"I was never called coward before," said Tristram, hotly. "The only fall I got was from Lancelot, and him I hold as my better, and for that matter the better of any man alive."
But Dinadan kept up his railing accusations till the growing anger of Tristram warned him to desist. Yet this was all from friendship, not from spite, for he wished to stir up his friend to do his best in the lists the coming day, and not permit the Saracen again to carry off the prize.
CHAPTER VI.
THE SECOND DAY OF THE TOURNAMENT.
When the next morning dawned, Tristram, Palamides, and Gareth, with La Belle Isolde and her ladies, all arrayed as before in green, took horse at an early hour, and rode into the fresh forest. But Dinadan was left still asleep in bed. As they passed the castle at a little distance, it chanced that King Arthur and Lancelot saw them from an upper window.
"Yonder rideth the fairest lady of the world," said Lancelot, "always excepting your queen, Guenever."
"Who is it?" asked Arthur.
"It is La Belle Isolde, Cornwall's queen and Tristram's lady-love."