“If thou wilt permit me, sire,” said the pilgrim, “I think we have nearly overtaken him, and I will now march alone in advance, because if Maugis sees me mounted upon a good horse, he will seek to capture it, then I can summon you to my assistance, and by coming up quickly make yourself master of this wicked sorcerer.” This stratagem was thought to be good and the emperor approved of it. Accordingly Maugis left them, and going some distance forward out of their sight, hurriedly dismounted, and ascended, by means of a secret path known only to himself, the high rock on one side of the gorge, and appeared at the top overlooking the imperial cavalcade; then throwing off his disguise, assumed his own form and stood erect in full view of the astonished emperor and his knights. “I am Maugis!” he shouted, “whom you would unjustly send to death, and to-day I defy you once more, Charlemagne the proud! Do you recognize here your crown and your treasures? and you, sir knights, the haughty companions of your master, here are your swords, all in my power. However, thou canst have them once more—if the emperor will grant peace to the four sons of Aymon, all will be given back to you.” Amid the furious cries of rage caused by this audacious defiance, Maugis disappeared before their eyes. While the pride of Charlemagne and his peers was deeply wounded, not all the knights could restrain from laughing, secretly among themselves, at their misadventures, for the bravery and audacity of Maugis and his brothers had raised them highly in their estimation. Being at last free from Charlemagne and his troops, Maugis returned quietly to Montaubon with the treasures. He was received there with the greatest joy, and when he showed his booty every one hastened to congratulate him on the success of his enterprise. The wealth was taken care of, and to the rage and mortification of Charlemagne, his golden eagle adorned the most elevated position on the château of Montaubon, for on the following morning when Charlemagne saw his golden eagle resplendent in the rays of the sun, he was astounded. He called his peers and said to them: “We are dishonored, and we must secure ourselves at any price.” He thereupon called the Duke de Naimes and Oger, who were relatives of Maugis, and ordered them to go to him, and say that if he would return what had been taken he would be granted a truce of two years. It was an imposing procession that set out for the château Montaubon, headed by the two knights and followed by the flower of the court, and when they appeared before Maugis and his brothers, they were given a cordial and gracious reception.