one the
less, believe me, will I accomplish the task that has been allotted
me."

Having climbed up to the crest of the hill, King Arthur looked down,
and close below him he saw the giant basking at his ease by the side
of a great fire.

"Thou villain!" cried the King--"thou villain! short shall be thy life
and shameful shall be thy death. Rise and defend yourself. My sword
shall avenge that fair duchess whom you murdered."

Starting from the ground, the giant snatched up his great iron club,
and aiming a swinging blow at King Arthur's head, swept the crest off
his helmet. Then the King flew at him, and they wrestled and wrestled
till they fell, and as they struggled on the ground King Arthur again
and again smote the giant with his dagger, and they rolled and tumbled
down the hill till they reached the sea-beach at its foot, where Sir
Kay and Sir Bedivere were waiting their lord's return. Rushing to his
aid, the two knights at once set their master free, for they found
that the giant, in whose arms he was locked, was already dead.

Then King Arthur sent Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere up the hill to fetch
the sword and shield that he had let fall and left there, and also the
giant's iron club and cloak, and he told them they might keep whatever
treasure they found in his den, for he desired nothing besides the
club and the cloak. So they went and did as they were bidden, and
brought away as much treasure as they desired.

When the news of the oppressor's death was spread abroad, the people
came in throngs to thank the King, who had delivered them; but he bade
them rather give thanks to Heaven. Then, having distributed among
them the treasure his knights had not needed, and having commanded Sir
Howel to build upon the hill which the giant had haunted a chapel in
honor of St. Michael, he returned to his army, and led it into the
country of Champagne, where he pitched his camp in a valley.

That evening two men, of whom one was the Marshal of France, came into
the pavilion where King Arthur sat at table. They brought news that
the Emperor was in Burgundy, burning and sacking towns and villages,
so that, unless King Arthur came quickly to their succor, the men of
those parts would be forced to surrender themselves and their goods to
Rome.

Hearing this, King Arthur summoned four of his knights--Sir Gawaine,
Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Badouine--and ordered them to go with
all speed to the Emperor's camp, and all upon h