r Marhaus. Criers were sent through all the land,
proclaiming that, to any knight that would take the combat upon
him, King Mark would give such gifts as should enrich him for life.
In time, word of all that had happened came to Liones, and
immediately Tristram sought his father, desiring his permission to
go to the court of his uncle, King Mark, to take the battle upon
him. Thus it came to pass that, with his father's good leave,
Tristram presented himself before King Mark, asking to be made
knight that he might do battle for the liberties of Cornwall. Then
when Mark knew that it was his sister's son, he rejoiced greatly,
and having made Tristram knight, he sent word to Sir Marhaus that
there was found to meet him a champion of better birth than Sir
Marhaus' self.

So it was arranged that the combat should take place on a little
island hard by, where Sir Marhaus had anchored his ships. Sir
Tristram, with his horse and arms, was placed on board a ship, and
when the island was gained, he leaped on shore, bidding his squire
put off again and only return when he was slain or victorious.

Now, when Sir Marhaus saw that Tristram was but a youth, he cried
aloud to him: "Be advised, young Sir, and go back to your ship.
What can ye hope to do against me, a proven knight of Arthur's
Table?" Then Tristram made answer: "Sir and most famous champion, I
have been made knight to do battle with you, and I promise myself
to win honour thereby, I who have never before encountered a proven
knight." "If ye can endure three strokes of my sword, it shall be
honour enough," said Sir Marhaus. Then they rushed upon each other,
and at the first encounter each unhorsed the other, and Sir
Marhaus' spear pierced Sir Tristram's side and made a grievous
wound. Drawing their swords, they lashed at each other, and the
blows fell thick as hail till the whole island re-echoed with the
din of onslaught. So they fought half a day, and ever it seemed
that Sir Tristram grew fresher and nimbler while Sir Marhaus became
sore wearied. And at the last, Sir Tristram aimed a great blow at
the head of his enemy, and the sword crashed through the helmet and
bit into the skull so that a great piece was broken away from the
edge of Tristram's sword. Then Sir Marhaus flung away sword and
shield, and when he might regain his feet, fled shrieking to his
ships. "Do ye flee?" cried Tristram. "I am but newly made knight;
but rather than flee, I would be hewn piecemeal."