The big knight sighed, and said: "Well, unless I am to kill him
over again, there is nothing for it but our abiding with him
for the next few hours at least. To-morrow is a new day, and fair
is the woodland-hall of summer-tide; neither shall water fail us.
But as to victual, I wot not save that we have none."
The Lady laughed, and said to Ralph; "Who knoweth what thou mayst
find if thou go to the black horse and look into the saddle-bags
which I saw upon him awhile agone? For indeed we need somewhat,
if it were but to keep the life in the body of this wounded man."
Ralph sprang up and turned to the horse, and found the saddle-bags
on him, and took from them bread and flesh, and a flask of good wine,
and brought them to the Lady, who laughed and said: "Thou art a good seeker
and no ill finder." Then she gave the wounded man to drink of the wine,
so that he stirred somewhat, and the colour came into his face a little.
Then she bade gather store of bracken for a bed for the Black Knight,
and Ralph bestirred himself therein, but the Knight of the Sun sat
looking at the Lady as she busied herself with his friend, and gloom
seemed gathering on him again.
But when the bracken was enough, the Lady made a bed deftly and speedily;
and between the three they laid the wounded man thereon, who seemed coming
to himself somewhat, and spake a few words, but those nothing to the point.
Then the Lady took her gay embroidered cloak, which lay at the foot of
the oak tree, and cast it over him and, as Ralph deemed, eyed him lovingly,
and belike the Knight of the Sun thought in likewise, for he scowled upon her;
and for awhile but little was the joyance by the ancient oak, unless it
were with the Lady.
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