"As to the adventure," the King returned. "There came but a little
while ago a maiden, Linet, by name, who craves that we send a knight
to succor her sister, the fair Dame Lyoness who is besieged in her
castle by the Knight of the Red Lawns."

"Good herald," the King continued, "bring you the lady, Linet before
us."

Into the great hall came a maiden fair. To her the king addressed
himself.

"My Lady Linet, and it please you, pray tell us of what manner of
siege this knight holds against your sister. If to you it seems of
avail, we shall be glad to send a goodly number of our knights and
yeomen, too, to raise this siege."

"Nay sire, that I deem not necessary. Only, since I have heard that
the knights of the Round Table are the bravest and best in all
Britain, I have come to you that you send one of these to battle with
the Knight of the Red Lawns. A stout knight is he, many have come to
rescue the fair lady who is my sister but the way is perilous and he
hath seven men's strength. So that I pray you to send the best and
bravest knight who is here."

[Illustration: "My Lady, I Am Your Loyal Knight"]

"We would gladly heed your request, good lady. Nor do we care what
manner of knight this is, if Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram or any one
of ten or twelve more were to go to your fair sister's rescue. But we