Then, spear in hand, he rode on Sir Tristram, with brutal intent to run him through. But Palamides sprang up hastily, and smote the knight"s horse so fierce a blow with his clinched fist that horse and man fell together to the earth. He then drew his sword to slay him.
"Let the dog go," said Tristram. "He is but a fool, and it were a shame to slay him for his folly. Take the fellow"s spear from him, though. It is a weapon he has not learned the use of."
The knight rose groaning, and when he had regained his saddle he again requested their names.
"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse, and this knight"s name is Palamides.
Would you know more?"
"No, by my faith!" cried the other, and, hastily putting spurs to his horse, he rode away as fast as the animal would carry him.
Hardly had he gone when a knight, who bore a bended shield of azure, came riding up at a furious gallop.
"My fair sirs," he asked, "has a knight pa.s.sed here bearing a shield with a case of red over it?"
"Yes. We but now had some trouble with such a fellow. Who is he?"
"And you let him escape? That was ill-advised, fair sirs. He is the falsest rogue and the greatest foe to knights-errant living. His name is Breuse Sans Pite."
"And I had him under my sword!" cried Palamides. "Fool I was to let him go."
"If I overtake him there will be another story to tell," answered the knight, as he spurred onward on the track of the fugitive.
Then the four friends mounted and rode leisurely back towards Joyous Gard, much conversing as they went. When they reached the castle Palamides wished not to enter, but Tristram insisted on it, and, taking him by the hand, led him in.
When Palamides saw La Belle Isolde, whom he had not met for years, but for whom his love burned as warmly as ever, he was so ravished with joy that he could scarcely speak. And when they were at dinner he could not eat a morsel, but sat like a dumb man, scarcely venturing to raise his eyes to Isolde"s lovely countenance.
Poorly he slept that night, and with many dreams of her he loved. When morning broke they all prepared to ride to Lonazep. Tristram took with him three squires, and Queen Isolde had three gentlewomen, all attired with great richness. These, with the other knights and their squires, and valets to bear their shields and spears, formed their train.
Not far had they gone before they saw on the road before them a group of knights. Chief of these was the knight Galihodin, who was attended by twenty companions.
"Fair fellows," said Galihodin, "yonder come four knights escorting a richly-attired lady. What say you? shall we take her from them?"
"That is not the best counsel," said one.
"At any rate, it is my counsel," answered Galihodin. "We shall show them that we have the right of the road." And he sent a squire to them, asking them if they would joust, or else lose their lady.
"We are but four," said Tristram. "Tell your lord to come with three of his comrades, and win her if he can."
"Let me have this joust," said Palamides. "I will undertake them all four."
"As you will," said Tristram. "Go tell your lord that this one knight will encounter him and any three of his fellows."
The squire departed with his challenge, and in a trice Galihodin came riding forward spear in rest. Palamides encountered him in mid career, and smote him so hard a blow that he had a terrible fall to the earth, and his horse with him. His three comrades were served in the same summary manner, while Palamides still bore an unbroken spear. At this unlooked-for result six knights rode out from the opposite party with purpose of revenge on the victor.
"Hold your hands," cried Galihodin. "Let not one of you touch this n.o.ble knight, who has proved himself a man of worth. And I doubt if the whole of you could handle him."
When Palamides saw that the field was yielded to him he rode back to Sir Tristram.
"Well and worshipfully have you done," said Tristram. "No man could have surpa.s.sed you."
Onward they rode again, and in a little while after met four knights in the highway, with spears in rest. These were Gawaine and three companions. This joust also Tristram gave to Palamides, and he served these four as he had served the others, leaving them all unhorsed in the road. For the presence of La Belle Isolde gave the strength of ten men to the arm of her lover, the Saracen.
They now continued their route without molestation, and in good time reached the spot where Tristram had ordered his pavilions to be set up.
Here were now many more pavilions than they had seen on their previous visit, and a great array of knights, who had been gathering for many days, for far and wide had spread the news of the great tournament.
Leaving Palamides and Gareth at the pavilions with Queen Isolde, Tristram and Dinadan rode to Lonazep to learn what was afoot, Tristram riding on the Saracen knight"s white horse. As they came into the castle the sound of a great bugle-blast met their ears, and many knights crowded forward.
"What means the blast?" asked Tristram.
"Sir," answered a knight, "it comes from the party who hold against King Arthur at this tournament. These are the kings of Ireland, of Surluse, of Listinoise, of Northumberland, of North Wales, and of other countries. They are calling a council to decide how they shall be governed in the lists."
Tristram thereupon followed them to their council, and listened to the debate. He then sought his horse again, and rode by where King Arthur stood surrounded by a press of knights. Among those were Galihodin and Gawaine, who said to the king: "That knight in the green harness, with the white horse, is a man of might, whoever he be. To-day he overthrew us both, with six of our fellows."
"Who can he be?" said the king, and he called Tristram to him, and requested to know his name.
"I beg pardon, my liege lord," answered Tristram, "and pray that you will hold me excused from revealing my name at this time," and he turned his horse and rode away.
"Go after him, Sir Griflet," said the king. "Tell him that I wish to speak with him apart."
Griflet rode to Tristram and told him the king"s wish, and the two returned in company.
"Fair sir," said the king, "what is the cause that you withhold your name?"
"I have an excellent reason, but beg that you will not press me for it."
"With which party do you hold?"
"Truly, my lord, that I cannot say. Where my heart draws or my fancy bids I will go. To-morrow you shall see which side I take. To-day I know not myself."
Leaving the king, he rode back to where his pavilions were set. When the morning dawned he and his three companions armed themselves all in green and rode to the lists. Here young knights had begun to joust, and, seeing this, Gareth asked leave of Tristram to break a spear.
"Go in and do your best if you care to play with beginners," said Tristram, laughing.
But Gareth found himself encountered by a nephew of the king with the hundred knights, who had some of his uncle"s tough fibre, and both got ugly falls, and lay on the ground till they were helped up by their friends. Then Tristram and Palamides rode with Gareth back to the pavilions, where they removed their helmets. When Isolde saw Gareth all bruised in the face, she asked him what ailed him.
"Madam, I had a hard buffet, and gave another, but none of my fellows would rescue me."
"Only unproved knights are yet in the field," said Palamides. "The man that met you, though, was a strong and well-trained knight, Sir Selises by name, so you have no dishonor. Rest here and get yourself in condition for to-morrow"s work."
"I shall not fail you if I can bestride my horse," said Gareth.
"What party is it best for us to join to-morrow?" asked Tristram.
"Against King Arthur, is my advice," said Palamides. "Lancelot and many other good men will be on his side, and the more men of prowess we meet the more honor we will win."
"Well and knightly spoken," said Tristram. "Hard blows is what we court.
Your counsel is well given."