"How feel you?" asked Tristram of Palamides. "Are you able to repeat yesterday's work?"
"Hardly," was the reply. "I am weary and sore yet from my hard labors."
"I am sorry for that, as I shall miss your aid."
"Trust not to me," answered Palamides. "I have not much work left in me."
"Then I must depend on you," said Tristram to Gareth. "We two should be able to make our mark. Keep near me and rescue me if I get in trouble, and I will do the same for you."
"I shall not fail you," was the reply.
Leaving them, Palamides rode off by himself, and, pushing into the thickest press of the men of Orkney, did such deeds of arms that Tristram looked on in amazement.
"Is that his soreness and weariness?" he asked. "I fancy he is weary of my company, and wishes to win all the honor to his own hand."
"That is what Dinadan meant yesterday when he called you coward," said Gareth. "He but wished to stir you to anger so that Palamides should not rob you of credit."
"By my faith, if Palamides bears me ill will and envy I shall show him what a knight of Cornwall can do. He has gained the acclamations of the crowd already. He has left our company and we owe him no courtesy. You shall see me rob him of his honors."