Then they rode at each other, and Dinadan broke a spear on Tristram's shield, but Tristram purposely missed him.
Dinadan now bade him draw his sword.
"Not I," he answered. "What makes you so warlike? I am not in the humor to fight."
"You shame all knights by your cowardice."
"So far as that goes, it troubles me little," said Tristram. "Suppose, my good sir, you take me under your protection. Though I bear arms I shall gladly accept the patronage of so worthy a knight as you."
"The devil deliver me of you!" cried Dinadan. "You are a fellow of goodly build, and sit your horse like a warrior; but heaven knows if you have blood or water in your veins. What do you propose to do with those great spears that your squire carries?"
"I shall give them to some good knight at the tournament. If you prove the best there, you are welcome to them."
As they thus conversed they saw a knight-errant in the road before them, who sat with spear in rest as if eager to joust.
"Come," said Tristram, "since you are so anxious for a fight, yonder is your man."
"Shame betide you for a dastard," cried Dinadan. "Fight him yourself. You can't get more than a fall."