The Well at the World's End: A Tale

the Waste, and o

d 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

ed 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, knigh

e strokes on sale in the cheaping-stead yonder, I will deal along with the

t is meet that thou free me from fear. I will ride with you, but three horse-leng

the pain of fear in the lonely waste? But let her do on a hauberk over her coa

other 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 sh

l 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 th

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 b

er 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 Ur

of their band were slain outright, and six hurt, but not grievously. So they tarried awhile

I shall never learn thy downright thrust. Dost thou remember how sorry a

t flea stick on the wall. For to-day, at least,

h a man, is to fight and overcome, and straight have to fight with fresh foeme

Ralph; "and whoever thou servest thou shalt se

d, and said: "I would it might be

that night, keeping good watch; but saw

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 th

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

d said: "Wilt thou not sle

tch thy tent on this same place, that I may smell

ncient grief they rested that