ld.

"He treated me and Palamides the same way," said Tristram, "and I am on
his track to repay him."

"By my faith, you had best turn back," said Gawaine.

"By my head, I will not," said Tristram, and he rode on in pursuit.

The next day he met Kay the seneschal and Dinadan in a meadow.

"What tidings have you?" he asked.

"Not good," they answered.

"Tell me what they are. I ride in search of a knight."

"What cognizance does he bear?"

"He carries a shield covered by a cloth."

"Then you are not far from him," said Kay. "We lodged last night in a
widow's house, and that knight sought the same lodging. And when he
knew we were of Arthur's court he spoke villanous things of the king,
and worse of Queen Guenever. The next day we waged battle with him for
this insult. But at the first encounter he flung me from my horse with a
sore hurt. And when Dinadan here saw me down he showed more prudence
than valor, for he fled to save his skin."

After some further words Tristram rode on; but days passed and he found
not the knight with the covered shield, though he heard more tales of
his irresistible prowess. Then, finding that his armor was bruised and
broken with long use, he sent Gouvernail, his squire, to a city near by
to bring him fresh apparel, and rested at a priory till he came.

On Gouvernail's return he donned his new armor, and turned his horse's
head towards Camelot, seeking the point where he had engaged to do
battle with Palamides. This was at the tomb of Lanceor, son of the king
of Ireland, who had been slain by Balin, and whose lady Columbe had
slain herself, as we have already told. His tomb had been set up near
the river by Merlin, and it had become a place of pilgrimage for true
lovers and faithful wedded pairs.

Tristram did not get there without more battling, for the roads around
Camelot then swarmed with errant knights, eager to show their strength.
Yet he was none the worse for these encounters when he rode up to the
tomb where he hoped to find Palamides in waiting. But instead of the
Saracen he saw a knight approaching in white armor, who bore a shield
covered with a dark cloth.

"Sir knight, you are welcome; none more so," cried Tristram. "I have
sought you far and near, and have an ugly fall to repay you for; and
also owe you a lesson for your revilement of King Arthur and his fair
queen."

"Shorter words and longer deeds would serve better," said the stranger
knight. "Make ready,