t come with us straightway; for we have nought to do to tarry here
any longer. And in any case, here is a good horse that we will give
thee, since thou hast lost thy steed; and Roger who rideth with thee,
he also is well horsed."

Ralph looked hard at the big man, who now had his salade thrown back
from his face, to see if he gave any token of jeering or malice, but
could see nought such: nay, his face was grave and serious, not
ill-fashioned, though it were both long and broad like his body: his
cheek-bones somewhat high, his eyes grey and middling great, and
looking, as it were, far away.

Now deems Ralph that as for a trap of the Wood Perilous, he had already
fallen into the trap; for he scarce needed to be told that these were
men of the Dry Tree. He knew also that it was Roger who had led him
into this trap, although he deemed it done with no malice against him.
So he said to himself that if he went with Roger he but went a
roundabout road to the Dry Tree; so that he was well nigh choosing to
go on with their company. Yet again he thought that something might
well befall which would free him from that fellowship if he went with
Roger alone; whereas if he went with the others it was not that he
might be, but that he was already of the fellowship of the Dry Tree,
and most like would go straight thence to their stronghold. So he
spake as soberly as the tall man had done.

"Since ye give me the choice, fair sir, I will depart hence with Roger
alone, whom ye call my man, though to me he seemeth to be yours.
Howbeit, he has led me to you once, and belike will do so once more."

"Yea," quoth the big man smiling no whit more than erst, "and that will
make the fourth time. Depart then, fair sir, and take this word with
thee that I wish thee good and not evil."

CHAPTER 16

Ralph Rideth the Wood Perilous Again

Now Roger led up to Ralph a strong horse, red roan of hue, duly
harnessed for war, and he himself had a good grey horse, and they
mounted at once, and Ralph rode slowly away through the wood at his
horse's will, for he was pondering all that had befallen him, and
wondering what next should hap. Meanwhile those others had not
loitered, but were a-horseback at once, and went their ways from Ralph
through the wildwood.

Nought spake Ralph for a while till Roger came close up to him and
said: "Whither shall we betake us, fair lord? hast thou an inkling of
the road whereon lies thine errand?"

Now