ntest, Marhaus, by a nimble stroke,
cut off Taulard's right arm. Then the giant, bellowing with pain and
terror, fled, and rushed into a stream of water beyond his pursuer's
reach. But stones were brought to Marhaus by Fergus's men, and with
these he battered the giant so sorely that at length he fell over into
the water, where he was quickly drowned.

Afterwards the victorious champion went to the giant's castle, where he
found in close captivity twenty-four ladies and twelve knights. These he
delivered from prison. He found also a great store of wealth, enough to
make him rich for the remainder of his life.

When the year ended the three knights met again at the fountain, two of
them with their damsels; but Gawaine had lost his, and had come back
much shorn of honor. Soon after they met by chance a messenger from King
Arthur, who had long been seeking the banished knights, with orders to
bring them back to the court.

So the three knights journeyed to Camelot, where the king received them
graciously, and listened with admiration to the story of their
adventures. And there, at the feast of Pentecost, came Pelleas and
Nimue, true lovers plighted. Then were held high feasts and tournaments,
where many noble knights splintered spears and much honor was lost and
won. And here Marhaus and Pelleas bore themselves with such noble and
mighty prowess, that all men vowed the glory of the tournament was
theirs, and King Arthur, glad to reward such deeds of valor, made them
Knights of the Table Round.

BOOK IV.

LANCELOT OF THE LAKE.

CHAPTER I.

HOW TROUBLE CAME TO LIONEL AND HECTOR.

After the strange deeds and adventures that have just been described, a
season of war came again to King Arthur and his realm, through which he
won great honor and renown. For Lucius, the Emperor of Rome, sent
ambassadors to Arthur, demanding tribute; and when he proudly refused
this demand Lucius gathered a great army and invaded the tributary
domains of Arthur, in Gaul.

Long and fierce was the war that followed, for Arthur crossed to Gaul
with all the power of his realm; fought and killed, single-handed, a
huge giant who dwelt on St. Michael's Mount; defeated the army of Rome,
and killed the emperor in single combat; and in the end was crowned
emperor, in the imperial city of Rome.

All this story the chronicles give at length, and tell us also that in
this war t