“What is thy name?” asked the knight.
“Wit you well, I am Sir Dinadan.”
“And I am Sir Gareth, brother to Sir Gawaine.”
Then were both glad of the meeting, for Sir Gareth was the best knight of his kin, and was greatly loved of all true knights; so there was no more talk of fighting. But as Dinadan and Gareth rode together, they spoke of Tristram, and of his great cowardice (for they knew him not); and he heard all they said, but only laughed at them. Presently they overtook another knight, who wished to joust.
“Let one of you encounter with that knight,” said Tristram, “for I will not have to deal with him.”
“Then I will,” said Gareth.
So they ran together, and the stranger knight smote Sir Gareth over his horse’s croup.
“Now,” quoth Tristram to Sir Dinadan, “do thou avenge that good knight Sir Gareth.”
“That will I not,” answered Dinadan; “for the stranger hath stricken down a much stronger knight than I am.”
“Ah,” said Sir Tristram, “now, Sir Dinadan, I perceive that your heart begins to fail you; so you shall see what I can do.” Then he rode to the other knight, and, when they met, smote him clean out of his saddle. Then Sir Dinadan marvelled who this man might be that he thought such a coward. But the knight that was overthrown drew his sword, and demanded to fight on foot.