"I shall not fail you," said Gaheris.
Into the forest they then rode till they came to the edge of a little lake, known as the Perilous Lake, and here they waited under the woodland shadows.
It was now night, but the moon rode high in the skies, and flung its silvery rays wide over the forest glade. As they stood thus, there rode into the moonlit opening a knight all in black armor and on a great black horse, who tilted against Sir Kay. The seneschal's horse was smaller than that of the stranger, and was overthrown by the shock, falling upon its rider, whom it bruised severely.
During this encounter Gaheris had remained hidden under the woodland shadows. He now cried sternly,--
"Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will revenge my fellow;" and rode against the black knight with such fury that he was flung from his horse. Then he turned to a companion of the black knight, who now appeared, and hurled him to the earth so violently that he came near to breaking his neck in the fall.
Leaping from his horse and helping Kay to his feet, Gaheris sternly bade his antagonists to tell their names or they should die.
"Beware what you do," said the second knight. "This is King Mark of Cornwall, and I am his cousin Andred."
"You are traitors both," cried Gaheris, in a fury, "and have laid this ambush for us. It were a pity to let such craven rascals live."
"Spare my life," prayed the king, "and I will make full amends."
"You a king; and dealing in treachery!" cried Gaheris. "You have lived long enough."
With this he struck fiercely at King Mark with his sword, while the dastard king cowered under his shield. Kay attacked Andred at the same time.
King Mark now flung himself on his knees before Gaheris and swore on the cross of his sword never while he lived to do aught against errant knights. And he also swore to be a friend unto Sir Tristram if he should come into Cornwall.
With this they let them go, though Kay was eager to slay Andred, for his deeds of treachery against his cousin Tristram. The two knights now rode out of the kingdom of Cornwall, and soon after met Lancelot, who asked them what tidings they brought from King Mark's country, and if they had learned aught of Tristram. They answered that they had not, and told him of their adventure, at which Lancelot smiled.
"You will find it hard to take out of the flesh that which is bred in the bone," he said.
Then Lancelot, Kay, and Gaheris rode together to seek Tristram in the country of Surluse, not dreaming that he lay in prison not many miles from the Castle of Maidens.
Leaving them to pursue their useless journey, we must return to the three prisoners. Tristram still continued sick almost unto death, while Palamides, while giving him daily care, continued to rail loudly against him and to boast of how he would yet deal with him. Of this idle boasting Dinadan in time had more than he could bear, and broke out angrily on the Saracen.
"I doubt if you would do him harm if he were here before you," he said; "for if a wolf and a sheep were together in prison the wolf would leave the sheep in peace. As for Sir Tristram, against whom you rail like a scold, here he lies before you. Now do your worst upon him, Sir Saracen, while he is too sick to defend himself."
Surprise and shame overcame Palamides at this announcement, and he dropped his head in confusion.
"I have heard somewhat too much of your ill will against me;" said Tristram, "but shall let it pass at present, for we are in more danger here from the lord of this place than from each other."
As they spoke, a damsel brought them their noontide meal, and said as she gave it them,--
"Be of good cheer, sir knights, for you are in no peril of your lives.
So much I heard my lord, Sir Darras, say this morning."
"So far your news is good," cried Dinadan. "Good for two of us at least, for this good knight promises to die without waiting for the executioner."
The damsel looked upon Tristram, and observing the thinness of his face and hands, went and told Sir Darras of what she had heard and seen.
"That must not be," cried the knight. "God defend that I should suffer those who came to me for succor to die in my prison. Bring them hither."
Then Tristram was brought to the castle hall on his couch, with the other two knights beside him.
"Sir knight," said the castle lord, "I am sorry for your sickness, and would not have so noble a knight as you die in prison, though I owe to you the death of three of my sons."
"As for that," said Tristram, "it was in fair fight, and if they were my next of kin I could not have done otherwise. If I had slain them by treachery, I would have deserved death at your hands."
"You acted knightly, and for that reason I could not put you to death,"
said Sir Darras. "You and your fellows shall go at full liberty, with your horses and armor, on this covenant, that you will be a good friend to my two sons who are still living, and that you tell me your name."
"My name is Tristram de Lyonesse. I was born in Cornwall, and am nephew to King Mark. And I promise you by the faith of my body that while I live I shall be a friend to you and your sons, for what you have done to us was but by force of nature."
"If you be the good knight Sir Tristram, I am sorry to have held you in durance, and thank you for your proffer of service. But you must stay with me still till you are well and strong."
To this Tristram agreed, and staid many more days with the old knight, growing well rapidly under the healing influence of hope and liberty.
CHAPTER V.
THE KNIGHT WITH THE COVERED SHIELD.
When Tristram's strength had all come back again he took his leave of Sir Darras, and rode away with Palamides and Dinadan. Soon they came to a cross-way, and here Tristram said,--
"Good sirs, let us here take each his own road, and many fair adventures may come to us all."
To this they agreed, and Tristram rode on along the main highway, chance bringing him that night to a castle in which was Queen Morgan le Fay.
Here he was given lodging and good cheer, but when he was ready to depart the next day the queen said to him,--
"Sir knight, it is one thing to enter this castle and another to leave it. You will not depart so easily as you came. Know that you are a prisoner."
"God forfend," said Tristram. "I am just released from prison, and have had enough of that regimen."
"You shall stay here, nevertheless, till I learn who you are and whence you came, but I promise you no hard quarters."
She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage, half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.
"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you shall depart when you will."
"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens, and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."
"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.
So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot on the head of each.
"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"