So joyful was the Queen of Dacia for the aid which she had obtained, that it was some time before she asked the Knights who they were. Good Lady, quoth Angriote, so little will you know us, that the knowledge of our names will neither lessen nor increase your hope of help from us. These two Knights are brethren, the one is Don Bruneo of Bonamar, the other Branfil. Don Bruneo, by his spouse, is brother to that Amadis of Gaul whom you were seeking. My own name is Angriote of Estravaus. When the Queen heard that, she exclaimed, O good Sirs, now do I thank God that I have found you! for your renown is every where gone abroad. They who told me of the great wars between Amadis and King Lisuarte, told us also of the best Knights who were there
engaged, and I well remember your names among the best. Thus they continued their voyage till they reached the kingdom, and then it was resolved that the Queen should remain on shipboard, till she saw what success they had; and they, taking their horses and arms and their Squires, and two Knights unarmed, who were in the Queen's company, to guide them, took their way toward the city wherein the Princes were besieged, which was a good day's journey from the shore, and they bade their Squires carry with them food and barley for the horses, that they might not enter any inhabited place. They rode on till evening, and then rested awhile upon the skirts of a forest, and gave their horses to eat, then mounted again, and continued their way, till about an hour before day-break they arrived at the camp. As covertly as they could, they reconnoitred it to see where was the weakest part, that they might break through; and having done that, they bade their Squires, and the two Knights, to use their endeavour, while they were fighting, to reach the town. Accordingly they three charged upon ten Knights whom they found before them; at the first encounter each overthrew his man, and they broke their lances, and then laid about them so manfully with their swords, that the other
Knights, thinking they were attacked by a greater number, began to fly, crying out for help! Now, quoth Angriote, let us leave them and get to the walls; this they did; the uproar had brought some of the besieged to the ramparts, who knew the two Knights, and without delay opened a portal and admitted them.
The Princes hearing the outcry, hastily arose, and when they heard that these Knights were come to their help, and that the Queen their mother was living, of whom before they had heard no tidings, whether she were alive or dead, they were greatly rejoiced, and the town's-people also took heart; so the Knights were lodged in the Palace, and disarmed, and then went to rest. Meantime there was a great uproar in the Duke's camp, the whole army were alarmed, and it was day before the tumult subsided. The Duke questioned the Knights, and they said they had seen about eight or ten horsemen, though they believed there had been more, and that they had entered the town; upon this he said they must be some of the country, and I will enquire who they are; and if I can learn, they shall lose their lands. He then bade the army disarm, and retire to their quarters.
After Angriote and his companions had slept awhile, they rose and heard mass with the young Princes, and then required them to summon all their people, that they might see what was their force. When this was done, they said it was enough to resist the numbers of the Duke, and they three took counsel together, and resolved, that when it was night an attack should be made upon the besiegers, and Don Bruneo, at the same time, attempt to escape on another side with the youngest Prince, and go to certain places in that district which were well affected, but had been compelled to supply the Duke's camp, because they saw their King slain, and that the Queen was fled, and the Princes besieged. Among them, it was thought, Don Bruneo might collect some succours, when they were encouraged by his presence, and the sight of the Prince; the which if he could do, he should make certain signals, and they would sally by night, while he at the same time attacked the camp.
When the night was far advanced, Angriote and Branfil, and all the people of the town, sallied out, and Don Bruneo and the Prince went out on the other side, as had been agreed. Angriote and Branfil led the way along a lane between
gardens which they had noted by day, and which led into the plain where the army was encamped.
This plain was not guarded by day, but by night about twenty men were set to watch it; these they charged so hotly, that they soon overthrew them, killing some, and beating down the rest. Angriote and Branfil passed on, felling all those who came from the camp at the uproar, and thus they continued their way till they came out into the open plain. The Duke was now on horseback, and being enraged to see such confusion excited by so few enemies, he spurred at them, and his people followed so furiously, that it seemed as if the ground would split, so that the townsmen were dismayed, and fell back into the lane, and none remained in the field except Angriote and Branfil, who bore the brunt of all that multitude; and they, though they bestirred themselves well, and slew many, and even beat the Duke from his horse, were perforce obliged to retreat into the lane also, where they halted, for the place was narrow. The Duke, though he had fallen, was not wounded; he was soon remounted; and when he saw the enemies making good their ground, and that those two Knights resisted all his power, and maintained the pass, he cried out shame upon
his Knights, that they let two men baffle them. With that, so many advanced with him, and made such an attack, that Angriote and his comrades, and their people, were driven up the lane some way, and the Duke thought he had won the battle, and that he might enter the town with them. So advancing like a conqueror before his men, sword in hand, he came up to Angriote, and smote him on the helmet, for which he received payment without delay. For Angriote, after he had seen how this man took the command, always had had his eye upon him, and now that he was in his reach, lifted up his sword and dealt him such a blow upon the helmet, as took away all his strength, and brought him to the ground at the horses feet. Then he shouted to his people to take him, for it was the Duke. He and Branfil immediately advanced and beat back the enemy; for as the lane was narrow they fought to advantage, as they could only be attacked in front. Meanwhile the Duke was taken; he, as he recovered, knew not in whose hands he was, but his men thought that he was slain, and retreated into the field. Then the two Knights forebore to pursue, being satisfied with the advantage which they had gained, and retired into the town. Their horses soon died of their wounds, and their