The Well at the World's End: A Tale

age; and Thereafter Co

uld 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

he enforced him to make them cheer, and read in the ancient book to them, and lea

st 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 sho

Ursula had donned her wargear once more, and as she rode w

he 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

d; 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

and, and sat himself down and drew Ra

nce thou wilt be deeming that since I was once thy war-taken thrall I should give myself up to thee: but I tell t

ght speak he said: "What needeth the lord of all these sp

ness 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

aster, 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 no

rdon, Lord, for misdoubting thee: but think how feebl

amsel was my brother's friend. Sit down, dear maiden, I bid thee; and thou also, O man ov

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 se

rd of Utterbol, I bid thee all thanks f

re 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,

ld 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

nd 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

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 shal

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