The man in charge of ferrying passengers across the water to the country of the Rock of Canguin (he has oarsmen under him to do the actual work) claims he is due either the charger of every knight downed the landing-place, or the knight himself – presumably for ransom.
Having thus obtained Greoreas’ nephew, defeated by Gawaine, the ferryman takes them both across, the one as prisoner and the other as guest, along with Gawaine’s steed Gringolet, to his own fine and comfortable house near the river, where he feeds and lodges both men – guest and prisoner – with equally rich fare and good cheer.