“Sir,” replied a soldier of the company, “through the wood, in good faith, there runs a path, right strict and narrow.  It is the wont of the enemy to approach our city by this track.  After their deeds of arms before the walls, it is their custom to return by the way they came, helmet on saddle bow, and hauberk unbraced.  If we might catch them, unready in the path, we could trouble them very grievously, even though it be at the peril of our lives.”

“Friends,” answered Eliduc, “you are all the King’s men, and are bound to serve him faithfully, even to the death.  Come, now, with me where I will go, and do that thing which you shall see me do.  I give you my word as a loyal gentleman, that no harm shall hap to any.  If we gain spoil and riches from the foe, each shall have his lot in the ransom.  At the least we may do them much hurt and mischief in this quarrel.”

Eliduc set his men in ambush, near by that path, within the wood.  He told over to them, like a cunning captain, the crafty plan he had devised, and taught them how to play their parts, and to call upon his name.  When the foe had entered on that perilous path, and were altogether taken in the snare, Eliduc cried his name, and summoned his companions to bear themselves like men.  This they did stoutly, and assailed their enemy so fiercely that he was dismayed beyond measure, and his line being broken, fled to the forest.  In this fight was the constable taken, together with fifty and five other lords, who owned themselves prisoners, and were given to the keeping of the squires.  Great was the spoil in horse and harness, and marvellous was the wealth they gained in gold and ransom.  So having done such great deeds in so short a space, they returned to the city, joyous and content.

The King looked forth from a tower.  He feared grievously for his men, and made his complaint of Eliduc, who—­he deemed—­had betrayed him in his need.  Upon the road he saw a great company, charged and laden with spoil.  Since the number of those who returned was more than those who went forth, the king knew not again his own.  He came down from the tower, in doubt and sore trouble, bidding that the gates should be made fast, and that men should mount upon the walls.  For such coil as this, there was slender warrant.  A squire who was sent out, came back with all speed, and showed him of this adventure.  He told over the story of the ambush, and the tale of the prisoners.  He rehearsed how the constable was taken, and that many a knight was wounded, and many a brave man slain.  When the King might give credence thereto, he had more joy than ever king before.  He got him from his tower, and going before Eliduc, he praised him to his face, and rendered him the captives as a gift.  Eliduc gave the King’s bounty to his men.  He bestowed on them besides, all the harness and the spoil; keeping, for his part, but three knights, who had won much honour in the battle.  From this day the King loved and cherished Eliduc very dearly.  He held the knight, and his company, for a full year in his service, and at the end of the year, such faith had he in the knight’s loyalty, that he appointed him Seneschal and Constable of his realm.