Sir Tristram, now I let you wit, so God me help, I weened ye had
been Sir Launcelot du Lake when I saw you first, and therefore I dread
you the more; and sir, I promise you, said Sir Tristram, as soon as I
may I will see Sir Launcelot and in fellowship me with him; for of all
the knights of the world I most desire his fellowship.

CHAPTER XXVIII. How Sir Launcelot met with Sir Carados bearing away Sir
Gawaine, and of the rescue of Sir Gawaine.

AND then Sir Tristram took his leave when he saw his time, and took
the sea. And in the meanwhile word came unto Sir Launcelot and to Sir
Tristram that Sir Carados, the mighty king, that was made like a giant,
fought with Sir Gawaine, and gave him such strokes that he swooned in
his saddle, and after that he took him by the collar and pulled him out
of his saddle, and fast bound him to the saddle-bow, and so rode his way
with him toward his castle. And as he rode, by fortune Sir Launcelot met
with Sir Carados, and anon he knew Sir Gawaine that lay bound after him.
Ah, said Sir Launcelot unto Sir Gawaine, how stands it with you? Never
so hard, said Sir Gawaine, unless that ye help me, for so God me help,
without ye rescue me I know no knight that may, but outher you or Sir
Tristram. Wherefore Sir Launcelot was heavy of Sir Gawaine's words. And
then Sir Launcelot bade Sir Carados: Lay down that knight and fight with
me. Thou art but a fool, said Sir Carados, for I will serve you in the
same wise. As for that, said Sir Launcelot, spare me not, for I warn
thee I will not spare thee. And then he bound Sir Gawaine hand and foot,
and so threw him to the ground. And then he gat his spear of his squire,
and departed from Sir Launcelot to fetch his course. And so either met
with other, and brake their spears to their hands; and then they pulled
out swords, and hurtled together on horseback more than an hour. And
at the last Sir Launcelot smote Sir Carados such a buffet upon the helm
that it pierced his brain-pan. So then Sir Launcelot took Sir Carados by
the collar and pulled him under his horse's feet, and then he alighted
and pulled off his helm and struck off his head. And then Sir Launcelot
unbound Sir Gawaine. So this same tale was told to Sir Galahad and
to Sir Tristram:--here may ye hear the nobleness that followeth Sir
Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, an I had not this message in hand
with this fair lady, truly I would never stint or I had found Sir
Launcelot. Then Sir Tri