not safe for you to stay here," said Tristram. "That fellow is
out of our reach for the present, but you are not in condition to meet
him again."

So they mounted and rode into the forest, where they soon came to a
sparkling fountain, whose clear water bubbled freshly from the ground.
Here they alighted and refreshed themselves.

As they did so Tristram's horse neighed loudly and was answered by
another horse near by. They mounted and rode towards the sound, and
quickly came in sight of a great war-horse tied to a tree. Under an
adjoining tree lay a knight asleep, in full armor, save that his helmet
was placed under his head for a pillow.

"A stout-looking fellow that," said Tristram. "What shall we do?"

"Awake him," said Palamides.

Tristram did so, stirring him with the butt of his spear.

But they had better have let him sleep, for he sprang angrily to his
feet, put on his helmet in haste, and mounting his war-horse seized his
spear. Without a word he spurred upon Tristram and struck him such a
blow as to fling him from his saddle to the earth. Then he galloped back
and came hurling upon Palamides, whom he served in the same rude
fashion. Leaving them laying there, he turned his horse and rode
leisurely away.

When the two overthrown knights gained their feet again, they looked at
one another with faces of shame and anger.

"Well, what now?" asked Tristram. "That is the worst waking I ever did
in my life. By my troth, I did not fancy there was a knight in Arthur's
realm that could have served you and me such a trick. Whatever you do, I
am going after this woodland champion to have a fairer trial."

"So would I were I well," said Palamides. "But I am so hurt that I must
seek rest with a friend of mine near by."

"I can trust you to meet me at the place appointed?"

"I have cause to have more doubt of you than you of me; for if you
follow this strong knight you may not escape with whole bones from the
adventure. I wish you success."

"And I wish you health."

With these words they parted, each riding his own way.

But news came to Tristram as he rode on that would have turned many a
knight from that adventure. For the first day he found a dead knight and
a lady weeping over him, who said that her lord had jousted with a
strong champion, who had run him through. On the third day he met the
good knights Gawaine and Bleoberis, both wounded, who said they had been
so served by a knight with a covered shie