you?—At the house of King Lisuarte, where I hope to win honour, and where it is right that you should go for the same cause. At this was Galaor right joyful, and turning to Urganda he said, Damsel, my lady, I thank you for this sword which you have given, and I pray you account me for your knight. Then taking leave he returned to the giant, who had remained concealed under the river-bank.

This while had one of Galaor's damsels learnt from the damsel of Urganda that the knight of the lions was Amadis, whom Urganda had brought thither to deliver her friend by force of arms; for her skill availed not, because the lady of the castle, who was learned in the same art, had first enchanted him. The damsel who had beguiled him there was the lady's niece, and she it was who had been about to drown herself.

After Galaor was departed, Urganda demanded of Amadis if he knew to whom he had given the order of knighthood. No, said he. There is great reason that you should know him, quoth she, for he is of like heart with yourself, and if ever ye should encounter without knowledge of each other, it would be great unhappiness. He is your own brother, whom the giant took away in childhood, and for your sake and his I have so long kept the sword for him, wherewith he shall make the best beginning of chivalry that ever did knight yet in Great Britain. Then came tears of joy over the eyes of Amadis,-Ah, lady, tell me where I shall find him!-You need not seek him now, he must go where it is ordained.-Shall I see him soon? Yes; but he will not be as easily known as you imagine. So she and her friend departed, and Amadis and Gandalin took the way to Windsor.

When Galaor returned to the giant, he cried out to him, Father, I am a knight! thanks to God and the good knight who has made me! Thereof am I right glad, quoth he, and now grant me a boon.-With a good will, so be that you withhold me not from seeking honour.-By God's good pleasure it shall be to the advancement of your honour. Son, you have heard me tell how Albadan the Giant slew my father by treason, and took the rock of Galtares, which should be mine. I demand of you to right me, for none but you can do it: remember how I have brought you up, and that I would give my body to death for your sake. This, said Galaor, is what I ought to ask, not you; for, while life lasts, I am ready to do whatever is to your profit and honour: let us go there! In the name of God, said the giant. So as they rode toward the rock of Galtares they met Urganda, and courteously saluted. Know you, said she, who knighted you? Yes, quoth he, the best knight in the world.That is true, and he is yet better than you think; but you must know who he is. She then said to the Giant, Gandalac, dost thou not know that this knight whom thou hast nourished is the son of King Perion and Queen Elisena, whom because of my words you carried away? The giant answered that it was true. Know then, my son, said she, that he who made thee knight is thine own brother, and elder than thee by two years: honour him as the best knight in the world, and strive to imitate him in all hardihood and goodness. Is all this true? said Galaor, then is my life in the greater danger, since it becomes me now to be like him. Of a certainty it is true, said Urganda; and with that she went her way.

As they rode on, the giant told Galaor that the

damsel with whom they spake was Urganda. In this discourse they came to a river side, where by reason of heat they erected their tent; they had not been there long before they saw two damsels coming by different ways who met before the tent. So soon as they espied the giant they would have fled, but Galaor went out and courteously caused them to return, and asked them whither they travelled. I go, quoth one of them, by command of my mistress, to see a strange battle which one only knight hath undertaken against the mighty giant of the rock of Galtares, to the end that I may bring her true tidings thereof. When the other damsel heard her, she replied, I marvel that any knight dare venture with such folly, and, though my road lie otherwise, yet will I go with you and see a thing so out of reason. Hereupon they would have left Galaor, but he said to them, make no haste, fair damsels, for we are going to this battle, and will bear ye company. They lightly consented, and took great pleasure to behold him how fair he was in that dress of a new knight. So they all ate together, and made good cheer, and Galaor took the giant apart, and requested that he would remain where he was till the battle was over: this he did that the damsels might not suspect it was he who was to do the battle; whereto Gandalac, though unwillingly, accorded. So Galaor proceeded with the damsels and three squires, whom the giant sent to carry his armour and what else was needful. So far they went that they arrived within two leagues of the rock of Galtares, and there passed the night in the dwelling of a hermit, to whom, because he was ordained, Galaor confessed. But when he revealed that he came for that combat, the good hermit was greatly astonished, and asked who had

advised him to such madness:-There are not any ten such knights in all the country who would encounter him, so fierce and terrible is he, and without mercy; and you who are so young would adventure yourself to the loss of body and soul, for such as wilfully seek the death which they might avoid, are very self-murderers. Father, said Galaor, God will do his will with me, but I shall not forego the battle. Then the good man began to lament-God help thee and strengthen thee, quoth he, since thou art so obstinate; but I am glad to find thy life has been so good. Good father, said Galaor, remember me in your prayers.

The next morning after mass, Galaor armed himself, and rode to the rock which he saw before him it was very lofty and with many towers, so that the castle was so goodly that it was a wonder to behold. The damsel asked Galaor if he knew the knight who should perform the combat. I think I have seen him, said he; and then he asked the damsel who her lady was that had sent her to see the battle. That, quoth she, must be told to none but the knight himself. By this time they had reached the castle, and found the gate shut. Galaor called, and two men then appeared over the gate, to whom he said, tell the giant that here is a knight who comes from Gandalac to defy him, and if he will not come out, there shall no man either enter or leave the castle. The men mocked at him: this heat will soon cool; thou wilt either fly or lose thy head; and they went to the giant. But when the damsels heard that Galaor himself was the champion, they prayed God to help him; and said they durst not abide to see the giant. and see that for which ye are come, or else return to the hermitage, and if I live I will join ye there. Then

Fair friends, said he, stay

they took courage, and retiring from the castle stood at the edge of a forest, thinking to escape there if the knight should not speed well.

CHAP. XIII.-How Don Galaor fought the Giant of the Rock of Galtares and conquered him.

HE news went to the giant, and presently he came out on horseback; and he appeared so huge upon the horse that not a man in the world would dare look at him; he had on plates of iron, so long that they covered him from the throat to the saddle, and a large and bright helmet, and an iron mace in his hand. Greatly afraid were the squires and damsels to behold him, and Galaor was not so hardy but that then he had great fear, but the nearer he came the less he feared. Wretch! said the giant, he who sent thee shall never see thee again; look, and see how a mace is used! and he came on like a tower. Devil! quoth Galaor, thou shalt be conquered and killed with what I bring on my side, which is God and the right; and he ran at him so fiercely that his lance broke, and the giant lost one of his stirrups. He on his part had lifted up his mace to strike Galaor on the head, but the knight past so rapidly that it only struck the rim of his shield, and burst all the arm and neck-fastenings, so that it fell, and Galaor had well nigh fallen also: this did not break the blow, nor could the giant recover the mace, which came upon the head of his own horse and smote him down, so that he himself fell. Galaor twice rode over the giant before he could rise; but then his own horse stumbled over the giant's, and he fell on the other side. The knight seeing himself in the chance of death, rose