A number of soldiers issuing from the pavilion gathered around him, but, shorn of their weapons, they could only parry without returning the blows of their adversaries, who were well supplied with stones and clubs.
Gilbert had not left the lists unobserved by Rodolph, who immediately despatched a page to watch his movements.

When informed of his young friend's danger, he arose and cried in a loud voice: "Gentlemen, we would not have you meddle in this affray: a party of my men have gone for their arms, and it will speedily be terminated.

But the son of Albert de Hers is now overpowered by these boors.

Let some one hasten to his rescue!" Three young knights at once dismounted and passed out: the foremost bore in his crest a long dark plume.
The generous soldiers, who had hitherto received upon their defenceless bodies the blows aimed at Gilbert, were almost all beaten down, and in a few minutes more he would have been exposed comparatively unaided to the fury of the populace.

His sword was shivered to the hilt, and though he drove back a giant who attempted to close with him, by dashing the guard in his face, he must have fallen beneath a club that swung over his head, had not a tall knight, completely clad in armor, striding before him, intercepted the blow, and dashed the assailant to the earth.