“O lord,” he said, “help me, for six thieves have taken my lord and bound him, so I am afraid lest they will slay him.”
And so they rode together until they came where the knight was bound and then he rode unto the thieves and slew them all and unbound the knight. And the knight thanked him and prayed him to ride with him to his castle and he should reward him for his good deeds.
“Sir,” said Beaumains, “I will no reward have; I was this day made knight of noble Sir Lancelot and therefore I will no reward have but God reward me. Also I must follow this damsel.”
And when he came nigh her, she bade him ride from her. “For thou smellest of the kitchen,” she said. Then the same knight which was rescued rode after the damsel and prayed them to lodge with him that night, and so that night they had good cheer and rest.
And on the morrow the damsel and Beaumains rode on their way until they came to a great forest. And there was a river and but one passage and there were two knights to prevent their crossing. “What sayest thou,” said the damsel, “wilt thou match yonder knights or turn again?”
“Nay,” said Sir Beaumains, “I will not turn again if they were six more.” And therewith he rushed into the water and they drew their swords and smote at each other and Sir Beaumains slew both the knights.
“Alas,” said the damsel, “that a kitchen boy should have the fortune to destroy two such brave knights.”
“Damsel,” said Beaumains, “I care not what ye say, so that I may rescue your lady.”
“If you follow me,” said the damsel, “thou art but slain, for I see all that ever thou dost is but by misadventure and not by might of thy hands.”
“Well, damsel, ye may say what ye will, but wheresoever ye go, I will follow you.”
So Beaumains rode with that lady till evening and ever she chid him and would not stop. And they came to a black plain and there was a black hawthorne and thereon hung a black shield and by it stood a black spear, great and long, and a great black horse covered with silk.
HOW BEAUMAINS FOUGHT WITH THE FOUR KNIGHTS
There sat a knight all armed in black armor and his name was the Knight of the Black Lands. And when the damsel came nigh he said, “Damsel, have ye brought this knight of King Arthur to be your champion?” “Nay, fair knight,” said she, “this is but a kitchen boy that was fed in King Arthur’s kitchen for alms.”