"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered Persides. "I know him well."
Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield with the arms of Cornwall, and as he rode up he sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he required to joust with him.
"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant. "Bid him make ready."
Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight got a severe fall.
"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.
"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan. "I warrant he is of King Ban's blood, which counts the noblest knights of the world."
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."