led Ralph to the very lip of the water
so that the bushes covered them; there they sat down and drew what they
had from their wallets, and so fell to meat; and amidst of the meat the
carle said:

"Fair Knight, as I suppose thou art one, I will ask thee if any need
draweth thee to Hampton?"

Said Ralph: "The need of giving the go-by to the Burg of the Four
Friths, since I hear tell that the folk thereof be robbers and
murderers."

"Thou shalt find that out better, lord, by going thither; but I shall
tell thee, that though men may slay and steal there time and time
about, yet in regard to Hampton under Scaur, it is Heaven, wherein men
sin not. And I am one who should know, for I have been long dwelling
in Hell, that is Hampton; and now am I escaped thence, and am minded
for the Burg, if perchance I may be deemed there a man good enough to
ride in their host, whereby I might avenge me somewhat on them that
have undone me: some of whom meseemeth must have put in thy mouth that
word against the Burg. Is it not so?"

"Maybe," said Ralph, "for thou seemest to be a true man." No more he
spake though he had half a mind to tell the carle all the tale of that
adventure; but something held him back when he thought of that lady and
her fairness. Yet again his heart misgave him of what might betide
that other maiden at Hampton, and he was unquiet, deeming that he must
needs follow her thither. The carle looked on him curiously and
somewhat anxiously, but Ralph's eyes were set on something that was not
there; or else maybe had he looked closely on the carle he might have
deemed that longing to avenge him whereof he spoke did not change his
face much; for in truth there was little wrath in it.

Now the carle said: "Thou hast a tale which thou deemest unmeet for my
ears, as it well may be. Well, thou must speak, or refrain from
speaking, what thou wilt; but thou art so fair a young knight, and so
blithe with a poor man, and withal I deem that thou mayest help me to
some gain and good, that I will tell thee a true tale: and first that
the Burg is a good town under a good lord, who is no tyrant nor
oppressor of peaceful men; and that thou mayest dwell there in peace as
to the folk thereof, who be good folk, albeit they be no dastards to
let themselves be cowed by murder-carles. And next I will tell thee
that the folk of the town of Hampton be verily as harmless and innocent
as sheep; but that they be under evil lords who are