So Messire Gawain saluteth the squire and goeth a great pace as he that "So would not I," saith the squire, "for never shall I see him in this the night?" bow-shot lengths and saw a castle appear nigh the forest on a mountain. knoweth neither highway nor byway save only as adventure may lead him. seeth the deer pass by before him in great herds. He rode on until it toward the gateway of the castle and seeth a squire issue forth a great And the forest pleaseth him well for that it is so fair and that he but tell me is there no hold in this forest wherein I may harbour me "Sir," saith the squire, "No hold know I within twenty league of your pace upon a hackney, and he came the way that Messire Gawain was way in any quarter. Wherefore no leisure have you to tarry, for it is he saluteth him right nobly. ridden sithence that he parted from the squire, and sore he misdoubted place but I shall run upon him as my mortal enemy!" high noon already." him that he should find no hold. He found the fairest meadow-land in and calm and the sun was about to set. And a score league Welsh had he VI. drew toward evensong at a corner of the forest. The evening was fair And it was enclosed of high walls with battlements, and within were fair halls whereof the windows showed in the outer walls, and in the midst was an ancient tower that was compassed round of great waters and "Fair sweet friend," saith Messire Gawain, "you may say your pleasure, broad meadow-lands. Thitherward Messire Gawain draweth him and looketh the world, and looked before him when he had ridden a couple of coming. And when the squire seeth him, and hath drawn somewhat anigh,