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Then, by the beard of Mahomet, deliver him into our hands. King Marsile is a generous master, and knows how to repay those who serve him. Ganélon heard his words, and bent his head in silence. But the silence did not last long: before they had arrived at Saragossa, Ganélon had made an agreement with Blancandrin, that they would find some means of causing Roland to perish.
'Ganélon, commanded the King, 'come here and I will give you the glove and the wand of office. It is the voice of the barons that has chosen you. 'No, replied Ganélon, 'it is Roland's doing, and to the end of my life I will bear him hatred for it. Oliver also will I hate, since Oliver is his friend. And never more will I love the twelve peers, for they love him.
Give him unto me, and I will see that justice is done upon him." So saying, he laid his hand upon his sword. Like a flash of lightning Ganelon's good blade Murglies sprang from its sheath, and with his back against a tree, the Christian knight prepared to defend himself to the last. But once again the fight was stopped, and this time Blancandrin led Ganelon away.
High were the hills, deep and dark were the gorges, narrow were the ways among the mountains. Yet the sound of that horn was heard for thirty leagues. Charlemagne and Duke Namon heard it while yet they were between the gates. "Hark!" said the king. "I hear Roland's horn. The felon Moors have attacked him: he is hard pressed in battle." "You are foolishly mistaken," said Ganelon.
Foremost the Emperor rode, sunk in sad thought, his fingers twisted in his long white beard which flowed over his cuirass, his eyes filled with tears. Behind him galloped his knights strong men though they were, every one of them with a sob in his throat, a prayer in his heart, for Roland, Roland the brave and fearless. One knight only had anger in his heart. That knight was Ganelon.
"You see," said he, "these narrow passes. Whom shall I place to command the rear-guard? Choose you a man yourselves." Said Ganelon, "Whom should we choose but my son-in-law, Count Roland? You have no man in your host so valiant. Of a truth he will be the salvation of France." The King said when he heard these words, "What ails you, Ganelon? You look like to one possessed."
It is Ganelon who is the traitor. But the Emperor will avenge us upon him. As for Marsil, he deemeth that he hath bought us, and that Ganelon hath sold us unto him. But he will find it is with our swords that we will pay him." And now the battle began. "Montjoie!" shouted the Franks. It was the Emperor's own battle-cry.
And when they made an end of their arming they rode back with all haste. There was not one of them but said to his comrade, "If we find Roland yet alive, what mighty strokes will we strike for him!" But Ganelon the King handed over to the knaves of his kitchen. "Take this traitor," said he, "who has sold his country." Ill did Ganelon fare among them.
'Good Frankish Knights, said Charles, 'choose me a baron from my own land, who shall be envoy to King Marsile, and who, at need, can fight well. 'Ah, cried Roland, 'let it be Ganélon, my stepfather; you will not find a better man. 'Yes, said the Franks, 'he is the man; let him go if the King pleases.
If the housekeeper lamented that the flour in her storehouse would not last out the winter, he turned a deaf ear to all her complaints, and declared that he would give her and his niece into the bargain for the pleasure of bestowing one kick on Ganelon the traitor. At last one day things came to a climax. When the hour of dinner came round, Don Quixada was nowhere to be found.
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