eeds say, for thy sake."

"'All' is a big word," said Ralph, "but I will tell thee somewhat. Yet
I bid thee take note that I and this ancient wise one, and my Lady
withal, deem that I am drawn by my kindred to come to their help, and
that time presses."

Roger scowled somewhat on Ursula; but he said: "Lord and master, let
not that fly trouble thy lip. For so I deem of it, that whatsoever
time ye may lose by falling in with me, ye may gain twice as much again
by hearkening my tale and the rede that shall go with it. And I do
thee to wit that the telling of thy tale shall unfreeze mine; so tarry
not, if ye be in haste to be gone, but let thy tongue wag."

Ralph smiled, and without more ado told him all that had befallen him;
and of Swevenham and Utterbol, and of his captivity and flight; and of
the meeting in the wood, and of the Sage (who there was), and of the
journey to the Well, and what betid there and since, and of the death
of the Champion of the Dry Tree.

But when he had made an end, Roger said: "There it is, then, as I said
when she first spake to me of thee and bade me bring about that meeting
with her, drawing thee first to the Burg and after to the Castle of
Abundance, I have forgotten mostly by what lies; but I said to her that
she had set her heart on a man over lucky, and that thou wouldst take
her luck from her and make it thine. But now I will let all that pass,
and will bid thee ask what thou wilt; and I promise thee that I will
help thee to come thy ways to thy kindred, that thou mayst put forth
thy luck in their behalf."

Said Ralph: "First of all, tell me what shall I do to pass unhindered
through the Burg of the Four Friths?" Said Roger: "Thou shalt go in at
one gate and out at the other, and none shall hinder thee."

Said Ralph: "And shall I have any hindrance from them of the Dry Tree?"

Roger made as if he were swallowing down something, and answered: "Nay,
none."

"And the folk of Higham by the Way, and the Brethren and their Abbot?"
said Ralph.

"I know but little of them," quoth Roger, "but I deem that they will
make a push to have thee for captain; because they have had war on
their hands of late. But this shall be at thine own will to say yea or
nay to them. But for the rest on this side of the shepherds' country
ye will pass by peaceful folk."

"Yea," said Ralph, "what then hath become of the pride and cruelty of
the Burg of the Four Friths, and the eagerness and fier