The Well at the World's End: A Tale

on the Way to

hael rode in the company new clad, and with his head and face all hidden in a wide sallet. As for Ralph and Ursula, they were exceeding glad, and now that their heads were turned to the la

lls, so that it was late in the afternoon before they came into the Highway again, which was the only road leading into the passes of the mountains. Then said Michael that now by all likelihood they had beguiled the waylayers for that time; so they went on merrily till half

nd then they went forward heedfully and in good order, and presently not only Ralph, but all of them could see men standing in the jaws of the pass with the wood on either side of them, and though at first they doubted if these were aught but mere strong-thieves, such as any wayfarers might come on, they had gone but a little further when Michael knew them for the riders of Cheaping Knowe. "Yea," s

w will I ride ahead and see if we may have peace." Said the S

Then he thrust his sword into the sheath, and cried out: "Will any of the

ll be in regard of us as the pips to the apple. Wherefore, yield ye!" Quoth Ralph: "Unto whom then shall I yield me?" Said the other: "To the men of the King of Cheaping Knowe." Then spake Ralph: "What will ye do with us

such wise as if the words came rather from his luck than from his youth: "Ho, Sir King! beware beware! lest thou tremble when thou seest the

try not thy luck overmuch. We are as many as these trees, and thou canst not pr

lph, "and what wilt t

aitor I will flay, and

d with all his band at his back for they had drawn anigh amidst this talk. But or ever they came on the foemen, they heard a great confused cry

were indeed very many, was huge dismay, so that they made but a sorry defence before the band of the wayfarers, who knew not what to make of it, till they noted that arrows and casting-spears were coming out of t

s the King's men. He drew his men together and looked round for Ursula, and saw that the Sage had brought he

en; where be ye, and what be ye?" Came a loud voice from out of the wood on the right hand: "Children, tell the warrior whose

belike be my friends rather than my foes. Or have ye heard tell of R

ht of the boughs, and Ralph noted of him that he was clad pretty much like to Bull Shockhead of past time, save that he had

d his folk handled their weapons peaceably, while Ra

e some token, whereby we may wot that thou art that Friend of th

thee this. Yet forsooth, now that I look on thee, I may say that scarce did I need token to tell me that thou wert the very man. For I can see thee, that thou art of great honour and worship, and thou didst ride boldly against the foemen when thou knewest not that we had waylaid thy wayl

ow their friends, there is no guile in these men." The Bull captain heard him and said: "Thou sayest sooth, old man; and I shall tell thee that scarce had a band like thine come safe through the mountains, save by great good luck, without the leave of us; for the fool with the crown that lieth there de

As for the slain of the waylayers, of whom there were some threescore, the Bull captain would do nought but let them lie on the road. "For," said he, "there be wolves and lynxes enough in the wood, and the r

ir folk, and jesting withal, but not foully; and they roasted venison of hart and hind at the fires, and they had with them wine, the more part whereof they had found in the slain King's carriages, and they made great fe