In the Court of King Arthur | Page 6

other
than Arthur himself had made him choice. But that he was not to know
for many a year.
Night came on and the boy traveled far. Yet gave he no thought to rest
for he knew that he could ill afford to tarry and that only with the best
of fortune could he overtake the two knights in time to make early
return. About him the woods were dark and mysterious. Owls hooted
now and then and other sounds of the night there were, yet was the boy
so filled with urge of his mission that he found not time to think of
ghosts nor black magic.
Then, as he turned the road he saw the dim shadow of a horse. Ghostly
it seemed, until through closer view it proved flesh and blood. Lying
close by was a knight who seemed exceeding weak and sorely
wounded.
Quick from his horse came Allan and so made the strange knight be of
greater comfort.
Now the knight spoke weakly.
"Grievously have I been dealt with by an outlaw band. This day was I
to meet my two brothers Sir Ronald and Sir Marvin yet cannot proceed
for very weakness. Which way do you go, lad?"

"I keep on my way to Cornwall," replied Allan.
"From yonder do my brothers journey and should you meet with them
bid them hasten here so that together we can go forth to find this outlaw
band and it chastise."
"That shall I do. Sir Knight. It grieves me that I may not stay and give
you such aid as I may but so must I hasten that I cannot. Yet shall I stop
at first abode and commission them to hurry here to you."
"For that I thank you, lad. And should time ever come when you my aid
require, know then to call on Philip of Gile."
So Allan pressed forward. At early dawn he came upon Sir Ronald and
Sir Marvin who had found rest along the wayside. And when he found
that these were the two knights he gave them their brother's message.
"Then must we hasten thence, Ronald. And thank you, lad, for bringing
us this message. Choose you and you can rest awhile and partake of
such food that we have."
"Of food I will have, Sir Knights, for hunger calls most urgently. But
tarry I cannot for I must find Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. Mayhap
you have met with them?"
"Of a truth can we say that we have met with them and suffered thereby.
Yet do we hold proof as to their knightly valor and skill. They have
gone but a little way, for it was their purpose to find rest nearby. We
doubt not you will find them at the first fair abode. In the meantime
must we hasten to our brother's aid and leave our wounded comrades to
such care as they may get."
The knights spoke truly, for Allan found upon inquiry that the two he
sought were lodged close by. Boldly the boy called, now for Sir
Launcelot, now for Sir Gawaine, but both were overtired and of a great
weariness and it took many minutes before at last Sir Launcelot opened
wide his eyes.

"And who are you, boy?" for he knew him not.
"My name is Allan and I am page to Sir Percival."
"Come you with a message from Sir Percival? Does he need our help?"
"Nay, sir. Rather do I come with a message from the court--the herald
of which sent me urging you and Sir Gawaine to return before sundown
for a great conclave is to gather which the King himself has called."
"Awaken then, thou sleepy knight," Sir Launcelot called to his comrade
who had not stirred. "It were pity that all this must be told to you
again."
Sir Gawaine now arose rubbing eyes still filled with sleep. To him
Allan repeated his message.
"What say you, Gawaine? Shall we return?"
"As for me," replied Sir Gawaine, "I would say no. What matter if we
are or are not present. Already we are late for our present journey's
purpose. So say I, let us not return but rather ask this youth to bespeak
for us the king's clemency."
"And I, too, am of the same mind, Gawaine. So lad," Sir Launcelot
turned to the boy and spoke kindly, "return you to court and give them
our message. This errand on which we are at present bound holds
urgent need, else would we return at our King's behest."
Rueful and with a great gloom Allan saw his errand fail.
"Kind sirs, Sir Percival bid me bespeak for him as well, and ask you, as
true comrades, to make certain to return. Furthermore, my knights, this,
my first mission would