"You know well, Sir Tristram," answered Palamides, "that I cannot in honor strike at your unarmed head. If I should slay you thus, shame would be my lot. As for your valor and hardiness, those I shall never question." "You speak well," answered Tristram. "Tell me this," continued Palamides. "Were I here naked of armor, and you full armed as I am, what would you do?" "I shall not answer from fear, but from truthfulness. I would bid you depart, as I could not have ado with you." "No more can I with you," said Palamides, "therefore ride on your way." "I shall ride or abide as I may choose," said Tristram. "But tell me this, Palamides: how is it that so good a knight as you refuses to be christened, as your brothers have long been?" "I cannot become a Christian till a vow I made years ago is fulfilled. I believe fully in Jesus Christ and His mild mother Mary; but there is one battle yet I must fight, and when that is done I will be baptized with a good will." "If that is the battle with me," said Tristram, "you shall not long wait for it. For God defend that through my fault you should continue a Saracen. Yonder is a knight whom you have hurt. Help me to put on his armor and I will aid you to fulfil your vow." So they rode together to the wounded knight, who was seated on a bank. Tristram saluted him, and he weakly returned the salute. "Will you tell me your name, sir knight?" asked Tristram. "I am Sir Galleron of Galway, and a Knight of the Round Table." "I am sorry for your hurts, and beg you to lend me your armor, for I am unarmed, and would do battle with this knight who wounded you." "You shall have it with a good will. But you must beware, for this is no common knight." "I know him well," answered Tristram, "and have an old quarrel with him." "Will you kindly tell me your name?" "My name is Tristram de Lyonesse." "Then it was idle to warn you. Well I know your renown and worship; and Sir Palamides is likely to have no light task." Tristram now took off the armor of the wounded knight, who, as well as he could, helped him to put it on himself. This accomplished, Tristram mounted his horse and took in his hand Sir Galleron's spear. Riding to where Palamides stood waiting, he bade him make ready. In a minute more the two strong knights came hurtling together like two lions. Each smote the other in the centre of the shield, but Palamides's spear broke, while that of Tristram overturned the horse of Palamides. In a moment the unhorsed knight had sprung to his feet and drawn his sword, while Tristram alighted, tied his horse to a tree, and advanced to the fray.