said the king. "Has the vessel been blown
here by a wind of magic? Let us enter and see what is in the ship."

They did so, and found it richly adorned with silken hangings and
royally equipped. As they stood on the deck looking about them in
surprise, night came upon them, but suddenly the darkness was dispelled
by a hundred torches, which flared out around the sides of the ship,
brilliantly illuminating it. And immediately, from somewhere in the
depths of the ship, appeared twelve fair damsels, who fell upon their
knees before King Arthur, saluting him by name, and welcoming him to the
best cheer that their means could provide.

"You are welcome, whoever you be," said Arthur, "and have our thanks for
your kindly good will."

"Follow us then, noble sir."

Arthur and his companions followed their fair guides into a cabin of the
ship, where they were glad to see a table richly provided with the most
delicate viands, and set with the rarest wines. The king marvelled
greatly at this, for never in his life had he fared better at supper
than at this royal feast.

The meal ended, Arthur was led into a richly-appointed chamber, whose
regal furniture and appointments he had never seen surpassed. His
companions were conducted to chambers no less richly appointed, and
quickly the three weary hunters fell asleep, for they were exhausted
with their day's labor.

Perilous was the sleep that came upon them, for they little dreamed that
they had been lured into an enchanted ship, and that strange adventures
awaited them all, and deadly danger threatened the king.

For when the next day dawned, Uriens woke to find himself at Camelot, in
his own chamber, with his wife. Much he marvelled at this, for he had
fallen asleep the evening before at two days' journey distant. As for
Accolan, we shall tell later what befell him. Arthur woke to find
himself in utter darkness, while the air was full of doleful sounds. On
feeling round him he soon discovered that he was in a dismal dungeon,
and on listening he discovered that the sounds he heard were the woeful
complaints of prisoners.

"What place is this, and who are ye that bewail so bitterly?" asked
Arthur.

"We are twenty knights that have long been held prisoners here, some for
seven years and some for less."

"For what cause?" inquired Arthur.

"How came you here, that you know not the cause?"

"I came by foul enchantment," said Arthur, and told them his adventure,
at which