The Party Divides  
When the morning came there was great indecision as to the further way, for no new information had come of Sir Tristram. Sir Gawaine now spoke for going north to Scotland. So too, was Sir Pellimore minded and Sir Gilbert as well. But Sir Percival spoke for Wales and so did Sir Neil.
 
"As for me," said Sir Dagonet, "I pick Wales, since Kinkenadon is the nearer to Ireland. My fool's head still fancies that we shall have need to turn there ere we shall find this errant knight."
 
Neither the King nor Sir Launcelot up to this time had expressed a choice. But now the King vouchsafed a plan.
 
"It seems to us good plan for our party to divide. Some of us to go north, some west. You Launcelot could well go with one party and we with the other. What say you friends?"
 
That plan suited them all. So then the King went with Sir Gawaine, Sir Pellimore, and Sir Gilbert, while Sir Launcelot accompanied Sir Percival, Sir Neil, Sir Dagonet and Allan. With each party, too, went three men-at-arms.
 
Our way shall be with Sir Percival.
 
At the end of the first half day they found themselves near the crossroads of Nantwich.
 
"We must soon find place for food," remarked Sir Percival and lustily they all agreed.
 
"See you castle beyond yonder crossroads?" questioned Sir Neil, "Sir Manstor lives there with his three brothers. Right skillful knights are these but woe the lone stranger who passes by. For these are villainous four."
 
"Right bitterly do you speak of them, Neil," remarked Sir Launcelot. "And why?"
 
"I pray fortune to permit me to meet with this Manstor. I stopped there for food one day. Then did this knight, his brothers by his side, demand the bag of gold I carried with me. Nor would single one among them battle with me. It would have fared ill with me but for two knights who passing by, came to my aid."
 
"Our vow," said Sir Launcelot thoughtfully, "is to find Sir Tristram. Yet can I see no harm in straying from our way an hour or two, can you, Percival?"
 
"Not if there is promise of such entertainment as this," was the reply.
 
"These knights," interrupted Sir Neil, "have stomach for neither joust nor other encounter when the odds are not with them. Nor will they venture to impede our way unless we number less than they."
 
"If greater or equal number withholds them," said Sir Dagonet. "I would favor them and withdraw. Then would there be one less doughty sword."
 
"Aye, Dagonet, we know your unselfish spirit," said Sir Neil and laughed.
 
"The knight does not live who has bested me, nevertheless," replied the jester, with pretended heat.
 
"The knight does not live who has had the chance," said Sir Percival. "Yet we love you none the less, brother."
 
Said now Sir Launcelot: "One of us could ride ahead. And, perchance, these scheming knights will think that easy prey comes and so strive to impede the way. Then when they bear down upon him we can appear and give them such entertainment as they have not had in many a day."
 
Now one of the men-at-arms came forward.
 
"And if you will, masters, yonder cruel knight is cruel master as well. And he holds my own brother within his prison walls for small cause. So I pray you, masters, succor him."
 
"Of a surety, Wonkin," said Sir Percival, "we shall make every effort to set your brother free. Neil and I shall go forward and so find ourselves seemingly enmeshed by them. Then will you, at proper time, Launcelot, come forward. And if Dagonet so wishes, he can protect our rear."
 
The two knights then hurried on. They had not far to go to the turn of the road and there the four knights within the castle grounds, seeing them, stood watching for a moment or so. Then each mounted his horse and in armor, rode forth from within the walls.
 
"We are knights on way to Wales," said Sir Percival in mild tone. "We seek food for our midday meal."
 
"Food we will give you right gladly," replied the oldest of the four. "But ask in payment such gold as you may have."
 
"That would be poor bargain," replied Sir Percival, still mild spoken. "We had liefer go our way to place which seeks not such high pay."
 
"That may you well do, strangers, yet must you still leave your gold behind. For we have great need of it."
 
"Yet no greater n............