was shown Tristram's shield and recognized it as that of the
champion of the tournament.

"So," cried the old knight in a hot passion. "I am harboring here my
sons' murderer, and troubling myself to give him noble cheer. By my
father's grave, I will revenge my boys' death on him and his
companions."

Then in grief and rage he ordered his knights and servants to seize
Tristram, Dinadan, and Palamides, and put them in a strong dungeon he
had in the keep of his castle.

This was done before the three knights could defend themselves, and for
many days they lay in this dismal cell, until Tristram grew so sick from
his wound and confinement that he came near to dying. While they lay
thus in durance vile some knights of Darras's kindred came to the
castle, and on hearing the story wished to kill the captives, but this
the old knight would not permit, though he determined to hold them close
prisoners. So deep in time grew Tristram's sickness that his mind nearly
failed him, and he was ready to slay himself for pain and grief.
Palamides gave him what aid he could, though all the time he spoke of
his hatred to Tristram, the Cornishman, and of the revenge he yet hoped
to have. To this Tristram made no reply, but smiled quietly.

Meanwhile the ten knights continued their fruitless search, some here,
some there, while one of them, Gaheris, nephew to King Arthur, made his
way to King Mark's court, where he was well received.

As they sat at table together the king asked his guest what tidings he
brought from Arthur's realm of Logris.

"Sir," he answered, "King Arthur still reigns nobly, and he lately
presided at a grand tournament where fought many of the noblest knights
of the kingdom. But best of them all was a valiant knight who bore a
black shield, and who kept the lordship of the lists for three days."

"Then by my crown it must have been Lancelot, or Palamides the Pagan."

"Not so. These knights were against him of the black shield."

"Was it Sir Tristram?" asked the king.

"In sooth you have it now."

The king held down his head at this, but La Belle Isolde, who was at the
feast, heard it with great secret joy, and her love for Tristram grew
warmer in her soul.

But King Mark nourished treason in his heart, and sought within his
brain some device to do dishonor to Tristram and to Arthur's knights.
Soon afterward Uwaine came to his court and challenged any knight of
Cornwall to meet him in the lists. Two of these,