He was at a loss what course to take.

He would gladly have given the enraged beast his liberty; he would have let him rush away amid the night and exhaust his fury, had he not feared that in this narrow defile his iron-shod hoofs might come thundering over the very spot where Bertalda lay.
In this extreme peril and embarrassment he heard with delight the rumbling wheels of a waggon as it came slowly descending the stony way behind them.

He called out for help; answer was returned in the deep voice of a man, bidding them have patience, but promising assistance; and two grey horses soon after shone through the bushes, and near them their driver in the white frock of a carter; and next appeared a great sheet of white linen, with which the goods he seemed to be conveying were covered.

The greys, in obedience to a shout from their master, stood still.

He came up to the knight, and aided him in checking the fury of the foaming charger.
"I know well enough," said he, "what is the matter with the brute.
The first time I travelled this way my horses were just as wilful and headstrong as yours.