"Let us then be off within thrice this hour," Mark concluded. "Get you as many men ready as you can," he said to Sir Bertram and to Sir Pendore who were his chiefs.
Walker, the yeoman, soon had completed his work. Thereupon he made his way into the forest to find him, who was best friend of his, to get advice as to what to do.
He, whom he sought, was none other than our old friend Gouvernail, who, of course, was not far from Sir Tristram, his master.
Though he had long since severed fealty to King Mark, Sir Tristram had returned near unto the court because of the love he bore one of the damsels who was in it. It was Walker who had carried the messages Gouvernail had brought from his master to this same lady.
Walker soon came to the hiding place of his friend.
"What ho?" asked Gouvernail. "What brings you here at this unseemly hour?"
"I need your advice," replied Walker. "My poor head carries too great a muddle."
"You come to one who can offer but poor solace there," replied Gouvernail. "If it were trusty arm, good club or something belike, you could well come to me. But speak, what troubles you?"
So Walker told him. Except that at first he made no mention of names.
"Keep you from it," advised Gouvernail. "It is the business of your betters and not of your meddling."