He was received with like joy and congratulation at the castle, Sir Ebel warmly pressing him to change his decision and remain as their king. To this Palamides would by no means consent, and after a day's stay he took ship again, and sailed up the Humber to the castle of Lonazep. [Illustration: SIR TRISTRAM AT JOYOUS GARD.] CHAPTER V. THE TOURNAMENT AT LONAZEP. When Palamides learned that Tristram was not at Lonazep, he tarried not there, but crossed the Humber, and sought him at Joyous Gard. Here he found lodgings in the town, and word was quickly brought to Tristram that a knight-errant had come. "What manner of man is he? and what sign does he bear?" he asked. The messenger described his armor and appearance. "That is Palamides," said Dinadan. "The brave fellow is already back, and victorious, I doubt not." "It looks that way, indeed. Go and bid him welcome to Joyous Gard," said Tristram. So Dinadan went to Palamides, and joyfully greeted him, listening eagerly to the story of his exploits, and congratulating him on his signal success. He remained with him that night, and in the morning they were visited by Tristram and Gareth before they had arisen. Many were the warm congratulations which Tristram gave Palamides on his noble achievement, and after they had breakfasted he invited him to ride into the fields and woods, that they might repose under the cool shelter of the forest. Here they alighted by a refreshing spring, and as they sat conversing an armed knight came riding towards them. "Who are those knights that are lodged in Joyous Gard?" he asked. "That I cannot say," answered Tristram. "At any rate you can tell me who you are. You are not knights-errant, I fancy, since you ride unarmed." "Whether we be or no, we prefer not to tell our names." "You are not courteous, sir knight, and this is the way I pay discourtesy," said the stranger. "Guard yourself, or you shall die by my hands." Then, spear in hand, he rode on Sir Tristram, with brutal intent to run him through. But Palamides sprang up hastily, and smote the knight's horse so fierce a blow with his clinched fist that horse and man fell together to the earth. He then drew his sword to slay him. "Let the dog go," said Tristram. "He is but a fool, and it were a shame to slay him for his folly. Take the fellow's spear from him, though. It is a weapon he has not learned the use of." The knight rose groaning, and when he had regained his saddle he again requested their names. "My name is Tristram de Lyonesse, and this knight's name is Palamides. Would you know more?" "No, by my faith!" cried the other, and, hastily putting spurs to his horse, he rode away as fast as the animal would carry him. Hardly had he gone when a knight, who bore a bended shield of azure, came riding up at a furious gallop. "My fair sirs," he asked, "has a knight passed here bearing a shield with a case of red over it?" "Yes. We but now had some trouble with such a fellow. Who is he?"