When they had put them all to the worse, they sate them down again and
rested; but scarce were they seated or ever another rout of yet blacker
folk came about them, and they bare spears burning and flaming, and
many of them carried dead knights that they had slain in the forest,
and dropped them in the midst of the house, and then bid the damsel
carry and set them with the others. Howbeit, she answereth that she is
quit of their commandment and service, nor no longer is forced to do
nought for them sith that she hath done her penance. They thrust
forward their spears toward the King and the two knights, as though
they were come to avenge their companions; but they all three leapt up
together and attacked them right stoutly. But this rout was greater
and of knights more hideous. They began to press the King and his
knights hard, and they might not put them to the worse as they did the
others. And while they were thus in the thickest of the conflict, they
heard the stroke of a bell sounding, and forthwith the knight fiends
departed and hurried away a great pace.
"Lords," saith the damsel, "Had this sound not been heard, scarce might
you have endured, for yet another huge rout of this folk was coming in
such sort as that none might have withstood them, and this sound have I
heard every night, whereby my life hath been saved."