re he
spoke soft words to Huon, and offered to do him service, but Huon held
his peace. Again Oberon was angered sorely, and blew a blast which
hindered the company from riding onwards, while four hundred knights of
his own came galloping up.

'Slay these men at once,' he cried, shaking with wrath, but their leader
implored him to spare them for a space.

'It will be time enough to kill them if they still keep silence,' said
he; and Oberon agreed that he would give them yet another chance, and
Huon and his companions rode hastily onwards.

* * * * *

'We have left him full five miles behind us,' said Huon, drawing rein;
'and now that he is not here to trouble us I will say that never in my
life did I see so fair a creature. Nor do I think he can do us any ill.
If he should come again, I fain would speak to him, and I pray you,
Gerames, not to be displeased with me thereat.'

Gerames' heart was heavy at these words, but he knew well the wilfulness
of young men, and he answered nothing. For fifteen days they rode on,
and Gerames began to hope that Oberon had given up their pursuit, when
suddenly he again appeared.

'Noble sir,' he said to Huon, 'have you resolved in good sooth not to
speak to me? I know all your past life, and the task set you by the
emperor, and without my help never will you come to the end of that
business. Therefore, be warned by me, and go no further.'

'You are welcome, sir,' answered Huon at last, and Oberon laughed for
very joy.

'Never did you give a greeting so profitable as this one,' he said, and
they rode on together.

_HOW OBERON SAVED HUON_

Oberon was so rejoiced that Huon had at last made friends with him, that
he did everything that he could think of to give pleasure to the knight
and his friends.

'There is nothing in the world that I cannot have by wishing for it,'
said he, 'and all I possess is yours. And to prove that my words are not
vain I will set before you the richest feast that ever you ate. After
you have finished, you shall go whithersoever you will.'

So they ate and drank to their hearts' content, but, before they
departed, Oberon bade one of his fairy knights to bring him his golden
cup, which he showed to Huon.

'Behold,' he said, 'this cup is empty, and will so remain, if any man
who has done a deadly sin should seek to drink of it. But he who has led
a goodly life, the moment that he takes it in his hands it will b