The heathens' ambush is actually unsuccessful in this work, which cuts off at the end of this passage. Appropriately so: Cân Rolant seems to be primarily concerned with exalting the Franks' battle skills, not with Rolant's subsequent death. It is for this reason that, in this Welsh rendition of the French legend, there is virtually no allusion to any personal quality of Rolant (like, for example, his infamous pride) that does not showcase him as a warrior.

And the pagans raised a shout at the Franks, and they, with one will, perceived that the pagans were overcoming them and pressing them excessively. And those lamentations moved Rolant's ears to sorrow and wrath.

And when Grandon perceived him giving half-rein to his horse in his direction, he prepared to flee; but, even so, Rolant intercepted the fugitive with a blow of Durendard, his sword, and struck him about his waist, through him, and through his armor and through the saddle on the horse, so that there was a part on each side of the sword. And that cleaving gladdened the Franks and grieved the pagans.

And when their leader was killed, they fled, and Rolant pursued them; and the infidel host fell in battalions. And there was no labor for the victors but to kill that multitude, for greater was the number of those who were killed than those who killed them.

And then their swords and their other armor failed the Franks, and it was rare to find among them an instrument to fight with. And then they remembered their horns and used them instead of swords. And thus they finished the battle - by means of horns, with which one was accustomed to incite men to battle. And so the pagans were killed, and few of them escaped the hands of the Franks; and those who escaped did not rest from fleeing until they came before their king. And they did not believe - despite their present multitude - that they were safe there, for fear of the Franks. And then every one of the Saracens fled from under the gaze of Rolant.