rapped on the shield, bidding him come forth and joust.

"Wait awhile," called back Sir Tristram, "and I will bring you my answer."
Then he hastily dressed himself, and came out to the two impatient
knights, and without much ado he first smote down Sir Ector and then Sir
Morganor, with the same spear.

"Whence come you, and whose knight are you?" they asked as they lay on the
ground, unable to rise because of their bruises.

"My lords," answered Sir Tristram, "I am from Cornwall."

"Alas, alas, I am sore ashamed that any Cornish knight should have
overcome me," cried Sir Ector. And so ashamed was he that he put off his
armour and went away on foot, for he would not ride.

Now it happened about this time that King Anguish of Ireland was sent for
to appear at King Arthur's court at Camelot, to answer a charge of treason
brought against him by Sir Blamor de Ganis, and Sir Bleoberis, his
brother; which was that he had slain at his court a cousin of theirs and
of Sir Launcelot.

The king, who had not known for why he was sent, was sore abashed when he
heard the charge, for he knew there were only two ways to settle the
matter, either he must fight the accuser himself, or he must get a knight
to do so for him, and very heavy-hearted he was, for Sir Blamor was a
powerful knight, and one of the trustiest of the Table Round, and King
Anguish knew that now Sir Marhaus was dead he had no knight in Ireland to
match him.

Three days he had in which to decide upon his answer, and great was his
perplexity as to what it should be.

Meanwhile, Gouvernail went unto his master and told him that King Anguish
was arraigned for murder, and was in great distress. Whereupon Sir
Tristram replied, "This is the best news I have heard these seven years,
that the King of Ireland hath need of my help. I dare be sworn there is
no knight in England, save of Arthur's court, that dare do battle with Sir
Blamor de Ganis. Bring me to the king then, Gouvernail, for to win his
love I will take this battle on myself."

So Gouvernail went to King Anguish, and told him that a knight wished to
do him service. "What knight?" said he.

"Sir Tristram of Lyonesse," answered Gouvernail, "who, for your goodness
to him in your own land, would fain assist you in this."

Then was the king right overjoyed, and went unto Sir Tristram's pavilion,
and when Sir Tristram saw him he would have knelt and held his stirrup for
him to dismount, but the king leapt