ghts. And ever was Sir Dinas the Seneschal the best
of King Mark's party. And thus the battle endured long with great
mortality. But at the last King Mark and Sir Dinas, were they never so
loath, they withdrew them to the Castle of Tintagil with great slaughter
of people; and the Sessoins followed on fast, that ten of them were put
within the gates and four slain with the portcullis.

Then King Mark sent for Sir Tristram by a varlet, that told him all the
mortality. Then he sent the varlet again, and bade him: Tell King Mark
that I will come as soon as I am whole, for erst I may do him no good.
Then King Mark had his answer. Therewith came Elias and bade the king
yield up the castle: For ye may not hold it no while. Sir Elias, said
the king, so will I yield up the castle if I be not soon rescued. Anon
King Mark sent again for rescue to Sir Tristram. By then Sir Tristram
was whole, and he had gotten him ten good knights of Arthur's; and with
them he rode unto Tintagil. And when he saw the great host of Sessoins
he marvelled wonder greatly. And then Sir Tristram rode by the woods and
by the ditches as secretly as he might, till he came nigh the gates. And
there dressed a knight to him when he saw that Sir Tristram would enter;
and Sir Tristram smote him down dead, and so he served three more. And
everych of these ten knights slew a man of arms. So Sir Tristram entered
into the Castle of Tintagil. And when King Mark wist that Sir Tristram
was come he was glad of his coming, and so was all the fellowship, and
of him they made great joy.

CHAPTER XXIX. How Sir Tristram overcame the battle, and how Elias
desired a man to fight body for body.

SO on the morn Elias the captain came, and bade King Mark: Come out and
do battle; for now the good knight Sir Tristram is entered it will
be shame to thee, said Elias, for to keep thy walls. When King Mark
understood this he was wroth and said no word, but went unto Sir
Tristram and asked him his counsel. Sir, said Sir Tristram, will ye that
I give him his answer? I will well, said King Mark. Then Sir Tristram
said thus to the messenger: Bear thy lord word from the king and me,
that we will do battle with him to-morn in the plain field. What is
your name? said the messenger. Wit thou well my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones. Therewithal the messenger departed and told his lord Elias all
that he had heard. Sir, said Sir Tristram unto King Mark, I pray you
give me leave to have the