in
those days was that any man who was accused of murder or treason should
decide the case by the Wager of Battle, fighting his accuser to the
death, or finding a knight who would take up his quarrel. And murders of
all kinds in those days were called treason.

King Anguish was thrown into a sorrowful frame of mind, for he knew that
Blamor de Ganis was a knight of prowess beyond his own strength, nor had
he a suitable champion in his train. He therefore withheld his answer,
and the judges gave him three days for his decision.

All this was told to Tristram by his squire Gouvernail, who had heard it
from people of the country.

"Truly," said Tristram, "no man in England could bring me better
tidings, for the king of Ireland will be glad of my aid, since no knight
of this country not of Arthur's court will dare fight with Blamor. As I
wish to win the good will of King Anguish, I will take on myself his
battle. So, Gouvernail, go to the king for me, and tell him there is a
champion ready to assume his cause."

Gouvernail thereupon went to Camelot, and greeted King Anguish, who
returned his greeting and asked his errand.

"There is a knight near at hand who desires to speak with you," was the
reply. "He bade me say that he was ready to do you knightly service."

"What knight may he be?" asked the king.

"Sir, it is Tristram of Lyonesse. For the grace you showed him in your
country he is ready to repay you here, and to take the field as your
champion."

"God be praised for this welcome news!" cried the king. "Come, good
fellow, show me the way to Sir Tristram. Blamor will find he has no boy
to handle."

He mounted a hackney, and with few followers rode under Gouvernail's
guidance till they came to Tristram's pavilion. The knight, when he saw
his visitor, ran to him and would have held his stirrup, but this the
king would not permit. He leaped lightly from his horse and took
Tristram warmly in his arms.

"My gracious lord," said Tristram, "I have not forgot the goodness which
you formerly showed me, and which at that time I promised to requite by
knightly service if it should ever be in my power."

"I have great need of you, indeed, gentle sir," answered the king.
"Never before was I in such deep necessity of knightly aid."

"How so, my noble lord?" asked Tristram.

"I shall tell you. I am held answerable for the death of a knight who
was akin to Lancelot, and for which I must fight his relative, Blamor de
Ga