Enid drove them on across the wastelands, Geraint following after. As she passed into the first shallow shade of the forest she described three more horsemen partly hidden in the gloom of three sturdy oak-trees. All were armed and one was a veritable giant, so tall and bulky, towering above his companions.
THE THREE OUTLAWS BORE DOWN UPON THE PRINCE.
"See there, a prize!" bellowed the giant and set Enid's pulses in a quiver. "Three horses and three suits of armor, and all in charge of—whom? A girl! Isn't that simple? Lay on, my men!"
"No," cried the second, "behind is coming a knight. A coward and a fool, for see how he hangs his head."
The giant thundered back gaily.
"Yes? Only one? Wait here and as he goes by make for him."
"I will go no farther until Geraint comes," Enid said to herself stopping her horse. "And then I will tell him about these villains. He must be so weary with his other fight and they will fall upon him unawares. I shall have to disobey him again for his own sake. How could I dare to obey him and let him be harmed? I must speak; if he kills me for it I shall only have lost my own life to save a life that is dearer to me than my own."
So she waited until the prince approached when she said with a timid firmness, "Have I your leave to speak?"
"You take it without asking when you speak," he replied, and she continued: