re, as so many of them bore their weapons and armour. But when
they found out how matters had gone, then, as ye may deem, was the
greatest joy and exultation, and carles and queans both ran to arms and
bade their deliverers learn them all that belonged to war, and said
that one thing should not be lacking, to wit, the gift of their bodies,
that should either lie dead in the fields, or bear about henceforth the
souls of free men. Nothing lothe, the Champions became their doctors
and teachers of battle, and a great host was drawn together; and
meanwhile the Champions had sent messengers again to Hampton telling
them what was befallen, and asking for more men if they might be had.
But the Burg-abiders were not like to sit down under their foil.
Another host they sent against the Wheat-wearers, not so huge, as well
arrayed and wise in war. The Champions espied its goings, and knew
well that they had to deal with the best men of the Burg, and they met
them in like wise; for they chose the very best of the men and the
women, and pitched on a place whence they might ward them well, and
abode the foemen there; who failed not to come upon them, stout and
stern and cold, and well-learned in all feats of war.

"Long and bitter was the battle, and the Burgers were fierce without
head-strong folly, and the Wheat-wearers deemed that if they blenched
now, they had something worse than death to look to. But in the end
when both sides were grown weary and worn out, and yet neither would
flee, on a sudden came into the field the help from the Dry Tree, a
valiant company of riders to whom battle was but game and play. Then
indeed the men of the Burg gave back and drew out of the battle as best
they might: yet were they little chased, save by the new-comers of the
Dry Tree, for the others were over weary, and moreover the leaders had
no mind to let the new-made warriors leave their vantage-ground lest
the old and tried men-at-arms of the Burg should turn upon them and put
them to the worse.

"Men looked for battle again the next day; but it fell not out so; for
the host of the Burg saw that there was more to lose than to gain, so
they drew back towards their own place. Neither did they waste the
land much; for the riders of the Dry Tree followed hard at heel, and
cut off all who tarried, or strayed from the main battle.

"When they were gone, then at last did the Wheat-wearers give
themselves up to the joy of their deliverance and