The old man smiled upon them kindly, and said: "Nay, son, we hear not

that it shall be the worse for you in any wise that ye shall become one

flesh; and right joyful it is to us, not only that we have found folk

who seek to the Well at the World's End, but also that there is such

love as I perceive there is betwixt such goodly and holy folk as ye be.

For hither we come year by year according to the behest that we made to

the fairest woman of the world, when she came back to us from the Well

at the World's End, and it is many and many a year ago since we found

any seekers after the Well dwelling here. Therefore have we the more

joy in you. And we have brought hither matters good for you, as

raiment, and meal, and wine, on our sumpter-beasts; therefore as ye

have feasted us this morning, so shall we feast you this even. And if

ye will, we shall build for you in the grove yonder such a bower as we

build for our own folk on the night of the wedding."

Ralph yeasaid this, and thanked them. So then the elder cried: "Up, my

sons, and show your deftness to these dear friends!" Then the young men

arose, naught loth, and when they had hoppled their oxen and taken the

burdens from off them, they all went down the meadow together into the

chestnut grove, and they fell to and cut willow boughs, and such-like

wood, and drave stakes and wove the twigs together; and Ralph and

Ursula worked with them as they bade, and they were all very merry

together: because for those two wanderers it was a great delight to see

the faces of the children of men once more after so many months, and to

hold converse with them; while for their part the young men marvelled

at Ursula's beauty, and the pith and goodliness of Ralph.

By then it was nigh evening they had made a very goodly wattled bower,

and roofed it with the skins that were in the cave, and hung it about

with garlands, and strewn flowers on the floor thereof. And when all

was done they went back to the toft before the rock-chamber, where the

elder had opened the loads, and had taken meal thence, and was making

cakes at the fire. And there was wine there in well-hooped kegs, and

wooden cups fairly carven, and raiment of fine white wool for those

twain, broidered in strange but beauteous fashion with the feathers of

bright-hued birds.

So then were those twain arrayed for the bridal; and the meat was dight

and the cups filled, and they sat down on the grassy toft a little

before sunset, and feasted till the night was come, and was grown all

light with the moon; and then Ralph rose up, and took Ursula's hand,

and they stood before the elder, and bade him and the young men bear

witness that they were wedded: then those twain kissed the newcomers

and departed to their bridal bower hand in hand through the freshness

of the night.

CHAPTER 15

They Come to the Land of the Innocent Folk

When it was morning they speedily gat them ready for the road, whereas

they had little to take with them; so they departed joyously, howbeit

both Ralph and Ursula felt rather love than loathing for their winter

abode. The day was yet young when they went their ways. Their horses

and all their gear were a great wonder to the young men, for they had

seen no such beasts before: but the elder said that once in his young

days he had led a man to the Well who was riding a horse and was clad

in knightly array.

So they went by ways which were nowise dreadful, though they were void

of men-folk, and in three days' time they were come out of the

mountains, and in three more the said mountains were to behold but a

cloud behind them, and the land was grown goodly, with fair valleys and

little hills, though still they saw no men, and forsooth they went

leisurely, for oxen are but slow-going nags. But when they were gone

eight days from the Valley of Sweet-chestnuts, they came across a flock

of uncouth-looking sheep on a green hill-side, and four folk

shepherding them, two carles to wit, and two queans, like to their

way-leaders, but scarce so goodly, and ruder of raiment. These men

greeted them kindly, and yet with more worship than fellowship, and

they marvelled exceedingly at their horses and weapons. Thence they

passed on, and the next day came into a wide valley, well-grassed and

watered, and wooded here and there; moreover there were cots scattered

about it. There and thenceforth they met men a many, both carles and

queans, and sheep and neat in plenty, and they passed by garths wherein

the young corn was waxing, and vineyards on the hillsides, where the

vines were beginning to grow green. The land seemed as goodly as might

be, and all the folk they met were kind, if somewhat over reverent.

On the evening of that day they came into the town of that folk, which

was but simple, wholly unfenced for war, and the houses but low, and

not great. Yet was there naught of filth or famine, nor any poverty or

misery; and the people were merry-faced and well-liking, and clad

goodly after their fashion in white woollen cloth or frieze. All the

people of the town were come forth to meet them, for runners had gone

before them, and they stood on either side of the way murmuring

greetings, and with their heads bent low in reverence.

Thus rode Ralph and Ursula up to the door of the Temple, or Mote-house,

or Guest-house, for it was all these, a house great, and as fair as

they knew how to make it. Before the door thereof were standing the

elders of the Folk; and when they drew rein, the eldest and most

reverend of these came forth and spake in a cheerful voice, yet

solemnly: "Welcome and thrice welcome to the Seekers after length of

days and happy times, and the loving-kindness of the Folks of the

Earth!"

Then all the elders gathered about them, and bade them light down and

be at rest amongst them, and they made much of them and brought them

into the Mote-house, where-in were both women and men fair and stately,

and the men took Ralph by the hand and the women Ursula, and brought

them into chambers where they bathed them and did off their wayfaring

raiment, and clad them in white woollen gowns of web exceeding fine,

and fragrant withal. Then they crowned them with flowers, and led them

back into the hall, whereas now was much folk gathered, and they set

them down on a dais as though they had been kings, or rather gods; and

when they beheld them there so fair and lovely, they cried out for joy

of them, and bade them hail oft and oft.

There then were they feasted by that kind folk, and when meat was done

certain youths and maidens fell to singing songs very sweetly; and the

words of the songs were simple and harmless, and concerning the

fairness of the earth and the happy loves of the creatures that dwell

therein.

Thereafter as the night aged, they were shown to a sleeping chamber,

which albeit not richly decked, or plenished with precious things, was

most dainty clean, and sweet smelling, and strewn with flowers, so that

the night was sweet to them in a chamber of love.

CHAPTER 16

They Come to the House of the Sorceress

On the morrow the kind people delayed them little, though they sorrowed

for their departure, and before noon were their old way-leaders ready

for them; and the old man and his two grandsons (for such they were)

were much honoured of the simple people for their way-leading of the

Heavenly Folk; for so they called Ralph and Ursula. So they gat them

to the way in suchlike guise as before, only they had with them five

sumpter oxen instead of two; for the old man told them that not only

was their way longer, but also they must needs pass through a terrible

waste, wherein was naught for their avail, neither man, nor beast, nor

herb. Even so they found it as he said; for after the first day's ride

from the town they came to the edge of this same waste, and on the

fourth day were deep in the heart of it: a desert it was, rather rocky

and stony and sandy than mountainous, though they had hills to cross

also: withal there was but little water there, and that foul and

stinking. Long lasted this waste, and Ralph thought indeed that it had

been hard to cross, had not their way-leaders been; therefore he made

marks and signs by the wayside, and took note of the bearings of rocks

and mounds against the day of return.

Twelve days they rode this waste, and on the thirteenth it began to

mend somewhat, and there was a little grass, and sweet waters, and they

saw ahead the swelling hills of a great woodland, albeit they had to

struggle through marshland and low scrubby thicket for a day longer, or

ever they got to the aforesaid trees, which at first were naught but

pines; but these failed in a while, and they rode a grass waste nearly

treeless, but somewhat well watered, where they gat them good store of

venison. Thereafter they came on woods of oak and sweet-chestnut, with

here and there a beech-wood.

Long and long they rode the woodland, but it was hard on May when they

entered it, and it was pleasant therein, and what with one thing, what

with another, they had abundant livelihood there. Yet was June at its

full when at last they came within sight of the House of the Sorceress,

on the hottest of a fair afternoon. And it was even as Ralph had seen

it pictured in the arras of the hall of the Castle of Abundance; a

little house built after the fashion of houses in his own land of the

west; the thatch was trim, and the windows and doors were unbroken, and

the garth was whole, and the goats feeding therein, and the wheat was

tall and blossoming in the little closes, where as he had looked to see

all broken down and wild, and as to the house, a mere grass-grown heap,

or at the most a broken gable fast crumbling away.

Then waxed his heart sore with the memory of that passed time, and the

sweetness of his short-lived love, though he refrained him all he

might: yet forsooth Ursula looked on him anxiously, so much his face

was changed by the thoughts of his heart.

But the elder of the way-leaders saw that he was moved, and deemed that

he was wondering at that house so trim and orderly amidst the wildwood,

so he said: "Here also do we after our behest to that marvellous and

lovely Lady, that we suffer not this house to go to ruin: ever are some

of our folk here, and every year about this season we send two or more

to take the places of those who have dwelt in the House year-long: so

ever is there someone to keep all things trim. But as to strangers, I

have never in my life seen any Seeker of the Well herein, save once,

and that was an old hoar man like to me, save that he was feebler in

all wise than I be."

Now Ralph heard him talking, yet noted his words but little; for it was

with him as if all the grief of heart which he had penned back for so

long a while swelled up within him and burst its bounds; and he turned

toward Ursula and their eyes met, and she looked shy and anxious on him

and he might no longer refrain himself, but put his hands to his face

(for they had now drawn rein at the garth-gate) and brake out a

weeping, and wept long for the friend whose feet had worn that path so

often, and whose heart, though she were dead, had brought them thither

for their thriving; and for love and sorrow of him Ursula wept also.

But the old man and his grandsons turned their heads away from his

weeping, and got off their horses, and went up to the house-door,

whereby were now standing a carle and a quean of their people. But

Ralph slowly gat off his horse and stood by Ursula who was on the

ground already, but would not touch her, for he was ashamed. But she

looked on him kindly and said: "Dear friend, there is no need for

shame; for though I be young, I know how grievous it is when the dead

that we have loved come across our ways, and we may not speak to them,

nor they to us. So I will but bid thee be comforted and abide in thy

love for the living and the dead." His tears brake out again at that

word, for he was but young, and for a while there was a lull in the

strife that had beset his days. But after a little he looked up, and

dashed the tears from his eyes and smiled on Ursula and said: "The

tale she told me of this place, the sweetness of it came back upon me,

and I might not forbear." She said: "O friend, thou art kind, and I

love thee."

So then they joined hands and went through the garth together, and up

to the door, where stood the wardens, who, when they saw them turning

thither, came speedily down the path to them, and would have knelt in

worship to them; but they would not suffer it, but embraced and kissed

them, and thanked them many times for their welcome. The said wardens,

both carle and quean, were goodly folk of middle age, stalwart, and

kind of face.

So then they went into the house together, and entered into the

self-same chamber, where of old the Lady of Abundance had sickened for

fear of the Sorceress sitting naked at her spell-work.

Great joy they made together, and the wardens set meat and drink before

the guests, and they ate and drank and were of good cheer. But the

elder who had brought them from Chestnut-dale said: "Dear friends, I

have told you that these two young men are my grand-children, and they

are the sons of this man and woman whom ye see; for the man is my son.

And so it is, that amongst us the care of the Quest of the Well at the

World's End hath for long been the heritage of our blood, going with us

from father to son. Therefore is it naught wonderful, though I have

been sundry times at this house, and have learned about the place all

that may be learned. For my father brought me hither when I was yet a

boy; that time it was that I saw the last man of whom we know for sure

that he drank of the Water of the Well, and he was that old hoar man

like unto me, but, as I said, far weaker in all wise; but when he came

back to us from the Well he was strong and stalwart, and a better man

than I am now; and I heard him tell his name to my father, that he was

called the Sage of Swevenham."

Ralph looked on Ursula and said: "Yea, father, and it was through him

that we had our lore concerning the way hither; and it was he that bade

us abide your coming in the rock-house of the Vale of Sweet-chestnuts."

"Then he is alive still," said the elder. Said Ralph: "Yea, and as

fair and strong an old man as ye may lightly see." "Yea, yea," said the

elder, "and yet fifty years ago his course seemed run."

Then said Ralph: "Tell me, father, have none of your own folk sought

to the Well at the World's End?" "Nay, none," said the elder. Said

Ralph: "That is strange, whereas ye are so nigh thereto, and have such

abundant lore concerning the way."

"Son," said the elder, "true it is that the water of that Well shall

cause a man to thrive in all ways, and to live through many generations

of men, maybe, in honour and good-liking; but it may not keep any man

alive for ever; for so have the Gods given us the gift of death lest we

weary of life. Now our folk live well and hale, and without the

sickness and pestilence, such as I have heard oft befall folk in other

lands: even as I heard the Sage of Swevenham say, and I wondered at his

words. Of strife and of war also we know naught: nor do we desire

aught which we may not easily attain to. Therefore we live long, and

we fear the Gods if we should strive to live longer, lest they should

bring upon us war and sickness, and over-weening desire, and weariness

of life. Moreover it is little that all of us should seek to the Well

at the World's End; and those few that sought and drank should be

stronger and wiser than the others, and should make themselves earthly

gods, and, maybe, should torment the others of us and make their lives

a very burden to be borne. Of such matters are there tales current

amongst us that so it hath been of yore and in other lands; and ill it

were if such times came back upon us."

Ralph hung his head and was silent; for the joy of the Quest seemed

dying out as the old man's words dropped slowly from his mouth. But he

smiled upon Ralph and went on: "But for you, guests, it is otherwise,

for ye of the World beyond the Mountains are stronger and more godlike

than we, as all tales tell; and ye wear away your lives desiring that

which ye may scarce get; and ye set your hearts on high things,

desiring to be masters of the very Gods. Therefore ye know sickness

and sorrow, and oft ye die before your time, so that ye must depart and

leave undone things which ye deem ye were born to do; which to all men

is grievous. And because of all this ye desire healing and thriving,

whether good come of it, or ill. Therefore ye do but right to seek to

the Well at the World's End, that ye may the better accomplish that

which behoveth you, and that ye may serve your fellows and deliver them

from the thralldom of those that be strong and unwise and unkind, of

whom we have heard strange tales."

Ralph reddened as he spake, and Ursula looked on him anxiously, but

that talk dropped for the present, and they fell to talking of lighter

and more familiar matters.

Thereafter they wandered about the woods with the wardens and the

way-leaders, and the elder brought them to the ancient altar in the

wood whereon the Sorceress had offered up the goat; and the howe of the

woman dight with the necklace of the Quest whom the Lady found dead in

the snow; and the place nigh the house where the Sorceress used to

torment her thrall that was afterwards the Lady of Abundance; yea, and

they went further afield till they came to the Vale of Lore, and the

Heath above it where they met, the King's Son and the Lady. All these

and other places were now become as hallowed ground to the Innocent

People, and to Ralph no less. In the house, moreover, was a fair ark

wherein they kept matters which had belonged to the Lady, as her shoes

and her smock, wrapped in goodly cloth amidst well-smelling herbs; and

these things they worshipped as folk do with relics of the saints. In

another ark also they showed the seekers a book wherein was written

lore concerning the Well, and the way thereto. But of this book had

the Sage forewarned Ralph and his mate, and had bidden them look to it

that they should read in it, and no otherwhere than at that ancient

altar in the wood, they two alone, and clad in such-like gear as they

wore when they hearkened to his reading by his hermitage. And so it

was that they found the due raiment in the ark along with the book.

Therefore day after day betimes in the morning they bore the said book

to the altar and read therein, till they had learned much wisdom.

Thus they did for eight days, and on the ninth they rested and were

merry with their hosts: but on the tenth day they mounted their horses

and said farewell, and departed by the ways they had learned of, they

two alone. And they had with them bread and meal, as much as they

might bear, and water-skins moreover, that they might fill them at the

last sweet water before they came to the waterless desert.

CHAPTER 17

They Come Through the Woodland to the Thirsty Desert

So they ride their ways, and when they were come well into the wildwood

past the house, and had spoken but few words to each other, Ralph put

forth his hand, and stayed Ursula, and they gat off their horses under

a great-limbed oak, and did off their armour, and sat down on the

greensward there, and loved each other dearly, and wept for joy of

their pain and travail and love. And afterwards, as they sat side by

side leaning up against the great oak-bole, Ralph spake and said: "Now

are we two once again all alone in the uttermost parts of the earth,

and belike we are not very far from the Well at the World's End; and

now I have bethought me that if we gain that which we seek for, and

bear back our lives to our own people, the day may come when we are

grown old, for as young as we may seem, that we shall be as lonely then

as we are this hour, and that the folk round about us shall be to us as

much and no more than these trees and the wild things that dwell

amongst them."

She looked on him and laughed as one over-happy, and said: "Thou

runnest forward swiftly to meet trouble, beloved! But I say that well

will it be in those days if I love the folk then as well as now I love

these trees and the wild things whose house they are."

And she rose up therewith and threw her arms about the oak-bole and

kissed its ruggedness, while Ralph as he lay kissed the sleekness of

her feet. And there came a robin hopping over the leaves anigh them,

for in that wood most of the creatures, knowing not man, were tame to

him, and feared the horses of those twain more than their riders. And

now as Ursula knelt to embrace Ralph with one hand, she held out the

other to the said robin who perched on her wrist, and sat there as a

hooded falcon had done, and fell to whistling his sweet notes, as if he

were a-talking to those new-comers: then Ursula gave him a song-reward

of their broken meat, and he flew up and perched on her shoulder, and

nestled up against her cheek, and she laughed happily and said: "Lo

you, sweet, have not the wild things understood my words, and sent this

fair messenger to foretell us all good?"

"It is good," said Ralph laughing, "yet the oak-tree hath not spoken

yet, despite of all thy kissing: and lo there goes thy friend the

robin, now thou hast no more meat to give him."

"He is flying towards the Well at the World's End," she said, "and

biddeth us onward: let us to horse and hasten: for if thou wilt have

the whole truth concerning my heart, it is this, that some chance-hap

may yet take thee from me ere thou hast drunk of the waters of the

Well."

"Yea," said Ralph, "and in the innermost of my heart lieth the fear

that mayhappen there is no Well, and no healing in it if we find it,

and that death, and the backward way may yet sunder us. This is the

worst of my heart, and evil is my coward fear."

But she cast her arms about him and kissed and caressed him, and cried

out: "Yea, then fair have been the days of our journeying, and fair

this hour of the green oak! And bold and true thine heart that hath

led thee thus far, and won thee thy desire of my love."

So then they armed them, and mounted their horses and set forward.

They lived well while they were in the wood, but on the third day they

came to where it thinned and at last died out into a stony waste like

unto that which they had passed through before they came to the House

of the Sorceress, save that this lay in ridges as the waves of a great

sea; and these same ridges they were bidden to cross over at their

highest, lest they should be bewildered in a maze of little hills and

dales leading no whither.

So they entered on this desert, having filled their water-skins at a

clear brook, whereat they rejoiced when they found that the face of the

wilderness was covered with a salt scurf, and that naught grew there

save a sprinkling of small sage bushes.

Now on the second day of their riding this ugly waste, as they came up

over the brow of one of these stony ridges, Ralph the far-sighted cried

out suddenly: "Hold! for I see a man weaponed."

"Where is he?" quoth Ursula, "and what is he about?" Said Ralph: "He

is up yonder on the swell of the next ridge, and by seeming is asleep

leaning against a rock."

Then he bent the Turk bow and set an arrow on the string and they went

on warily. When they were down at the foot of the ridge Ralph hailed

the man with a lusty cry, but gat no answer of him; so they went on up

the bent, till Ralph said: "Now I can see his face under his helm, and

it is dark and the eyes are hollow: I will off horse and go up to him

afoot, but do thou, beloved, sit still in thy saddle."

But when he had come nigher, he turned and cried out to her: "The man

is dead, come anigh." So she went up to him and dismounted, and they

both together stood over the man, who was lying up against a big stone

like one at rest. How long he had lain there none knows but God; for

in the saltness of the dry desert the flesh had dried on his bones

without corrupting, and was as hardened leather. He was in full armour

of a strange and ancient fashion, and his sword was girt to his side,

neither was there any sign of a wound about him. Under a crag anigh

him they found his horse, dead and dry like to himself; and a little

way over the brow of the ridge another horse in like case; and close by

him a woman whose raiment had not utterly perished, nor her hair; there

were gold rings on her arms, and her shoes were done with gold: she had

a knife stuck in her breast, with her hand still clutching the handle

thereof; so that it seemed that she had herself given herself death.

Ralph and Ursula buried these two with the heaping of stones and went

their ways; but some two miles thence they came upon another dead

man-at-arms, and near him an old man unweaponed, and they heaped stones

on them.

Thereabout night overtook them, and it was dark, so they lay down in

the waste, and comforted each other, and slept two or three hours, but

arose with the first glimmer of dawn, and mounted and rode forth

onward, that they might the sooner be out of that deadly desert, for

fear clung to their hearts.

This day, forsooth, they found so many dead folk, that they might not

stay to bury them, lest they themselves should come to lie there

lacking burial. So they made all the way they might, and rode on some

hours by starlight after the night was come, for it was clear and cold.

So that at last they were so utterly wearied that they lay down amongst

those dead folk, and slept soundly.

On the morrow morn Ralph awoke and saw Ursula sleeping peacefully as he

deemed, and he looked about on the dreary desert and its dead men and

saw no end to it, though they lay on the top of one of those stony

bents; and he said softly to himself: "Will it end at all then?

Surely all this people of the days gone by were Seekers of the Well as

we be; and have they belike turned back from somewhere further on, and

might not escape the desert despite of all? Shall we turn now: shall

we turn? surely we might get into the kindly wood from here."

So he spake; but Ursula sat up (for she was not asleep) and said: "The

perils of the waste being abundant and exceeding hard to face, would

not the Sage or his books have told us of the most deadly?" Said Ralph:

"Yet here are all these dead, and we were not told of them,

nevertheless we have seen the token on the rocks oft-times yesterday,

so we are yet in the road, unless all this hath been but a snare and a

betrayal."

She shook her head, and was silent a little; then she said: "Ralph, my

lad, didst thou see this token (and she set hand to the beads about her

neck) on any of those dead folk yesterday?" "Nay," said Ralph, "though

sooth to say I looked for it." "And I in likewise," she said; "for

indeed I had misgivings as the day grew old; but now I say, let us on

in the faith of that token and the kindness of the Sage, and the love

of the Innocent People; yea, and thy luck, O lad of the green fields

far away, that hath brought thee unscathed so far from Upmeads."

So they mounted and rode forth, and saw more and more of the dead folk;

and ever and anon they looked to them to note if they wore the beads

like to them but saw none so dight. Then Ursula said: "Yea, why should

the Sage and the books have told us aught of these dead bodies, that

are but as the plenishing of the waste; like to the flowers that are

cast down before the bier of a saint on a holy-day to be trodden under

foot by the churls and the vicars of the close. Forsooth had they been

alive now, with swords to smite withal, and hands to drag us into

captivity, it had been another matter: but against these I feel bold."

Ralph sighed, and said: "Yea, but even if we die not in the waste, yet

this is piteous; so many lives passed away, so many hopes slain."

"Yea," she said; "but do not folk die there in the world behind us? I

have seen sights far worser than this at Utterbol, little while as I

was there. Moreover I can note that this army of dead men has not come

all in one day or one year, but in a long, long while, by one and two

and three; for hast thou not noted that their raiment and wargear both,

is of many fashions, and some much more perished than other, long as

things last in this Dry Waste? I say that men die as in the world

beyond, but here we see them as they lie dead, and have lain for so

long."

He said: "I fear neither the Waste nor the dead men if thou fearest

not, beloved: but I lament for these poor souls."

"And I also," said she; "therefore let us on, that we may come to those

whose grief we may heal."

CHAPTER 18

They Come to the Dry Tree

Presently as they rode they had before them one of the greatest of

those land-waves, and they climbed it slowly, going afoot and leading

their horses; but when they were but a little way from the brow they

saw, over a gap thereof, something, as it were huge horns rising up

into the air beyond the crest of the ridge. So they marvelled, and

drew their swords, and held them still awhile, misdoubting if this were

perchance some terrible monster of the waste; but whereas the thing

moved not at all, they plucked up heart and fared on.

So came they to the brow and looked over it into a valley, about which

on all sides went the ridge, save where it was broken down into a

narrow pass on the further side, so that the said valley was like to

one of those theatres of the ancient Roman Folk, whereof are some to be

seen in certain lands. Neither did those desert benches lack their

sitters; for all down the sides of the valley sat or lay children of

men; some women, but most men-folk, of whom the more part were

weaponed, and some with their drawn swords in their hands. Whatever

semblance of moving was in them was when the eddying wind of the valley

stirred the rags of their raiment, or the long hair of the women. But

a very midmost of this dreary theatre rose up a huge and monstrous

tree, whose topmost branches were even the horns which they had seen

from below the hill's brow. Leafless was that tree and lacking of

twigs, and its bole upheld but some fifty of great limbs, and as they

looked on it, they doubted whether it were not made by men's hands

rather than grown up out of the earth. All round about the roots of it

was a pool of clear water, that cast back the image of the valley-side

and the bright sky of the desert, as though it had been a mirror of

burnished steel. The limbs of that tree were all behung with blazoned

shields and knight's helms, and swords, and spears, and axes, and

hawberks; and it rose up into the air some hundred feet above the flat

of the valley.

For a while they looked down silently on to this marvel then from both

their lips at once came the cry THE DRY TREE. Then Ralph thrust his

sword back into his sheath and said: "Meseems I must needs go down

amongst them; there is naught to do us harm here; for all these are

dead like the others that we saw."

Ursula turned to him with burning cheeks and sparkling eyes, and said

eagerly: "Yea, yea, let us go down, else might we chance to miss

something that we ought to wot of."

Therewith she also sheathed her sword, and they went both of them down

together, and that easily; for as aforesaid the slope was as if it had

been cut into steps for their feet. And as they passed by the dead

folk, for whom they had often to turn aside, they noted that each of

the dead leathery faces was drawn up in a grin as though they had died

in pain, and yet beguiled, so that all those visages looked somewhat

alike, as though they had come from the workshop of one craftsman.

At last Ralph and Ursula stood on the level ground underneath the Tree,

and they looked up at the branches, and down to the water at their

feet; and now it seemed to them as though the Tree had verily growth in

it, for they beheld its roots, that they went out from the mound or

islet of earth into the water, and spread abroad therein, and seemed to

waver about. So they walked around the Tree, and looked up at the

shields that hung on its branches, but saw no blazon that they knew,

though they were many and diverse; and the armour also and weapons were

very diverse of fashion.

Now when they were come back again to the place where they had first

stayed, Ralph said: "I thirst, and so belike dost thou; and here is

water good and clear; let us drink then, and so spare our water-skins,

for belike the dry desert is yet long." And therewith he knelt down

that he might take of the water in the hollow of his hand. But Ursula

drew him back, and cried out in terror: "O Ralph, do it not! Seest

thou not this water, that although it be bright and clear, so that we

may see all the pebbles at the bottom, yet nevertheless when the wind

eddies about, and lifts the skirts of our raiment, it makes no ripple

on the face of the pool, and doubtless it is heavy with venom; and

moreover there is no sign of the way hereabout, as at other

watering-steads; O forbear, Ralph!"

Then he rose up and drew back with her but slowly and unwillingly as

she deemed; and they stood together a while gazing on these marvels.

But lo amidst of this while, there came a crow wheeling over the valley

of the dead, and he croaked over the Dry Tree, and let himself drop

down to the edge of the pool, whereby he stalked about a little after

the manner of his kind. Then he thrust his neb into the water and

drank, and thereafter took wing again; but ere he was many feet off the

ground he gave a grievous croak, and turning over in the air fell down

stark dead close to the feet of those twain; and Ralph cried out but

spake no word with meaning therein; then said Ursula: "Yea, thus are

we saved from present death." Then she looked in Ralph's face, and

turned pale and said hastily: "O my friend how is it with thee?" But

she waited not for an answer, but turned her face to the bent whereby

they had come down, and cried out in a loud, shrill voice: "O Ralph,

Ralph! look up yonder to the ridge whereby we left our horses; look,

look! there glitters a spear and stirreth! and lo a helm underneath the

spear: tarry not, let us save our horses!"

Then Ralph let a cry out from his mouth, and set off running to the

side of the slope, and fell to climbing it with great strides, not

heeding Ursula; but she followed close after, and scrambled up with

foot and hand and knee, till she stood beside him on the top, and he

looked around wildly and cried out: "Where! where are they?"

"Nowhere," she said, "it was naught but my word to draw thee from

death; but praise to the saints that thou are come alive out of the

accursed valley."

He seemed not to hearken, but turned about once, and beat the air with

his hands, and then fell down on his back and with a great wail she

cast herself upon him, for she deemed at first that he was dead. But

she took a little water from one of their skins, and cast it into his

face, and took a flask of cordial from her pouch, and set it to his

lips, and made him drink somewhat thereof. So in a while he came to

himself and opened his eyes and smiled upon her, and she took his head

in her hands and kissed his cheek, and he sat up and said feebly:

"Shall we not go down into the valley? there is naught there to harm

us."

"We have been down there already," she said, "and well it is that we

are not both lying there now."

Then he got to his feet, and stretched himself, and yawned like one

just awakened from long sleep. But she said: "Let us to horse and

begone; it is early hours to slumber, for those that are seeking the

Well at the World's End."

He smiled on her again and took her hand, and she led him to his horse,

and helped him till he was in the saddle and lightly she gat

a-horseback, and they rode away swiftly from that evil place; and after

a while Ralph was himself again, and remembered all that had happened

till he fell down on the brow of the ridge. Then he praised Ursula's

wisdom and valiancy till she bade him forbear lest he weary her.

Albeit she drew up close to him and kissed his face sweetly.

CHAPTER 19

They Come Out of the Thirsty Desert

Past the Valley of the Dry Tree they saw but few dead men lying about,

and soon they saw never another: and, though the land was still utterly

barren, and all cast up into ridges as before, yet the salt slime grew

less and less, and before nightfall of that day they had done with it:

and the next day those stony waves were lower; and the next again the

waste was but a swelling plain, and here and there they came on patches

of dwarf willow, and other harsh and scanty herbage, whereof the horses

might have a bait, which they sore needed, for now was their fodder

done: but both men and horses were sore athirst; for, as carefully as

they had hoarded their water, there was now but little left, which they

durst not drink till they were driven perforce, lest they should yet

die of drought.

They journeyed long that day, and whereas the moon was up at night-tide

they lay not down till she was set; and their resting place was by some

low bushes, whereabout was rough grass mingled with willow-herb,

whereby Ralph judged that they drew nigh to water, so or ever they

slept, they and the horses all but emptied the water-skins. They heard

some sort of beasts roaring in the night, but they were too weary to

watch, and might not make a fire.

When Ralph awoke in the morning he cried out that he could see the

woodland; and Ursula arose at his cry and looked where he pointed, and

sure enough there were trees on a rising ground some two miles ahead,

and beyond them, not very far by seeming, they beheld the tops of great

dark mountains. On either hand moreover, nigh on their right hand, far

off on their left, ran a reef of rocks, so that their way seemed to be

as between two walls. And these said reefs were nowise like those that

they had seen of late, but black and, as to their matter, like to the

great mountains by the rock of the Fighting Man: but as the reefs ran

eastward they seemed to grow higher.

Now they mounted their horses at once and rode on; and the beasts were

as eager as they were, and belike smelt the water. So when they had

ridden but three miles, they saw a fair little river before them

winding about exceedingly, but flowing eastward on the whole. So they

spurred on with light hearts and presently were on the banks of the

said river, and its waters were crystal-clear, though its sands were

black: and the pink-blossomed willow-herb was growing abundantly on the

sandy shores. Close to the water was a black rock, as big as a man,

whereon was graven the sign of the way, so they knew that there was no

evil in the water, wherefore they drank their fill and watered their

horses abundantly, and on the further bank was there abundance of good

grass. So when they had drunk their fill, for the pleasure of the cool

water they waded the ford barefoot, and it was scarce above Ursula's

knee. Then they had great joy to lie on the soft grass and eat their

meat, while the horses tore eagerly at the herbage close to them. So

when they had eaten, they rested awhile, but before they went further

they despoiled them, one after other, and bathed in a pool of the river

to wash the foul wilderness off them. Then again they rested and let

the horses yet bite the grass, and departed not from that pleasant

place till it was two hours after noon. As they were lying there Ralph

said he could hear a great roar like the sound of many waters, but very

far off: but to Ursula it seemed naught but the wind waxing in the

boughs of the woodland anigh them.

CHAPTER 20

They Come to the Ocean Sea

Being come to the wood they went not very far into it that day, for

they were minded to rest them after the weariness of the wilderness:

they feasted on a hare which Ralph shot, and made a big fire to keep

off evil beasts, but none came nigh them, though they heard the voices

of certain beasts as the night grew still. To be short, they slept far

into the morrow's morn, and then, being refreshed, and their horses

also, they rode strongly all day, and found the wood to be not very

great; for before sunset they were come to its outskirts, and the

mountains lay before them. These were but little like to that huge

wall they had passed through on their way to Chestnut-dale, being

rather great hills than mountains, grass-grown, and at their feet

somewhat wooded, and by seeming not over hard to pass over.

The next day they entered them by a pass marked with the token, which

led them about by a winding way till they were on the side of the

biggest fell of all; so there they rested that night in a fair little

hollow or dell in the mountain-side. There in the stillness of the

night both Ursula, as well as Ralph, heard that roaring of a great

water, and they said to each other that it must be the voice of the

Sea, and they rejoiced thereat, for they had learned by the Sage and

his books that they must needs come to the verge of the Ocean-Sea,

which girdles the earth about. So they arose betimes on the morrow,

and set to work to climb the mountain, going mostly a-foot; and the way

was long, but not craggy or exceeding steep, so that in five hours'

time they were at the mountain-top, and coming over the brow beheld

beneath them fair green slopes besprinkled with trees, and beyond them,

some three or four miles away, the blue landless sea and on either hand

of them was the sea also, so that they were nigh-hand at the ending of

a great ness, and there was naught beyond it; and naught to do if they

missed the Well, but to turn back by the way they had come.

Now when they saw this they were exceedingly moved and they looked on

one another, and each saw that the other was pale, with glistening

eyes, since they were to come to the very point of their doom, and that

it should be seen whether there were no such thing as the Well in all

the earth, but that they had been chasing a fair-hued cloud; or else

their Quest should be achieved and they should have the world before

them, and they happy and mighty, and of great worship amidst all men.

Little they tarried, but gat them down the steep of the mountain, and

so lower and lower till they were come to ground nigh level; and then

at last it was but thus, that without any great rock-wall or girdle of

marvellous and strange land, there was an end of earth, with its grass

and trees and streams, and a beginning of the ocean, which stretched

away changeless, and it might be for ever. Where the land ended there

was but a cliff of less than an hundred feet above the eddying of the

sea; and on the very point of the ness was a low green toft with a

square stone set atop of it, whereon as they drew nigh they saw the

token graven, yea on each face thereof.

Then they went along the edge of the cliff a mile on each side of the

said toft, and then finding naught else to note, naught save the grass

and the sea, they came back to that place of the token, and sat down on

the grass of the toft.

It was now evening, and the sun was setting beyond them, but they could

behold a kind of stair cut in the side of the cliff, and on the first

step whereof was the token done; wherefore they knew that they were

bidden to go down by the said stair; but it seemed to lead no whither,

save straight into the sea. And whiles it came into Ralph's mind that

this was naught but a mock, as if to bid the hapless seekers cast

themselves down from the earth, and be done with it for ever. But in

any case they might not try the adventure of that stair by the failing

light, and with the night long before them. So when they had hoppled

their horses, and left them to graze at their will on the sweet grass

of the meadow, they laid them down behind the green toft, and, being

forwearied, it was no long time ere they twain slept fast at the

uttermost end of the world.

CHAPTER 21

Now They Drink of the Well at the World's End

Ralph awoke from some foolish morning dream of Upmeads, wondering where

he was, or what familiar voice had cried out his name: then he raised

himself on his elbow, and saw Ursula standing before him with flushed

face and sparkling eyes, and she was looking out seaward, while she

called on his name. So he sprang up and strove with the slumber that

still hung about him, and as his eyes cleared he looked down, and saw

that the sea, which last night had washed the face of the cliff, had

now ebbed far out, and left bare betwixt the billows and the cliff some

half mile of black sand, with rocks of the like hue rising out of it

here and there. But just below the place where they stood, right up

against the cliff, was builded by man's hand of huge stones a garth or

pound, the wall whereof was some seven feet high, and the pound within

the wall of forty feet space endlong and overthwart; and the said pound

was filled with the waters of a spring that came forth from the face of

the cliff as they deemed, though from above they might not see the

issue thereof; but the water ran seaward from the pound by some way

unseen, and made a wide stream through the black sand of the foreshore:

but ever the great basin filled somewhat faster than it voided, so that

it ran over the lip on all sides, making a thin veil over the huge

ashlar-stones of the garth. The day was bright and fair with no wind,

save light airs playing about from the westward ort, and all things

gleamed and glittered in the sun.

Ralph stood still a moment, and then stretched abroad his arms, and

with a great sob cast them round about the body of his beloved, and

strained her to his bosom as he murmured about her, THE WELL AT THE

WORLD'S END. But she wept for joy as she fawned upon him, and let her

hands beat upon his body.

But when they were somewhat calmed of their ecstasy of joy, they made

ready to go down by that rocky stair. And first they did off their

armour and other gear, and when they were naked they did on the

hallowed raiment which they had out of the ark in the House of the

Sorceress; and so clad gat them down the rock-hewn stair, Ralph going

first, lest there should be any broken place; but naught was amiss with

those hard black stones, and they came safely to a level place of the

rock, whence they could see the face of the cliff, and how the waters

of the Well came gushing forth from a hollow therein in a great

swelling wave as clear as glass; and the sun glistened in it and made a

foam-bow about its edges. But above the issue of the waters the black

rock had been smoothed by man's art, and thereon was graven the Sword

and the Bough, and above it these words, to wit:

YE WHO HAVE COME A LONG WAY TO LOOK UPON ME, DRINK OF ME, IF YE DEEM

THAT YE BE STRONG ENOUGH IN DESIRE TO BEAR LENGTH OF DAYS: OR ELSE

DRINK NOT; BUT TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND THE KINDREDS OF THE EARTH HOW YE

HAVE SEEN A GREAT MARVEL.

So they looked long and wondered; and Ursula said: "Deemest thou, my

friend, that any have come thus far and forborne to drink?"

Said Ralph: "Surely not even the exceeding wise might remember the

bitterness of his wisdom as he stood here."

Then he looked on her and his face grew bright beyond measure, and

cried out: "O love, love! why tarry we? For yet I fear lest we be come

too late, and thou die before mine eyes ere yet thou hast drunken."

"Yea," she said, "and I also fear for thee, though thy face is ruddy

and thine eyes sparkle, and thou art as lovely as the Captain of the

Lord's hosts."

Then she laughed, and her laughter was as silver bells rung tunably,

and she said: "But where is the cup for the drinking?"

But Ralph looked on the face of the wall, and about the height of his

hand saw square marks thereon, as though there were an ambrye; and

amidst the square was a knop of latten, all green with the weather and

the salt spray. So Ralph set his hand to the knop and drew strongly,

and lo it was a door made of a squared stone hung on brazen hinges, and

it opened easily to him, and within was a cup of goldsmith's work, with

the sword and the bough done thereon; and round about the rim writ this

posey: "THE STRONG OF HEART SHALL DRINK FROM ME." So Ralph took it and

held it aloft so that its pure metal flashed in the sun, and he said:

"This is for thee, Sweetling."

"Yea, and for thee," she said.

Now that level place, or bench-table went up to the very gushing and

green bow of the water, so Ralph took Ursula's hand and led her along,

she going a little after him, till he was close to the Well, and stood

amidst the spray-bow thereof, so that he looked verily like one of the

painted angels on the choir wall of St. Laurence of Upmeads. Then he

reached forth his hand and thrust the cup into the water, holding it

stoutly because the gush of the stream was strong, so that the water of

the Well splashed all over him, wetting Ursula's face and breast

withal: and he felt that the water was sweet without any saltness of

the sea. But he turned to Ursula and reached out the full cup to her,

and said: "Sweetling, call a health over the cup!"

She took it and said: "To thy life, beloved!" and drank withal, and

her eyes looked out of the cup the while, like a child's when he

drinketh. Then she gave him the cup again and said: "Drink, and tarry

not, lest thou die and I live."

Then Ralph plunged the cup into the waters again, and he held the cup

aloft, and cried out: "To the Earth, and the World of Manfolk!" and

therewith he drank.

For a minute then they clung together within the spray-bow of the Well,

and then she took his hand and led him back to the midst of the

bench-table, and he put the cup into the ambrye, and shut it up again,

and then they sat them down on the widest of the platform under the

shadow of a jutting rock; for the sun was hot; and therewithal a sweet

weariness began to steal over them, though there was speech betwixt

them for a little, and Ralph said: "How is it with thee, beloved?"

"O well indeed," she said.

Quoth he: "And how tasteth to thee the water of the Well?"

Slowly she spake and sleepily: "It tasted good, and as if thy love

were blended with it."

And she smiled in his face; but he said: "One thing I wonder over: how

shall we wot if we have drunk aright? For whereas if we were sick or

old and failing, or ill-liking, and were now presently healed of all

this, and become strong and fair to look on, then should we know it for

sure--but now, though, as I look on thee, I behold thee the fairest of

all women, and on thy face is no token of toil and travail, and the

weariness of the way; and though the heart-ache of loneliness and

captivity, and the shame of Utterbol has left no mark upon thee--yet

hast thou not always been sweet to my eyes, and as sweet as might be?

And how then?"...But he broke off and looked on her and she smiled upon

the love in his eyes, and his head fell back and he slept with a calm

and smiling face. And she leaned over him to kiss his face but even

therewith her own eyes closed and she laid her head upon his breast,

and slept as peacefully as he.

CHAPTER 22

Now They Have Drunk and Are Glad

Long they slept till the shadows were falling from the west, and the

sea was flowing fast again over the sands beneath them, though there

was still a great space bare betwixt the cliff and the sea. Then spake

Ursula as if Ralph had but just left speaking; and she said: "Yea, dear

lord, and I also say, that, lovely as thou art now, never hast thou

been aught else but lovely to me. But tell me, hast thou had any scar

of a hurt upon thy body? For if now that were gone, surely it should

be a token of the renewal of thy life. But if it be not gone, then

there may yet be another token."

Then he stood upon his feet, and she cried out: "O but thou art fair

and mighty, who now shall dare gainsay thee? Who shall not long for

thee?"

Said Ralph: "Look, love! how the sea comes over the sand like the

creeping of a sly wood-snake! Shall we go hence and turn from the

ocean-sea without wetting our bodies in its waters?"

"Let us go," she said.

So they went down on to the level sands, and along the edges of the

sweet-water stream that flowed from the Well; and Ralph said: "Beloved,

I will tell thee of that which thou hast asked me: when I was but a lad

of sixteen winters there rode men a-lifting into Upmeads, and Nicholas

Longshanks, who is a wise man of war, gathered force and went against

them, and I must needs ride beside him. Now we came to our above, and

put the thieves to the road; but in the hurly I got a claw from the

war-beast, for the stroke of a sword sheared me off somewhat from my

shoulder: belike thou hast seen the scar and loathed it."

"It is naught loathsome," she said, "for a lad to be a bold warrior,

nor for a grown man to think lightly of the memory of death drawn near

for the first time. Yea, I have noted it but let me see now what has

befallen with it."

As she spoke they were come to a salt pool in a rocky bight on their

right hand, which the tide was filling speedily; and Ralph spake: "See

now, this is the bath of the water of the ocean sea." So they were

speedily naked and playing in the water: and Ursula took Ralph by the

arm and looked to his shoulder and said: "O my lad of the pale edges,

where is gone thy glory? There is no mark of the sword's pilgrimage on

thy shoulder." "Nay, none?" quoth he.

"None, none!" she said, "Didst thou say the very sooth of thy hurt in

the battle, O poor lad of mine?" "Yea, the sooth," said he. Then she

laughed sweetly and merrily like the chuckle of a flute over the

rippling waters, that rose higher and higher about them, and she turned

her eyes askance and looked adown to her own sleek side, and laid her

hand on it and laughed again. Then said Ralph: "What is toward,

beloved? For thy laugh is rather of joy that of mirth alone."

She said: "O smooth-skinned warrior, O Lily and Rose of battle; here

on my side yesterday was the token of the hart's tyne that gored me

when I was a young maiden five years ago: look now and pity the maiden

that lay on the grass of the forest, and the woodman a-passing by

deemed her dead five years ago."

Ralph stooped down as the ripple washed away from her, then said: "In

sooth here is no mark nor blemish, but the best handiwork of God, as

when he first made a woman from the side of the Ancient Father of the

field of Damask. But lo you love, how swift the tide cometh up, and I

long to see thy feet on the green grass, and I fear the sea, lest it

stir the joy over strongly in our hearts and we be not able to escape

from its waves."

So they went up from out of the water, and did on the hallowed raiment

fragrant with strange herbs, and passed joyfully up the sand towards

the cliff and its stair; and speedily withal, for so soon as they were

clad again, the little ripple of the sea was nigh touching their feet.

As they went, they noted that the waters of the Well flowed seaward

from the black-walled pound by three arched openings in its outer face,

and they beheld the mason's work, how goodly it was; for it was as if

it had been cut out of the foot of a mountain, so well jointed were its

stones, and its walls solid against any storm that might drive against

it.

They climbed the stair, and sat them down on the green grass awhile

watching the ocean coming in over the sand and the rocks, and Ralph

said: "I will tell thee, sweetling, that I am grown eager for the road;

though true it is that whiles I was down yonder amidst the ripple of

the sea I longed for naught but thee, though thou wert beside me, and

thy joyous words were as fire to the heart of my love. But now that I

am on the green grass of the earth I called to mind a dream that came

to me when we slept after the precious draught of the Well: for

methought that I was standing before the porch of the Feast-hall of

Upmeads and holding thine hand, and the ancient House spake to me with

the voice of a man, greeting both thee and me, and praising thy

goodliness and valiancy. Surely then it is calling me to deeds, and if

it were but morning, as it is now drawing towards sunset, we would

mount and be gone straightway."

"Surely," she said, "thou hast drunk of the Well, and the fear of thee

has already entered into the hearts of thy foemen far away, even as the

love of thee constraineth me as I lie by thy side; but since it is

evening and sunset, let it be evening, and let the morning see to its

own matters. So now let us be pilgrims again, and eat the meal of

pilgrims, and see to our horses, and then wander about this lovely

wilderness and its green meads, where no son of man heedeth the wild

things, till the night come, bringing to us the rest and the sleep of

them that have prevailed over many troubles."

Even so they did, and broke bread above the sea, and looked to their

horses, and then went hand in hand about the goodly green bents betwixt

the sea and the rough of the mountain; and it was the fairest and

softest of summer evenings; and the deer of that place, both little and

great, had no fear of man, but the hart and hind came to Ursula's hand;

and the thrushes perched upon her shoulder, and the hares gambolled

together close to the feet of the twain; so that it seemed to them that

they had come into the very Garden of God; and they forgat all the many

miles of the waste and the mountain that lay before them, and they had

no thought for the strife of foemen and the thwarting of kindred, that

belike awaited them in their own land, but they thought of the love and

happiness of the hour that was passing. So sweetly they wore through

the last minutes of the day, and when it was as dark as it would be in

that fair season, they lay down by the green knoll at the ending of the

land, and were lulled to sleep by the bubbling of the Well at the

World's End.

BOOK FOUR

The Road Home

CHAPTER 1

Ralph and Ursula Come Back Again Through the Great Mountains

On the morrow morning they armed them and took to their horses and

departed from that pleasant place and climbed the mountain without

weariness, and made provision of meat and drink for the Dry Desert, and

so entered it, and journeyed happily with naught evil befalling them

till they came back to the House of the Sorceress; and of the Desert

they made little, and the wood was pleasant to them after the drought

of the Desert.

But at the said House they saw those kind people, and they saw in their

eager eyes as in a glass how they had been bettered by their drinking

of the Well, and the Elder said to them: "Dear friends, there is no

need to ask you whether ye have achieved your quest; for ye, who before

were lovely, are now become as the very Gods who rule the world. And

now methinks we have to pray you but one thing, to wit that ye will not

be overmuch of Gods, but will be kind and lowly with them that needs

must worship you."

They laughed on him for kindness' sake, and kissed and embraced the old

man, and they thanked them all for their helping, and they abode with

them for a whole day in good-will and love, and thereafter the carle,

who was the son of the Elder, with his wife, bade farewell to his

kinsmen, and led Ralph and Ursula back through the wood and over the

desert to the town of the Innocent Folk. The said Folk received them

in all joy and triumph, and would have them abide there the winter

over. But they prayed leave to depart, because their hearts were sore

for their own land and their kindred. So they abode there but two

days, and on the third day were led away by a half score of men gaily

apparelled after their manner, and having with them many sumpter-beasts

with provision for the road. With this fellowship they came safely and

with little pain unto Chestnut Vale, where they abode but one night,

though to Ralph and Ursula the place was sweet for the memory of their

loving sojourn there.

They would have taken leave of the Innocent Folk in the said vale, but

those others must needs go with them a little further, and would not

leave them till they were come to the jaws of the pass which led to the

Rock of the Fighting Man. Further than that indeed they would not, or

durst not go; and those huge mountains they called the Wall of Strife,

even as they on the other side called them the Wall of the World.

So the twain took leave of their friends there, and howbeit that they

had drunk of the Well at the World's End, yet were their hearts grieved

at the parting. The kind folk left with them abundant provision for

the remnant of the road, and a sumpter-ox to bear it; so they were in

no doubt of their livelihood. Moreover, though the turn of autumn was

come again and winter was at hand, yet the weather was fair and calm,

and their journey through the dreary pass was as light as it might be

to any men.

CHAPTER 2

They Hear New Tidings of Utterbol

It was on a fair evening of later autumn-tide that they won their way

out of the Gates of the Mountains, and came under the rock of the

Fighting Man. There they kissed and comforted each other in memory of

the terror and loneliness wherewith they had entered the Mountains that

other time; though, sooth to say, it was to them now like the reading

of sorrow in a book.

But when they came out with joyful hearts into the green plain betwixt

the mountains and the River of Lava, they looked westward, and beheld

no great way off a little bower or cot, builded of boughs and rushes by

a blackthorn copse; and as they rode toward it they saw a man come

forth therefrom, and presently saw that he was hoary, a man with a long

white beard. Then Ralph gave a glad cry, and set spurs to his horse

and galloped over the plain; for he deemed that it could be none other

than the Sage of Swevenham; and Ursula came pricking after him laughing

for joy. The old man abode their coming, and Ralph leapt off his horse

at once, and kissed and embraced him; but the Sage said: "There is no

need to ask thee of tidings; for thine eyes and thine whole body tell

me that thou hast drunk of the Well at the World's End. And that shall

be better for thee belike than it has been for me; though for me also

the world has not gone ill after my fashion since I drank of that

water."

Then was Ursula come up, and she also lighted down and made much of the

Sage. But he said: "Hail, daughter! It is sweet to see thee so, and

to wot that thou art in the hands of a mighty man: for I know that

Ralph thy man is minded for his Father's House, and the deeds that

abide him there; and I think we may journey a little way together; for

as for me, I would go back to Swevenham to end my days there, whether

they be long or short."

But Ralph said: "As for that, thou mayst go further than Swevenham,

and as far as Upmeads, where there will be as many to love and cherish

thee as at Swevenham."

The old man laughed a little, and reddened withal, but answered nothing.

Then they untrussed their sumpter-beast, and took meat and drink from

his burden, and they ate and drank together, sitting on the green grass

there; and the twain made great joy of the Sage, and told him the whole

tale; and he told them that he had been abiding there since the

spring-tide, lest they might have turned back without accomplishing

their quest, and then may-happen he should have been at hand to comfort

them, or the one of them left, if so it had befallen. "But," quoth he,

"since ye have verily drunk of the Well at the World's End, ye have

come back no later than I looked for you."

That night they slept in the bower there, and on the morrow betimes,

the Sage drove together three or four milch goats that he pastured

there, and went their ways over the plain, and so in due time entered

into the lava-sea. But the first night that they lay there, though it

was moonless and somewhat cloudy, they saw no glare of the distant

earth-fires which they had looked for; and when on the morrow they

questioned the Sage thereof, he said: "The Earth-fires ceased about the

end of last year, as I have heard tell. But sooth it is that the

foreboding of the Giant's Candle was not for naught. For there hath

verily been a change of masters at Utterbol."

"Yea," said Ralph, "for better or worse?"

Said the Sage: "It could scarce have been for worse; but if rumour

runneth right it is much for the better. Hearken how I learned

thereof. One fair even of late March, a little before I set off

hither, as I was sitting before the door of my house, I saw the glint

of steel through the wood, and presently rode up a sort of knights and

men-at-arms, about a score; and at the head of them a man on a big

red-roan horse, with his surcoat blazoned with a white bull on a green

field: he was a man black-haired, but blue-eyed; not very big, but well

knit and strong, and looked both doughty and knightly; and he wore a

gold coronet about his basnet: so not knowing his blazonry, I wondered

who it was that durst be so bold as to ride in the lands of the Lord of

Utterbol. Now he rode up to me and craved a drink of milk, for he had

seen my goats; so I milked two goats for him, and brought whey for the

others, whereas I had no more goats in milk at that season. So the

bull-knight spake to me about the woodland, and wherefore I dwelt there

apart from others; somewhat rough in his speech he was, yet rather

jolly than fierce; and he thanked me for the bever kindly enough, and

said: "I deem that it will not avail to give thee money; but I shall

give thee what may be of avail to thee. Ho, Gervaise! give me one of

those scrolls!" So a squire hands him a parchment and he gave it me,

and it was a safe-conduct to the bearer from the Lord of Utterbol; but

whereas I saw that the seal bore not the Bear on the Castle-wall, but

the Bull, and that the superscription was unknown to me, I held the

said scroll in my hand and wondered; and the knight said to me: "Yea,

look long at it; but so it is, though thou trow it not, that I am

verily Lord of Utterbol, and that by conquest; so that belike I am

mightier than he was, for that mighty runagate have I slain. And many

there be who deem that no mishap, heathen though I be. Come thou to

Utterbol and see for thyself if the days be not changed there; and thou

shalt have a belly-full of meat and drink, and honour after thy

deserving." So they rested a while, and then went their ways. To

Utterbol I went not, but ere I departed to come hither two or three

carles strayed my way, as whiles they will, who told me that this which

the knight had said was naught but the sooth, and that great was the

change of days at Utterbol, whereas all men there, both bond and free,

were as merry as they deserved to be, or belike merrier."

Ralph pondered this tale, and was not so sure but that this new lord

was not Bull Shockhead, his wartaken thrall; natheless he held his

peace; but Ursula said: "I marvel not much at the tale, for sure I am,

that had Gandolf of the Bear been slain when I was at Utterbol, neither

man nor woman had stirred a finger to avenge him. But all feared him,

I scarce know why; and, moreover, there was none to be master if he

were gone."

Thereafter she told more tales of the miseries of Utterbol than Ralph

had yet heard, as though this tale of the end of that evil rule had set

her free to utter them; and they fell to talking of others matters.

CHAPTER 3

They Winter With the Sage; and Thereafter Come Again to Vale Turris

Thus with no peril and little pain they came to the Sage's hermitage;

and whereas the autumn was now wearing, and it was not to be looked for

that they should cross even the mountains west of Goldburg, let alone

those to the west of Cheaping Knowe, when winter had once set in, Ralph

and Ursula took the Sage's bidding to abide the winter through with

him, and set forth on their journey again when spring should be fairly

come and the mountain ways be clear of snow.

So they dwelt there happily enough; for they helped the Sage in his

husbandry, and he enforced him to make them cheer, and read in the

ancient book to them, and learned them as much as it behoved them to

hearken; and told them tales of past time.

Thereafter when May was at hand they set out on their road, and whereas

the Sage knew the wood well, he made a long story short by bringing

them to Vale Turris in four days' time. But when they rode down into

the dale, they saw the plain meads below the Tower all bright with

tents and booths, and much folk moving about amidst them; here and

there amidst the roofs of cloth withal was showing the half finished

frame of a timber house a-building. But now as they looked and wondered

what might be toward, a half score of weaponed men rode up to them and

bade them, but courteously, to come with them to see their Lord. The

Sage drew forth his let-pass thereat; but the leader of the riders

said, as he shook his head: "That is good for thee, father; but these

two knights must needs give an account of themselves: for my lord is

minded to put down all lifting throughout his lands; therefore hath he

made the meshes of his net small. But if these be thy friends it will

be well. Therefore thou art free to come with them and bear witness to

their good life."

Here it must be said that since they were on the road again Ursula had

donned her wargear once more, and as she rode was to all men's eyes

naught but a young and slender knight.

So without more ado they followed those men-at-arms, and saw how the

banner of the Bull was now hung out from the Tower; and the sergeants

brought them into the midst of the vale, where, about those tents and

those half-finished frame-houses (whereof they saw six) was a market

toward and much concourse of folk. But the sergeants led through them

and the lanes of the booths down to the side of the river, where on a

green knoll, with some dozen of men-at-arms and captains about him, sat

the new Lord of Utterbol.

Now as the others drew away from him to right and left, the Lord sat

before Ralph with naught to hide him, and when their eyes met Ralph

gave a cry as one astonished; and the Lord of Utterbol rose up to his

feet and shouted, and then fell a laughing joyously, and then cried

out: "Welcome, King's Son, and look on me! for though the feathers be

fine 'tis the same bird. I am Lord of Utterbol and therewithal Bull

Shockhead, whose might was less than thine on the bent of the mountain

valley."

Therewith he caught hold of Ralph's hand, and sat himself down and drew

Ralph down, and made him sit beside him.

"Thou seest I am become great?" said he. "Yea," said Ralph, "I give

thee joy thereof!" Said the new Lord: "Perchance thou wilt be deeming

that since I was once thy war-taken thrall I should give myself up to

thee: but I tell thee I will not: for I have much to do here.

Moreover I did not run away from thee, but thou rannest from me, lad."

Thereat in his turn Ralph fell a laughing, and when he might speak he

said: "What needeth the lord of all these spears to beg off his service

to the poor wandering knight?"

Then Bull put his arms about him, and said: "I am fain at the sight of

thee, time was thou wert a kind lad and a good master; yet naught so

merry as thou shouldest have been; but now I see that gladness plays

all about thy face, and sparkles in thine eyes; and that is good. But

these thy fellows? I have seen the old carle before: he was dwelling

in the wildwood because he was overwise to live with other folk. But

this young man, who may he be? Or else--yea, verily, it is a young

woman. Yea, and now I deem that it is the thrall of my brother Bull

Nosy. Therefore by heritage she is now mine."

Ralph heard the words but saw not the smiling face, so wroth he was;

therefore the bare sword was in his fist in a twinkling. But ere he

could smite Bull caught hold of his wrist, and said: "Master, master,

thou art but a sorry lawyer, or thou wouldst have said: 'Thou art my

thrall, and how shall a thrall have heritage?' Dost thou not see that I

cannot own her till I be free, and that thou wilt not give me my

freedom save for hers? There, now is all the matter of the service

duly settled, and I am free and a Lord. And this damsel is free also,

and--yea, is she not thy well-beloved, King's Son?"

Ralph was somewhat abashed, and said: "I crave thy pardon, Lord, for

misdoubting thee: but think how feeble are we two lovers amongst the

hosts of the aliens."

"It is well, it is well," said Bull, "and in very sooth I deem thee my

friend; and this damsel was my brother's friend. Sit down, dear

maiden, I bid thee; and thou also, O man overwise; and let us drink a

cup, and then we will talk about what we may do for each other."

So they sat down all on the grass, and the Lord of Utterbol called for

wine, and they drank together in the merry season of May; and the new

Lord said: "Here be we friends come together, and it were pity of our

lives if we must needs sunder speedily: howbeit, it is thou must rule

herein, King's Son; for in my eyes thou art still greater than I, O my

master. For I can see in thine eyes and thy gait, and in thine also,

maiden, that ye have drunk of the Well at the World's End. Therefore I

pray you gently and heartily that ye come home with me to Utterbol."

Ralph shook his head, and answered: "Lord of Utterbol, I bid thee all

thanks for thy friendliness, but it may not be."

"But take note," said Bull, "that all is changed there, and it hath

become a merry dwelling of men. We have cast down the Red Pillar, and

the White and the Black also; and it is no longer a place of torment

and fear, and cozening and murder; but the very thralls are happy and

free-spoken. Now come ye, if it were but for a moon's wearing: I shall

be there in eight days' time. Yea, Lord Ralph, thou would'st see old

acquaintance there withal: for when I slew the tyrant, who forsooth

owed me no less than his life for the murder of my brother, I made

atonement to his widow, and wedded her: a fair woman as thou wottest,

lord, and of good kindred, and of no ill conditions, as is well seen

now that she lives happy days. Though I have heard say that while she

was under the tyrant she was somewhat rough with her women when she was

sad. Eh, fair sir! but is it not so that she cast sheep's eyes on

thee, time was, in this same dale?"

Ralph reddened and answered naught; and Bull spake again, laughing:

"Yea, so it is: she told me that much herself, and afterwards I heard

more from her damsel Agatha, who told me the merry tale of that device

they made to catch thee, and how thou brakest through the net.

Forsooth, though this she told me not, I deem that she would have had

the same gift of thee as her mistress would. Well, lad, lucky are they

with whom all women are in love. So now I prithee trust so much in thy

luck as to come with me to Utterbol."

Quoth Ralph: "Once again, Lord of Utterbol, we thank thee; but whereas

thou hast said that thou hast much to do in this land; even so I have a

land where deeds await me. For I stole myself away from my father and

mother, and who knows what help they need of me against foemen, and

evil days; and now I might give help to them were I once at home, and

to the people of the land also, who are a stout-hearted and valiant and

kindly folk."

The new Lord's face clouded somewhat, as he said: "If thine heart

draweth thee to thy kindred, there is no more to say. As for me, what

I did was for kindred's sake, and then what followed after was the work

of need. Well, let it be! But since we must needs part hastily, this

at least I bid you, that ye abide with me for to-night, and the banquet

in the great pavilion. Howsoever ye may be busied, gainsay me not

this; and to-morrow I shall further you on your way, and give you a

score of spears to follow thee to Goldburg. Then as for Goldburg and

Cheaping Knowe, see ye to it yourselves: but beyond Cheaping Knowe and

the plain country, thy name is known, and the likeness of thee told in

words; and no man in those mountains shall hurt or hinder thee, but all

thou meetest shall aid and further thee. Moreover, at the feast

to-night thou shalt see thy friend Otter, and he and I betwixt us shall

tell thee how I came to Utterbol, and of the change of days, and how it

betid. For he is now my right-hand man, as he was of the dead man.

Forsooth, after the slaying I would have had him take the lordship of

Utterbol, but he would not, so I must take it perforce or be slain, and

let a new master reign there little better than the old. Well then,

how sayest thou? Or wilt thou run from me without leave-taking, as

thou didst ere-while at Goldburg?"

Ralph laughed at his word, and said that he would not be so churlish

this time, but would take his bidding with a good heart; and thereafter

they fell to talking of many things. But Ralph took note of Bull, that

now his hair and beard were trim and his raiment goodly, for all his

rough speech and his laughter and heart-whole gibes and mocking, his

aspect and bearing was noble and knightly.

CHAPTER 4

A Feast in the Red Pavilion

So in a while they went with him to the Tower, and there was woman's

raiment of the best gotten for Ursula, and afterwards at nightfall they

went to the feast in the Red Pavillion of Utterbol, which awhile ago

the now-slain Lord of Utterbol had let make; and it was exceeding rich

with broidery of pearl and gems: since forsooth gems and fair women

were what the late lord had lusted for the most, and have them he would

at the price of howsoever many tears and groans. But that pavilion was

yet in all wise as it was wont to be, saving that the Bull had

supplanted the Bear upon the Castle-wall.

Now the wayfarers were treated with all honour and were set upon the

high-seat, Ralph upon the right-hand of the Lord, and Ursula upon his

left, and the Sage of Swevenham out from her. But on Ralph's right

hand was at first a void place, whereto after a while came Otter, the

old Captain of the Guard. He came in hastily, and as though he had but

just taken his armour off: for his raiment was but such as the

men-at-arm of that country were wont to wear under their war-gear, and

was somewhat stained and worn; whereas the other knights and lords were

arrayed grandly in silks and fine cloth embroidered and begemmed.

Otter was fain when he saw Ralph, and kissed and embraced him, and

said: "Forsooth, I saw by thy face, lad, that the world would be soft

before thee; and now that I behold thee I know already that thou hast

won thy quest; and the Gods only know to what honour thou shalt attain."

Ralph laughed for joy of him, and yet said soberly: "As to honour,

meseems I covet little world's goods, save that it may be well with my

folk at home." Nevertheless as the words were out of his mouth his

thought went back to the tall man whom he had first met at the

churchyard gate of Netherton, and it seemed to him that he wished his

thriving, yea, and in a lesser way, he wished the same to Roger of the

Rope-walk, whereas he deemed that both of these, each in his own way,

had been true to the lady whom he had lost.

Then Otter fell a-talking to him of the change of days at Utterbol, and

how that it was the Lord's intent that a cheaping town should grow up

in the Dale of the Tower, and that the wilderness beyond it should be

tilled and builded. "And," said he, "if this be done, and the new lord

live to see it, as he may, being but young of years, he may become

exceedingly mighty, and if he hold on in the way whereas he now is, he

shall be well-beloved also."

So they spake of many things, and there was minstrelsy and diverse

joyance, till at last the Lord of Utterbol stood up and said: "Now

bring in the Bull, that we may speak some words over him; for this is a

great feast." Ralph wondered what bull this might be whereof he spake;

but the harps and fiddlers, and all instruments of music struck up a

gay and gallant tune, and presently there came into the hall four men

richly attired, who held up on spears a canopy of bawdekin, under which

went a man-at-arms helmed, and clad in bright armour, who held in his

hands a great golden cup fashioned like to a bull, and he bore it forth

unto the dais, and gave it into the hands of the Lord. Then

straightway all the noise ceased, and the glee and clatter of the hall,

and there was dead silence. Then the Lord held the cup aloft and said

in a loud voice:

"Hail, all ye folk! I swear by the Bull, and they that made him, that

in three years' time or less I will have purged all the lands of

Utterbol of all strong-thieves and cruel tyrants, be they big or

little, till all be peace betwixt the mountains and the mark of

Goldburg; and the wilderness shall blossom like the rose. Or else

shall I die in the pain."

Therewith he drank of the cup, and all men shouted. Then he sat him

down and bade hand the cup to Otter; and Otter took the cup and looked

into the bowl and saw the wave of wine, and laughed and cried out: "As

for me, what shall I swear but that I will follow the Bull through

thick and thin, through peace and unpeace, through grief and joy. This

is my oath-swearing."

And he drank mightily and sat down.

Then turned the Lord to Ralph and said: "And thou who art my master,

wilt thou not tell thy friends and the Gods what thou wilt do?"

"No great matter, belike," said Ralph; "but if ye will it, I will speak

out my mind thereon."

"We will it," said the Lord.

Then Ralph arose and took the cup and lifted it and spake: "This I

swear, that I will go home to my kindred, yet on the road will I not

gainsay help to any that craveth it. So may all Hallows help me!"

Therewith he drank: and Bull said: "This is well said, O happy man!

But now that men have drunk well, do ye three and Otter come with me

into the Tower, whereas the chambers are dight for you, that I may make

the most of this good day wherein I have met thee again."

So they went with him, and when they had sat down in the goodliest

chamber of the Tower, and they had been served with wine and spices,

the new Lord said to Ralph: "And now, my master, wilt thou not ask

somewhat concerning me?" "Yea," said Ralph, "I will ask thee to tell

the tale of how thou camest into thy Lordship." Said the Lord, "This

shall ye hear of me with Otter to help me out. Hearken!"

CHAPTER 5

Bull Telleth of His Winning of the Lordship of Utterbol

"When thou rannest away from me, and left me alone at Goldburg, I was

grieved; then Clement Chapman offered to take me back with him to his

own country, which, he did me to wit, lieth hard by thine: but I would

not go with him, since I had an inkling that I should find the slayer

of my brother and be avenged on him. So the Chapmen departed from

Goldburg after that Clement had dealt generously by me for thy sake;

and when they were gone I bethought me what to do, and thou knowest I

can some skill with the fiddle and song, so I betook myself to that

craft, both to earn somewhat and that I might gather tidings and be

little heeded, till within awhile folk got to know me well, and would

often send for me to their merry-makings, where they gave me fiddler's

wages, to wit, meat, drink, and money. So what with one thing what

with another I was rich enough to leave Goldburg and fall to my journey

unto Utterbol; since I misdoubted me from the first that the caytiff

who had slain my brother was the Lord thereof.

"But one day when I went into the market-place I found a great stir and

clutter there; some folk, both men and women screeching and fleeing,

and some running to bows and other weapons. So I caught hold of one of

the fleers, and asked him what was toward; and he cried out, 'Loose me!

let me go! he is loose, he is loose!'

"'Who is loose, fool?' quoth I. 'The lion,' said he, and therewith in

the extremity of his terror tore himself away from me and fled. By

this time the others also had got some distance away from me, and I was

left pretty much alone. So I went forth on a little, looking about me,

and sure enough under one of the pillars of the cloister beneath the

market-house (the great green pillar, if thou mindest it), lay crouched

a huge yellow lion, on the carcase of a goat, which he had knocked

down, but would not fall to eating of amidst all that cry and hubbub.

"Now belike one thing of me thou wottest not, to wit, that I have a

gift that wild things love and will do my bidding. The house-mice will

run over me as I lie awake looking on them; the small birds will perch

on my shoulders without fear; the squirrels and hares will gambol about

quite close to me as if I were but a tree; and, withal, the fiercest

hound or mastiff is tame before me. Therefore I feared not this lion,

and, moreover, I looked to it that if I might tame him thoroughly, he

would both help me to live as a jongleur, and would be a sure ward to

me.

"So I walked up towards him quietly, till he saw me and half rose up

growling; but I went on still, and said to him in a peaceable voice:

'How now, yellow mane! what aileth thee? down with thee, and eat thy

meat.' So he sat down to his quarry again, but growled still, and I

went up close to him, and said to him: 'Eat in peace and safety, am I

not here?' And therewith I held out my bare hand unclenched to him, and

he smelt to it, and straightway began to be peaceable, and fell to

tearing the goat, and devouring it, while I stood by speaking to him

friendly.

"But presently I saw weapons glitter on the other side of the square

place, and men with bended bows. The yellow king saw them also, and

rose up again and stood growling; then I strove to quiet him, and said,

'These shall not harm thee.'

"Therewith the men cried out to me to come away, for they would shoot:

But I called out; 'Shoot not yet! but tell me, does any man own this

beast?' 'Yea,' said one, 'I own him, and happy am I that he doth not

own me.' Said I, 'Wilt thou sell him?' 'Yea' said he, 'if thou livest

another hour to tell down the money.' Said I, 'I am a tamer of wild

beasts, and if thou wilt sell this one at such a price, I will rid thee

of him.' The man yeasaid this, but kept well aloof with his fellows,

who looked on, handling their weapons.

"Then I turned to my new-bought thrall and bade him come with me, and

he followed me like a dog to his cage, which was hard by; and I shut

him in there, and laid down the money to his owner; and folk came round

about, and wondered, and praised me. But I said: 'My masters, have ye

naught of gifts for the tamer of beasts, and the deliverer of men?'

Thereat they laughed: but they brought me money and other goods, till I

had gotten far more than I had given for the lion.

"Howbeit the next day the officers of the Porte came and bade me avoid

the town of Goldburg, but gave me more money withal. I was not loth

thereto, but departed, riding a little horse that I had, and leading my

lion by a chain, though when I was by he needed little chaining.

"So that without more ado I took the road to Utterbol, and wheresoever

I came, I had what was to be had that I would; neither did any man fall

on me, or on my lion. For though they might have shot him or slain him

with many spear-thrusts, yet besides that they feared him sorely, they

feared me still more; deeming me some mighty sending from their Gods.

"Thus came I to Utterness, and found it poor and wretched, (as

forsooth, it yet is, but shall not be so for long). But the House of

Utterbol is exceeding fair and stately (as thou mightest have learned

from others, my master,) and its gardens, and orchards, and acres, and

meadows as goodly as may be. Yea, a very paradise; yet the dwellers

therein as if it were hell, as I saw openly with mine own eyes.

"To be short, the fame of me and my beast had somehow gone before me,

and when I came to the House, I was dealt with fairly, and had good

entertainment: and this all the more, as the Lord was away for a while,

and the life of folk not so hard by a great way as it had been if he

had been there: but the Lady was there in the house, and on the morrow

of my coming by her command, I brought my lion before her window and

made him come and go, and fetch and carry at my bidding, and when I had

done my play she bade me up into her bower, and bade me sit and had me

served with wine, while she asked me many questions as to my country

and friends, and whence and whither I was; and I answered her with the

very sooth, so far as the sooth was handy; and there was with her but

one of her women, even thy friend Agatha, fair sir.

"Methought both that this Queen was a fair woman, and that she looked

kindly upon me, and at last she said, sighing, that she were well at

ease if her baron were even such a man as I, whereas the said Lord was

fierce and cruel, and yet a dastard withal. But the said Agatha turned

on her, and chided her, as one might with a child, and said: 'Hold thy

peace of thy loves and thy hates before a very stranger! Or must I

leave yet more of my blood on the pavement of the White Pillar, for the

pleasure of thy loose tongue? Come out now, mountain-carle!'

"And she took me by the hand and led me out, and when we had passed the

door and it was shut, she turned to me and said: 'Thou, if I hear any

word abroad of what my Lady has just spoken, I shall know that thou

hast told it, and though I be but a thrall, yea, and of late a

mishandled one, yet am I of might enough in Utterbol to compass thy

destruction.'

"I laughed in her face and went my ways: and thereafter I saw many

folk and showed them my beast, and soon learned two things clearly.

"And first that the Lord and the Lady were now utterly at variance.

For a little before he had come home, and found a lack in his

household--to wit, how a certain fair woman whom he had but just got

hold of, and whom he lusted after sorely, was fled away. And he laid

the wyte thereof on his Lady, and threatened her with death: and when

he considered that he durst not slay her, or torment her (for he was

verily but a dastard), he made thy friend Agatha pay for her under

pretence of wringing a true tale out of her.

"Now when I heard this story I said to myself that I should hear that

other one of the slaying of my brother, and even so it befell. For I

came across a man who told me when and how the Lord came by the said

damsel (whom I knew at once could be none other than thou, Lady,) and

how he had slain my brother to get her, even as doubtless thou knowest,

Lord Ralph.

"But the second thing which I learned was that all folk at Utterbol,

men and women, dreaded the home-coming of this tyrant; and that there

was no man but would have deemed it a good deed to slay him. But,

dastard as he was, use and wont, and the fear that withholdeth rebels,

and the doubt that draweth back slaves, saved him; and they dreaded him

moreover as a devil rather than a man. Forsooth one of the men there,

who looked upon me friendly, who had had tidings of this evil beast

drawing near, spake to me a word of warning, and said: 'Friend

lion-master, take heed to thyself! For I fear for thee when the Lord

cometh home and findeth thee here; lest he let poison thy lion and slay

thee miserably afterward.'

"Well, in three days from that word home cometh the Lord with a rout of

his spearmen, and some dozen of captives, whom he had taken. And the

morrow of his coming, he, having heard of me, sent and bade me showing

the wonder of the Man and the Lion; therefore in the bright morning I

played with the lion under his window as I had done by the Queen. And

after I had played some while, and he looking out of the window, he

called to me and said: 'Canst thou lull thy lion to sleep, so that

thou mayst leave him for a little? For I would fain have thee up here.'

"I yeasaid that, and chid the beast, and then sang to him till he lay

down and slept like a hound weary with hunting. And then I went up

into the Lord's chamber; and as it happed, all the while of my playing

I had had my short-sword naked in my hand, and thus, I deem without

noting it, yet as weird would, I came before the tyrant, where he sat

with none anigh him save this Otter and another man-at-arms. But when I

saw him, all the blood within me that was come of one mother with my

brother's blood stirred within me, and I set my foot on the foot-pace

of this murderer's chair, and hove up my short-sword, and clave his

skull, in front and with mine own hand: not as he wrought, not as he

wrought with my brother.

"Then I turned about to Otter (who had his sword in his fist when it

was too late) till he should speak. Hah Otter, what didst thou say?"

Otter laughed: Quoth he, "I said: thus endeth the worst man in the

world. Well done, lion-tamer! thou art no ill guest, and hast paid on

the nail for meat, drink and lodging. But what shall we do now? Then

thou saidst; 'Well, I suppose thou wilt be for slaying me.' 'Nay,' said

I, 'We will not slay thee; at least not for this, nor now, nor without

terms.' Thou saidst: 'Perchance then thou wilt let me go free, since

this man was ill-beloved: yea, and he owed me a life.' 'Nay, nay,' said

I, 'not so fast, good beast-lord.' 'Why not?' saidst thou, 'I can see

of thee that thou art a valiant man, and whereas thou hast been captain

of the host, and the men-at-arms will lightly do thy bidding, why

shouldest thou not sit in the place of this man, and be Lord of

Utterbol?'

"'Nay nay,' said I, 'it will not do, hearken thou rather: For here I

give thee the choice of two things, either that thou be Lord of

Utterbol, or that we slay thee here and now. For we be two men

all-armed.'

"Thou didst seem to ponder it a while, and then saidst at last: 'Well,

I set not out on this journey with any such-like intent; yet will I not

wrestle with weird. Only I forewarn thee that I shall change the days

of Utterbol.'

"'It will not be for the worst then,' quoth I. 'So now go wake up thy

lion, and lead him away to his den: and we will presently send him

this carrion for a reward of his jonglery.' 'Gramercy, butcher,' saidst

thou, 'I am not for thy flesh-meat to-day. I was forewarned that the

poor beast should be poisoned at this man's home-coming, and so will he

be if he eat of this dastard; he will not outlive such a dinner.'

Thereat we all laughed heartily."

"Yea," said Bull, "So I went to lead away the lion when thou hadst

bidden me return in an hours' wearing, when all should be ready for my

Lordship. And thou wert not worse than thy word, for when I came into

that court again, there were all the men-at-arms assembled, and the

free carles, and the thralls; and the men-at-arms raised me on a

shield, set a crowned helm on my head, and thrust a great sword into my

hand, and hailed me by the name of the Bull of Utterbol, Lord of the

Waste and the Wildwood, and the Mountain-side: and then thou, Otter,

wert so simple as to kneel before me and name thyself my man, and take

the girding on of sword at my hand. Then even as I was I went in to my

Lady and told her the end of my tale, and in three minutes she lay in

my arms, and in three days in my bed as my wedded wife. As to Agatha,

when I had a little jeered her, I gave her rich gifts and good lands,

and freedom, to boot her for her many stripes. And lo there, King's

Son and Sweet Lady, the end of all my tale."

"Yea," quoth Otter, "saving this, that even already thou has raised up

Utterbol from Hell to Earth, and yet meseemeth thou hast good-will to

raise it higher."

Bull reddened at his word, and said: "Tush, man! praise the day when

the sun has set." Then he turned to Ralph, and said: "Yet couldst thou

at whiles put in a good word for me here and there amongst the folks

that thou shalt pass through on thy ways home, I were fain to know that

I had a well-speaking friend abroad." "We shall do no less," said

Ralph; and Ursula spake in like wise.

So they talked together merrily a while longer, till night began to

grow old, and then went to their chambers in all content and

good-liking.

CHAPTER 6

They Ride From Vale Turris. Redhead Tells of Agatha

On the morrow when they arose, Ralph heard the sound of horses and the

clashing of arms: he went to the window, and looked out, and saw how

the spears stood up thick together at the Tower's foot, and knew that

these were the men who were to be his fellows by the way. Their

captain he saw, a big man all-armed in steel, but himseemed that he

knew his face under his sallet, and presently saw that it was Redhead.

He was glad thereof, and clad himself hastily, and went out a-doors,

and went up to him and hailed him, and Redhead leapt off his horse, and

cast his arms about Ralph, and made much of him, and said: "It is good

for sore eyes to see thee, lord; and I am glad at heart that all went

well with thee that time. Although, forsooth, there was guile behind

it. Yet whereas I wotted nothing thereof, which I will pray thee to

believe, and whereas thou hast the gain of all, I deem thou mayst

pardon me."

Said Ralph: "Thou hast what pardon of me thou needest; so be content.

For the rest, little need is there to ask if thou thrivest, for I

behold thee glad and well honoured."

As they spoke came the Lord forth from the Tower, and said: "Come thou,

Lord Ralph, and eat with us ere thou takest to the road; I mean with

Otter and me. As for thee, Redhead, if aught of ill befall this King's

Son under thy way-leading, look to it that thou shalt lose my good word

with Agatha; yea, or gain my naysay herein; whereby thou shalt miss

both fee and fair dame."

Redhead looked sheepishly on Ralph at that word, yet winked at him

also, as if it pleased him to be jeered concerning his wooing; so that

Ralph saw how the land lay, and that the guileful handmaid was not ill

content with that big man. So he smiled kindly on him and nodded, and

went back with Bull into the Tower. There they sat down all to meat

together; and when they were done with their victual, Bull spake, and

said to Ralph: "Fair King's Son, is this then the last sight of thee?

wilt thou never come over the mountains again?" Said Ralph: "Who

knoweth? I am young yet, and have drunk of the Water of the Well."

Bull grew somewhat pensive and said: "Yea, thou meanest that thou

mayest come back and find me no longer here. Yet if thou findest but

my grave-mound, yet mayhappen thou shalt come on something said or sung

of me, which shall please thee. For I will tell thee, that thou hast

changed my conditions; how, I wot not."

"Thy word is good," said Ralph, "yet I meant not that; never should I

come to Utterbol if I looked not to find thee living there." Bull

smiled on him as though he loved him, and said: "This is well spoken; I

shall look to see thee before I die."

Then said Ursula: "Lord of Utterbol, this also thou mayst think on,

that it is no further from Utterbol to Upmeads than from Upmeads to

Utterbol." The Lord laughed and said: "Sooth is that; and were but my

Bull here, as I behold you I should be of mind to swear by him to come

and see you at Upmeads ere ten years have worn."

Then she put forth her hand and said: "Swear by this!" So he took it

and swore the oath; but the Sage of Swevenham said: "This oath thou

shalt keep to the gain and not the loss both of thee and of thy friends

of Upmeads."

Thus were they fain of each other, and Ralph saw how Bull's heart was

grown big, and he rejoiced thereat. But anon he arose and said: "Now,

Lord, we ask leave to depart for the way is long, and mayhappen my

kindred now lack a man's helping." Then Bull stood up and called for

his horse, and Otter also, and they all went forth and gat a-horseback

and rode away from Vale Turris, and Redhead rode behind them humbly,

till it was noon and they made stay for meat. Then after they had

broken bread together and drunk a cup Bull and Otter kissed the

wayfarers, and bade them farewell and so rode back to Vale Turris, and

Ralph and Ursula and the Sage tarried not but rode on their ways.

But anon Ralph called to Redhead, and bade him ride beside them that

they might talk together, and he came up with them, and Ursula greeted

him kindly, and they were merry one with another. And Ralph said to

Redhead: "Friend captain, thou art exceeding in humility not to ride

with the Lord or Captain Otter; save for chance-hap, I see not that

thou art worser than they."

Redhead grinned, and said: "Well, as to Otter, that is all true; but

as for Lord Bull it is another matter; I wot not but his kindred may be

as good or better than any in these east parts. In any case, he hath

his kin and long descent full often in his mouth, while I am but a

gangrel body. Howbeit it is all one, whereas whatso he or Otter bid

any man to do, he doeth it, but my bidding may be questioned at whiles.

And look you, lord, times are not ill, so wherefore should I risk a

change of days? Sooth to say, both these great lords have done well by

me."

Ralph laughed: "And better will they do, as thou deemest; give thee

Agatha, to wit?" "Yea, fair sir," quoth Redhead. "No great gift, that

seemeth to me, for thy valiancy," said Ralph; "she is guileful enough

and loose enough for a worse man than thee."

"Lord," said Redhead, "even of her thou shalt say what pleaseth thee;

but no other man shall say of her what pleaseth me not. For all that

is come and gone she is true and valiant, and none may say that she is

not fair and sweet enough for a better man than me; and my great good

luck it is that, as I hope, she looketh no further for a better."

Ursula said: "Is it so, perchance, that now she is free and hath

naught to fear, she hath no need for guile?" "Hail to thee for thy

word, lady," quoth Redhead; and then he was silent, glooming somewhat

on Ralph.

But Ralph said: "Nay, my friend, I meant no harm, but I was wondering

what had befallen to bring you two so close together."

"It was fear and pain, and the helping of each other that wrought it,"

said Redhead. Said Ursula: "Good Captain, how was it that she escaped

the uttermost of evil at the tyrant's hands? since from all that I have

heard, it must needs be that he laid the blame on her (working for her

mistress) of my flight from Utterbol."

"Even so it was, lady," said Redhead; "but, as thou wottest belike, she

had got it spread abroad that she was cunning in sorcery, and that her

spell would not end when her life ended; nay, that he to whom her ghost

should bear ill-will, and more especially such an one as might compass

her death, should have but an ill time of it while he lived, which

should not be long. This tale, which, sooth to say, I myself helped to

spread, the Lord of Utterbol trowed in wholly, so cunningly was it

told; so that, to make a long story short, he feared her, and feared

her more dead than living. So that when he came home, and found thee

gone, lady, he did indeed deem that thy flight was of Agatha's

contrivance. And this the more because his nephew (he whom thou didst

beguile; I partly guess how) told him a made-up tale how all was done

by the spells of Agatha. For this youth was of all men, not even

saving his uncle, most full of malice; and he hated Agatha, and would

have had her suffer the uttermost of torments and he to be standing by

the while; howbeit his malice overshot itself, since his tale made her

even more of a witch than the lord deemed before."

"Yea," said Ursula, "and what hath befallen that evil young man,

Captain?" Said Redhead: "It is not known to many, lady; but two days

before the slaying of his uncle, I met him in a wood a little way from

Utterbol, and, the mood being on me I tied him neck and heels and cast

him, with a stone round his neck, into a deep woodland pool hight the

Ram's Bane, which is in that same wood. Well, as to my tale of Agatha.

When the lord came home first, he sent for her, and his rage had so

mastered his fear for a while that his best word was scourge and rack

and faggot; but she was, outwardly, so calm and cold, smiling on him

balefully, that he presently came to himself, and found that fear was in

his belly, and that he might not do what he would with her; wherefore

he looked to it that however she were used (which was ill enough, God

wot!) she should keep the soul in her body. And at last the fear so

mounted into his head that he made peace with her, and even craved

forgiveness of her and gave her gifts. She answered him sweetly

indeed, yet so as he (and all others who were bystanding, of whom I was

one,) might well see that she deemed she owed him a day in harvest. As

for me, he heeded me naught, and I lay low all I might. And in any

wise we wore the time till the great day of deliverance."

Therewith dropped the talk about Agatha, when they had bidden him all

luck in his life. Forsooth, they were fain of his words, and of his

ways withal. For he was a valiant man, and brisk, and one who forgat

no benefit, and was trusty as steel; merry-hearted withal, and kind and

ready of speech despite his uplandish manners, which a life not a

little rude had thrust on him.

CHAPTER 7

Of Their Riding the Waste, and of a Battle Thereon

They slept in no house that night nor for many nights after; for they

were now fairly on the waste. They bore with them a light tent for

Ursula's lodging benights, and the rest of them slept on the field as

they might; or should they come to a thicket or shaw, they would lodge

them there softly. Victual and drink failed them not, for they bore

what they needed on sumpter-horses, and shot some venison on the way

withal. They saw but few folk; for the most part naught save a fowler

of the waste, or a peat-cutter, who stood to look on the men-at-arms

going by, and made obeisance to the token of Utterbol.

But on a time, the fifth day of their journey, they saw, in the

morning, spears not a few standing up against a thicket-side in the

offing. Redhead looked under the sharp of his hand, and laughed as

though he were glad, and said: "I know not clearly what these may be,

but it looketh like war. Now, knight, this is best to do: hold with

thee three of our best men, so that ye may safe guard the Lady, and I

with the others will prick on and look into this."

"Nay," said Ralph, "thou mayst yet be apaid of a man's aid; and if

there be strokes on sale in the cheaping-stead yonder, I will deal

along with thee. Leave thy three men with the Lady, and let us on; we

shall soon be back."

"Nay once more, dear lord," quoth Ursula, "I fear to be left alone of

thee, and it is meet that thou free me from fear. I will ride with

you, but three horse-lengths behind, so as not to hinder you. I have

been worse bestead than this shall be."

"It is good," quoth Redhead, "let her ride with us: for why should she

suffer the pain of fear in the lonely waste? But let her do on a

hauberk over her coats, and steel coif over her head, for shaft and

bolt will ofttimes go astray."

Even so they did, and rode forward, and presently they saw the spearmen

that they were somewhat more than their company, and that they were

well mounted on black horses and clad in black armour. Then they drew

rein for awhile and Redhead scanned them again and said: "Yea, these

are the men of the brother of thy hot wooer, Lady Ursula, whom I cooled

in the Ram's Bane, but a man well nigh as old as his uncle, though he

hath not made men tremble so sore, albeit he be far the better man, a

good warrior, a wise leader, a reiver and lifter well wrought at all

points. Well, 'tis not unlike that we shall have to speak to his men

again, either out-going or home-coming: so we had best kill as many of

these as we may now. Do on thy sallet, my lord; and thou,

Michael-a-green shake out the Bull; and thou, our Noise, blow a point

of war that they may be warned. God to aid! but they be ready and

speedy!"

In sooth even as the pennon of the Bull ran down the wind and the

Utterbol horn was winded, the Black men-at-arms came on at a trot, and

presently with a great screeching yell cast their spears into the rest,

and spurred on all they might, while a half score of bowmen who had

come out of the thicket bent their bows and fell a-shooting. But now

the men of Utterbol spurred to meet the foe, and as Redhead cast his

spear into the rest, he said to Ralph: "Glad am I that thy Lady is

anear to see me, for now I worship her."

Therewith the two bands met, and whereas on neither side was the armour

very stout, some men of either band were hurt or slain at once with

spearthrust; though, save for Ralph, they did not run straight on each

other; but fenced and foined with their spears deftly enough. As for

Ralph, he smote a tall man full on the breast and pierced him through

and through, and then pulled out the Upmeads blade and smote on the

right hand and the left, so that none came anigh him willingly.

Shortly to say it, in five minutes' time the Black Riders were fleeing

all over the field with them of Utterbol at their heels, and the bowmen

ran back again into the wood. But one of the foemen as he fled cast a

javelin at a venture, and who should be before it save Ursula, so that

she reeled in her saddle, and would have fallen downright but for one

of the Utterbol fellows who stayed her, and got her gently off her

horse. This Ralph saw not, for he followed far in the chase, and was

coming back somewhat slowly along with Redhead, who was hurt, but not

sorely. So when he came up, and saw Ursula sitting on the grass with

four or five men about her, he sickened for fear; but she rose up and

came slowly and pale-faced to meet him, and said: "Fear not, beloved,

for steel kept out steel: I have no scratch or point or edge on me."

So therewith he kissed her, and embraced her, and was glad.

The Utterbol Riders had slain sixteen of their foemen; for they took

none to mercy, and four of their band were slain outright, and six

hurt, but not grievously. So they tarried awhile on the field of deed

to rest them and tend their wounded men, and so rode on again heedfully.

But Redhead spake: "It is good to see thee tilting, King's Son. I

doubt me I shall never learn thy downright thrust. Dost thou remember

how sorry a job I made of it, when we met in the lists at Vale Turris

that other day?"

"Yea, yea," said Ralph. "Thou were best let that flea stick on the

wall. For to-day, at least, I have seen thee play at sharps deftly

enough."

Quoth Redhead: "Lord, it is naught, a five minutes' scramble. That

which trieth a man, is to fight and overcome, and straight have to

fight with fresh foemen, and yet again, till ye long for dark night to

cover you--yea, or even death."

"Warrior-like and wisely thou speakest," said Ralph; "and whoever thou

servest thou shalt serve well. And now once more I would it were me."

Redhead shook his head at that word, and said: "I would it might be

so; but it will not be so as now."

Forth on they rode, and slept in a wood that night, keeping good watch;

but saw no more of the Black Riders for that time.

On a day thereafter when it was nigh evening, Ralph looked about, and

saw a certain wood on the edge of a plain, and he stayed Ursula, and

said: "Look round about, beloved; for this is the very field whereas I

was betrayed into the hands of the men of Utterbol." She smiled on him

and said: "Let me light down then, that I may kiss the earth of that

kind field, where thou wert not stayed over long, but even long enough

that we might meet in the dark wood thereafter."

"Sweetling," said Ralph, "this mayst thou do and grieve no man, not

even for a little. For lo you! the captain is staying the

sumpter-beasts, and it is his mind, belike, that we shall sleep in

yonder wood to-night." Therewith he lighted down and she in likewise:

then he took her by the hand and led her on a few yards, and said: "Lo,

beloved, this quicken-tree; hereby it was that the tent was pitched

wherein I lay the night when I was taken."

She looked on him shyly and said: "Wilt thou not sleep here once more

to-night?"

"Yea, well-beloved," said he, "I will bid them pitch thy tent on this

same place, that I may smell the wild thyme again, as I did that other

while."

So there on the field of his ancient grief they rested that night in

all love and content.

CHAPTER 8

Of Goldburg Again, and the Queen Thereof

Next day they went forth through the country wherethrough Morfinn had

led Ralph into captivity; and Redhead rode warily; for there were many

passes which looked doubtful: but whether the ill men feared to meddle

with them, or however it were, none waylaid them, and they all came

safely to the gate of Goldburg, the towers whereof were full of folk

looking forth on them. So they displayed their pennon, and rode into

the street, where folk pressed about them in friendly wise; for the new

Lord of Utterbol had made firm and fast peace with Goldburg. So they

rode to the hostel, and gat them victual, and rested in peace that

night. But Ralph wondered whether the Queen would send for him when

she heard of his coming back again, and he hoped that she would let him

be; for he was ashamed when he thought of her love for him, and how

that he had clean forgotten her till he was close to Goldburg again.

But when morning was come Ralph spake to Redhead and asked him how he

should do to wage men for the homeward journey on thence; and Redhead

said: "I have already seen the Clerk of the Porte, and he will be here

in an hour with the license for thee to wage men to go with thee to

Cheaping Knowe. As for me, I must needs go see the King, and give him

a letter sealed by my lord's hand; and when I come back from him, I

will go round to the alehouses which be haunted of the men-at-arms to

see after strong carles for thine avail. But to the King hast thou no

need to go, save he send for thee, whereas thou art not come hither to

chaffer, and he needeth not men of war."

Ralph stared at him and said: "The King, sayst thou? is there no Queen

of Goldburg?" Said Redhead: "There is the King's wedded wife, but her

they call not Queen, but Lady." "But the Queen that was," said Ralph,

"where is she then?" "Yea truly," said Redhead, "a Queen sat alone as

ruler here a while ago; but whether she died, or what befell her, I

know nothing. I had little to do with Goldburg till our lord conquered

Utterbol. Lo here the host! he may tell thee the tale thereof."

Therewith he departed, and left Ralph with the host, whom Ralph

questioned of the story, for his heart was wrung lest such a fair woman

and so friendly should have come to harm.

So the host sat down by Ralph and said: "My master, this is a tale

which is grievous to us: for though the saints forbid I should say a

word against my lord that is now, nor is there any need to, yet we

deemed us happy to be under so dear a lady and so good and fair as she

was. Well, she is gone so that we wot not whether she be living or

dead. For so it is that in the early spring, somewhat more than a year

ago that is, one morning when folk arose, the Queen's place was empty.

Riding and running there was about and about, but none the more was she

found. Forsooth as time wore, tales were told of what wise she left

us, and why: but she was gone. Well, fair sir, many deemed that

though her lineage was known by seeming, yet she was of the fairy, and

needed neither steed nor chariot to go where she would. But her women

and those that knew her best, deemed that whatso she were, she had

slain herself, as they thought, for some unhappiness of love. For

indeed she had long gone about sad and distraught, though she neither

wept, nor would say one word of her sorrow, whatsoever it might be.

"But, fair sir, since thou art a stranger, and art presently departing

from our city, I will tell thee a thing. To wit; one month or so after

she had vanished away, I held talk with a certain old fisherman of our

water, and he told me that on that same night of her vanishing, as he

stood on the water-side handing the hawser of his barque, and the sail

was all ready to be sheeted home, there came along the shore a woman

going very swiftly, who, glancing about her, as if to see that there

was none looking on or prying, came up to him, and prayed him in a

sweet voice for instant passage down the water. Wrapped she was in a

dark cloak and a cowl over her head, but as she put forth her hand to

give him gold, he saw even by the light of his lantern that it was

exceeding fair, and that great gems flashed from the finger-rings, and

that there was a great gold ring most precious on her arm.

"He yeasaid her asking, partly because of her gold, partly (as he told

me) that he feared her, deeming her to be of the fairy. Then she

stepped over his gangway of one board on to his boat, and as he held

the lantern low down to light her, lest she should make a false step

and fall into the water, he noted (quoth he) that a golden shoe all

begemmed came out from under gown-hem and that the said hem was

broidered thickly with pearl and jewels.

"Small was his barque, and he alone with the woman, and there was a

wind in the March night, and the stream is swift betwixt the quays of

our city; so that by night and cloud they made much way down the water,

and at sunrise were sailing through the great wood which lieth hence a

twenty leagues seaward. So when the sun was risen she stood up in the

fore part of the boat, and bade him turn the barque toward the shore,

and even as the bows ran upon the sand, she leapt out and let the

thicket cover her; nor have any of Goldburg seen her since, or the

Queen. But for my part I deem the woman to have been none other than

the Queen. Seest thou then! she is gone: but the King Rainald her

cousin reigns in her stead, a wise man, and a mighty, and no tyrant or

skinner of the people."

Ralph heard and pondered, and was exceeding sorry, and more had he been

but for the joyousness which came of the Water of the Well. Howbeit he

might not amend it: for even were he to seek for the Queen and find

her, it might well be worse than letting it be. For he knew (when he

thought of her) that she loved him, and how would it be if she might

not outwear her love, or endure the days of Goldburg, and he far away?

This he said to himself, which he might not have said to any other soul.

CHAPTER 9

They Come to Cheaping Knowe Once More. Of the King Thereof

Toward evening comes Redhead, and tells Ralph how he hired him a dozen

men-at-arms to follow him well-weaponed to Cheaping Knowe: withal he

counselled him to take a good gift with him to that same town to buy

the good will of the King there; who was a close-fist and a cruel lord.

Afterwards they sat together in the court of that fair house before

good wine, Ralph and Ursula, and Redhead and the Sage of Swevenham, and

spake of many things, and were merry and kind together. But on the

morrow Redhead departed from Goldburg with his men, and he loth to

depart, and they gave him farewell lovingly. Thereafter Ralph's new

men came to him in the hostelry, and he feasted them and did well to

them, so that they praised him much. Then he gat him victuals and

sumpter-horses for the journey, and bought good store of bows and

arrows withal. Furthermore he took heed to Redhead's word and bought a

goodly gift of silver vessel and fine cloth for the King of Cheaping

Knowe.

The day after he and his company departed from Goldburg toward the

mountains, which they passed unfought and unwaylaid: partly because

they were a band of stout men, and partly because a little before there

had been a great overthrow of the wild men of those mountains at the

hands of the men of Goldburg and the Chapmen; so that now the

mountain-men lay close, and troubled none that rode with any force.

On the way they failed not to pass by the place where they had erst

found Bull Nosy slain: there they saw his howe, heaped up exceeding

high, covered in with earth, whereon the grass was now beginning to

grow, and with a great standing stone on the top thereof, whereon was

graven the image of a bull, with a sword thereunder; whereby the

wayfarers wotted that this had been done in his memory by his brother,

the new Lord of Utterbol.

So they came down out of the mountains to Whiteness, where they had

good entertainment, but tarried not save for one night, riding their

ways betimes to Cheaping Knowe: and they came before the gate thereof

safe and sound on the third day; and slept in the hostelry of the

chapmen. On the morrow Ralph went up to the King's Castle with but

three men unweaponed bearing the gift which he had got for the King.

Albeit he sent not away his men-at-arms till he should know how the

King was minded towards him.

As he went he saw in the streets sad tokens of the lord's cruel

justice, as handless men, fettered, dragging themselves about, and folk

hung up before chapmen's booths, and whipping-cheer, and the pillar,

and such like. But whereas he might not help he would not heed, but

came right to the Castle-gate, and entered easily when he had told his

errand, for gift-bearing men are not oftenest withstood.

He was brought straightway into the great hall, where sat the King on

his throne amidst the chiefs of the Porte, and his captains and

sergeants, who were, so to say, his barons, though they were not barons

of lineage, but masterful men who were wise to do his bidding.

As he went up the hall he saw a sort of poor caytiffs, women as well as

men, led away from the high-place in chains by bailiffs and tipstaves;

and he doubted not that these were for torments or maiming and death;

and thought it were well might he do them some good.

Being come to the King, he made his obeisance to him, and craved his

good will and leave to wage men-at-arms to bring him through the

mountains.

The King was a tall man, a proper man of war; long-legged, black

bearded, and fierce-eyed. Some word he had heard of Ralph's gift,

therefore he was gracious to him; he spake and said: "Thou hast come

across the mountains a long way, fair Sir; prithee on what errand?"

Answered Ralph: "For no errand, lord, save to fare home to mine own

land." "Where is thine own land?" said the King, stretching out his

legs and lying back in his chair. "West-away, lord, many a mile," said

Ralph. "Yea," quoth the King, "and how far didst thou go beyond the

mountains? As far as Utterbol?" Said Ralph: "Yet further, but not to

Utterbol." "Hah!" said the King, "who goeth beyond Utterbol must have a

great errand; what was thine?"

Ralph thought for a moment, and deemed it best to say as little as he

might concerning Ursula; so he answered, and his voice grew loud and

bold: "I was minded to drink a draught of the WELL at the WORLD'S END,

and even so I did." As he spake, he drew himself up, and his brows

were knit a little, but his eyes sparkled from under them, and his

cheeks were bright and rosy. He half drew the sword from the scabbard,

and sent it back rattling, so that the sound of it went about the hall;

he upreared his head and looked around him on this and that one of the

warriors of the aliens, and he sniffed the air into his nostrils as he

stood alone amongst them, and set his foot down hard on the floor of

the King's hall, and his armour rattled upon him.