And they shot at him and smote his horse so that he fell.  Then Sir Launcelot left his horse and went on foot, but there lay so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers and him that he might not meddle with them.  “Alas! for shame,” said Sir Launcelot, “that ever one knight should betray another! but it is an old saw, a good man is never in danger, but when he is in danger of a coward.”  Then Sir Launcelot went awhile and he was exceedingly cumbered by his armor, his shield, and his spear, and all that belonged to him.  Then by chance there came by him a cart that came thither to fetch wood.

Now at this time carts were little used except for carrying offal and for conveying criminals to execution.  But Sir Launcelot took no thought of anything but the necessity of haste for the purpose of rescuing the queen; so he demanded of the carter that he should take him in and convey him as speedily as possible for a liberal reward.  The carter consented, and Sir Launcelot placed himself in the cart and only lamented that with much jolting he made but little progress.  Then it happened Sir Gawain passed by and seeing an armed knight travelling in that unusual way he drew near to see who it might be.  Then Sir Launcelot told him how the queen had been carried off, and how, in hastening to her rescue, his horse had been disabled and he had been compelled to avail himself of the cart rather than give up his enterprise.  Then Sir Gawain said, “Surely it is unworthy of a knight to travel in such sort;” but Sir Launcelot heeded him not.

At nightfall they arrived at a castle and the lady thereof came out at the head of her damsels to welcome Sir Gawain.  But to admit his companion, whom she supposed to be a criminal, or at least a prisoner, it pleased her not; however, to oblige Sir Gawain, she consented.  At supper Sir Launcelot came near being consigned to the kitchen and was only admitted to the lady’s table at the earnest solicitation of Sir Gawain.  Neither would the damsels prepare a bed for him.  He seized the first he found unoccupied and was left undisturbed.

Next morning he saw from the turrets of the castle a train accompanying a lady, whom he imagined to be the queen.  Sir Gawain thought it might be so, and became equally eager to depart.  The lady of the castle supplied Sir Launcelot with a horse and they traversed the plain at full speed.  They learned from some travellers whom they met, that there were two roads which led to the castle of Sir Maleagans.  Here therefore the friends separated.  Sir Launcelot found his way beset with obstacles, which he encountered successfully, but not without much loss of time.  As evening approached he was met by a young and sportive damsel, who gayly proposed to him a supper at her castle.  The knight, who was hungry and weary, accepted the offer, though with no very good grace.  He followed the lady to her castle and ate voraciously of her supper, but was quite impenetrable to all her