arcely had they travelled
far through Normandy, than, as they were passing through a wood, a loud
shriek assailed their ears. Charging amid the trees, they beheld a
lovely damsel in the hands of a dozen armed men; fierce pirates, from
their dress and weapons, they appeared. With the war-cry of their
father's name, they rushed on the marauders, and, as none would yield,
they slew them all, and then loosed the lady and her attendants, whom
the pirates had bound to the surrounding trees.

With grateful words and tears, which chased each other down her cheeks
of lily white, she told them that she was the daughter of a Duke, whose
castle was hard by. Then the three young Knights were sumptuously
entertained and pressed by the Duke to stay; but mindful of their duty,
they speedily set forth again to search out their father.

They journeyed on for many days, through countries where no houses or
habitations were to be found; they rested, therefore, at night in the
woods or on the open downs, having only the starry firmament for their
canopy. Thus sweetly reposing on their mother earth, they slept as
soundly as if they had rested on beds of feathers, and had been
surrounded with curtains of the purest Arabian silk.

One night they had been sleeping securely, until such time as Aurora
began to gild the firmament with her bright rays, and to usher in
Phoebus's golden light, when suddenly a terrific noise, which seemed to
arise from some deep abyss, and to be about to rend the rocks asunder,
assailed their ears.

Awaking, they leaped to their feet, and buckling on their armour, stood
on their guard. High time it was for them so to do; had they slept but
another minute sad would have been their fate. As they gazed around, to
discover whence the noise could have proceeded, they saw coming towards
them a most hideous monster, of excessive size and terrible shape. His
eyes were like burning saucers, so round and large were they; his mouth
was like that of some huge bird of prey, and his front claws were like
those of eagles, but infinitely larger and sharper; he had ears like a
fox, with a scaly breast, and wings like a bird; but his body was
shaggy, and his hinder feet were like those of a lion.

Again and again he roared most terrifically, and as he moved along his
head reached high up among the boughs of the tallest trees. Their three
horses, as he drew near, snorted and stamped on the earth, rearing up
with terror, and