f
swords and the melly."

Therewithal the two good knights smite horse with spur and come thither
where the three robber-knights were assailing Lancelot. Each of the
twain smiteth his own so wrathfully that they thrust their spears right
through their bodies and bear them to the ground dead. Howbeit the
third knight was fain to flee, but the knight that had come to show
Messire Gawain the way took heart and hardiment from the confidence of
the good knights, and smote him as he fled so sore that he pierced him
with his spear to the heart and toppled him to the ground dead. And
the one whose leg Lancelot had lopped off was so trampled underfoot of
the knights that he had no life in him.

VI.

When Lancelot knew Perceval and Messire Gawain he made great joy of
them and they of him.

"Lancelot," saith Messire Gawain, "This knight that led us hither to
save your life is cousin to the Poor Knight of the Waste Castle, the
brother of the two poor damsels that lodged us so well. We will send
him these horses, one for the knight that shall be the messenger, and
the two to the lord of the Waste Castle, and this hold that we have
taken shall be for the two damsels, and so shall we make them safe all
the days of their life. This, methinketh, will be well."

"Certes," saith Perceval, "you speak of great courtesy."

"Sir," saith Lancelot, "Messire Gawain hath said, and right willingly
will I grant him all his wish."

"Lords," saith the knight, "They have in this forest a hold wherein the
knights did bestow their plunder, for the sake whereof they murdered
the passers by. If the goods remain there they will be lost, for
therein is so great store as might be of much worth to many folk that
are poverty-stricken for want thereof."

They go to the hold and find right great treasure in a cave
underground, and rich sets of vessels and rich ornaments of cloth and
armours for horses, that they had thrown the one over another into a
pit that was right broad.

"Certes," saith he, "Right well hath it been done to this evil folk
that is destroyed!"

"Sir," saith Lancelot, "in like manner would they have dealt with me
and killed me if they might; whereof no sorrow have I save of the
damsel that I slew, that was one of the fairest dames of the world.
But I slew her not knowingly, for I meant rather to strike the knight,
but she leapt between us, like the hardiest dame that saw I ever."

"Sirs," saith the knight, "Perceval and L