the plain around was covered with the Red Knight's tents, and the
noise was that of a great army. Hard by was a tall sycamore tree, and
from it hung a mighty horn, made of an elephant's tusk. Spurring his
horse, Gareth rode to it, and blew such a blast that those on the
castle walls heard it; the knights came forth from their tents to see
who blew so bold a blast, and from a window of the castle the Lady
Liones looked forth and waved her hand to her champion. Then, as Sir
Gareth made his reverence to the lady, the Red Knight called roughly
to him to leave his courtesy and look to himself: "For," said he, "she
is mine, and to have her, I have fought many a battle." "It is but
vain labor," said Sir Gareth, "since she loves you not. Know, too, sir
knight, that I have vowed to rescue her from you." "So did many
another who now hangs on a tree," replied the Red Knight, "and soon ye
shall hang beside them," Then both laid their spears in rest, and
spurred their horses. At the first encounter, each smote the other
full in the shield, and the girths of the saddles bursting, they were
borne to the earth, where they lay for a while as if dead. But
presently they rose, and setting their shields before them, rushed
upon each other with their swords, cutting and hacking till the armor
lay on the ground in fragments. So they fought till noon and then
rested; but soon they renewed the battle, and so furiously they
fought, that often they fell to the ground together. Then, when the
bells sounded for evensong, the knights rested again, unlacing their
helms to breathe the evening air. But looking up to the castle
windows, Gareth saw the Lady Liones gazing earnestly upon him; then he
caught up his helmet, and calling to the Red Knight, bade him make
ready for the battle; "And this time," said he, "we will make an end
of it." "So be it," said the Red Knight. Then the Red Knight smote
Gareth on the hand so that his sword flew from his grasp, and with
another blow he brought him grovelling to the earth. At the sight of