Yet mayhap it will save them from falling into the hands of my enemies . ' The horse was brought out and Owen rode forth with two pages behind him , and they saw the great host encamped before them . ` Where is the earl ? ' said he , and the pages answered : ` In yonder troop where are four yellow standards . ' ` Await me , ' said Owen , ` at the gate of the castle , and he cried a challenge to the earl , who came to meet him . Hard did they fight , but Owen overthrew his enemy and drove him in front to the castle gate and into the hall . ` Behold the reward of thy blessed balsam , ' said he , as he bade the earl kneel down before her , and made him swear that he would restore all that he had taken from her . After that he departed , and went into the deserts , and as he was passing through a wood he heard a loud yelling . Pushing aside the bushes he beheld a lion standing on a great mound , and by it a rock . Near the rock was a lion seeking to reach the mound , and each time he moved out darted a serpent from the rock to prevent him . Then Owen unsheathed his sword , and cut off the serpent 's head and went on his way , and the lion followed and played about him , as if he had been a greyhound . And much more useful was he than a greyhound , for in the evening he brought large logs in his mouth to kindle a fire , and killed a fat buck for dinner . Owen made his fire and skinned the buck , and put some of it to roast , and gave the rest to the lion for supper . While he was waiting for the meat to cook he heard a sound of deep sighing close to him , and he said : ` Who are thou ? ' ' I am Luned , ' replied a voice from a cave so hidden by bushes and green hanging plants that Owen had not seen it . ` And what dost thou here ? ' cried he . ' I am held captive in this cave on account of the knight who married the countess and left her , for the pages spoke ill of him , and because I told them that no man living was his equal they dragged me here and said I should die unless he should come to deliver me by a certain day , and that is no further than the day after to-morrow . His name is Owen the son of Urien , but I have none to send to tell him of my danger , or of a surety he would deliver me . ' Owen held his peace , but gave the maiden some of the meat , and bade her be of good cheer .
Then , followed by the lion , he set out for a great castle XXXXX the other side of the plain , and men came and took his horse and placed it in a manger , and the lion went after and lay down on the straw .
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