Andred, and Dinas the
seneschal, accepted the challenge, but both were overthrown. Then King
Mark in a fury cried out against his knights, and Gaheris, as his guest,
proffered to meet the champion. But when Uwaine saw his shield, he knew
him for his own cousin, and refused to joust with him, reproving him for
breaking his oath of fellowship as a Knight of the Round Table.

This reproof cut Gaheris deeply, and returning to King Mark he took his
leave of him and his court, saying,--

"Sir king, this I must say, that you did a foul shame to yourself and
your kingdom when you banished Sir Tristram. Had he stayed here you
would not have wanted a champion."

All this added to the king's rage, and arming himself he waylaid Uwaine
at a secret place as he was passing unawares, and ran him through the
body. But before he could kill him as he designed, Kay the seneschal
came that way and flew to the aid of the wounded knight, while King Mark
rode in dastardly haste away. Kay sought to learn from Uwaine who had
hurt him, but this he was not able to tell.

He then bore him to a neighboring abbey of the black cross, where he
left him in the care of the monks. Not far had he ridden from there when
he met King Mark, who accosted him courteously, and bade him, if he
sought an adventure, to ride into the forest of Morris, where he would
find one to try his prowess.

"I will prove what it is worth," said Kay, and bade adieu to the king.

A mile or two further on he met Gaheris, who, learning his errand,
warned him against doing anything at the suggestion of King Mark, who
meant but treachery and harm.

"Come with me, then," said Kay. "Adventures are not so abundant, and we
two should be able to match the wiles of this dastard king."

"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.

Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little
lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the
woodland shadows.

It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung its
silvery rays wide over the forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode
into the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor and on a great
black horse, who tilted against Sir Kay. The seneschal's horse was
smaller than that of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock,
falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.

During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden under the woodland
shadows. He now cried sternly,--

"Knight, si