Then two other knights came up and challenged him with the Cornish shield, and in a trice he smote them both down with one spear.
"By my faith," said Tristram, "he is a good knight, whoever he be, and I never saw one yet that rode so well."
Then the king of Northgalis rode to Palamides, and prayed him for his sake to joust with that knight who had just overturned two Welsh knights.
"I beg you ask me not," said Palamides. "I have had my full share of jousting already, and wish to keep fresh for the tournament to-morrow."
"One ride only, for the honor of North Wales," beseeched the king.
"Well, if you will have it so; but I have seen many a man have a fall at his own request."
Then he sent a squire to the victor knight, and challenged him to a joust.
"Fair fellow," said the knight, "tell me your lord's name."
"He is well met, then. I have seen no knight in seven years with whom I would rather tilt."
Then the two knights took spears from their squires, and rode apart.
"Now," said Dinadan, "you will see Palamides come off the victor."
"I doubt it," answered Tristram. "I wager the knight with the Cornish shield will give him a fall."
As they spoke, the two knights put spears in rest, and spurred their horses, riding hotly together. Palamides broke a spear on his antagonist, without moving him in his saddle; but on his side he received such a blow that it broke through his shield and hauberk, and would have slain him outright had he not fallen.
"How now?" cried Tristram. "Am I not right? I knew by the way those knights ride which would fall."
The unknown knight now rode away and sought a well in the forest edge, for he was hot and thirsty with the fray. This was seen by the king of Northgalis, who sent twelve knights after him to do him a mischief, so that he would not be able to appear at the tournament and win the victory.
They came upon him so suddenly that he had scarcely time to put on his helm and spring to his horse's back before they assailed him in mass.
"Ye villains!" he cried, "twelve to one! And taking a man unawares! You want a lesson, and by my faith you shall have it."
Then spurring his horse he rode on them so fiercely that he smote one knight through the body, breaking his spear in doing so. Now he drew his sword and smote stoutly to right and left, killing three others and wounding more.