have made promise that the next adventure, which this is, was to be
taken up by Sir Gareth and unless he forego this, there is naught else
left for us to do. What say you, Gareth?"

"I beg you, sire, that you permit me to carry out this adventure. I
shall do my utmost to bring it to successful conclusion." So did
Gareth reply.

"And I for one, sire, doubt not, that if the adventure can be carried
out successfully, he will do so. For he is as brave and stout a knight
as is among us," added Sir Launcelot.

"Yet is he so young," said the maiden as she sighed. "I doubt that any
of you know how powerful is the knight he must oppose."

"Yet will he go," Arthur now decided. "Make you your plans Gareth. The
way seems long and I doubt not, you will be disposed to continue on
adventure's course, if this should be carried to successful
conclusion."

Now the maiden left the great hall. Sir Gareth joined Sir Launcelot,
Sir Percival and his brother. As he did so, there came to him, Breunor
le Noire.

"I pray you to favor me, good Sir Gareth by permitting me to go with
you and gather for myself such adventure as I may."

Sir Gareth pondered for a moment, then made reply.

"I had a mind to ask a boon of Sir Percival yet I can see no reason