thou hast never heard in thy country such good music as they will make; but when the music is most entertaining, thou wilt hear a sighing and a wailing coming along the valley towards thee. Thereupon thou wilt behold on a jet-black charger a knight clad in jet-black satin, with a flag of jet-black silk on his spear, making for thee as fast as he can. In case thou fleest, he will overtake thee; and in case thou awaitest him, he will leave thee a pedestrian instead of a rider. Shouldst thou not find trouble there, thou needest not seek any as long as thou livest?" The story goes on to relate how all happened to Kynon just as the Black Woodward had told him, and how the knight overthrew him and took away his horse: he had to trudge back on foot as best he could past the Black Woodward, whose mockery made him all but melt with shame; and when he finished the story at Arthur's court, Kynon was willing to admit that no man ever confessed to a more shameful adventure; but it stirred up Owein son of Urien to seek the place, and to try a duel with the Black Knight of the Fountain. So it was not long ere he stole away from Arthur's court, and took the path described by Kynon: in due time he reached the fountain, and the Black Knight came forth in his anger and fought with Owein; but ere long he perceived that he had received a mortal wound from Owein, and he turned and fled towards his castle. Owein pursued so closely, that, while the owner was admitted, he found himself caught between two heavy doors, one of which was let down behind him, so that it cut his horse in two close to his spurs. While in this evil plight, he saw through a crevice an auburn-haired, curly-headed maiden, with a diadem of gold on
