n, thou Roger, what is
to hand? Is your Captain wont to give a gift and take it back...and
somewhat more with it?" Stephen looked abashed at his word; and Roger
hung his head again.

But therewith the Sage drew up to them and said: "Be not dismayed,
Lord Ralph. What wert thou going to say to the Champions when this
carle brake in?"

"This," said Ralph, "that I thanked the Dry Tree heartily for its gift,
but that meseemed it naught wise to leave this stronghold disgarnished
of men till I can come or send back from Upmeads."

Stephen's face cleared at the word, and he said: "I bid thee believe
it, lord, that there is no treason in our Captain's heart; and that if
there were I would fight against him and his men on thy behalf." And
Roger, though in a somewhat surly voice, said the like.

Ralph thought a little, and then he said: "It is well; go we down and
out of gates to meet them, that we may the sooner get on our way to
Upmeads." And without more words he went up to Ursula and took her hand
and went out of the hall, and down the rock-cut stair, and all they
with him. And when they came into the Base-court, Ralph spoke to the
carles of the thorp, who stood huddled together sore afeard, and said:
"Throw open the gates. These riders who have so scared you are naught
else than the Champions of the Dry Tree who are coming back to their
stronghold that they may keep you sure against wicked tyrants who would
oppress you."

The carles looked askance at one another, but straightway opened the
gates, and Ralph and his company went forth, and abode the new-comers
on a little green mound half a bowshot from the Castle. Ralph sat down
on the grass and Ursula by him, and she said: "My heart tells me that
these Champions are no traitors, however rough and fierce they have
been, and still shall be if occasion serve. But O, sweetheart, how
dear and sweet is this sunlit greensward after yonder grim hold.
Surely, sweet, it shall never be our dwelling?"

"I wot not, beloved," said he; "must we not go and dwell where deeds
shall lead us? and the hand of Weird is mighty. But lo thou, here are
the newcomers to hand!"

So it was as he said, and presently the whole band came before them,
and they were all of the Dry Tree, stout men and well weaponed, and
they had ridden exceeding fast, so that their horses were somewhat
spent. A tall man very gallantly armed, who rode at their head, leapt
at once from his horse and came up