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