"Not so," said Sir Gaheris, "it was not I who set you free; it was Sir Launcelot of the Lake.

But now your troubles are over and done, and Sir Launcelot greets you all with words of good cheer and bids me tell you to take all ease and comfort that you can in being free, and in especial he bids me greet you, Sir Ector, and you, Sir Lionel, and to tell you that you are to follow him no farther, but to return to court and bide there until he cometh; for he goeth upon an adventure which he must undertake by himself.

[Sidenote: How Sir Launcelot abides at the castle of Sir Hilaire]

So Sir Launcelot abided for several days in that place until his wounds were healed.

So it was arranged as Sir Launcelot said and they rode in that wise: Croisette rode along the highway, and Sir Launcelot rode under the trees in the outskirts of the forest, where he was hidden from the eyes of anyone who might be looking that way.

So it was arranged as Sir Launcelot said and they rode in that wise: Croisette rode along the highway, and Sir Launcelot rode under the trees in the outskirts of the forest, where he was hidden from the eyes of anyone who might be looking that way.

With that Croisette shrieked very loud, and immediately Sir Launcelot broke out from the woods and rode down upon where all this was toward with a noise like to thunder.

Therewith he had Sir Peris stripped of all armor and raiment, even to his jerkin and his hose, and he had his arms tied behind his back, and he had a halter set about his neck; and Sir Launcelot tied the halter that was about the neck of Sir Peris to the horn of the saddle of his own horse, so that when he rode away with Croisette Sir Peris must needs follow behind him at whatever gait the horse of Sir Launcelot might take.

But Sir Launcelot remained with Sir Hilaire of the Dale all the next day and he was very well content to be in that pleasant place.

In that encounter Sir Launcelot carried a spear that was wonderfully strong and tough.

Then Sir Launcelot and his three companions bore back a little, and when they got their distance they ran again into the press, and this time Sir Launcelot overthrew the King of North Wales himself, and that with such violence that the bone of his thigh was broken, and he had to be carried away out of that field by his attendants.

Then Sir Launcelot and his three companions bore back a little, and when they got their distance they ran again into the press, and this time Sir Launcelot overthrew the King of North Wales himself, and that with such violence that the bone of his thigh was broken, and he had to be carried away out of that field by his attendants.

And in this second assault Sir Launcelot and the three knights who were with him overthrew eleven knights besides the King of North Wales, wherefore all that part of the press began to break away from them and to seek some place where they could defend themselves from such another assault.

Now Sir Launcelot was very sorry to see the falcon beating herself in that wise, straining to escape from where she was prisoner, but he knew not what to do to aid her, for the tree was very high, and he was no good climber of trees.

When this knight came to the tree he drew rein and bespoke the lady who was there, though Sir Launcelot could not hear what he said.

So, after he had spoken for a little, the knight dismounted from his horse and went to Sir Launcelot's shield and looked upon the face of it very carefully.

" [Sidenote: Sir Launcelot talks with a yeoman] Quoth Sir Launcelot: "What manner of place is that?

Now when Sir Launcelot beheld how those three knights attacked that one knight, he said to himself: "Of a surety, yonder knight is in a very sorry way.

But at that the fallen knight embraced Sir Launcelot about the knees, crying out: "Spare my life!"

" "What claim have you upon knighthood," said Sir Launcelot, "who would attack a single knight, three men against one man?"

Then Sir Launcelot beheld how Sir Kay slept, and he had a mind for a jest.

But to this Sir Launcelot made no reply, but rode on his way.

As he drew nigh to Sir Launcelot he cried out: "Stay, Sir Knight!

But Sir Launcelot said: "Why will you have it so, Sir Knight?

Then King Arthur said: "Sir Launcelot, how is it with thee?" and Sir Launcelot said: "It is well.