arms were in bad plight, but they themselves had no great hurt. At the gate they found Prince Garinto, for so he was called, and you may imagine the pleasure he felt to see them safe, and the Duke a prisoner.
Of all this Don Bruneo knew nothing, save only that he heard the uproar. There were only a few men on foot left on the side where he went out, for the rest were gone toward the place of battle. These men were without any to lead them, and he would not endanger the Prince by attacking them, but passed through them without hindrance, and thus they rode on all the remainder of the night, following their guide. When it was morning, they came in sight of a good town called Alimenta, from whence they saw two armed Knights coming towards them, and the guides told him they belonged to the Duke's party. These were they whom the Duke had sent to all the places round, to learn who had succoured the town, and to order more food for the camp. Look you to the child, cried Don Bruneo, I will see what kind of Knights they can be who follow so wicked a Lord. Then he made towards them, who thought he was one of the camp, crying out, defend yourself, ye bad Knights, who live with the traitor, for I defy
you to death. At this they replied, you shall have the reward of your folly! we should have let you pass, taking you for a friend. With that they ran at him; all three brake their spears; but he whom Don Bruneo encountered, was driven to the ground so violently, that he could neither move hand nor foot. Sword in hand, Don Bruneo then turned against the other, and a brave battle ensued; but that other Knight was not of such force as was Don Bruneo, nor so practised in such dangers, and the blows fell on him so heavy, that he dropt his sword, and lost both his stirrups, and fell upon the neck of his horse, crying for God's sake do not kill me. Yield then! quoth Bruneo. I yield, he replied, to save my life and my soul. Alight then! this he did, but he tottered and fell. Don Bruneo made him rise;—go see if thy companion be alive or dead, and he went and unlaced his helmet; and when the other Knight felt the air it somewhat revived him.
Don Bruneo then beckoned with his sword to the young Prince, for the guide had gone some way forward with him, distrusting the event of the combat. When the Child came up and saw what Don Bruneo had done, he was greatly amazed. Good Child, said he, order your enemies to be
slain, though this would be but poor vengeance for the treason which their Lord committed against your father. The Child replied, but peradventure, Sir Knight, these had no part in that treason, and if it please you, we had better take them alive than slay them. This answer pleased Don Bruneo, and he thought that if the Child lived he would be a good man. He then bade the guide lay the one Knight who was stunned, across his horse, and making the other mount, they all proceeded to the town. Greatly did the townsmen wonder to see those Knights who had left them that morning, return in such a plight, and in this array were they carried along the street into the square, where the people soon collected, who, when they saw the Prince, they kissed his hand and wept, saying, Sir, if we dared put in execution what our hearts desire, or if we saw any hope, we should be ready to die in your service; but we know of no remedy, for we have no chief or leader. O men of little heart! quoth Don Bruneo, do ye not remember that ye are vassals of the King, this Child's father, and now also of the King his brother? how do ye now discharge the duty to which ye are bound, seeing your Lord slain by so great treason, and his children besieged by the wicked Duke his enemy! Sir Knight, replied one
of the most honourable of the townsmen, you say truth; but we have had none to lead us on, and we are people who live more by our substance than by arms; but now that our Prince is here, and you to protect him, say what we are able and ought to do, and to the best of our power we will do it. You speak like a good man, said Don Bruneo, and it is reasonable that the King should well reward you, and all who will follow your opinion. I am come to lead you, and to die or live with you; and then he told them he was of the Firm Island, and in what manner he had come with the Queen. At this there was a great acclamation, and the people cried, there never was a Knight of the Firm Island who was not fortunate, since the famous Amadis of Gaul won it. Order us as you think good, and we will obey. Don Bruneo then thanked them for their good will, and made the young Prince thank them also; he then had the gates made fast, and said to them, go ye to your houses, and eat, and make ready your arms. I and the Prince will go to the next town, and return hither with such force as we can raise there, and then I will lead you in such manner, that if the enemy await us they shall be all destroyed; they have already enough to do, now such help is come to the King.
As they were preparing to depart at noon, two countrymen came to the gate in great haste, and bade the guards let them in, for they brought good tidings; so they were led before the Prince and Don Bruneo, to whom they related how the Duke had been taken, and that his army were breaking up in confusion; we, said they, are of a neighbouring valley, and had been to the camp with provisions; and seeing this, we came here, that the townsmen might be on their guard, lest these men should attempt to spoil them in their retreat. Upon this Don Bruneo summoned all the people to the great square, and he and the Prince rode among them, and made these countrymen repeat their tidings. Now, good Friends, said he, I will go no farther for succour, for we are enough, and great shame would it be, if we should have no part of this glory! and the townsmen all cried, as soon as it is dark let us set forth. He would fain have persuaded the young Prince to remain there in safety, but he would not forsake Don Bruneo. So as soon as it was night they set out towards the camp; and when they had advanced some way, made the appointed signal; the townsmen seeing it, knew that Don Bruneo had sped well: and they prepared to sally; but the besiegers seeing their fires kindled by night,
and having lost their Duke, were in great alarm, and as fast as they could broke up their camp, and retired while it was yet dark, so that they had gone some way before their retreat was discovered; and when Don Bruneo came up to the camp, and they of the town on the other side, they found it deserted: howbeit they pursued them, and coming up to them at day-break made great slaughter, and took many prisoners, and returned with much spoil and great glory to the town.
They then sent for the Queen. Who can tell the joy she felt when she came and saw her son safe, and her enemy a prisoner? Angriote and his companions then besought her leave to depart, that they might return to the Firm Island; but she entreated them to remain two days, that her son might be made King, and justice done upon that traiterous Duke in their presence. They replied, that they would willingly see the King crowned, but not the punishment of the Duke; he was in her power, and she might deal with him as she thought fit after their departure. The Queen then had a great scaffold erected in the square, covered with rich cloth of silk and gold; and there the Chiefs of the realm were assembled,