rcivale, they demanded of him who he was and
whence he came. So he told them, whereupon they all shouted, "Slay
him! slay him!" and setting upon him all at once, they killed his
horse and would have slain him but that the good knight, Sir
Galahad, passing that way by chance, came to his rescue and put his
assailants to flight. Then Galahad rode away as fast as he might,
for he would not be thanked, and Sir Percivale was left, horseless
and alone, in the forest.

So Sir Percivale continued his journey on foot as well as he might;
and ever the way became lonelier, until at last he came to the
shores of a vast sea. There Sir Percivale abode many days, without
food and desolate, doubting whether he should ever escape thence.
At last it chanced that, looking out to sea, Sir Percivale descried
a ship and, as it drew nearer, he saw how it was all hung with
satin and velvet. Presently, it reached the land and out of it
there stepped a lady of marvellous beauty, who asked him how he
came there; "For know," said she, "ye are like to die here by
hunger or mischance." "He whom I serve will protect me," said Sir
Percivale. "I know well whom ye desire most to see," said the lady.
"Ye would meet with the Red Knight who bears the red-cross shield."
"Ah! lady, I pray you tell me where I may find him," cried Sir
Percivale. "With a good will," said the damsel; "if ye will but
promise me your service when I shall ask for it, I will lead you to
the knight, for I met him of late in the forest." So Sir Percivale
promised gladly to serve her when she should need him. Then the
lady asked him how long he had fasted. "For three days," answered
Sir Percivale. Immediately she gave orders to her attendants
forthwith to pitch a tent and set out a table with all manner of
delicacies, and of these she invited Sir Percivale to partake. "I
pray you, fair lady," said Sir Percivale, "who are ye that show me
such kindness?" "Truly," said the lady, "I am but a hapless damsel,
driven forth from my inheritance by a great lord whom I have
chanced to displease. I implore you, Sir Knight, by your vows of
knighthood, to give me your aid." Sir Percivale promised her all
the aid he could give, and then she bade him lie down and sleep,
and herself took off his helmet, and unclasped his sword-belt. So
Sir Percivale slept, and when he waked, there was another feast
prepared, and he was given the rarest and the strongest wines that
ever he had tasted. Thus they made m