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.