ying (and that belike only to hear the tale
of their messenger) ere they came in two battles straight across the
meadow. They on their right were all riders, and these faced the
Champions of the Dry Tree, but a great battle of footmen came against
the Shepherds and the rest of Ralph's footmen, but in their rearward
was a company of well-horsed men-at-arms; and all of them were well
armed and went right orderly and warrior-like.

It was but some fifteen minutes ere they were come to the foot of the
hill, and they fell to mounting it with laughter and mockery, but
Ralph's men held their peace. The horsemen were somewhat speedier than
those on foot, though they rode but at a foot's pace, and when they
were about halfway up the hill and were faltering a little (for it was
somewhat steep, though nought high), the Champions of the Dry Tree
could forbear them no longer, but set up a huge roar, and rode at them,
so that they all went down the hill together, but the Champions were
lost amidst of the huge mass of the foemen.

But Ralph was left at the very left end of his folk, and the foemen
came up the hill speedily with much noise and many foul mocks as
aforesaid, and they were many and many more than Ralph's folk, and now
that the Champions were gone, could have enfolded them at either end;
but no man of the company blenched or faltered, only here and there one
spake soft to his neighbour, and here and there one laughed the
battle-laugh.

Now at the hanging of the hill, whenas either side could see the whites
of the foemen's eyes, the robbers stayed a little to gather breath; and
in that nick of time Ralph strode forth into the midst between the two
lines and up on to a little mound on the hill-side (which well he
knew), and he lifted up the ancient guisarme, and cried on high: "Home
now! Home to Upmeads!"

Then befell a marvel, for even as all eyes of the foemen were turned on
him, straightway their shouts and jeering and laughter fell dead, and
then gave place to shrieks and wailing, as all they who beheld him cast
down their weapons and fled wildly down the hill, overturning whatever
stood in their way, till the whole mass of them was broken to pieces,
and the hill was covered with nought but cravens and the light-footed
Shepherds slaughtering them in the chase.

But Ralph called Clement to him and they drew a stalworth band
together, and, heeding nought the chase of the runaways, they fell on
those who had the C