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Chapter VI
Andintheearlymorning,asherodeforthwiththedwarftowardsCamelot,heheardaknightcallloudlyafterhim,“Turn,turn!Abide,Sirknight,andyieldmeupthehoundthoutookestfrommylady.”Atwhichheturned,andsawagreatandstrongknight,armedfullsplendidly,ridingdownuponhimfiercelythroughagladeoftheforest.
NowSirTorwasveryillprovided,forhehadbutanoldcourser,whichwasasweakashimself,becauseofthehermit’sscantyfare.Hewaited,nevertheless,forthestrangeknighttocome,andatthefirstonsetwiththeirspears,eachunhorsedtheother,andthenfelltowiththeirswordsliketwomadlions.Thendidtheysmitethroughoneanother’sshieldsandhelmetstillthefragmentsflewonallsides,andtheirbloodranoutinstreams;butyettheycarvedandrovethroughthethickarmourofthehauberks,andgaveeachothergreatandghastlywounds.Butintheend,SirTor,findingthestrangeknightfaint,doubledhisstrokesuntilhebeathimtotheearth.Thendidhebidhimyieldtohismercy.
“ThatwillInot,”repliedAbellius,“whilemylifelastethandmysoulisinmybody,unlessthougivemefirstthehound.”
“Icannot,”saidSirTor,“andwillnot,foritwasmyquesttobringagainthathoundandtheeuntoKingArthur,orotherwisetoslaythee.”
Withthattherecameadamselridingonapalfrey,asfastasshecoulddrive,andcriedouttoSirTorwithaloudvoice,“Ipraythee,forKingArthur’slove,givemeagift.”
“Ask,”saidSirTor,“andIwillgivethee.
