r Gringamore lay hidden behind the hawthorn hedge. Then when
Axatalese was come very close to that place Sir Gringamore leaped out of
a sudden from the thicket and catched him. And Axatalese lifted up his
voice and fell to yelling very loud and shrill, but anon Sir Gringamore
clapped his hand upon the mouth of the creature and silenced him. And
Sir Gringamore drew his miseracordia and set it at the throat of
Axatalese and said to him, "Sirrah, be silent, if you would live." And
at that Axatalese ceased to struggle and was perfectly silent. Then Sir
Gringamore released his hand from the mouth of Axatalese and Axatalese
was afraid to utter any further outcry.

[Sidenote: _They bring Axatalese to the castle._]

So after that Sir Gringamore and Lynette brought Axatalese to the castle
and into the castle. And they brought him to that place where the Lady
Layonnesse awaited their coming. Then, when they were safely come to
that place, Sir Gringamore said to Axatalese, "Sirrah Dwarf, tell us who
is that knight, thy master, and what is his degree?" And Axatalese cried
out, "Alas, Messire, harm me not." Quoth Sir Gringamore, "No harm shall
befall thee, only speak as I bid thee and tell us who thy master is."

[Sidenote: _Axatalese telleth of Sir Gareth._]

Then Axatalese trembling with fear, said: "Fair Messire, the knight my
master is hight Sir Gareth and he is the son of King Lot of Orkney and
the Queen Margaise, the sister of King Arthur, and so it is that he is
right brother of those noble worthy champions, Sir Gawaine and Sir
Gaheris, and he is the brother of Sir Mordred of Orkney."

Now when Lynette heard the words that Axatalese spoke she smote her
hands very violently together and she cried out in a loud and piercing
voice: "Said I not so? Well did I know that this was no kitchen knave,
but otherwise that he was some very noble and worthy knight. So he is,
for there is none better in all the world than he. Rejoice, my sister,
for here indeed is a great honor that hath befallen thee. For this is a
very worthy champion to have saved thee from thy distresses."

And the Lady Layonnesse said: "Sister, I do indeed rejoice and that
beyond all measure." And she turned her to Sir Gringamore and said: "My
brother, let us straightway hasten and go to this worthy knight so that
we may give him such thanks as is fitting for one of his degree to
receive."

"Nay," quoth Sir Gringamore, "not so. Rather let us wait until to-morrow