idings of him."

Meliot departeth thereupon, a great gallop, and cometh nigh the launde
whereunto Messire Gawain had been brought. He espied the two knights
that kept guard over him, and if that Messire Gawain were in fear,
little marvel was it, for he thought that his end had come. Meliot
espied him bound to an iron staple with cords about the body on all
sides so that he might not move. Meliot hath great pity thereof in his
heart, and saith to himself that he will die there sooner than Messire
Gawain shall die. He clappeth spurs to his horse when he cometh nigh
the knights, and overtaketh one of them with such a rush that he
thrusteth his spear right through his body, and beareth him down dead.
The other was fain to go to the castle for succour when he saw his
fellow dead. Meliot slew him forthwith. He cometh to Messire Gawain,
and so unbindeth him and cutteth the cords wherewith he is bound.

"Sir," saith he, "I am Meliot of Logres, your knight."

V.

When Messire Gawain felt himself unbound, no need to ask whether he had
joy thereof. The tidings were come to the Red Court that Queen Jandree
was christened and baptized, and that the Knight was come that had such
force and puissance in him that none might endure against him for the
God in whom he believed, and they knew likewise that the Knight of the
Galley was dead, and Messire Gawain unbound and the knights that
guarded him slain. They say that there may they not abide, so they
depart from the castle and say that they will cross the sea to protect
their bodies, for that there they may have no safety.

VI.

When Meliot had delivered Messire Gawain he made him be armed with the
arms, such as they were, of one of the knights he had slain. Messire
Gawain mounted on a horse such as pleased him, and right great joy had
he at heart. They marvel much how it is that they of the castle have
not come after them, but they know not their thought nor how they are
scared.

"Meliot," saith Messire Gawain, "You have delivered me from death this
time and one other, nor never had I acquaintance with any knight that
hath done so much for me in so short a time as have you."

They departed the speediest they might and rode nigh enow to the
castle, but they heard none moving within nor any noise, nor saw they
none issue forth, and much marvelled they that none should come after
them. They rode until they came to the head of the forest and caught
sight of the sea