right fruitful, and many good knights had he in his land. When he knew that Kay the Seneschal had departed in such sort from the court, and that he had crossed the sea, he sent for him and held him of his household, and said that he would hold him harmless against the King and against all men. When he knew that the King had departed he began to war upon the land and to slay his men and to challenge his castles. BRANCH XX. TITLE I. The story saith that King Arthur goeth his way and Lancelot and Messire Gawain with him, and they had ridden so far one day that night came on in a forest and they might find no hold. Messire Gawain marvelled him much that they had ridden the day long without finding neither hold nor hermitage. Night was come and the sky was dark and the forest full of gloom. They knew not whitherward to turn to pass the night. "Lords," saith the King, "Where may we be able to alight to-night?" "Sir, we know not, for this forest is fight wearisome." They make the squire climb up a tall tree and tell him to look as far as he may to try whether he may espy any hold or house where they may lodge. The squire looketh on all sides, and then telleth them he seeth a fire a long way off as if it were in a waste house, but that he seeth nought there save the fire and the house. "Take good heed," saith Lancelot, "in which quarter it is, so that you may know well how to lead us thither." He saith that right eath may he lead them. II. With that he cometh down and mounteth again on his hackney, and they go forward a great pace and ride until they espy the fire and the hold.