chosen. Came a day when, than Allan, no braver, truer knight there
was. But of that anon.




CHAPTER THREE

A Combat


"Good Launcelot, I trust that good fortune shall be with us and that
our adventures be many and the knights we meet bold and brave."

"Of that, Gawaine, we need have no fear. For adventure ever follows
where one seeks and often enough overtakes the seeker. Let us rather
hope that we shall find Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadian, both of
Cornwall. For myself I would joust with Sir Tristram than whom braver
and bolder knight does not live."

"And as for me," spoke Gawaine, "my anxiety is to see Mark, the king
of Cornwall, and tell him to his face that I deem him a scurvy hound
since he promised protection to Beatrice of Banisar as she passed
through his lands and yet broke his promise and so holds her for
ransom."

"And there shall I help you, dear Gawaine. For bitterly shall Mark rue
his unknightly act. Shall I even wait for my event with Sir Tristram
until your business is done."