Once found, they were to challenge him in true knightly fashion, and at the point of the lance win the jewel he wore.

A day was appointed when, successful or not, the courtiers were to return, and, beginning with the lowest in rank, were to give a truthful account of their adventures while on the quest.
All the knights departed and scoured the forest of the Ardennes, each hoping to meet the robber knight and win the jewel.

Among them was Milon, accompanied by his son Roland, a lad of fifteen, whom he had taken as page and armor-bearer.

Milon had spent many days in vain search for the knight, when, exhausted by his long ride, he dismounted, removed his heavy armor, and lay down under a tree to sleep, bidding Roland keep close watch during his slumbers.
[Sidenote: Roland and the jewel.] Roland watched faithfully for a while; then, fired by a desire to distinguish himself, he donned his father's armor, sprang on his steed, and rode into the forest in search of adventures.

He had not gone very far when he saw a gigantic horseman coming to meet him, and, by the dazzling glitter of a large stone set in his shield, he recognized in him the invincible knight of the Ardennes.