The Tournament  
On the first of the three days of the tournament there were great feats of wrestling and trials of archery. So too did yeomen prove their skill with mace and clubs. Foot races were many. And constant flow of ale and food so that none among the yeomen and even of the varlets found aught to want. Many fools there were too and these pleased all mightily.
 
But as the day advanced of all the yeomen but a half dozen remained for the wrestling. And for each of these but one, there was high acclaim from those other yeomen who were there and from such knights as owed fealty to selfsame banner. And of the archers too, but very few remained for last tests of skill.
 
For the one yeoman, who wore green tunic and red cap, there was none to cheer. A stranger, he kept silent and yet was equally skillful with the best. He had entered himself for the archery prize and for the wrestling.
 
"Dost know this knave?" asked King Arthur of Sir Percival.
 
"Only that he belongs not to any of us of the Round Table," replied Percival.
 
"Is he forsooth one of your men, worthy Ban?"
 
"I would he were, Arthur, yet is he not."
 
Now Sir Percival rode forward and divided these last six wrestlers into teams. Yet did this man prove victor for he had a wondrous hold which none of the others knew. And when he had won, so turned he to watch and join in the archery. And as he watched came there knaves to him and mocked him.
 
"Faith though you wrestle well," one spoke, "it doth not make you an archer. For here you find true archery than which none can do better."
 
"And I carry a club I would fain try on your thick skull," said another who was even less gentle spoken.
 
"Of a good time, my friend, and you may," replied the lone knave.
 
"No such time befits the same as now," replied the first knave.
 
"If they will wait for my trial with bow and arrow I would be the last to keep you waiting." So spoke the stranger.
 
So then one of the knaves hurried away and received permission.
 
"Then furnish me a club," said the stranger.
 
"Here then is mine," offered the third knave.
 
Yet, forsooth, the club was but a sorry one and so the unknown would not use it.
 
"Then show you a coward's heart," replied he who would strive with him. And then the three rushed upon the stranger and would do him hurt.
 
So now came bearing down on the three none other than Allan who had overheard the parley.
 
"For shame, knaves. No true men would treat stranger so. He asks nothing more than is fair. Give him a club of his choosing."
 
"Of a faith, young master, this quarrel is none of yours, and warrants no interference. Leave this fellow to us, and we shall give him clubbing of his choosing." And the man who addressed the boy, though he looked not straight at him, growled surlily.
 
"I shall give you a thrashing, fool, unless you do my bidding," replied the boy, hotly.
 
But the three surly brutes moved uneasily. And then came Sir Percival forward.
 
"What have we here?" he asked.
 
So Allan waited for the men to say. But they, now frightened, made no spoken word.
 
"These knaves would play foul tricks on this strange fellow. This one, would strive with him and yet would not offer other club than this. And when the stranger asked to have one of his choice they called him coward and would beat him."
 
"And I doubt not, fools, this club you offer will not stand one blow." So Sir Percival brought it down on the first knave's head, and, lo, though the blow was not a hard one, yet did the club break in two.
 
"So methought. Now go you Allan and get club that will do. And then will you, stranger, give this villain a sound trouncing." And Sir Percival stayed so that the troublemakers did not depart.
 
So Allan brought a club which suited the stranger.
 
Now did the two battle long and well. Both the stranger and he who fought with him were of great strength and each was exceeding quick.
 
As wood struck wood and each tried to get full blow upon the other, so turned all eyes upon the two. And except for glancing blows neither could bring the other down. And though the sparks flew, yet each held his club and was hardly hurt. So now they rested for a few moments.
 
And while they waited, the stranger turned to Allan and spoke.
 
"I thank you for your brave upsta............