But Gareth found himself encountered by a nephew of the king with the hundred knights, who had some of his uncle's tough fibre, and both got ugly falls, and lay on the ground till they were helped up by their friends. Then Tristram and Palamides rode with Gareth back to the pavilions, where they removed their helmets. When Isolde saw Gareth all bruised in the face, she asked him what ailed him. "Madam, I had a hard buffet, and gave another, but none of my fellows would rescue me." "Only unproved knights are yet in the field," said Palamides. "The man that met you, though, was a strong and well-trained knight, Sir Selises by name, so you have no dishonor. Rest here and get yourself in condition for to-morrow's work." "I shall not fail you if I can bestride my horse," said Gareth. "What party is it best for us to join to-morrow?" asked Tristram. "Against King Arthur, is my advice," said Palamides. "Lancelot and many other good men will be on his side, and the more men of prowess we meet the more honor we will win." "Well and knightly spoken," said Tristram. "Hard blows is what we court. Your counsel is well given." "So think we all," said the others. On the morrow, when day had broken, they arrayed themselves in green trappings, with shields and spears of green, while Isolde and her three damsels wore dresses of the same color. For the ladies Tristram found seats in a bay window of a priory which overlooked the field, and from which they could see all that took place. This done, they rode straight to the party of the king of Scots. When Arthur saw this he asked Lancelot who were these knights and the queenly lady who came with them. "That I cannot say for certain. Yet if Tristram and Palamides be in this country then it is they and La Belle Isolde." Then Arthur turned to Kay and said,-- "Go to the hall and see how many Knights of the Round Table are missing, and bring me word." Kay did so, and found by the roll of knights that ten were wanting,--Tristram, Dinadan, and eight others. "Then I dare say," remarked Arthur, "that some of these are here to-day against us." The tournament began with a combat in which two knights, cousins to Gawaine, named Sir Edward and Sir Sadok, rode against the king of Scots and the king of North Wales and overthrew them both. This Palamides saw, and in return he spurred upon these victorious knights and hurled both of them from their saddles. "What knight is that in green?" asked Arthur. "He is a mighty jouster." "You will see him do better yet," said Gawaine. "It was he that unhorsed me and seven others two days ago." As they stood talking Tristram rode into the lists on a black horse, and within a few minutes he smote down four knights of Orkney, while Gareth and Dinadan each unhorsed a good knight. "Yonder is another fellow of marvellous arm," said Arthur; "that green knight on the black horse." "He has not begun his work yet," said Gawaine. "It is plain that he is no common man."