BOOK VII.

HOW TRISTRAM CAME TO CAMELOT.

CHAPTER I.

TRISTRAM AND DINADAN.

And now it behooves us to follow the banished knight in his adventures,

for they were many and various, and arduous were the labors with which

he won his right to a seat at the Round Table. We have told the tale of

his love and madness, and now must relate the marvellous exploits of his

banishment.

Hardly, indeed, had Tristram and Dinadan landed in Arthur's realms when

they met two knights of his court, Hector de Maris and Bors de Ganis.

This encounter took place upon a bridge, where Hector and Dinadan

jousted, and Dinadan and his horse were overthrown. But Bors refused to

fight with Tristram, through the contempt he felt for Cornish knights.

Yet the honor of Cornwall was soon retrieved, for Sir Bleoberis and Sir

Driant now came up, and Bleoberis proffered to joust with Tristram, who

quickly smote him to the earth.

This done, Tristram and Dinadan departed, leaving their opponents in

surprise that such valor and might could come out of Cornwall. But not

far had the two knights-errant gone when they entered a forest, where

they met a damsel, who was in search of some noble knights to rescue Sir

Lancelot. Morgan le Fay, who hated him bitterly since his escape from

her castle, had laid an ambush of thirty knights at a point which

Lancelot was approaching, thinking to attack him unawares and so slay

him.

The damsel, who had learned of this plot, had already met the four

knights whom Tristram and Dinadan had encountered, and obtained their

promise to come to the rescue.

She now told her story of crime and treachery to the two wanderers, with

the same request.

"Fair damsel," said Tristram, "you could set me no more welcome task.

Guide me to the place where those dastards lie in ambush for Lancelot."

"What would you do?" cried Dinadan. "We cannot match thirty knights. Two

or three are enough for any one knight, if they be men. I hope you don't

fancy that I will take fifteen to my share!"

"Come, come, good comrade," said Tristram. "Do not show the white

feather."

"I would rather wear the white feather than the fool's cap," said

Dinadan. "Lend me your shield if you will; for I had sooner carry a

Cornish shield, which all men say only cowards bear, than try any such

foolhardy adventure."

"Nay; I will keep my shield for the sake of her who gave it to me,"

answered Tristram. "But this I warn you, if you will not abide with me

I shall slay you before we part, for a coward has no right to cumber

the earth. I ask no more of you than to fight one knight. If your heart

is too faint for that, then stand by and see me meet the whole crew."

"Very well," said Dinadan, "you can trust me to look on bravely, and

mayhap to do something to save my head from hard knocks; but I would

give my helmet if I had not met you. Folks say you are cured of your mad

fit, but I vow if I have much faith in your sound sense."

Tristram smiled grimly at Dinadan's scolding, and kept on after the

damsel. Not far had they gone before they met the thirty knights. These

had already passed the four knights of Arthur's court, without a combat,

and they now rode in the same way past Tristram and Dinadan, with no

show of hostility.

But Tristram was of different mettle. Turning towards them he cried with

a voice of thunder,--"Lo! sir villains. I have heard of your plot to

murder Lancelot. Turn and defend yourselves. Here is a knight ready to

fight you all for the love of Lancelot du Lake!"

Then, spurring his good war-steed, he rode upon them with the fury of a

lion, slaying two with his spear. He then drew his mighty blade, and

attacked them with such fierce spirit and giant strength that ten more

soon fell dead beneath his furious blows. Nor did Dinadan stand and look

on, as he had grumblingly threatened, but rode in and aided Tristram

nobly, more than one of the villains falling before his blows. When, at

length, the murderous crew took to flight, there were but ten of them

alive.

Sir Bors and his companions had seen this battle at a distance, but it

was all over before they could reach the scene of fray. High was their

praise of the valor and prowess of the victor, who, they said, had done

such a deed as they had deemed only Lancelot could perform.

They invited him with knightly warmth and courtesy to go with them to

their lodging.

"Many thanks, fair sirs," said Tristram, "but I cannot go with you."

"Then tell us your name, that we may remember it as that of one of the

best of knights, and give you the honor which is your due."

"Nor that either," answered Tristram. "In good time you shall know my

name, but not now."

Leaving them with the dead knights, Tristram and Dinadan rode forward,

and in time found themselves near a party of shepherds and herdsmen,

whom they asked if any lodging was to be had near by.

"That there is," said the herdsmen, "and good lodging, in a castle close

at hand. But it is not to be had for the asking. The custom of that

castle is that no knight shall lodge there except he fight with two

knights of the castle. But as you are two, you can fight your battle man

for man, if you seek lodging there."

"That is rough pay for a night's rest," said Dinadan. "Lodge where you

will, I will not rest in that castle. I have done enough to-day to spoil

my appetite for fighting."

"Come, come," said Tristram, "and you a Knight of the Round Table! You

cannot refuse to win your lodging in knightly fashion."

"Win it you must if you want it," said the herdsmen; "for if you have

the worse of the battle no lodging will you gain in these quarters,

except it be in the wild wood."

"Be it so, if it must," said Dinadan. "In flat English, I will not go to

the castle."

"Are you a man?" demanded Tristram, scornfully. "Come, Dinadan, I know

you are no coward. On your knighthood, come."

Growling in his throat, Dinadan followed his comrade, sorely against his

will, and together they rode into the castle court. Here they found, as

they had been told, two armed knights ready to meet them.

To make a long story short, Tristram and Dinadan smote them both down,

and afterwards entered the castle, where the best of good cheer was

served them. But when they had disarmed, and were having a merry time at

the well-filled table, word was brought them that two other knights,

Palamides and Gaheris, had entered the gates, and demanded a joust

according to the castle custom.

"The foul fiend take them!" cried Dinadan. "Fight I will not; I am here

for rest."

"We are now the lords of the castle, and must defend its custom," said

Tristram. "Make ready, therefore, for fight you must."

"Why, in the devil's name, came I here in your company?" cried Dinadan.

"You will wear all the flesh off my bones."

But there was nothing to do but arm themselves and meet the two knights

in the court-yard. Of these Gaheris encountered Tristram, and got a fall

for his pains; but Palamides hurled Dinadan from his horse. So far,

then, it was fall for fall, and the contest could be decided only by a

fight on foot. But Dinadan was bruised from his fall and refused to

fight. Tristram unlaced his helmet to give him air, and prayed him for

his aid.

"Fight them yourself, if you will; two such knights are but a morsel to

you," said Dinadan. "As for me, I am sore wounded from our little

skirmish with the thirty knights, and have no valor left in me. Sir

Tristram, you are a madman yet, and I curse the time that ever I saw

you. In all the world there are no two such mad freaks as Lancelot and

you. Once I fell into fellowship with Lancelot as I have now with you,

and what followed? Why, he set me a task that kept me a quarter of a

year in bed. Defend me from such head-splitters, and save me from your

fellowship."

"Then if you will not fight I must face them both," said Tristram. "Come

forth, both of you, I am ready for you."

At this challenge Palamides and Gaheris advanced and struck at the two

knights. But after a stroke or two at Gaheris, Dinadan withdrew from the

fray.

"This is not fair, two to one," said Palamides. "Stand aside, Gaheris,

with that knight who declines to fight, and let us two finish the

combat."

Then he and Tristram fought long and fiercely, Tristram in the end

driving him back three paces. At this Gaheris and Dinadan pushed

between them and bade them cease fighting, as both had done enough for

honor.

"So be it," said Tristram, "and these brave knights are welcome to lodge

with us in the castle if they will."

"With you, not with us," said Dinadan, dryly. "When I lodge in that

devil's den may I sell my sword for a herring. We will be called up

every hour of the night to fight for our bedding. And as for you, good

friend, when I ride with you again, it will be when you have grown older

and wiser, or I younger and more foolish."

With these words he mounted his horse and rode in an ill-humor out of

the castle gates.

"Come, good sirs, we must after him," said Tristram, with a laugh. "He

is a prime good fellow, if he has taken himself off in a pet; it is

likely I gave him an overdose of fighting."

So, asking a man of the castle to guide them to a lodging, they rode

after Dinadan, whom they soon overtook, though he gave them no hearty

welcome. Two miles farther brought them to a priory, where they spent

the night in comfort.

Early the next day Tristram mounted and rode away, leaving Dinadan at

the priory, for he was too much bruised to mount his horse. There

remained at the priory with him a knight named Pellinore, who sought

earnestly to learn Tristram's name, and at last said angrily to

Dinadan,--

"Since you will not tell me his name, I will ride after him and make him

tell it himself, or leave him on the ground to repent."

"Beware, my good sir," said Dinadan, "or the repentance will be yours

instead of his. No wise man is he who thrusts his own hand in the fire."

"Good faith, I fear him not," said Pellinore, haughtily, and rode on his

way.

But he paid dearly for his hardiness, for a half-hour afterwards he lay

on the earth with a spear wound in his shoulder, while Tristram rode

unscathed on his way.

On the day following Tristram met with pursuivants, who were spreading

far and wide the news of a great tournament that was to be held between

King Carados and the king of North Wales, at the Castle of Maidens. They

were seeking for good knights to take part in that tournament, and in

particular King Carados had bidden them to seek Lancelot, and the king

of Northgalis to seek Tristram de Lyonesse.

"Lancelot is not far away," said Tristram. "As for me, I will be there,

and do my best to win honor in the fray."

And so he rode away, and soon after met with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore,

with whom he refused to joust, as he wished to keep himself fresh for

the tournament.

But as Kay twitted him with being a cowardly knight of Cornwall, he

turned on him and smote him from his horse. Then, to complete the tale,

he served Sagramore with the same sauce, and serenely rode on his way,

leaving them to heal their bruises with repentance.

CHAPTER II.

ON THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT.

Tristram now rode far alone through a country strange to him, and void

of knightly adventures. At length, however, chance brought to him a

damsel, who told him disconsolately that she sought a champion to cope

with a villanous knight, who was playing the tyrant over a wide

district, and who defied all errant knights.

"If you would win great honor come with me," she said.

"To win honor is the breath of my life," said Tristram. "Lead on, fair

maiden."

Then he rode with her a matter of six miles, when good fortune brought

them in contact with Sir Gawaine, who recognized the damsel as one of

Morgan le Fay's. On seeing her with an unknown knight he at once

surmised that there was some mischief afoot.

"Fair sir," said Gawaine, "whither ride you with that damsel?"

"Whither she may lead me," said Tristram. "That is all I know of the

matter."

"Then, by my good blade, you shall ride no farther with her, for she has

a breeder of ill for mistress, and means you a mischief."

He drew his sword as he spoke, and said in stern accents to the

damsel,--

"Tell me wherefore and whither you lead this knight, or you shall die on

the spot. I know you, minx, and the false-hearted witch who sends you."

"Mercy, Sir Gawaine!" she cried, trembling in mortal fear. "Harm me not,

and I will tell you all I know."

"Say on, then. I crave not your worthless life, but will have it if you

tell me not the truth."

"Good and valiant sir," she answered, "Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, has

sent me and thirty ladies more, in search of Sir Lancelot or Sir

Tristram. Whoever of us shall first meet either of these knights is to

lead him to her castle, with a tale of worshipful deeds to be done and

wrongs to be righted. But thirty knights lie in wait in a tower ready to

sally forth and destroy them."

"Foul shame is this," cried Gawaine, "that such treachery should ever be

devised by a queen's daughter and the sister of the worshipful King

Arthur. Sir knight, will you stand with me, and unmask the malice of

these thirty ambushed rogues?"

"That shall I willingly," said Tristram. "Trust me to do my share to

punish these dogs. Not long since I and a fellow met with thirty of that

lady's knights, who were in ambush for Lancelot, and we gave them

something else to think of. If there be another thirty on the same vile

quest, I am for them."

Then they rode together towards the queen's castle, Gawaine with a

shrewd fancy that he knew his Cornish companion, for he had heard the

story of how two knights had beaten thirty. When they reached the

castle, Gawaine called in a loud voice,--

"Queen Morgan le Fay, send out the knights whom you hold in ambush

against Lancelot and Tristram. I know your treason, and will tell of it

wherever I ride. I, Sir Gawaine, and my fellow here, dare your thirty

knights to come out and meet us like men."

"You bluster bravely, friend Gawaine," answered the knights. "But we

well know that your pride and valor come from the knight who is there

with you. Some of us have tried conclusions with that head-splitter who

wears the arms of Cornwall, and have had enough of him. You alone would

not keep us long in the castle, but we have no fancy to measure swords

with him. So ride your way; you will get no glory here."

In vain did Gawaine berate them as dastards and villains; say what he

would, not a soul of them would set foot beyond the walls, and in time

the two knights rode away in a rage, cursing all cowards in their

beards.

For several days they rode together without adventure. Then they beheld

a shameful sight, that roused their souls to anger. For they saw a

villanous knight, known in those parts as Breuse Sans Pité, who chased a

lady with intent to kill her, having slain her lover before. Many

dastardly deeds of this kind had he done, yet so far had escaped all

retribution for his crimes.

"Let me ride alone against him," said Gawaine. "I know his tricks. He

will stand to face one man, but if he sees us both, he will fly, and he

always rides so swift a horse that none can overtake him."

Then he rode at full speed between the lady and her pursuer, and cried

loudly,--

"False knight and murderer, leave that lady and try your tricks on me."

Sir Breuse, seeing but one, put his spear in rest and rode furiously

against Gawaine, whom he struck so strong a blow that he flung him

prostrate to the ground. Then, with deadly intent, he forced his horse

to trample over him twenty times backward and forward, thinking to

destroy him. But when Tristram saw this villany he broke from his covert

and rushed in fury upon the murderous wretch.

But Breuse Sans Pité had met with Tristram before, and knew him by his

arms. Therefore he turned his horse and fled at full speed, hotly

pursued by the furious knight. Long he chased him, full of thirst for

revenge, but the well-horsed villain rode at such a pace that he left

him in the distance. At length Tristram, despairing of overtaking him,

and seeing an inviting forest spring, drew up his horse and rode thither

for rest and refreshment.

Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he washed his face and hands

and took a deep and grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying

himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound asleep.

While he lay there good fortune brought to that forest spring a lady who

had sought him far and wide. This was Dame Bragwaine, the lady companion

of La Belle Isolde, who bore him letters from the queen. She failed to

recognize the sleeping knight, but at first sight knew his noble

charger, Passe Brewel, which Tristram had ridden for years. So she

seated herself gladly by the knight, and waited patiently till he awoke.

Then she saluted him, and he her, for he failed not to recognize his

old acquaintance.

"What of my dear lady, La Belle Isolde?" he asked, eagerly.

"She is well, and has sent me to seek you. Far and wide have I sought

for you through the land, and glad enough am I to hand you the letters I

bear."

"Not so glad as I am to receive them," said Tristram, joyfully, taking

them from her hand and opening them with eager haste, while his soul

overflowed with joy as he read Isolde's words of love and constancy,

though with them was mingled many a piteous complaint.

"Come with me, Dame Bragwaine," he said. "I am riding to the tournament

to be held at the Castle of Maidens. There will I answer these letters,

and to have you there, to tell the tale of my doings to my Lady Isolde,

will give me double strength and valor."

To this Dame Bragwaine willingly agreed, and mounting they rode till

they came to the castle of a hospitable old knight, near where the

tournament was to be held. Here they were given shelter and

entertainment.

As they sat at supper with Sir Pellounes, their ancient host, he told

them much of the great tournament that was at hand, among other things

that Lancelot would be there, with thirty-two knights of his kindred,

each of whom would bear a shield with the arms of Cornwall.

In the midst of their conversation a messenger entered, who told

Pellounes that his son, Persides de Bloise, had come home, whereupon

the old knight held up his hands and thanked God, telling Tristram that

he had not seen his son for two years.

"I know him," said Tristram, "and a good and worthy knight he is."

On the next morning, when Tristram came into the castle hall clad in his

house attire, he met with Persides, similarly unarmed, and they saluted

each other courteously.

"My father tells me that you are of Cornwall," said Persides. "I jousted

there once before King Mark, and fortune helped me to overthrow ten

knights. But Tristram de Lyonesse overthrew me and took my lady from me.

This I have not forgotten, and I will repay him for it yet."

"You hate Sir Tristram, then? Do you think that will trouble him much,

and that he is not able to withstand your malice?"

"He is a better knight than I, that I admit. But for all that I owe him

no good will."

As thus they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw many

knights ride by on their way to the tournament. Among these Tristram

marked a strongly-built warrior mounted on a great black horse, and

bearing a black shield.

"What knight is that?" he asked. "He looks like a strong and able one."

"He is one of the best in the world," said Persides. "I know him well."

"Is it Sir Lancelot?"

"No, no. It is Palamides, an unchristened Saracen, but a noble man."

"Palamides! I should know him too, but his arms deceived me."

As they continued to look they saw many of the country people salute the

black knight. Some time afterwards a squire came to Pellounes, the lord

of the castle, and told him that a fierce combat had taken place in the

road some distance in advance, and that a knight with a black shield had

smitten down thirteen others. He was still there, ready for any who

might wish to meet him, and holding a tournament of his own in the

highway.

"On my faith, that is Palamides!" said Tristram. "The worthy fellow must

be brimful of fight. Fair brother, let us cast on our cloaks and see the

play."

"Not I," said Persides. "Let us not go like courtiers there, but like

men ready to withstand their enemies."

"As you will. To fight or to look on is all one to me."

Then they armed and rode to the spot where so many knights had tried

their fortune before the tournament. When Palamides saw them approach,

he said to his squire,--

"Go to yonder knight with a green shield and in it a lion of gold. Tell

him that I request a passage-at-arms with him, and that my name is

Palamides."

Persides, who wore the shield thus described, did not hesitate to accept

the challenge, and rode against Palamides, but quickly found himself

felled to the earth by his powerful antagonist. Then Tristram made ready

to avenge his comrade, but before he could put his spear in rest

Palamides rode upon him like a thunderbolt, taking him at advantage, and

hurling him over his horse's tail.

At this Tristram sprang up in furious anger and sore shame, and leaped

into his saddle.

Then he sent Gouvernail to Palamides, accusing him of treachery, and

demanding a joust on equal terms.

"Not so," answered Palamides. "I know that knight better than he

fancies, and will not meet him now. But if he wants satisfaction he may

have it to-morrow at the Castle of Maidens, where I will be ready to

meet him in the lists."

As Tristram stood fretting and fuming in wrathful spite, Dinadan, who

had seen the affair, came up, and seeing the anger of the Cornish

knight, restrained his inclination to jest.

"Here it is proved," he said, "that a man can never be so strong but he

may meet his equal. Never was man so wise but that his brain might fail

him, and a passing good rider is he that never had a fall."

"Let be," cried Tristram, angrily. "You are readier with your tongue

than with your sword, friend Dinadan. I will revenge myself, and you

shall see it."

As they stood thus talking there came by them a likely knight, who rode

soberly and heavily, bearing a black shield.

"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.

"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered Persides. "I know him well."

Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield with the arms of

Cornwall, and as he rode up he sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he

required to joust with him.

"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant. "Bid him make

ready."

Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight got a severe fall.

"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.

"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan. "I warrant he is of King Ban's blood,

which counts the noblest knights of the world."

Then two other knights came up and challenged him with the Cornish

shield, and in a trice he smote them both down with one spear.

"By my faith," said Tristram, "he is a good knight, whoever he be, and I

never saw one yet that rode so well."

Then the king of Northgalis rode to Palamides, and prayed him for his

sake to joust with that knight who had just overturned two Welsh

knights.

"I beg you ask me not," said Palamides. "I have had my full share of

jousting already, and wish to keep fresh for the tournament to-morrow."

"One ride only, for the honor of North Wales," beseeched the king.

"Well, if you will have it so; but I have seen many a man have a fall at

his own request."

Then he sent a squire to the victor knight, and challenged him to a

joust.

"Fair fellow," said the knight, "tell me your lord's name."

"It is Sir Palamides."

"He is well met, then. I have seen no knight in seven years with whom I

would rather tilt."

Then the two knights took spears from their squires, and rode apart.

"Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Palamides come off the victor."

"I doubt it," answered Tristram. "I wager the knight with the Cornish

shield will give him a fall."

"That I do not believe," said Dinadan.

As they spoke, the two knights put spears in rest, and spurred their

horses, riding hotly together. Palamides broke a spear on his

antagonist, without moving him in his saddle; but on his side he

received such a blow that it broke through his shield and hauberk, and

would have slain him outright had he not fallen.

"How now?" cried Tristram. "Am I not right? I knew by the way those

knights ride which would fall."

The unknown knight now rode away and sought a well in the forest edge,

for he was hot and thirsty with the fray. This was seen by the king of

Northgalis, who sent twelve knights after him to do him a mischief, so

that he would not be able to appear at the tournament and win the

victory.

They came upon him so suddenly that he had scarcely time to put on his

helm and spring to his horse's back before they assailed him in mass.

"Ye villains!" he cried, "twelve to one! And taking a man unawares! You

want a lesson, and by my faith you shall have it."

Then spurring his horse he rode on them so fiercely that he smote one

knight through the body, breaking his spear in doing so. Now he drew his

sword and smote stoutly to right and left, killing three others and

wounding more.

"Dogs and dastards! know you me not?" he cried in a voice of thunder.

"My name is Lancelot du Lake. Here's for you, cowards and traitors!"

But the name he had shouted was enough. Those who were still able, fled,

followed by the angry knight. By hard riding they escaped his wrath, and

he, hot and furious, turned aside to a lodging where he designed to

spend the night. In consequence of his hard labor in this encounter

Lancelot fought not on the first day of the tournament, but sat beside

King Arthur, who had come hither from Camelot to witness the

passage-at-arms.

CHAPTER III.

AT THE CASTLE OF MAIDENS.

When came the dawn of the first day of the tournament, many ladies and

gentlemen of the court took their seats on a high gallery, shaded by a

rich canopy of parti-colored silk, while in the centre of the gallery

sat King Arthur and Queen Guenever, and, by the side of the king,

Lancelot du Lake. Many other noble lords and ladies of the surrounding

country occupied the adjoining seats, while round the circle that closed

in the lists sat hosts of citizens and country people, all eager for the

warlike sports.

Knights in glittering armor stood in warlike groups outside the entrance

gates, where rose many pavilions of red and white silk, each with its

fluttering pennon, and great war-horses that impatiently champed the

bit, while the bright steel heads of the lances shone like star-points

in the sun.

Within the lists the heralds and pursuivants busied themselves, while

cheery calls, and bugle-blasts, and the lively chat of the assembled

multitude filled the air with joyous sound.

Tristram de Lyonesse still dwelt with the old knight Sir Pellounes, in

company with Sir Persides, whom he yet kept in ignorance of his name.

And as it was his purpose to fight that day unknown, he ordered

Gouvernail, his squire, to procure him a black-faced shield, without

emblem or device of any kind.

So accoutred, he and Persides mounted in the early morn and rode

together to the lists, where the parties of King Carados and the king of

Northgalis were already being formed. Tristram and his companion joined

the side of Carados, the Scottish king, and hardly had they ridden to

their place when King Arthur gave the signal for the onset, the bugles

loudly sounded, and the two long lines of knights rode together with a

crash as of two thunder-clouds meeting in mid-air.

Many knights and horses went to the earth in that mad onset, and many

others who had broken their spears drew their swords and so kept up the

fray. The part of the line where Tristram and Persides was drove back

the king of Northgalis and his men, with many noble knights who fought

on the side of the Welsh king. But through the rush and roar of the

onset there pushed forward Bleoberis de Ganis and Gaheris, who hurled

Persides to the earth, where he was almost slain, for as he lay there

helpless more than forty horsemen rode over him in the fray.

Seeing this, and what valiant deeds the two knights did, Tristram

marvelled who they were. But perceiving the danger in which his comrade

Persides lay, he rushed to the rescue with such force that Gaheris was

hurled headlong from his horse. Then Bleoberis in a rage put his spear

in rest and rode furiously against Tristram, but he was met in

mid-career, and flung from his saddle by the resistless spear of the

Cornish knight.

The king with the hundred knights now rode angrily forward, pressed back

the struggling line, and horsed Gaheris and Bleoberis. Then began a

fierce struggle, in which Bleoberis and Tristram did many deeds of

knightly skill and valor.

As the violent combat continued, Dinadan, who was on the other side,

rode against Tristram, not knowing him, and got such a buffet that he

swooned in his saddle. He recovered in a minute, however, and, riding to

his late companion, said in a low voice,--

"Sir knight, is this the way you serve an old comrade, masking under a

black shield? I know you now better than you deem. I will not reveal

your disguise, but by my troth I vow I will never try buffets with you

again, and, if I keep my wits, sword of yours shall never come near my

headpiece."

As Dinadan withdrew to repair damages, Bleoberis rode against Tristram,

who gave him such a furious sword-blow on the helm that he bowed his

head to the saddle. Then Tristram caught him by the helm, jerked him

from his horse, and flung him down under the feet of the steed.

This ended the fray, for at that moment Arthur bade the heralds to blow

to lodging, and the knights who still held saddle sheathed their swords.

Tristram thereupon departed to his pavilion and Dinadan with him.

But Arthur, and many of those with him, wondered who was the knight with

the black shield, who had with sword and spear done such wondrous deeds.

Many opinions were given, and some suspected him of being Tristram, but

held their peace. To him the judges awarded the prize of the day's

combat, though they named him only the knight of the black shield, not

knowing by what other name to call him.

When the second day of the tournament dawned, and the knights prepared

for the combat, Palamides, who had fought under Northgalis, now joined

King Arthur's party, that led by Carados, and sent to Tristram to know

his name.

"As to that," answered Tristram, "tell Sir Palamides that he shall not

know till I have broken two spears with him. But you may tell him that I

am the same knight that he smote down unfairly the day before the

tournament, and that I owe him as shrewd a turn. So whichever side he

takes I will take the opposite."

"Sir," said the messenger, "he will be on King Arthur's side, in company

with the noblest knights."

"Then I will fight for Northgalis, though yesterday I held with

Carados."

[Illustration: TRISTRAM THEREUPON DEPARTED TO HIS PAVILION.]

When King Arthur blew to field and the fray began, King Carados opened

the day by a joust with the king with the hundred knights, who gave him

a sore fall. Around him there grew up a fierce combat, till a troop of

Arthur's knights pushed briskly in and bore back the opposite party,

rescuing Carados from under the horses' feet. While the fight went on

thus in one part of the field, Tristram, in jet-black armor, pressed

resistlessly forward in another part, and dealt so roughly and grimly

with Arthur's knights that not a man of them could withstand him.

At length he fell among the fellowship of King Ban, all of whom bore

Cornish shields, and here he smote right and left with such fury and

might that cries of admiration for his gallant bearing went up from

lords and ladies, citizens and churls. But he would have had the worse

through force of numbers had not the king with the hundred knights come

to his rescue, and borne him away from the press of his assailants, who

were crowding upon him in irresistible strength.

Hardly had Tristram escaped from this peril than he saw another group of

about forty knights, with Kay the seneschal at their head. On them he

rode like a fury, smote Kay from his horse, and fared among them all

like a greyhound among conies.

At this juncture Lancelot, who had hitherto taken little part, met a

knight retiring from the lists with a sore wound in the head.

"Who hurt you so badly?" he asked.

"That knight with the black shield, who is making havoc wherever he

goes," was the answer. "I may curse the time I ever faced him, for he is

more devil than mortal man."

Lancelot at these words drew his sword and advanced to meet Tristram,

and as he rode forward saw the Cornish champion hurtling through a press

of foes, bringing down one with nearly every stroke of his sword.

"A fellow of marvellous prowess he, whoever he be," said Lancelot. "If I

set upon this knight after all his heavy labor, I will shame myself more

than him." And he put up his sword.

Then the king with the hundred knights, with his following, and a

hundred more of the Welsh party, set upon the twenty of Lancelot's kin,

and a fearful fray began, for the twenty held together like wild boars,

none failing the others, and faced the odds against them without

yielding a step.

When Tristram, who had for the moment withdrawn, beheld their noble

bearing, he marvelled at their valor, for he saw by their steadfastness

that they would die together rather than leave the field.

"Valiant and noble must be he who has such knights for his kin," he

said, meaning Lancelot; "and likely to be a worthy man is he who leads

such knights as these."

Then he rode to the king with the hundred knights and said,--

"Sir, leave off fighting with these twenty knights. You can win no honor

from them, you being so many and they so few. I can see by their bearing

that they will die rather than leave the field, and that will bring you

no glory. If this one sided fray goes on I will join them and give them

what help I can."

"You shall not do so," said the king. "You speak in knightly courtesy,

and I will withdraw my men at your request. I know how courage favors

courage, and like draws to like."

Then the king called off his knights, and withdrew from the combat with

Lancelot's kindred.

Meanwhile Lancelot was watching for an opportunity to meet Tristram and

hail him as a fellow in heart and hand, but before he could do so

Tristram, Dinadan, and Gouvernail suddenly left the lists and rode into

the forest, no man perceiving whither they had gone.

Then Arthur blew to lodging, and gave the prize of the day to the king

of Northgalis, as the true champion of the tournament was on his side

and had vanished. Lancelot rode hither and thither, vainly seeking him,

while a cry that might have been heard two miles off went up: "The

knight with the black shield has won the day!"

"Alas, where has that knight gone!" said Arthur. "It is a shame that

those in the field have let him thus vanish. With gentleness and

courtesy they might have brought him to me at the Castle of Maidens,

where I should have been glad to show him the highest honor."

Then he went to the knights of his party and comforted them for their

discomfiture.

"Be not dismayed, my fair fellows," he said, "though you have lost the

field, and many of you are the worst in body and mind. Be of good cheer,

for to-morrow we fight again. How the day will go I cannot say, but I

will be in the lists with you, and lend you what aid is in my arm."

During that day's fight Dame Bragwaine had sat near Queen Guenever,

observing Tristram's valorous deeds. But when the queen asked her why

she had come thither, she would not tell the real reason, but said

only,--

"Madam, I came for no other cause than that my lady, La Belle Isolde,

sent me to inquire after your welfare."

After the fray was done she took leave of the queen and rode into the

forest in search of Sir Tristram. As she went onward she heard a great

cry, and sent her squire to learn what it might mean. He quickly came to

a forest fountain, and here he found a knight bound to a tree, crying

out like a madman, while his horse and harness stood by. When he saw the

squire, he started so furiously that he broke his bonds, and then ran

after him, sword in hand, as if to slay him. The squire at this spurred

his horse and rode swiftly back to Dame Bragwaine, whom he told of his

adventure.

Soon afterwards she found Tristram, who had set up his pavilion in the

forest, and told him of the incident.

"Then, on my head, there is mischief here afloat," said Tristram; "some

good knight has gone distracted."

Taking his horse and sword he rode to the place, and there he found the

knight complaining woefully.

"What misfortune has befallen me?" he lamented; "I, woeful Palamides,

who am defiled with falsehood and treason through Sir Bors and Sir

Hector! Alas, why live I so long?"

Then he took his sword in his hands, and with many strange signs and

movements flung it into the fountain. This done, he wailed bitterly and

wrung his hands, but at the end he ran to his middle in the water and

sought again for his sword. Tristram, seeing this, ran upon him and

clasped him in his arms, fearing he would kill himself.

"Who are you that holds me so tightly?" said Palamides.

"I am a man of this forest, and mean you no harm, but would save you

from injury."

"Alas!" said the knight, "I shall never win honor where Sir Tristram is.

Where he is not, only Lancelot or Lamorak can win from me the prize.

More than once he has put me to the worse."

"What would you do if you had him?"

"I would fight him and ease my heart. And yet, sooth to say, he is a

gentle and noble knight."

"Will you go with me to my lodging?"

"No; I will go to the king with the hundred knights. He rescued me from

Bors and Hector, or they had slain me treacherously."

But by kind words Tristram got him to his pavilion, where he did what he

could to cheer him. But Palamides could not sleep for anguish of soul,

and rose before dawn and secretly left the tent, making his way to the

pavilions of Gaheris and Sagramour le Desirous, who had been his

companions in the tournament.

Not far had the next day's sun risen in the eastern sky, when King

Arthur bade the heralds blow the call to the lists, and with warlike

haste the knights came crowding in to the last day of the well-fought

tournament.

Fiercely began the fray, King Carados and his ally, the king of Ireland,

being smitten from their horses early in the day. Then came in Palamides

full of fury, and made sad work among his foes, being known to all by

his indented shield.

But this day King Arthur, as he had promised, rode in shining armor into

the field, and fought so valorously that the king of Northgalis and his

party had much the worse of the combat.

While the fight thus went on in all its fury, Tristram rode in, still

bearing his black shield. Encountering Palamides, he gave him such a

thrust that he was driven over his horse's croup. Then King Arthur

cried,--

"Knight with the black shield, make ready for me!"

But the king met with the same fate from Tristram's spear that Palamides

had done, and was hurled to the earth. Seeing this, a rush of the

knights of his party drove back the foe, and Arthur and Palamides were

helped to their saddles again.

And now the king, his heart burning with warlike fury, rushed fiercely

on Tristram, and struck him so furious a blow that he was hurled from

his horse. As he lay there Palamides spurred upon him in a violent rage,

and sought to override him as he was rising to his feet. But Tristram

saw his purpose and sprang aside. As Palamides rode past he wrathfully

caught him by the arm and pulled him from his horse.

"Sword to sword let it be!" cried Tristram.

Palamides, nothing loth, drew his weapon, and so fierce a combat began

in the midst of the arena that lords and ladies alike stood in their

seats in eagerness to behold it. But at the last Tristram struck

Palamides three mighty strokes on the helm, crying with each stroke,

"Take this for Sir Tristram's sake!"

So fierce were the blows that Palamides was felled to the earth. Then

the king with the hundred knights dashed forward and brought Tristram

his horse. Palamides was horsed at the same time, and with burning ire

he rushed upon Tristram, spear in rest, before he could make ready to

meet him. But Tristram lightly avoided the spear, and, enraged at his

repeated treachery, he caught him with both hands by the neck as his

horse bore him past, tore him clean from the saddle, and carried him

thus ten spears' length across the field before he let him fall.

At that moment King Arthur spurred upon the Cornish champion, sword in

hand, and Tristram fixed his spear to meet him, but with a sword-blow

Arthur cut the spear in two, and then dealt him three or four vigorous

strokes before he could draw. But at the last Tristram drew his sword

and assailed the king with equal energy.

This battle continued not long, for the press of battling knights forced

the combatants asunder. Then Tristram rode hither and thither, striking

and parrying, so that that day he smote down in all eleven of the good

knights of King Ban's blood, while all in seats and gallery shouted in

loud acclaim for the mighty warrior with the black shield.

This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was engaged in another part of

the field. Then he got a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing

Tristram standing without an antagonist, he cried out,--

"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily have you done; now make

ready to joust with me."

When Tristram heard this he put his spear in rest, and both with lowered

heads rode together with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into

fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by ill-fortune, smote him

in the side, wounding him deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and,

drawing his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three such strokes

that fire flew from his helm, and he was forced to lower his head

towards his saddle-bow. This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt

as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and followed him into the

forest.

After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought like a man beside

himself, many a noble knight going down before his spear and sword. King

Arthur, seeing against what odds he fought, came quickly to his aid,

with the knights of his own kindred, and in the end they won the day

against the king of Northgalis and his followers. So the prize was

adjudged to Lancelot.

But neither for king, queen, nor knights would he accept it, and when

the cry was raised by the heralds,--

"Sir Lancelot, Sir Lancelot has won the field this day!" he bade them

change, and cry instead,--

"The knight with the black shield has won the day."

But the estates and the commonalty cried out together,--

"Sir Lancelot has won the field, whoever say nay!"

This filled Lancelot with shame and anger, and he rode with a lowering

brow to King Arthur, to whom he cried,--

"The knight with the black shield is the hero of the lists. For three

days he held against all, till he got that unlucky wound. The prize, I

say, is his."

"Sir Tristram it is," said the king. "I heard him shout his name three

times when he gave those mighty strokes to Palamides. Never better nor

nobler knight took spear or sword in hand. He was hurt indeed; but when

two noble warriors encounter one must have the worst."

"Had I known him I would not have hurt him for all my father's lands,"

said Lancelot. "Only lately he risked his life for me, when he fought

with thirty knights, with no help but Dinadan. This is poor requital for

his noble service."

Then they sought Tristram in the forest, but in vain. They found the

place where his pavilion had been pitched, but it was gone and all trace

of its owner vanished. Thereupon they returned to the Castle of Maidens,

where for three days was held high feast and frolic, and where all who

came were warmly welcomed by King Arthur and Queen Guenever.

CHAPTER IV.

THE QUEST OF THE TEN KNIGHTS.

When Tristram was well within the forest shades, he alighted and unlaced

his armor and sought to stanch his wound. But so pale did he become that

Dinadan thought he was like to die.

"Never dread thee, Dinadan," said Tristram, cheerily, "for I am heart

whole, and of this wound I shall soon be healed, by God's mercy."

As they sat conversing Dinadan saw at a distance Sir Palamides, who was

riding straight upon them, with seeming evil intent. Dinadan hastily bid

Tristram to withdraw, and offered himself to meet the Saracen and take

the chance of life and death with him.

"I thank you, Sir Dinadan, for your good will," said Tristram, "but you

shall see that I am able to handle him."

He thereupon hastily armed himself, and, mounting his horse, rode to

meet Palamides. Then a challenge to joust passed between them, and they

rode together. But Tristram kept his seat and Palamides got a grievous

fall, and lay on the earth like one dead.

Leaving him there with a comrade, Tristram and Dinadan rode on, and

obtained lodging for that night at the castle of an old knight, who had

five sons at the tournament.

As for Palamides, when he recovered from his swoon, he well-nigh lost

his wits through sheer vexation. He rode headlong forward, wild with

rage, and meeting a deep stream sought to make his horse leap it. But

the horse fell in and was drowned, and the knight himself reached shore

only by the barest chance.

Now, mad with chagrin, he flung off his armor, and sat roaring and

crying like a man distracted. As he sat there, a damsel passed by, who

on seeing his distressful state sought to comfort him, but in vain. Then

she rode on till she came to the old knight's castle, where Tristram

was, and told how she had met a mad knight in the forest.

"What shield did he bear?" asked Tristram.

"It was indented with black and white," answered the damsel.

"That was Palamides. The poor fellow has lost his wits through his bad

luck. I beg that you bring him to your castle, Sir Darras."

This the old knight did, for the frenzy of the Saracen had now passed,

and he readily accompanied him. On reaching the castle he looked

curiously at Tristram, whom he felt sure he had seen before, but could

not place him in his mind. But his anger against his fortunate rival

continued, and he boasted proudly to Dinadan of what he would do when he

met that fellow Tristram.

"It seems to me," answered Dinadan, "that you met him not long since,

and got little good of him. Why did you not hold him when you had him in

your hands? You were too easy with the fellow not to pummel him when you

had so fine an opportunity."

This scornful reply silenced the boastful Saracen, who fell into an

angry moodiness.

Meanwhile King Arthur was sore at heart at the disappearance of

Tristram, and spoke in reproach to Lancelot as being the cause of his

loss.

"My liege Arthur," answered Lancelot, "you do me ill justice in this.

When men are hot in battle they may well hurt their friends as well as

their foes. As for Tristram, there is no man living whom I would rather

help. If you desire, I will make one of ten knights who will go in

search of him, and not rest two nights in the same place for a year

until we find him."

This offer pleased the king, who quickly chose nine other knights for

the quest, and made them all swear upon the Scriptures to do as Lancelot

had proposed.

With dawn of the next day these ten knights armed themselves, and rode

from the Castle of Maidens, continuing in company until they came to a

roadside cross, from which ran out four highways. Here they separated

into four parties, each of which followed one of the highways. And far

and wide they rode through field and forest for many days in quest of

the brave knight of Cornwall.

Of them all, Sir Lucan, the butler, came nearest to good fortune, for

chance brought him to the castle of the old knight, Sir Darras. Here he

asked harbor, sending in his name by the porter.

"He shall not rest here unless he first joust with me," cried Sir

Daname, the old knight's nephew. "Bid him make ready, for he must earn

his lodging."

But better had Daname held his peace, for Lucan smote him over his

horse's croup, and followed him hotly when he fled into the castle.

"This is a shame to our host," said Dinadan. "Let me try conclusions

with our doughty butler. It will not do to let him take our castle by

storm."

He thereupon rode against Lucan, and fared still worse, for he got for

his pains a spear thrust through the thigh. Then Tristram, in anger,

armed and followed Lucan, who had ridden on, in search of a more

peaceful place of shelter. Within a mile he overtook him and bade him

turn and joust. Nothing loth, Lucan did so, and in his turn got a sore

fall, though he little dreamed that he had been overthrown by the knight

of his quest. At this juncture another of the ten knights, Sir Uwaine,

came up, and seeing Sir Lucan's misfortune, rode furiously against the

victor. His luck was no better, for he was hurled to the ground with a

sorely wounded side. Having thus revenged his comrades, Tristram

returned to the castle.

Meanwhile a damsel from the Castle of Maidens had come thither, and told

Sir Darras a woeful story. Of his five sons, three had been slain at the

tournament, and the other two were dangerously wounded, all this having

been done by the knight of the black shield. Deep grief filled the old

knight's heart at this sad tale. But his sorrow turned to rage when the

damsel was shown Tristram's shield and recognized it as that of the

champion of the tournament.

"So," cried the old knight in a hot passion. "I am harboring here my

sons' murderer, and troubling myself to give him noble cheer. By my

father's grave, I will revenge my boys' death on him and his

companions."

Then in grief and rage he ordered his knights and servants to seize

Tristram, Dinadan, and Palamides, and put them in a strong dungeon he

had in the keep of his castle.

This was done before the three knights could defend themselves, and for

many days they lay in this dismal cell, until Tristram grew so sick from

his wound and confinement that he came near to dying. While they lay

thus in durance vile some knights of Darras's kindred came to the

castle, and on hearing the story wished to kill the captives, but this

the old knight would not permit, though he determined to hold them close

prisoners. So deep in time grew Tristram's sickness that his mind nearly

failed him, and he was ready to slay himself for pain and grief.

Palamides gave him what aid he could, though all the time he spoke of

his hatred to Tristram, the Cornishman, and of the revenge he yet hoped

to have. To this Tristram made no reply, but smiled quietly.

Meanwhile the ten knights continued their fruitless search, some here,

some there, while one of them, Gaheris, nephew to King Arthur, made his

way to King Mark's court, where he was well received.

As they sat at table together the king asked his guest what tidings he

brought from Arthur's realm of Logris.

"Sir," he answered, "King Arthur still reigns nobly, and he lately

presided at a grand tournament where fought many of the noblest knights

of the kingdom. But best of them all was a valiant knight who bore a

black shield, and who kept the lordship of the lists for three days."

"Then by my crown it must have been Lancelot, or Palamides the Pagan."

"Not so. These knights were against him of the black shield."

"Was it Sir Tristram?" asked the king.

"In sooth you have it now."

The king held down his head at this, but La Belle Isolde, who was at the

feast, heard it with great secret joy, and her love for Tristram grew

warmer in her soul.

But King Mark nourished treason in his heart, and sought within his

brain some device to do dishonor to Tristram and to Arthur's knights.

Soon afterward Uwaine came to his court and challenged any knight of

Cornwall to meet him in the lists. Two of these, Andred, and Dinas the

seneschal, accepted the challenge, but both were overthrown. Then King

Mark in a fury cried out against his knights, and Gaheris, as his guest,

proffered to meet the champion. But when Uwaine saw his shield, he knew

him for his own cousin, and refused to joust with him, reproving him for

breaking his oath of fellowship as a Knight of the Round Table.

This reproof cut Gaheris deeply, and returning to King Mark he took his

leave of him and his court, saying,--

"Sir king, this I must say, that you did a foul shame to yourself and

your kingdom when you banished Sir Tristram. Had he stayed here you

would not have wanted a champion."

All this added to the king's rage, and arming himself he waylaid Uwaine

at a secret place as he was passing unawares, and ran him through the

body. But before he could kill him as he designed, Kay the seneschal

came that way and flew to the aid of the wounded knight, while King Mark

rode in dastardly haste away. Kay sought to learn from Uwaine who had

hurt him, but this he was not able to tell.

He then bore him to a neighboring abbey of the black cross, where he

left him in the care of the monks. Not far had he ridden from there when

he met King Mark, who accosted him courteously, and bade him, if he

sought an adventure, to ride into the forest of Morris, where he would

find one to try his prowess.

"I will prove what it is worth," said Kay, and bade adieu to the king.

A mile or two further on he met Gaheris, who, learning his errand,

warned him against doing anything at the suggestion of King Mark, who

meant but treachery and harm.

"Come with me, then," said Kay. "Adventures are not so abundant, and we

two should be able to match the wiles of this dastard king."

"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.

Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little

lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the

woodland shadows.

It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung its

silvery rays wide over the forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode

into the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor and on a great

black horse, who tilted against Sir Kay. The seneschal's horse was

smaller than that of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock,

falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.

During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden under the woodland

shadows. He now cried sternly,--

"Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow;" and

rode against the black knight with such fury that he was flung from his

horse. Then he turned to a companion of the black knight, who now

appeared, and hurled him to the earth so violently that he came near to

breaking his neck in the fall.

Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his feet, Gaheris sternly bade

his antagonists to tell their names or they should die.

"Beware what you do," said the second knight. "This is King Mark of

Cornwall, and I am his cousin Andred."

"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a fury, "and have laid this

ambush for us. It were a pity to let such craven rascals live."

"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will make full amends."

"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried Gaheris. "You have lived

long enough."

With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with his sword, while the

dastard king cowered under his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same

time.

King Mark now flung himself on his knees before Gaheris and swore on the

cross of his sword never while he lived to do aught against errant

knights. And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram if he should

come into Cornwall.

With this they let them go, though Kay was eager to slay Andred, for his

deeds of treachery against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now rode

out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon after met Lancelot, who asked

them what tidings they brought from King Mark's country, and if they had

learned aught of Tristram. They answered that they had not, and told him

of their adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.

"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh that which is bred in

the bone," he said.

Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together to seek Tristram in the

country of Surluse, not dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles

from the Castle of Maidens.

Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we must return to the

three prisoners. Tristram still continued sick almost unto death, while

Palamides, while giving him daily care, continued to rail loudly against

him and to boast of how he would yet deal with him. Of this idle

boasting Dinadan in time had more than he could bear, and broke out

angrily on the Saracen.

"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were here before you," he said;

"for if a wolf and a sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave

the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against whom you rail like a

scold, here he lies before you. Now do your worst upon him, Sir

Saracen, while he is too sick to defend himself."

Surprise and shame overcame Palamides at this announcement, and he

dropped his head in confusion.

"I have heard somewhat too much of your ill will against me;" said

Tristram, "but shall let it pass at present, for we are in more danger

here from the lord of this place than from each other."

As they spoke, a damsel brought them their noontide meal, and said as

she gave it them,--

"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in no peril of your lives.

So much I heard my lord, Sir Darras, say this morning."

"So far your news is good," cried Dinadan. "Good for two of us at least,

for this good knight promises to die without waiting for the

executioner."

The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing the thinness of his face

and hands, went and told Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen.

"That must not be," cried the knight. "God defend that I should suffer

those who came to me for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither."

Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall on his couch, with the

other two knights beside him.

"Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry for your sickness, and

would not have so noble a knight as you die in prison, though I owe to

you the death of three of my sons."

"As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair fight, and if they were my

next of kin I could not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by

treachery, I would have deserved death at your hands."

"You acted knightly, and for that reason I could not put you to death,"

said Sir Darras. "You and your fellows shall go at full liberty, with

your horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will be a good friend

to my two sons who are still living, and that you tell me your name."

"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born in Cornwall, and am nephew

to King Mark. And I promise you by the faith of my body that while I

live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for what you have done to

us was but by force of nature."

"If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am sorry to have held you in

durance, and thank you for your proffer of service. But you must stay

with me still till you are well and strong."

To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more days with the old knight,

growing well rapidly under the healing influence of hope and liberty.

CHAPTER V.

THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.

When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of

Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to

a cross-way, and here Tristram said,--

"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures

may come to us all."

To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance

bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.

Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to

depart the next day the queen said to him,--

"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave

it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a

prisoner."

"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have

had enough of that regimen."

"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence

you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."

She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him

that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage,

half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.

"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you

shall depart when you will."

"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."

"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word

if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle

of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is

to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,

and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."

"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.

So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was

painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot

on the head of each.

"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"

"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a

knight that holds them both in bondage."

"And who is the knight?"

"That you shall not know at present."

So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that it was intended as a

rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and promised to bear it at the tournament.

But as he rode away he was followed by Sir Hemison, the knight who loved

Morgan le Fay, and whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking

Tristram before he had gone far, he rushed upon him at the speed of his

horse, crying, in a voice of thunder,--

"Sir knight, defend yourself!"

This Tristram did with good effect, for his assailant's spear broke upon

his body, while he thrust him through and hurled him to the earth with a

mortal wound.

"Fool, you have brought it on yourself," said Tristram. "It is not my

fault if you got what you designed for me."

Then he rode on, and left the wounded knight to the care of his squire,

who removed his helmet, and asked if his life was in any danger.

"There is little life in me," said the knight, "and that is ebbing fast.

Therefore help me to my saddle, and mount behind me and hold me on so

that I shall not fall, and so bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay. For deep

draughts of death draw to my heart, and I would fain speak to her before

I die."

The squire did as commanded, and brought his bleeding master to the

castle, but he died as he entered the hall, falling lifeless at the feet

of the lady of his love. Much she wept and great lamentation she made

for his untimely fate, and buried him in a stately tomb, on which was

written, "Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Tristram de

Lyonesse."

On the next day Tristram arrived at the castle of Roche-dure, where he

saw the lists prepared for the tournament, with gay pennons flying,

while full five hundred tents were pitched in a fair meadow by the

gates. Over the seats of honor were silken canopies, that shaded noble

lords and beautiful ladies clad in gay apparel. Within the lists the

kings of Scotland and Ireland held out strongly against King Arthur's

knights, and dread was the noise and turmoil within.

Tristram at once joined in the fray, and smote down many knights; King

Arthur marvelling the while at the device on his shield, while Guenever

grew heavy at heart, for well she guessed its meaning.

Ever King Arthur's eye was on that shield, and much he wondered who the

knight could be, for he had heard that Tristram was in Brittany, and he

knew that Lancelot was in quest of him, while he knew no other knight of

equal prowess.

As the combat went on, Arthur's knights drove back their antagonists,

who began to withdraw from the field. On seeing this the king determined

that the knight with the strange shield should not escape, so he armed

and called Sir Uwaine, entering the lists with him and riding up to

confront the unknown knight.

"Sir stranger," said the king, "before we fight, I require you to tell

me where you got that shield."

"I had it from Morgan le Fay, sister to King Arthur," answered Tristram.

"Then, if you are worthy to bear it, you are able to tell me its

meaning."

"That I cannot," answered the knight. "It was given me by Queen Morgan,

not through any asking of mine. She told me not what it signified, nor

do I know, but I promised to bear it worthily."

"In truth," said Arthur, "no knight should bear arms he cannot

understand. But at least you will tell me your name."

"To what intent?" asked Tristram.

"Simply that I wish to know."

"That is small reason. I decline to tell you."

"If not, we must do battle together."

"What!" cried Tristram; "you will fight me on so small a cause? My name

is my own, to be given or withheld as I will. It is not honorable for a

fresh knight to challenge me to battle, after all I have done this day.

But if you think you have me at advantage, you may find that I am able

to hold my own."

Then they put their spears in rest and furiously dashed together across

the lists. But King Arthur's spear shivered to splinters on Tristram's

shield, while he himself got such a blow from the Cornish knight that

horse and man fell headlong to the earth, the king with a dangerous

wound in the side.

When Uwaine saw this he reined back his horse in haste, and crying

loudly, "Knight, defend thyself!" he rode furiously on Tristram. But man

fared no better than master. Uwaine was borne out of his saddle to the

earth, while Tristram sat unmoved.

Then Tristram wheeled his horse and said,--

"Fair sirs, I had no need to joust with you, for I have done enough

to-day; but you forced me to it."

"We have had what we deserved," answered Arthur. "Yet I would fain know

your name, and would further learn if that device on your shield is

intended as an insult to King Arthur."

"That you must ask Morgan le Fay: she alone knows. But report says she

does not love her royal brother over much. Yet she told me not what it

means, and I have borne it at her command. As for my name, it shall be

known when I will."

So Tristram departed, and rode far over hill and dale, everywhere

seeking for Lancelot, with whom he in his heart wished to make

fellowship. As he went on he came by a forest, on the edge of which

stood a tall tower, and in front of it a fair level meadow. And here he

saw one knight fighting against ten, and bearing himself so well that it

seemed marvellous that a single man could hold his own so bravely

against such odds. He had slain half their horses, and unhorsed the

remaining knights, so that their chargers ran free in the field. The ten

had then assailed him on foot, and he was bearing up bravely against

them.

"Cease that battle!" cried Tristram, loudly, as he came up. "Ten to one

are cowards' odds." And as he came nearer he saw by his shield that the

one knight was Sir Palamides.

"You would be wise not to meddle," said the leader of the ten, who was

the villanous knight called Breuse San Pité. "Go your way while your

skin is whole. As for this knight, he is our prey."

"Say you so!" cried Tristram. "There may be two words to that."

As he spoke he sprang from his horse, lest they should kill it, and

attacked them on foot with such fury that with every stroke a knight

fell before him.

This was more than they had bargained for, and Breuse fled hastily to

the tower, followed by all that were able, while Tristram hotly pursued.

But they quickly closed and barred the door, shutting him out. When he

saw this he returned to Palamides, whom he found sitting under a tree,

sorely wounded.

"Thanks for your timely aid," said the Saracen. "You have saved my

life."

"What is your name?" asked Tristram.

"It is Sir Palamides."

"Then have I saved my greatest enemy; and I here challenge you to

battle."

"What is your name?" asked Palamides.

"I am Tristram of Lyonesse."

"My enemy indeed! yet I owe you thanks for your rescue, nor am I in

condition for jousting. But I desire nothing better than to meet you in

battle. If you are as eager for it, fix day and place, and I will be

there."

"Well said," answered Tristram. "Let it be in the meadow by the river at

Camelot, there where Merlin set the tombstone."

"Agreed. I shall not fail you."

"How came you in battle with these ten dastards?"

"The chance of journeying brought me into this forest, where I saw a

dead knight with a lady weeping beside him. I asked her who slew her

lord, and she told me it was the most villanous knight in the world,

named Breuse Sans Pité. I then took her on my horse and promised to see

that her lord was properly interred. But as I passed by this tower its

rascally owner suddenly rode from the gate and struck me unawares so

hard that I fell from my horse. Before I could recover he killed the

lady. It was thus the battle began, at which you arrived in good time."

"It is not safe for you to stay here," said Tristram. "That fellow is

out of our reach for the present, but you are not in condition to meet

him again."

So they mounted and rode into the forest, where they soon came to a

sparkling fountain, whose clear water bubbled freshly from the ground.

Here they alighted and refreshed themselves.

As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly and was answered by

another horse near by. They mounted and rode towards the sound, and

quickly came in sight of a great war-horse tied to a tree. Under an

adjoining tree lay a knight asleep, in full armor, save that his helmet

was placed under his head for a pillow.

"A stout-looking fellow that," said Tristram. "What shall we do?"

"Awake him," said Palamides.

Tristram did so, stirring him with the butt of his spear.

But they had better have let him sleep, for he sprang angrily to his

feet, put on his helmet in haste, and mounting his war-horse seized his

spear. Without a word he spurred upon Tristram and struck him such a

blow as to fling him from his saddle to the earth. Then he galloped back

and came hurling upon Palamides, whom he served in the same rude

fashion. Leaving them laying there, he turned his horse and rode

leisurely away.

When the two overthrown knights gained their feet again, they looked at

one another with faces of shame and anger.

"Well, what now?" asked Tristram. "That is the worst waking I ever did

in my life. By my troth, I did not fancy there was a knight in Arthur's

realm that could have served you and me such a trick. Whatever you do, I

am going after this woodland champion to have a fairer trial."

"So would I were I well," said Palamides. "But I am so hurt that I must

seek rest with a friend of mine near by."

"I can trust you to meet me at the place appointed?"

"I have cause to have more doubt of you than you of me; for if you

follow this strong knight you may not escape with whole bones from the

adventure. I wish you success."

"And I wish you health."

With these words they parted, each riding his own way.

But news came to Tristram as he rode on that would have turned many a

knight from that adventure. For the first day he found a dead knight and

a lady weeping over him, who said that her lord had jousted with a

strong champion, who had run him through. On the third day he met the

good knights Gawaine and Bleoberis, both wounded, who said they had been

so served by a knight with a covered shield.

"He treated me and Palamides the same way," said Tristram, "and I am on

his track to repay him."

"By my faith, you had best turn back," said Gawaine.

"By my head, I will not," said Tristram, and he rode on in pursuit.

The next day he met Kay the seneschal and Dinadan in a meadow.

"What tidings have you?" he asked.

"Not good," they answered.

"Tell me what they are. I ride in search of a knight."

"What cognizance does he bear?"

"He carries a shield covered by a cloth."

"Then you are not far from him," said Kay. "We lodged last night in a

widow's house, and that knight sought the same lodging. And when he

knew we were of Arthur's court he spoke villanous things of the king,

and worse of Queen Guenever. The next day we waged battle with him for

this insult. But at the first encounter he flung me from my horse with a

sore hurt. And when Dinadan here saw me down he showed more prudence

than valor, for he fled to save his skin."

After some further words Tristram rode on; but days passed and he found

not the knight with the covered shield, though he heard more tales of

his irresistible prowess. Then, finding that his armor was bruised and

broken with long use, he sent Gouvernail, his squire, to a city near by

to bring him fresh apparel, and rested at a priory till he came.

On Gouvernail's return he donned his new armor, and turned his horse's

head towards Camelot, seeking the point where he had engaged to do

battle with Palamides. This was at the tomb of Lanceor, son of the king

of Ireland, who had been slain by Balin, and whose lady Columbe had

slain herself, as we have already told. His tomb had been set up near

the river by Merlin, and it had become a place of pilgrimage for true

lovers and faithful wedded pairs.

Tristram did not get there without more battling, for the roads around

Camelot then swarmed with errant knights, eager to show their strength.

Yet he was none the worse for these encounters when he rode up to the

tomb where he hoped to find Palamides in waiting. But instead of the

Saracen he saw a knight approaching in white armor, who bore a shield

covered with a dark cloth.

"Sir knight, you are welcome; none more so," cried Tristram. "I have

sought you far and near, and have an ugly fall to repay you for; and

also owe you a lesson for your revilement of King Arthur and his fair

queen."

"Shorter words and longer deeds would serve better," said the stranger

knight. "Make ready, my good fellow, if one fall is not enough to

satisfy you."

Then they rode apart to a fair distance, and putting spurs to their

horses hurtled together with headlong speed. So fiercely met they,

indeed, that horses and knights together went toppling to the earth,

both those brave warriors kissing the dust.

With all haste they regained their feet, put their shields before them,

and struck at each other with bright swords like men of might. The

battle that followed was such a one as that ground had never seen, for

those two knights seemed rather giants than men. For four hours they

kept up the combat, neither speaking a word, till at the end their armor

was hewn off in many places, and blood had flowed from their wounds till

the grass was turned from green to crimson.

The squires looked on in wonder, and boasted of the might of their

lords, though their hearts grew heavy when they saw the bright swords so

reddened with blood.

At last the unknown knight rested on his weapon, and said,--

"Sir stranger, you are the best fighter I ever saw in armor. I would

know you better, and beg to learn your name."

"I care not to tell it," said Tristram.

"Why not? I never make my name a secret."

"Then pray tell it, for I would give much to know the name of the

stoutest knight I ever drew sword upon."

"Fair sir, my name is Lancelot du Lake."

"Alas, can this be so? Have I fought thus against the man I love best in

the world?"

"Then who are you?"

"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."

"Oh, what strange chance is this! Take my sword, Sir Tristram, for you

have earned it well."

And he knelt and yielded Tristram his sword.

Tristram in turn knelt and yielded up his. And thus with exchange of

words they gave each other the degree of brotherhood. Then they sat

together on the stone, and took off their helms to cool their heated

faces, and kissed each other with brotherly ardor.

When they had rested and conversed long in the most loving amity, and

their squires had salved and bandaged their wounds, they mounted and

rode towards Camelot.

Near the gates of the city they met Gawaine and Gaheris, who were

setting out in search of Tristram, having promised King Arthur never to

return till they could bring the valiant knight of Cornwall with them.

"Return, then, for your quest is done," said Lancelot. "I have found Sir

Tristram, and here he is in person."

"Then, by my life, you are heartily welcome!" cried Gawaine. "You have

eased me from great labor, and there are ten others seeking you. Why

came you hither of yourself?"

"I had a challenge with Sir Palamides to do battle with him at Lanceor's

tomb this day, and I know not why he has failed me. By lucky chance my

lord Lancelot and I met there, and well have we tried each other's

strength."

Thus conversing they came to the court, where King Arthur, when he

learned the name of Lancelot's companion, was filled with joy. Taking

Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him to Camelot.

"There is no other man in the world whom I would so gladly have here,"

he said. "Much have you been sought for since you left the tournament,

but in vain. I would fain learn your adventures."

These Tristram told, and the king was amazed when he learned that it was

he who had overthrown him at the Castle of Hard Rock. Then he told of

his pursuit of the knight with the covered shield, and of the deeds he

had done.

"By our faith," cried Gawaine, Bleoberis, and Kay, "we can testify to

that, for he left us all on the ground."

"Aha! who could this strong fellow have been?" asked Arthur. "Did any of

you know him?"

They all declared that he was a stranger to them, though Tristram kept

silent.

"If you know not, I do; it was Lancelot or none," cried the king.

"In faith, I fancy so," said Tristram, "for I found him to-day, and we

had a four hours' fight together, before each found out the other."

"So," they all cried, "it is he who has beguiled us with his covered

shield!"

"You say truly," answered Lancelot, with a smile. "And I called myself

an enemy of King Arthur so that none should suspect me. I was in search

of sport."

"That is an old trick of yours," said Arthur.

"One must go in disguise in these days, or go untried," laughed

Lancelot.

Then Queen Guenever, and many ladies of the court, learning that

Tristram was there, came and bade him welcome, ladies and knights

together crying, "Welcome, Sir Tristram! welcome to Camelot!"

"Welcome, indeed," said Arthur, "to one of the best and gentlest knights

of the world, and the man of highest esteem. For of all modes of

hunting, you bear the prize, and of all bugle hunting calls you are the

origin, and all the terms of hunting and hawking began with you; on all

instruments of music no man surpasses you: therefore, you are trebly

welcome to this court. And here I pray you to grant me a boon."

"I am at your command," said Tristram.

"It is that you abide in my court, and be one of my knights."

"That I am loath to do, for I have work laid out elsewhere."

"Yet you have passed your word. You shall not say me nay."

"Then be it as you will," said Tristram.

[Illustration: ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND

TABLE.]

These words spoken, Arthur took Tristram by the hand and led him to the

Round Table, going with him round its circle, and looking into every

seat that lacked a knight. When at length he came to that in which Sir

Marhaus had formerly sat, he saw there engraved in letters of gold,

"This is the seat of the noble knight Sir Tristram."

Then Arthur made Tristram a Knight of the Round Table with noble

ceremony and great pomp, and with feasts that lasted many days. Glad

were all there to have a knight of such prowess and high esteem in their

company, and many friends Tristram made among his new brothers-in-arms.

But chief of all these was Lancelot, and for days together Lancelot and

Tristram kept genial company, while their brotherhood gave joy to all,

and most of all to King Arthur, who felt that the glory of his reign was

now at its height, and that two such knights as these would spread the

renown of the Round Table throughout the world.

END OF VOL. I.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Fifteen spelling errors have been corrected as follows:

Pg. 38 "Tintagel" to "Tintagil" (15) (the Duke of Tintagil)

Pg. 74 "churchyard" to "church-yard" (4) (near a church-yard)

Pg. 114 "way-side" to "wayside" (2) (they reached a wayside)

Pg. 166 "eat" to "ate" (of which Kay ate heartily)

Pg. 200 "vassels" to "vassals" (4) (dead or my vassals)

Pg. 206 "swept" to "wept" (wept for pity.)

Pg. 212 "therefor" to "therefore" (24) (and sureties therefore.")

Pg. 223 "Badgemagus" to "Bagdemagus" (11) (King Bagdemagus)

Pg. 246 "togther" to "together" (together in furious)

Pg. 281 "threatingly" to "threateningly" (shook the sword

threateningly)

Pg. 284 "say" to "saw" (when he saw him coming)

Pg. 287 "beleagured" to "beleaguered" (a hundred beleaguered him)

Pg. 291 "is" to "if" (seemed as if she returned his love)

Pg. 298 "Taulurd" to "Taulard" (2) (brother to that Taulard)

Pg. 336 "wellnigh" to "well-nigh" (2) (he well-nigh lost his wits)

The following list of similar words appear in the original text and

have been retained.

"Percival" (p 12) and "Percivale" (elsewhere)

"lady Colombe" (p 65) and "lady Columbe" (p 355)

"gerfalcon" (p 135) and "jerfalcon" (p 221)

"Sagramore" and "Sagramour"

"villain" (17) and "villanous" (8) and villany (3)