the thirty knights passed on and came by Sir
Tristram and by Sir Dinadan, and then Sir Tristram cried on high: Lo,
here is a knight against you for the love of Sir Launcelot. And there
he slew two with one spear and ten with his sword. And then came in Sir
Dinadan and he did passing well, and so of the thirty knights there went
but ten away, and they fled. All this battle saw Sir Bors de Ganis and
his three fellows, and then they saw well it was the same knight that
jousted with them at the bridge; then they took their horses and rode
unto Sir Tristram, and praised him and thanked him of his good deeds,
and they all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to their lodging; and
he said: Nay, he would not go to no lodging. Then they all four knights
prayed him to tell them his name. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, as at
this time I will not tell you my name.

CHAPTER XXIV. How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan came to a lodging where
they must joust with two knights.

THEN Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode forth their way till they came to
the shepherds and to the herdmen, and there they asked them if they
knew any lodging or harbour there nigh hand. Forsooth, sirs, said the
herdmen, hereby is good lodging in a castle; but there is such a
custom that there shall no knight be harboured but if he joust with two
knights, and if he be but one knight he must joust with two. And as ye
be therein soon shall ye be matched. There is shrewd harbour, said Sir
Dinadan; lodge where ye will, for I will not lodge there. Fie for shame,
said Sir Tristram, are ye not a knight of the Table Round? wherefore ye
may not with your worship refuse your lodging. Not so, said the herdmen,
for an ye be beaten and have the worse ye shall not be lodged there, and
if ye beat them ye shall be well harboured. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, they
are two sure knights. Then Sir Dinadan would not lodge there in no
manner but as Sir Tristram required him of his knighthood; and so they
rode thither. And to make short tale, Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan smote
them down both, and so they entered into the castle and had good cheer
as they could think or devise.

And when they were unarmed, and thought to be merry and in good rest,
there came in at the gates Sir Palomides and Sir Gaheris, requiring to
have the custom of the castle. What array is this? said Sir Dinadan,
I would have my rest. That may not be, said Sir Tristram; now must we
needs defend the custom of this castle,