Whilst thus they held discourse, behold Estout arrived full spur, and, at the sight of Jaufry, cried aloud: “Who art thou, vassal, who thus dar'st to come and meddle with my men?”
“And who are you,” said Jaufry in reply, “who use such pleasant words?”
“Thou shalt know that anon.”
“I am, indeed.”
“Full long have I been seeking you throughout this weary night, without e'er stopping in my course or closing eye.”
“And for what end hast thou thus sought me out?”
“For that I wish to know why thou hast slain the three knights on the road; which act I take to be a sin and wrong.”
“And is it for this that thou art hither come? Thou wouldst have better done to stay behind, for to thy ruin do I meet thee here; thou shalt this instant lose that head of thine, or follow me on foot like yonder knights who patter humbly at my horse's heels. Deliver, therefore, up to me thy shield, thy breastplate, and thy sword, and the bay horse that brought thy body here.”
“My care shall be to guard them with my life,” quoth Jaufry. “'Twas the good king bestowed this courser on me when he armed me knight. As to the shield, thou shalt not have it whole; nor e'en the hauberk, without rent or stain. Thou tak'st me for a child, whom thy poor threats can frighten: the shield, the hauberk, and the horse, are not yet thine; but if they please thee, try a bout to win them. As to thy threats, I scorn them: 'threats,' saith the proverb, 'often cover fear.'”