icks on me."

Sir Breuse, seeing but one, put his spear in rest and rode furiously
against Gawaine, whom he struck so strong a blow that he flung him
prostrate to the ground. Then, with deadly intent, he forced his horse
to trample over him twenty times backward and forward, thinking to
destroy him. But when Tristram saw this villany he broke from his covert
and rushed in fury upon the murderous wretch.

But Breuse Sans Pite had met with Tristram before, and knew him by his
arms. Therefore he turned his horse and fled at full speed, hotly
pursued by the furious knight. Long he chased him, full of thirst for
revenge, but the well-horsed villain rode at such a pace that he left
him in the distance. At length Tristram, despairing of overtaking him,
and seeing an inviting forest spring, drew up his horse and rode thither
for rest and refreshment.

Dismounting and tying his horse to a tree, he washed his face and hands
and took a deep and grateful draught of the cool water. Then laying
himself to rest by the spring side, he fell sound asleep.

While he lay there good fortune brought to that forest spring a lady who
had sought him far and wide. This was Dame Bragwaine, the lady companion
of La Belle Isolde, who bore him letters from the queen. She failed to
recognize the sleeping knight, but at first sight knew his noble
charger, Passe Brewel, which Tristram had ridden for years. So she
seated herself gladly by the knight, and waited patiently till he awoke.
Then she saluted him, and he her, for he failed not to recognize his
old acquaintance.

"What of my dear lady, La Belle Isolde?" he asked, eagerly.

"She is well, and has sent me to seek you. Far and wide have I sought
for you through the land, and glad enough am I to hand you the letters I
bear."

"Not so glad as I am to receive them," said Tristram, joyfully, taking
them from her hand and opening them with eager haste, while his soul
overflowed with joy as he read Isolde's words of love and constancy,
though with them was mingled many a piteous complaint.

"Come with me, Dame Bragwaine," he said. "I am riding to the tournament
to be held at the Castle of Maidens. There will I answer these letters,
and to have you there, to tell the tale of my doings to my Lady Isolde,
will give me double strength and valor."

To this Dame Bragwaine willingly agreed, and mounting they rode till
they came to the castle of a hospitable old knight, near where the
tournament was t