And anon he rode betwixt
them, and departed them, and asked them the causes why that they fought?
Sir knight, said the one, I shall tell you, this lady is my kinswoman
nigh, mine aunt's daughter, and when I heard her complain that she was
with him maugre her head, I waged battle to fight with him. Sir knight,
said the other, whose name was Hontzlake of Wentland, and this lady I
gat by my prowess of arms this day at Arthur's court. That is untruly
said, said King Pellinore, for ye came in suddenly there as we were at
the high feast, and took away this lady or any man might make him ready;
and therefore it was my quest to bring her again and you both, or else
the one of us to abide in the field; therefore the lady shall go with
me, or I will die for it, for I have promised it King Arthur. And
therefore fight ye no more, for none of you shall have no part of her
at this time; and if ye list to fight for her, fight with me, and I will
defend her. Well, said the knights, make you ready, and we shall assail
you with all our power. And as King Pellinore would have put his horse
from them, Sir Hontzlake rove his horse through with a sword, and said:
Now art thou on foot as well as we are. When King Pellinore espied that
his horse was slain, lightly he leapt from his horse and pulled out his
sword, and put his shield afore him, and said, Knight, keep well thy
head, for thou shalt have a buffet for the slaying of my horse. So King
Pellinore gave him such a stroke upon the helm that he clave the head
down to the chin, that he fell to the earth dead.

CHAPTER XIII. How King Pellinore gat the lady and brought her to Camelot
to the court of King Arthur.

AND then he turned him to the other knight, that was sore wounded. But
when he saw the other's buffet, he would not fight, but kneeled down and
said, Take my cousin the lady with you at your request, and I require
you, as ye be a true knight, put her to no shame nor villainy. What,
said King Pellinore, will ye not fight for her? No, sir, said the
knight, I will not fight with such a knight of prowess as ye be. Well,
said Pellinore, ye say well; I promise you she shall have no villainy
by me, as I am true knight; but now me lacketh an horse, said Pellinore,
but I will have Hontzlake's horse. Ye shall not need, said the knight,
for I shall give you such an horse as shall please you, so that you will
lodge with me, for it is near night. I will well, said King Pellinore,
abide wit