nch. And the knight smiteth him so hard
on his shield that he maketh an ell's length pass beyond, for right
wroth was he that he was wounded. The dwarf crieth to him, "Away, then!
The knight endureth against you that have slain so many of them!"

The Knight of the Galley waxeth wood wrath. He taketh his career, and
cometh as fast as his horse may carry him, and smiteth Meliot so
strongly that he breaketh his spear in such sort that he maketh both
him and his horse stagger. But Meliot catcheth him better, for he
thrusteth the spear right through his body and hurleth against him at
the by-passing with such stoutness and force that he maketh him fall
dead to the ground from his horse. The dwarf thought to escape, but
Meliot smote off his head, whereof the damsels gave him great thanks,
for many a mischief had he wrought them.

IV.

Meliot buried the knight that he found in the chapel dead, then told
the damsels that he might abide no longer, but would go succour Messire
Gawain and he might. The damsels were horsed to their will, for one
had the horse of the knight that was slain and the other the horse of
the dwarf. The other damsel was come upon a mule, and they said that
they would go back, for the country was made all safe by the death of
the knight. They thanked Meliot much, for they say truly that he hath
rescued them from death. Meliot departeth from the damsels and goeth
right amidst the forest as he that would most fain hear tidings of
Messire Gawain. When he had ridden of a long space, he met a knight
that was coming all armed at great pace.

"Sir Knight," saith he to Meliot, "Can you tell me tidings of the
Knight of the Galley?"

"What have you to do therein?" saith Meliot.

"Sir, the Lord of the Red Tower hath made bring Messire Gawain into a
launde of this forest, and there, all unarmed, must he do battle with a
lion. So my lord is waiting for the Knight of the Galley, that is to
bring two damsels thither that the lion will devour when he shall have
slain Messire Gawain."

"Will the battle be presently?" saith Meliot.

"Yea, Sir," saith the knight, "Soon enough betimes, for Messire Gawain
hath already been led thither and there bound to a stake until such
time as the lion shall be come. Then will he be unbound, but even then
two knights all armed will keep watch on him. But tell me tidings of
the Knight of the Galley, and you have seen him?"

"Go forward," saith he, "and you will hear t