red Knight; "look in those trees yonder." And there hung upon the trees forty dead knights, and their shields and swords about their necks, and gilt spurs on their heels. "These doughty champions," said the Red Knight, with a grim smile, "all came hither on the same errand as yourself. Perhaps you would like to join them? I dare say I can find another tree!"

"Make ready," cried Gareth fiercely, "for I will parley no longer." He desired Lynette to stand away at a safe distance, and then the two rushed together with a tremendous onslaught.

Oh! but it was a long and a hard battle, by far the worst Gareth had fought, for the wicked knight had the strength of seven men. Suddenly Gareth fell to the ground and seemed unable to recover himself, and the Red Knight fell over him to hold him down.

Then Lynette burst out weeping, and cried, "Oh, Sir Beaumains! what is become of thy strength, in which we trusted?"

With that, liquid fire seemed to run through Gareth's veins. He flung off his enemy, sprang to his feet, and rushed upon him with renewed vigor. So fast and

furious were his strokes that the sword flew out of the other's hand, and the next moment he was helpless on the ground.

"Oh, noble knight, I yield me unto thy mercy,' gasped the Red Knight.

Then Gareth said, "I ought not to save thy life, for the sake of all those knights thou didst slay so shamefully."

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Stay thy hand," said the vanquished man, "and I will tell thee why I treated them so. I once loved a fair damsel, and her brother was slain, and she said it was Sir Launcelot or Gawaine who did the deed, and she made me promise that I should daily seek out those of the Court, and put them to a shameful death as a reprisal."

Then many barons and knights came to Gareth, begging him to spare the life of the Red Knight.

"I am willing to spare his life," said Gareth, " especially as all the wrong he has done was at a lady's request; and he shall go humbly to Dame Lyonors and ask her pardon, and remove himself from this castle in all haste. He shall also go to the Court, taking his followers with him, and ask of the King pardon for the foul wrong he has done to knighthood."

Lyonors was so grateful to her champion that he might have married her, but all his heart was with wilful Lynette, and soon the wedding was arranged. King Arthur received the whole party, and when he heard the story he praised Gareth till he made him

blush.

Then came the Queen of Orkney, and she scolded them all round for not having known Gareth in spite