mpany, and that it were best
that he and some half score should ride sharply into the thorp, so that
it might not be quite bare of victuals when they came to their night's
lodging. Ralph bids him so do, but to heed well that he hurt no man,
or let fire get into any house or roof; so he takes his knot of men and
rides off on the spur, and Ralph and the main of them come on quietly;
and when they came into the street of the thorp, lo there by the cross
a big fire lighted, and the elders standing thereby cap in hand, and a
score of stout carles with weapons in their hands. Then the chief man
came up to Ralph and greeted him and said: "Lord, when we heard that an
armed company was at hand we deemed no less than that the riders of the
Burg were upon us, and deemed that there was nought for it but to flee
each as far and as fast as he might. But now we have heard that thou
art a good lord seeking his own with the help of worthy champions, and
a foeman to those devils of the Burg, we bid thee look upon us and all
we have as thine, lord, and take kindly such guesting as we may give
thee."

The old man's voice quavered a little as he looked on the stark shapes
of the Dry Tree; but Ralph looked kindly on him, and said: "Yea, my
master, we will but ask for a covering for our heads, and what victual
thou mayst easily spare us in return for good silver, and thou shalt
have our thanks withal. But who be these stout lads with staves and
bucklers, or whither will they to-night?"

Thereat a tall young man with a spear in his hand and girt with a short
sword came forth and said boldly: "Lord, we be a few who thought when
we heard that the Burg-devils were at hand that we might as well die in
the field giving stroke for stroke, as be hauled off and drop to pieces
under the hands of their tormentors; and now thou hast come, we have
little will to abide behind, but were fain to follow thee, and do thee
what good we can: and after thou hast come to thine above, when we go
back to our kin thou mayst give us a gift if it please thee: but we
deem that no great matter if thou but give us leave to have the comfort
of thee and thy Champions for a while in these hard days."

When he had done speaking there rose up from the Champions a hum as of
praise, and Ralph was well-pleased withal, deeming it a good omen; so
he said: "Fear not, good fellows, that I shall forget you when we have
overcome the foemen, and meanwhile we will live and die to