r Marson, my captain: I am now become the man of my lord
King Christopher, and will follow him whereso he will; and I deem that
will presently be to Oakenham, and the King's seat there. Now look to it
that thou, Oliver, order my men under King Christopher's banner, till
I be healed; and then if all be not over, I shall come forth myself,
shield on neck and spear in fist, to do battle for my liege lord; so
help me God and St. James of the Water!"

Therewith speech failed him and his wit therewith; so betwixt them they
unarmed him and did him what leechdom they might do there and then; and
he was nowise hurt deadly: as for Child Christopher, he had no scratch
of steel on him. And Oliver knelt before him when he had dight his own
lord, and swore fealty to him then and there; and so departed, to order
the folk of Brimside and tell them the tidings, and swear them liege men
of King Christopher.

CHAPTER XXXII. OF GOLDILIND AND CHRISTOPHER.

Now Jack of the Tofts said a word to one of his men, and he rode
straightway up into the field under the wood, and spake to three of the
captains of the folk, and they ranked a hundred of the men, of those who
were best dight, and upraised amongst them the banner of Oakenrealm,
and led all them down to the river bank; and with these must needs go
Goldilind; and when they came down thither, Christopher and Jack were
there on the bank to hail them, and they raised a great shout when they
saw their King and their Earl standing there, and the shout was given
back from the wood-side; and then the men of Brimside took it up, for
they had heard the bidding of their Lord, and he was now in a pavilion
which they had raised for him on the mead, and the leeches were looking
to his hurts; and they feared him, but rather loved than hated him, and
he was more to them than the King in Oakenrealm and they were all ready
to do his will.

But as to Goldilind, her mind it had been, as she was going down the
meadow, that she would throw herself upon Christopher's bosom and love
him with glad tears of love; but as she came and stood over against him,
she was abashed, and stood still looking on him, and spake no word; and
he also was ashamed before all that folk to say the words whereof his
heart was full, and longed for the night, that they might be alone
together.

But at last he said: "Lady and Queen, thou seest that we be well-beloved
that they rejoice so much in a little deed of mine." And st