But with wise forethought Galahad had followed Melias, and now rode into the valley, where he found him in peril of death.
"Ah, Melias!" he cried, "better for you had you taken the other way. Who has done you this harm?"
"For God's love, let me not die in this place!" said Melias in reply. "Bear me to some abbey near by, where I may be confessed and have the rites of the church."
"It shall be done," said Galahad. "But where is he who has wounded you?"
The reply came from the edge of the forest, where Galahad heard a voice cry in stirring tones,—
"Knight, defend yourself from me."
"Beware, sir," warned Melias. "He it is that has left me thus."
"Sir knight," said Galahad, "come on at your peril."
Then they rode together as fast as their horses could run, and Galahad drove his spear through the shoulder of his opponent, hurling him from his horse. But in his fall the spear broke. Then, before the young knight could turn, another knight rode from under the leaves and broke his spear upon him.
At this treacherous act Galahad drew his sword in wrath, and with a keen blow smote off the left arm of his antagonist, whom he pursued into the forest.