[Illustration:  Sir Launcelot doeth battle with Sir Turquine]

Chapter Fourth

How Sir Launcelot Sought Sir Lionel and How a Young Damsel Brought Him to the Greatest Battle that Ever He Had in All His Life.

So Sir Launcelot rode through the forest, and whilst he rode the day began to break.  About sunrise he came out into an open clearing where certain charcoal-burners were plying their trade.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot breaks his fast in the forest] To these rude fellows he appeared out of the dark forest like some bright and shining vision; and they made him welcome and offered him to eat of their food, and he dismounted and sat down with them and brake his fast with them.  And when he had satisfied his hunger, he gave them grammercy for their entertainment, and took horse and rode away.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot cometh again to the place of the apple-tree] He made forward until about the middle of the morning, what time he came suddenly upon that place where, two days before, he had fallen asleep beneath the blooming apple-tree.  Here he drew rein and looked about him for a considerable while; for he thought that haply he might find some trace of Sir Lionel thereabouts.  But there was no trace of him, and Sir Launcelot wist not what had become of him.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot perceives a damsel upon a palfrey] Now whilst Sir Launcelot was still there, not knowing what to do to find Sir Lionel, there passed that way a damsel riding upon a white palfrey.  Unto her Sir Launcelot made salutation, and she made salutation to him and asked him what cheer.  “Maiden,” said Sir Launcelot, “the cheer that I have is not very good, seeing that I have lost my companion-at-arms and know not where he is.”  Then he said:  “Did you haply meet anywhere with a knight with the figure of a red gryphon upon his shield?” whereunto the damsel answered:  “Nay, I saw none such.”  Then Sir Launcelot said:  “Tell me, fair damsel, dost thou know of any adventure hereabouts that I may undertake?  For, as thou seest, I am errant and in search of such.”

Upon this the damsel fell a-laughing:  “Yea, Sir Knight,” said she, “I know of an adventure not far away, but it is an adventure that no knight yet that ever I heard tell of hath accomplished.  I can take thee to that adventure if thou hast a desire to pursue it.”

“Why should I not pursue it,” said Sir Launcelot, “seeing that I am here for that very cause—­to pursue adventure?”

“Well,” said the damsel, “then come with me, Sir Knight, I will take thee to an adventure that shall satisfy thee.”