him alone would I be made knight." "It shall be so," answered the
king. "What!" cried the damsel, "I ask for a knight and ye give me a
kitchen-boy. Shame on you, sir king." And in great wrath she fled from
the hall, mounted her palfrey and rode away. Gareth but waited to
array himself in the armor which he had kept ever in readiness for the
time when he should need it, and mounting his horse, rode after the
damsel.

But when Sir Kay knew what had happened, he was wroth, and got to
horse to ride after Gareth and bring him back. Even as Gareth overtook
the damsel, so did Kay come up with him and cried: "Turn back,
Fairhands! What, sir, do ye not know me?" "Yes," answered Gareth, "I
know you for the most discourteous knight in Arthur's court." Then Sir
Kay rode upon him with his lance, but Gareth turned it aside with his
sword and pierced Sir Kay through the side so that he fell to the
ground and lay there without motion. So Gareth took Sir Kay's shield
and spear and was about to ride away, when seeing Sir Launcelot draw
near he called upon him to joust. At the first encounter, Sir
Launcelot unhorsed Gareth, but quickly helped him to his feet. Then,
at Gareth's desire, they fought together with swords, and Gareth did
knightly till, at length, Sir Launcelot said, laughing: "Why should we
fight any longer? Of a truth ye are a stout knight." "If that is
indeed your thought, I pray you make me knight," cried Gareth. So Sir
Launcelot knighted Gareth, who, bidding him farewell, hastened after
the damsel, for she had ridden on again while the two knights talked.
When she saw him coming, she cried: "Keep off! ye smell of the
kitchen!" "Damsel," said Sir Gareth, "I must follow until I have
fulfilled the adventure." "Till ye accomplish the adventure,
Turn-spit? Your part in it shall soon be ended." "I can only do my
best," answered Sir Gareth.