hat no eye could readily follow him.

"I must try this strange turn-color knight myself," said Sir Agwisance,
and he spurred his horse vigorously on Gareth.

But with a mighty stroke of his spear Gareth thrust him from his horse,
saddle and all. Then King Carados of Scotland rode against him, and was
hurled to the earth, horse and man. King Uriens of Gore, King
Bagdemagus, and others who tried their fortune, were served in the same
manner. Then Sir Galahalt, the high prince, cried loudly,--

"Knight of the many colors, well hast thou jousted; now make ready,
that I may joust with thee."

Gareth heard him, and got a great spear, and quickly the two knights
encountered, the prince breaking his spear. But Gareth smote him on the
left side of the helm so that he reeled in his saddle, and would have
fallen had not his men supported him.

"Truly," said King Arthur, "that knight with the many colors is a lusty
fighter. Lancelot, do you try his mettle, before he beats all our best
men."

"Sir," said Lancelot, "I should hold it unjust to meet him fresh after
his hard labors. It is not the part of a good knight to rob one of the
honor for which he has worked so nobly. It may be that he is best
beloved of the lady of all that are here, for I can see that he enforces
himself to do great deeds. Therefore, for me, he shall have what honor
he has won; though it lay in my power to put him from it, I would not."

And now, in the lists, the breaking of spears was followed by drawing of
swords; and then there began a sore tournament. There did Sir Lamorak
marvellous deeds of arms, and betwixt him and Sir Ironside there was a
strong battle, and one also between Palamides and Bleoberis. Then came
in Lancelot, who rode against Sir Turquine and his brother Carados,
fighting them both together.

Seeing Lancelot thus hard pressed, Gareth pushed his horse between him
and his opponents, and hurtled them asunder, but no stroke would he
smite Sir Lancelot, but rode briskly on, striking to right and left, so
that his path was marked by the knights he overturned.

Afterward Gareth rode out of the press of knights to adjust his helm,
which had become loosened. Here his dwarf came briskly up with drink,
and said to him,--

"Let me hold your ring, that you lose it not while you drink."

Gareth gave it to him, and quaffed deeply of the refreshing draught, for
he was burning with thirst. This done, his eagerness to return to the
fray was so g