said the captive, "but by this time they will be on the road thither."
"How many all told?" said Ralph The man reddened and stammered: "A
thousand--two--two thousand--A thousand, lord," said he. "Get thy
sword ready, Stephen," said Ralph. "How many, on thy life, Burger?"
"Two thousand, lord," said the man. "And how many do ye look to have
from Higham-land?" Said the Burger, "Somewhat more than a thousand."
Withal he looked uneasily at his fellows, some of whom were scowling on
him felly. "Tell me now," said Ralph, "where be the other bands of the
Burgers?"

Ere the captive could speak, he who stood next him snatched an
unsheathed knife from the girdle of one of the Dry Tree, and quick as
lightning thrust it into his fellow's belly, so that he fell dead at
once amongst them. Then Stephen, who had his sword naked in his hand,
straightway hewed down the slayer, and swords came out of the scabbards
everywhere; and it went but a little but that all the Burgers were
slain at once. But Ralph cried out: "Put up your swords, Champions!
Stephen slew yonder man for slaying his fellow, who was under my ward,
and that was but his due. But I have given life to these others, and
so it must be held to. Tie their hands behind them and let us on to
Bear Castle. For this tide brooks no delay."

So they gat to horse, and the footmen from Garton mounted the horses of
the slain Burgers, and had the charge of guarding the twenty that were
left. So they rode off all of them toward Bear Castle, and shortly to
say it, came within sight of its rampart two hours before noon. Sooner
had they came thither; but divers times they caught up with small
companies of weaponed men, whose heads were turned the same way; and
Giles told Ralph each time that they were of the Shepherd-folk going to
the mote. But now when they were come so nigh to the castle they saw a
very stream of men setting that way, and winding up the hill to the
rampart. And Giles said: "It is not to be doubted but that Martha
hath sent round the war-brand, and thou wilt presently have an host
that will meet thy foemen without delay; and what there lacks in number
shall be made good by thy luck, which once again was shown by our
falling in with that company e'en now."

"Yea truly," said Ralph, "but wilt thou now tell me how I shall guide
myself amongst thy folk, and if they will grant me the aid I ask?"

"Look, look," said Giles, "already some one hath made clear thine