ts were full of her when
they went to their places again; and all the assembly was praising her.

So wore the time of that first night of the kingship of Child
Christopher.

CHAPTER XXVII. OF THE HUSTING OF THE TOFTS.

When morning was, there were horns sounding from the tower on the toft,
and all men hastening in their war-gear to the topmost of the other
toft, the bare one, whereon was no building; for thereon was ever the
mote-stead of these woodmen. But men came not only from the stead and
houses of the Tofts, but also from the woodland cots and dwellings
anigh, of which were no few. And they that came there first found King
Christopher sitting on the mound amid the mote-stead, and Jack of the
Tofts and his seven sons sitting by him, and all they well-weaponed
and with green coats over their hauberks; and they that came last found
three hundreds of good men and true gathered there, albeit this was but
the Husting of the Tofts.

So when there were no more to come, then was the Mote hallowed, and the
talk began; but short and sharp was their rede, for well did all men wot
who had been in the hall the night before that there was now no time to
lose. For though nigh all the men that had been in the hall were well
known to each other, yet might there perchance have been some spy
unknown, who had edged him in as a guest to one of the good men. Withal,
as the saw saith: The word flieth, the wight dieth. And it were well if
they might gather a little host ere their foeman might gather a mickle.

First therefore arose Jack of the Tofts, and began shortly to put forth
the sooth, that there was come the son of King Christopher the Old, and
that now he was seeking to his kingdom, not for lust of power and gain,
but that he might be the friend of good men and true, and uphold them
and be by them upholden. And saith he: "Look ye on the face of this man,
and tell me where ye shall find a friend friendlier than he, and more
single-hearted?" And therewith he laid his hand on Christopher's head,
and the young man rose up, blushing like a maid, and thereafter a long
time could no lord be heard for the tumult of gladness and the clashing
of weapons.

But when it was a little hushed, then spake Jack again: "Now need no man
say more to man on this matter, for ye call this curly-headed lad the
King of Oakenrealm, even as some of ye did last night."

Mighty was the shout of yea-say that arose at that word; and when it was
s