"I believe, knight," said Quadragante, "you speak thus boldly because you know me so little; pray you, tell me your name."
"They call me Beltenebros: you will know me by it no better than before, for it is a name of no renown;
but, though I am of a far land, I have heard that you are seeking Amadis of Gaul, and, by what I hear of him, it is no loss to you that you cannot find him."
"What!" quoth Quadragante. "Do you prize him, whom I hate so much, above me? Know that your death-hour is arrived. Take thy arms and defend thyself if thou canst."
"I might do it with some doubt against others, but can have none in opposing thee, who art so full of pride and threats."
Then they ran their course; both felt the shock: the horse of Amadis reeled, and he himself was wounded at the nipple of the breast. Quadragante was unhorsed and hurt in the ribs. He rose and ran at Amadis, who did not see him, for he was adjusting his helmet, and mortally stabbed his horse. Amadis leaped off and went against him sword in hand in great anger.
"There was no courage in this," he cried. "Your own horse was strong enough to have finished the battle without this villainy."
The blows fell as thick and loud as though ten knights had been in combat, for both put forth all their strength and skill, and the fight lasted from the hour of tierce till vespers; but then Quadragante, overcome with fatigue and with a blow that Amadis gave him on the helmet, fell down senseless.
Amadis took off his helmet to see if he were dead; the air revived him; he placed the sword-point at his face, saying:
"Remember thy soul, for thou art a dead man."