"I can but try, yet right skillful is the fellow." So they turned to again. Yet this time the stranger fought the better. Soon the other was forced back, foot by foot. And even as the stranger seemed to have all the best of it, his foot seeming slipped, and he went to his knees. Fiercely the other came upon him. Yet as he came closer the stranger's club moved swiftly. From out the seeming victor's hand flew his mighty club and next second found him clubbed to the ground, senseless. Now the stranger sat himself down for he needed rest sorely. But only for a little while and thereafter he turned to try his skill with bow and arrow. And though he had shown skill in all of the other feats he proved his mastery here. For he was wondrous expert in his archery. "Here you, is fair target," he finally suggested after many trials. And went to distant tree and removed from bough upon it, all its leaves but one. "Shoot you all at this. And if you bring it down I will call you skillful." But only one would try for it. And he came close but missed. Now did the stranger raise his own bow. Nor did he seem to take aim but let the arrow fly. And the arrow carried the twig and leaf with it to the ground. "Of a truth," said King Arthur, "a right worthy knave is that and I would speak to him." So they brought the stranger before the king. "Thou hast done exceeding well, this day, fellow. Tell us then the banner that you serve." "That I cannot do. For, sire, such are my master's commands. Yet may I say no knight is more true and worthy." "Then must we wait for your master's coming. Go thou hence and tell your master he can be proud of thee. And take you this bag of gold besides such other prizes as are yours." So as the knave stood there, the King turned to Sir Dagonet, his jester, who was making himself heard. "A fool speaks, sire. Yet claim I, like master like man. So then must this fellow's master be right skillful to hold him. And since this master is not you, nor Sir Launcelot, then I pick him to be Sir Tristram." "Fool's reasoning, yet hath it much sense," said the King. Now the stranger left. But ere departing, he turned to Allan. "I trust, young master, I shall see you again. As to who I am, know you for your own keeping--fools ofttimes reason best of all." The yeoman rode far into the forest. Then when he came to a lone habitation he dismounted. A knight seated near the small window at the further wall greeted him as he entered. "How did the day turn out? No doubt they trounced you well." "No, master, no trouncing did I get. Instead, the good King spoke pleasantly unto me, gave me this bag of gold, and commended me to my master. Furthermore, see you these prizes that are mine?"