"This is not the first time I have seen that covered shield of azure," said Tristram. "This knight is Sir Epinegris, the son of the king of Northumberland, than whom the land holds no more ardent lover, for his heart is gone utterly out to the fair daughter of the king of Wales. Now, if you care to find whether a lover or a non-lover is the better knight, here is your opportunity." "I shall teach him to grin to more purpose," said Dinadan. "Stand by and you shall see." Then, as the lover approached, he cried,-- "Halt, sir knight, and make ready to joust, as is the custom with errant knights." "Let it be so, if you will," answered Epinegris. "Since it is the custom of you knight-errant to make a man joust whether he will or no, I am your man." "Make ready, then, for here is for you." Then they spurred their horses and rode together at full speed, Dinadan breaking his spear, while Epinegris struck him so shrewd a blow that he rolled upon the earth. "How now?" cried Tristram. "It seems to me that the lover has best sped." "Will you play the coward?" queried Dinadan. "Or will you, like a good knight, revenge me?" "I am not in the mood," answered Tristram. "Take your horse, Sir Dinadan, and let us get away from here, where hard blows are more plentiful than soft beds." "Defend me from such fellowship as yours!" roared Dinadan. "Take your way and I will take mine. We fit not well together." "I might give you news of Sir Tristram." "Sir Tristram, if he be wise, will seek better company. I can do without your news, as I have had to do without your help," and he rode on in high dudgeon. "Farewell, then," cried Tristram, laughing. "It may happen we shall soon meet again." Tristram rode back in much amusement to Joyous Gard, but on coming near he heard in the neighboring town a great outcry. "What means this noise?" he asked. "Sir," he was told, "a knight of the castle has just been slain by two strangers, and for no other cause than saying that Sir Lancelot was a better knight than Sir Gawaine." "Who would dispute that?" said Tristram. "It is a small cause for the death of a good man, that he stands for his lord's fame." "But what remedy have we?" said the towns-men. "If Lancelot had been here, these fellows would soon have been called to a reckoning. But, alas, he is away." "I may do something in his service," answered Tristram. "If I take his place, I must defend his followers." Thereupon he sent for his shield and spear, and rode in pursuit of the two knights, whom he overtook before they had gone far. "Turn, sir dastards," he cried, "and amend your misdeeds." "What amends wish you?" asked one of the knights. "We are ready with spear and sword to make good whatever we have done." He rode against Tristram, but was met so sturdily in mid career that he was thrust over his horse's tail. Then the other rode against him, and was served in the same rough manner.