Upon this Sir Ector laughed.  “Well,” quoth he, “let not that trouble lie with you, for it was we who gave you challenge without inquiry who you were, and you did but defend yourself.  We were upon our way to Camelot yonder, when we fell into this mishap, for King Arthur is at this time holding court at that place.  So now, if we have your leave to go upon our way, we will betake ourselves to the King and tell him that you are here, for we know that he will be very glad of that news.”

Upon this Sir Tristram gave them leave to depart, and they did so with many friendly words of good cheer.  And after they had gone Sir Tristram went back into his pavilion again and partook of refreshment that was brought to him.

[Sidenote:  There comes a knight in white armor] Now, some while after Sir Ector and Sir Morganor had left that place, and whilst Sir Tristram was still resting in his pavilion, there came a single knight riding that way, and this knight was clad altogether in white armor and his shield was covered over with a covering of white leather, so that one could not see what device he bare thereon.

When this white knight came to the place where Sir Tristram and his companions had pitched their pavilions, he also stopped as Sir Ector and Sir Morganor had done, for he desired to know what knights these were.  At that time Gouvernail was standing alone in front of Sir Tristram’s pavilion, and unto him the white knight said:  “Sir, I pray you, tell me who is the knight to whom this pavilion belongs.”

Now Gouvernail thought to himself:  “Here is another knight who would have ado with my master.  Perhaps Sir Tristram may have glory by him also.”  So he answered the white knight:  “Sir, I may not tell you the name of this knight, for he is my master, and if he pleases to tell you his name he must tell it himself.”

“Very well,” said the white knight, “then I will straightway ask him.”

Therewith he rode to where the shield of Sir Tristram hung, and he struck upon the shield so violent a blow that it rang very loud and clear.

Then straightway came forth Sir Tristram and several of his knights-companion from out of the pavilion, and Sir Tristram said, “Sir Knight, wherefore did you strike upon my shield?”

“Messire,” quoth the white knight, “I struck upon your shield so that I might summon you hither for to tell me your name, for I have asked it of your esquire and he will not tell me.”

“Fair Knight,” quoth Sir Tristram, “neither will I tell you my name until I have wiped out that affront which you have set upon my shield by that stroke you gave it.  For no man may touch my shield without my having to do with him because of the affront he gives me thereby.”

“Well,” said the white knight, “I am satisfied to have it as you please.”