This jibe was greeted with roars of laughter. Passing onward quietly, the old knight made no reply. As he proceeded, Pinabel, seated in front of his tent, laughed at him and sneeringly inquired: “Ho! brave knight, hast thou come to fight Roland?” Maugis, nettled by the insolence of the knight, replied: “Roland has done nothing to me, therefore I have no reason to fight him, but if you will try it with me, I will punish you for your insult and your cowardice, for all the world knows you are bravest only when you are dealing with some one whom you think is incapable of defending himself. Only for that, you never would have dared to insult me and my white hairs.” Pinabel, furious, seized a picket and would have struck the old knight, when Oger, who arrived on the scene, separated them. “He insulted me,” said the supposed old man. “He had the audacity to doubt my courage,” cried Pinabel. “Thou art wrong, Pinabel,” responded Oger, “and this man may demand of you any reparation he may require.” “I know of no other reparation than to fight me,” answered Maugis, “or else I will publish him to all the world as a coward.” By this time a crowd of soldiers and knights had gathered around the contending parties, and the noise of the altercation had reached the ears of Charlemagne, who caused them to be summoned before him. “Who art thou?” demanded he of Maugis. “Sire,” replied he. “I am Sieur de la Perron of Château Raucourt, who having been to the holy land, where I did battle with the Saracens, do now wend my weary way homeward, that I may pass my remaining days in peace. The knight here present has insulted me,” he continued, “without cause, and when I gave him the provocation in return, he, instead of accepting battle, threw himself upon me with a stick, and but for the timely appearance of this noble lord,” indicating Oger, “I should have been struck by the scoundrel.” “Pinabel is undoubtedly wrong,” said Charlemagne. “But if you persist in fighting how will you defend yourself? He is young and vigorous, and you are on the borders of the grave.” “It is true, sire, I am paralyzed on my right side, but I can rely upon my left arm. Do you think I shall allow that to stand in the way if my adversary is willing to fight?” This strange statement put Pinabel in a very false position; to accept was an act of cowardice, and to refuse would make him a laughing stock. He was at a loss what to do. The old knight grew impatient, and insisted the fight take place, approaching and menacing Pinabel with his cudgel, and seeing this, Charlemagne was forced to order the combat.