here, for as at this time I must ride with
this damosel for to save my promise.

And so he departed from Gaheris, and Gaheris yede in to the manor, and
there he found a yeoman porter keeping there many keys. Anon withal Sir
Gaheris threw the porter unto the ground and took the keys from him,
and hastily he opened the prison door, and there he let out all the
prisoners, and every man loosed other of their bonds. And when they saw
Sir Gaheris, all they thanked him, for they weened that he was wounded.
Not so, said Gaheris, it was Launcelot that slew him worshipfully with
his own hands. I saw it with mine own eyes. And he greeteth you all
well, and prayeth you to haste you to the court; and as unto Sir Lionel
and Ector de Maris he prayeth you to abide him at the court. That shall
we not do, says his brethren, we will find him an we may live. So shall
I, said Sir Kay, find him or I come at the court, as I am true knight.

Then all those knights sought the house thereas the armour was, and then
they armed them, and every knight found his own horse, and all that ever
longed unto him. And when this was done, there came a forester with four
horses laden with fat venison. Anon, Sir Kay said, Here is good meat for
us for one meal, for we had not many a day no good repast. And so that
venison was roasted, baken, and sodden, and so after supper some abode
there all night, but Sir Lionel and Ector de Maris and Sir Kay rode
after Sir Launcelot to find him if they might.

CHAPTER X. How Sir Launcelot rode with a damosel and slew a knight that
distressed all ladies and also a villain that kept a bridge.

NOW turn we unto Sir Launcelot, that rode with the damosel in a fair
highway. Sir, said the damosel, here by this way haunteth a knight that
distressed all ladies and gentlewomen, and at the least he robbeth them
or lieth by them. What, said Sir Launcelot, is he a thief and a knight
and a ravisher of women? he doth shame unto the order of knighthood, and
contrary unto his oath; it is pity that he liveth. But, fair damosel, ye
shall ride on afore, yourself, and I will keep myself in covert, and if
that he trouble you or distress you I shall be your rescue and learn him
to be ruled as a knight.

So the maid rode on by the way a soft ambling pace, and within a while
came out that knight on horseback out of the wood, and his page with
him, and there he put the damosel from her horse, and then she cried.
With that came Launcelot as