fter the rest of their company; and whereas he was
long-legged and Ralph lightfooted, they speedily came up with them, who
were running still, but laughing as they ran, and jeering at the men of
the Burg; and the tall man shouted out to them: "Yea, lads, the
counterfeit Dry Tree that they have raised in the Burg shall be dry
enough this time." "Truly," said another, "till we come to water it
with the blood of these wretches."

"Well, well, get on," said a third, "waste not your wind in talk; those
carles will make but a short run of it to the walls long as it was for
us, creeping and creeping as we behoved to."

The long man laughed; "Thou sayest sooth," said he, "but thou art the
longest winded of all in talking: get on, lads."

They laughed again at his word and sped on with less noise; while Ralph
thought within himself that he was come into strange company, for now
he knew well that the big man was even he whom he had first met at the
churchyard gate of the thorp under Bear Hill. Yet he deemed that there
was nought for it now but to go on.

Within a while they all slacked somewhat, and presently did but walk,
though swiftly, through the paths of the thicket, which Ralph deemed
full surely was part of that side of the Wood Perilous that lay south
of the Burg of the Four Friths. And now Roger joined himself to him,
and spake to him aloud and said: "So, fair master, thou art out of the
peril of death for this bout."

"Art thou all so sure of that?" quoth Ralph, "or who are these that be
with us? meseems they smell of the Dry Tree."

"Yea, or rebels and runaways therefrom," said Roger, with a dry grin.
"But whosoever they may be, thou shalt see that they will suffer us to
depart whither we will, if we like not their company. I will be thy
warrant thereof."

"Moreover," said Ralph, "I have lost Falcon my horse; it is a sore miss
of him."

"Maybe," quoth Roger, "but at least thou hast saved thy skin; and
whereas there are many horses on the earth, there is but one skin of
thine: be content; if thou wilt, thou shall win somewhat in exchange
for thine horse."

Ralph smiled, but somewhat sourly, and even therewith he heard a shrill
whistle a little aloof, and the men stayed and held their peace, for
they were talking together freely again now. Then the big man put his
fingers to his mouth and whistled again in answer, a third whistle
answered him; and lo, presently, as their company hastened on, the
voices o