" I replied, "that any knightly youth
would not be proud to do?"

With all fit instructions as to where I was to go at Coutances, and the
priests that would there send me onwards to the duke, I jumped upon my
steed, and in all fair array, as befitted a youth of high rank, alone I
left St Michael de Tombelaine, and leaving Pontorson behind me, and
having the blue water all the way on my left, reached Avranches by noon.

Now, though my horse showed signs of weariness, I hoped to get forward
another good stage before evening. Therefore after a short rest I
pressed forward, and I soon came into a country that was well tilled,
and the land was divided by hedges like our lanes in England. I was ill
pleased indeed, when well forward on these desolate roads, to hear the
same trot behind me that I heard before on my road from St. Malo.

It made me press on my tired steed to a canter, and the steed behind me
cantered too. I thought, "I will stay, and let the knave pass," but as I
stayed in the way, the horseman that followed stayed as well. We had
ridden some hour and a half like this, and the road ran now through a
wood that seemed dark and cheerless to the sight, yet I was forced to
press on. I had not progressed far, when I heard a whistle behind me,
and lo! I saw, as it were, in answer two great knights come spurring
towards me from the trees ahead.

Then I feared greatly, and I knew there was an evil trap set to catch me
on my way, and I ground my teeth to think that here seemed fresh delays
to the work I had in hand.

The three came at me now with drawn swords.

I drew my little poniard, since I knew I must fight.

"Yield thyself up!" said one great villain. "It is useless to resist!"

My answer was an attempt to drive my horse forward, but the frightened
brute refused my urging. I lunged at the first with my blade, but with a
sweep of his own he drave it out of my hand.

"How now, sir page," said he, "must we teach you manners?"

I was nigh weeping for shame that he should so best me, yet I had no
other weapon, and they were three men, and I but a lad.

They dismounted, and pulled me from my horse, and holding me flat on the
ground with his knee, one of them began to rifle me. "The abbot's
letter," I thought, and in a moment I gave tongue.

"Look you, good sirs," I said, "take my money. You are welcome to it,
but let me go forward on my road."

"Wherefore such haste?" said one. "Thy money we will take, and th