Brian de les Isles, and of all their other adventures. Told too, of
who Sir Gareth was, and how gentle and how eager he was to take up her
gauntlet. Until Dame Lyoness' eyes grew large and their shade dark
brown. For she was overly pleased at the description of her champion.

"Yet must he be of the strongest and most skillful," she said
fearfully, "to overcome this cruel knight. For the Red Knight is far
superior to even Sir Brian."

"Dear Sister," replied Linet, "I have faith in this youthful knight.
Naught has he found too difficult as yet and I do not fear the Red
Knight whom he meets tomorrow."

So the next morning, Sir Gareth arrived. Awaited him the Red Knight of
the Red Lawns who had been advised of his nearness.

As the lady's champion turned with the road, Allan, Breunor and Walker
with him, there rode forward to meet him, the knight he was to do
battle with.

"What brings you here?" asked the Red Knight, though he knew full
well.

"I come to the rescue of Dame Lyoness, who, it seems, is besieged by
some unworthy knight who finds it worthy him to war on women."

"I am the Red Knight," the other replied without parley. "See you, my
fair knight, yonder trees. See you the things that hang therefrom.
They are the bodies of such other fools who have come here to teach me
what I may or may not do."