p more, than you want. Within a mile of here
is a strong manor; by that manor, on the left hand, is a fair ford for
horses to drink at; over that ford there grows a spreading tree; and on
that tree hang many shields which good knights once wielded. On the
trunk of the tree you will see a basin of brass and copper, and if you
seek an adventure you have but to strike that basin thrice with the butt
of your spear. If then you do not soon hear tidings of interest, you
will have the best fortune of any knight who has passed through this
forest for many a long year."

"Gramercy, for your tidings," said Hector, and rode rapidly on.

Soon he came to the manor and the tree, and saw the shields of which the
forester had told him, and to his surprise and grief he noted among them
the shield of his brother Lionel, and many more that he knew belonged to
Round Table knights. Then, with a heart full of thoughts of revenge, he
beat upon the basin roundly with his spear, until its clang rung far and
wide. This done, he turned his horse and let him drink at the ford.

As he stood there he heard a loud voice behind him, bidding him come out
of the water and make ready, and looking round he beheld a
powerfully-built knight on a strong horse.

Hector wheeled his horse sharply, and putting his spear in rest rode
furiously upon this knight, striking him so fierce a blow that his horse
turned twice around.

"Well done," said the stranger. "That was a knightly blow. But beware,
it is my turn now."

As he spoke he spurred his horse at full speed upon Hector, and struck
him so skilfully that the spear-head passed under his right arm and bore
him clear of the saddle into the air. Then, carrying the knight like a
trussed hare on his spear, the victor rode onward into his own open
hall, and flung his captive down in the middle of the floor.

"You have done more to me than any knight has done for twelve years
past," said the victor, whose name was Sir Turquine. "Therefore I will
grant you your life and the liberty of the castle, but you must swear to
be my prisoner until death."

"That will I never promise," said Hector. "I will remain captive to no
man if I can free myself."

"Then I shall take care that you do not escape," said Turquine.

With these words he made Hector, on pain of death, remove his armor, and
then scourged him with thorns as he had done the others, and flung him
into the prison where lay so many of his fellows.

When