"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in no peril of your lives. So much I heard my lord, Sir Darras, say this morning." "So far your news is good," cried Dinadan. "Good for two of us at least, for this good knight promises to die without waiting for the executioner." The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing the thinness of his face and hands, went and told Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen. "That must not be," cried the knight. "God defend that I should suffer those who came to me for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither." Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall on his couch, with the other two knights beside him. "Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry for your sickness, and would not have so noble a knight as you die in prison, though I owe to you the death of three of my sons." "As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair fight, and if they were my next of kin I could not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by treachery, I would have deserved death at your hands." "You acted knightly, and for that reason I could not put you to death," said Sir Darras. "You and your fellows shall go at full liberty, with your horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will be a good friend to my two sons who are still living, and that you tell me your name." "My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born in Cornwall, and am nephew to King Mark. And I promise you by the faith of my body that while I live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for what you have done to us was but by force of nature." "If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am sorry to have held you in durance, and thank you for your proffer of service. But you must stay with me still till you are well and strong." To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more days with the old knight, growing well rapidly under the healing influence of hope and liberty. CHAPTER V. THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD. When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to a cross-way, and here Tristram said,-- "Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures may come to us all." To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay. Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to depart the next day the queen said to him,-- "Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a prisoner." "God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have had enough of that regimen." "You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."