themselves to their heels, alighted from his horse
and got upon a big large rock which was in the way,
and with his great brackmard sword laid such load upon
those runaways, and with main strength fetching a
compass with his arm without feigning or sparing,
slew and overthrew so many that his sword broke in
two pieces. Then thought he within himself that
he had slain and killed sufficiently, and that the
rest should escape to carry news. Therefore he
took up a battle-axe of those that lay there dead,
and got upon the rock again, passing his time to see
the enemy thus flying and to tumble himself amongst
the dead bodies, only that he suffered none to carry
pike, sword, lance, nor gun with him, and those who
carried the pilgrims bound he made to alight, and
gave their horses unto the said pilgrims, keeping them
there with him under the hedge, and also Touchfaucet,
who was then his prisoner.
Chapter 1.XLV.
How the Monk carried along with him the Pilgrims,
and of the good words that Grangousier gave them.
This skirmish being ended, Gargantua retreated with
his men, excepting the monk, and about the dawning
of the day they came unto Grangousier, who in his
bed was praying unto God for their safety and victory.
And seeing them all safe and sound, he embraced them
lovingly, and asked what was become of the monk.
Gargantua answered him that without doubt the enemies
had the monk. Then have they mischief and ill
luck, said Grangousier; which was very true.
Therefore is it a common proverb to this day, to give
a man the monk, or, as in French, lui bailler le moine,
when they would express the doing unto one a mischief.
Then commanded he a good breakfast to be provided
for their refreshment. When all was ready, they
called Gargantua, but he was so aggrieved that the
monk was not to be heard of that he would neither
eat nor drink. In the meanwhile the monk comes,
and from the gate of the outer court cries out aloud,
Fresh wine, fresh wine, Gymnast my friend! Gymnast
went out and saw that it was Friar John, who brought
along with him five pilgrims and Touchfaucet prisoners;
whereupon Gargantua likewise went forth to meet him,
and all of them made him the best welcome that possibly
they could, and brought him before Grangousier, who
asked him of all his adventures. The monk told
him all, both how he was taken, how he rid himself
of his keepers, of the slaughter he had made by the
way, and how he had rescued the pilgrims and brought
along with him Captain Touchfaucet. Then did
they altogether fall to banqueting most merrily.
In the meantime Grangousier asked the pilgrims what
countrymen they were, whence they came, and whither
they went. Sweer-to-go in the name of the rest
answered, My sovereign lord, I am of Saint Genou in
Berry, this man is of Palvau, this other is of Onzay,
this of Argy, this of St.
Nazarand, and this man of
Villebrenin. We come from Saint Sebastian near
