The San Francisco call., 1896-12-13

Tristram, seeing the state of affairs
approached the King and said:
"Sire, it is most disgIaceful that no
champion knight has appeared to protect
Cornwall from shame. / am but an un-
tried youth, yet, if you will grant me the
honor of knighthood, l snail meet this
Marhaus and battle for you and for the
right of the land"
The King looked at the youth and when
he saw the fire of battle glow in his eyes
his heart was somewhat lightened of its
burden:
"Who are your he said. sand whence?"
"My name is Tristram and l came from
the court of Meliodas, who welded your
sister,"
"But how shall know your" again the
King asked.
"Sire," the boy replied andthere was re-
buke in his tone, II was born in the coun-
try of Lyonesse, and l am a gentleman
born"
"Twas we'll answered." the king re-
piled, land it is not meet that 1 should
press you to speak more. If you will do
battle for me will make you Knight
For that have I iourneyed hither, y
Trstram said.
The King then sent word to Marhaus
that he had a champion, and when the
message reached him the young prince
had already been knighted.
To the chagrin of King Mark, who knew
not the royal birth of Tristram, he re-
ceived this message from Marhaus:
Think not will hight with any knight.
My opponent must be of royal blood, the
son of King or Queen, Prince or Princess.
With none other will l draw spearr'
Calling Tristram before him the King
told him this. adding sorrowfnlly:
''This will debar you from the contest,
and again am without cham pion."
"Tell Sir Marhaus,' said Tristram,
''that ne shall ioust with one better than
himself. For L am of both King and
Qleen the child. Know, sire, that Melio-
das is my father, and Elizabeth, your
sister, was my mother"
Then the king stepped down from his
throne ana took in his arms the son of his
sister, the brave and daring Sir Tristram,
who till this moment had hidden his high
lineage.
"Welcome. my noble nephew" the King
cried IN Joy. ut is meet that kin should
stand by kin, and now Sir Marhaus has a
noble knight with whom to conterd."
Immediately word was sent to Marhaus
that the son of King Meiiodas and nephew
to King Mark would be his opponent, and
answer was soon made that Sir Marhaus
would be most blithe and glad to do battle
! with so noble champion.
According to the request of Marhaus,
the battle was to take place on an island
near which his ships were anchored. Ir
the morning, therefore, Tristram, cloth ed
In the richest materials that King Mark
court afforded, was escorted with his horse
to a vessel and soon reached the island, on
the farther shore of which he beheld the
ships of Marhaus. Accompanied by Gou-
vernail, whom he had made his squire
Tristram landed and was armed. and
when he had mounted his steed he said tc
| Gouvernail:
"Enter the ship and return to my uncle
Tell him if l die honorably to give me
noble Christian burial. If l bear mysel
ignobly, then let me not be so honored
And on your life, come not near the island
till / am slain in fight or show the banner
of victory. FarewellW
So resolutely did the Prince speak that
much as he wished to remain near b m
Gouvernail did not dare disobey him, bu
departed and did all as he said.
The two knights then approached and
much courteous conversation passed be.
tween them.
II trust to win renown and honor, mos