gether. But
thou, ancient man, show our sergeants where our riders shall lie
to-night, and what they shall do with their horses."

So the elders marshalled the little host to their abodes for that
night, lodging the more part of them in a big barn on the western
outskirt of the thorp. The elder who led them thither, brought them
victual and good drink, and said to them: "Lords, ye were best to keep
a good watch to-night because it is on this side that we may look for
an onfall from the foemen if they be abroad to-night; and sooth to say
that is one cause we have bestowed you here, deeming that ye would not
grudge us the solace of knowing that your valiant bodies were betwixt
us and them, for we be a poor unwalled people."

Stephen to whom he spake laughed at his word, and said: "Heart-up,
carle! within these few days we shall build up a better wall than ye
may have of stone and lime; and that is the overthrow of our foemen in
the open field."

So there was kindness and good fellowship betwixt the thorp-dwellers
and the riders, and the country folk told those others many tales of
the evil deeds of the Burg-devils, as they called them; but they could
not tell them for certain whether they had gone down into Upmeads.

As to Ralph and Ursula they, with Richard and Roger, were lodged in the
headman's house, and had good feast there, and he also talked over the
where-abouts of the Burgers with the thorp-dwellers, but might have no
certain tidings. So he and Ursula and his fellows went to bed and
slept peacefully for the first hours of the night.

CHAPTER 22

An Old Acquaintance Comes From the Down Country to See Ralph

But an hour after midnight Ralph arose, as his purpose was, and called
Richard, and they took their swords and went forth and about the thorp
and around its outskirts, and found naught worse than their own watch
any where; so they came back again to their quarters and found Roger
standing at the door, who said to Ralph: "Lord, here is a man who
would see thee." "What like is he?" said Ralph. Said Roger "He is an
old man, but a tough one; however, I have got his weapons from him."
"Bring him in," said Ralph, "and he shall have his say."

So they all went into the chamber together and there was light therein;
but the man said to Ralph: "Art thou the Captain of the men-at-arms,
lord?" "Yea," said Ralph. Said the man, "I were as lief have these
others away." "So be it," said Ralph; "depart for