t thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow;" and
rode against the black knight with such fury that he was flung from his
horse. Then he turned to a companion of the black knight, who now
appeared, and hurled him to the earth so violently that he came near to
breaking his neck in the fall.

Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his feet, Gaheris sternly bade
his antagonists to tell their names or they should die.

"Beware what you do," said the second knight. "This is King Mark of
Cornwall, and I am his cousin Andred."

"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a fury, "and have laid this
ambush for us. It were a pity to let such craven rascals live."

"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will make full amends."

"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried Gaheris. "You have lived
long enough."

With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with his sword, while the
dastard king cowered under his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same
time.

King Mark now flung himself on his knees before Gaheris and swore on the
cross of his sword never while he lived to do aught against errant
knights. And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram if he should
come into Cornwall.

With this they let them go, though Kay was eager to slay Andred, for his
deeds of treachery against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now rode
out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon after met Lancelot, who asked
them what tidings they brought from King Mark's country, and if they had
learned aught of Tristram. They answered that they had not, and told him
of their adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.

"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh that which is bred in
the bone," he said.

Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together to seek Tristram in the
country of Surluse, not dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles
from the Castle of Maidens.

Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we must return to the
three prisoners. Tristram still continued sick almost unto death, while
Palamides, while giving him daily care, continued to rail loudly against
him and to boast of how he would yet deal with him. Of this idle
boasting Dinadan in time had more than he could bear, and broke out
angrily on the Saracen.

"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were here before you," he said;
"for if a wolf and a sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave
the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against whom