"What means this noise?" he asked.
"Sir," he was told, "a knight of the castle has just been slain by two strangers, and for no other cause than saying that Sir Lancelot was a better knight than Sir Gawaine."
"Who would dispute that?" said Tristram. "It is a small cause for the death of a good man, that he stands for his lord's fame."
"But what remedy have we?" said the towns-men. "If Lancelot had been here, these fellows would soon have been called to a reckoning. But, alas, he is away."
"I may do something in his service," answered Tristram. "If I take his place, I must defend his followers."
Thereupon he sent for his shield and spear, and rode in pursuit of the two knights, whom he overtook before they had gone far.
"Turn, sir dastards," he cried, "and amend your misdeeds."
"What amends wish you?" asked one of the knights. "We are ready with spear and sword to make good whatever we have done."
He rode against Tristram, but was met so sturdily in mid career that he was thrust over his horse's tail. Then the other rode against him, and was served in the same rough manner.
They rose as quickly as they could, drew their swords, and challenged him to battle on foot.