“God speed you, sirs,” he said; “I can delay no more; already have I wasted too much time.”
“My lord,” replied the knights, as they presented him his shield and lance, “accept again our thanks: where'er we be, the service thou hast done in this great fight shall widely be proclaimed.”
When that the band had watched him out of sight, they went their way until they reached Carlisle. They found King Arthur in his flowery mead with five-and-twenty of his primest knights. There, kneeling at his feet, one of the troop was spokesman for the rest; and thus he fearlessly and sagely said:
“Sire, so please it the true God, who knoweth all that every creature doth, give you good luck, and guard from pain and ill the greatest king this world doth now contain!”
“Friend,” the good king replied, “God and St. Mary keep thee and thy mates! Speak without fear, and tell me what thou wilt.”
“Sire, we come to yield ourselves to thee, from Jaufry, Dovon's son; he hath delivered us from durance vile.”
“Good sir, give me at once your tidings. Is't long since you and he have parted company?”
“We left him, sire, on Tuesday morning last, both safe and sound, ardent and full of strength, tracking a lord with whom he seeks to fight, and to avenge thy cause.”
“O Lord, thou glorious Sire,” said the king, with joined hands, “grant I may Jaufry see unchecked, unscathed; for, an I hold him not within six months, I'll prize my fortunes as of nothing worth!”
Whilst that the dwarf in turn begins his speech, to tell the king how this adventure happed, we will go back to follow Jaufry's steps, who still, unwearied, presses stoutly on.