They rose as quickly as they could, drew their swords, and challenged him to battle on foot. "You shall tell me your names," he said, sternly. "I warn you that if it comes to sword-play you will find more than your match. Yet you may have that in your lineage which will keep you from my hands, however much you deserve punishment for your evil deeds." "As for our names, we dread not to tell them. We are Agravaine and Gaheris, brothers to the good knight Gawaine, and nephews of King Arthur." "For Arthur's sake, then, I must let you pass unscathed. Yet it is a crying shame that men of such good blood as you should play the part of murderers. You slew among you a better knight than the best of your kin, Lamorak de Galis, and I would to God I had been by at that time." "You would have gone the same road," said Gaheris. "Not without more knights to do it than you had in your murderous crew." With these words he turned from them and rode back towards Joyous Gard. When he had gone they regained their horses, and feeling themselves safe in the saddle their courage returned. "Let us pursue this boaster," they said, "and see if he fares so much better than Lamorak." They did so, and when they came near Tristram, who was jogging slowly along, Agravaine cried,-- "Turn, traitor knight!" "Traitor in your teeth!" cried Tristram, in a rage. "I let you off too cheaply, it seems." And drawing his sword, he turned upon Agravaine and smote him so fiercely on the helm that he fell swooning from his horse, with a dangerous wound. Then he turned to Gaheris and dealt him a blow that in like manner tumbled him from his saddle to the earth. This done, Tristram turned and rode into the castle, leaving them like dead men in the road. Here he told La Belle Isolde of his several adventures. When he spoke of Dinadan, she asked,-- "Was it not he that made the song about King Mark?" "The same," answered Tristram. "He is the greatest jester at Arthur's court, but a good knight withal, and I know no man whom I like better as a comrade." "Why did you not bring him with you?" "No need of that. He is seeking me through this country, and there is no fear that he will give up the search lightly." As they spoke, a servant came and told Tristram that a knight-errant had entered the town, and described the device on his shield. "That is our man now," said Tristram. "That is Dinadan. Send for him, Isolde, and you shall hear the merriest knight and the maddest talker that you ever spoke with. I pray you to make him heartily welcome, for he is a cherished friend of mine." Then Isolde sent into the town with a message to Dinadan, begging that he would come to the castle and rest a while there, at a lady's wish. "That will I, with a good will," answered Dinadan. "I were but a churl else."