le," said Roger,
"save this, that thou desirest to see her, and that thou mayest have
thy will thereon if thou wilt be guided by me."

Ralph hearkened as if he heeded little what Roger said; but presently
he rose up and walked to and fro in short turns with knit brows as one
pondering a hard matter. He spake nought, and Roger seemed to heed him
nothing, though in sooth he looked at him askance from time to time,
till at last he came and lay down again by Roger, and in a while he
spake: "I wot not why ye of the Dry Tree want me, or what ye will do
with me; and but for one thing I would even now ride away from thee at
all adventure."

Roger said: "All this ye shall learn later on, and shalt find it but a
simple matter; and meanwhile I tell thee again that all is for thy gain
and thy pleasure. So now ride away if thou wilt; who hindereth thee?
certes not I."

"Nay," said Ralph, "I will ride with thee first to that fair house; and
afterwards we shall see what is to hap." "Yea," quoth Roger, "then let
us to horse straightway, so that we may be there if not before dark
night yet at least before bright morn; for it is yet far away."

CHAPTER 17

Ralph Cometh to the House of Abundance

Therewithal they gat to horse and rode away through that stony land,
wherein was no river, but for water many pools in the bottoms, with
little brooks running from them. But after a while they came upon a
ridge somewhat high, on the further side whereof was a wide valley
well-grassed and with few trees, and no habitation of man that they
might see. But a wide river ran down the midst of it; and it was now
four hours after noon. Quoth Roger: "The day wears and we shall by no
means reach harbour before dark night, even if we do our best: art thou
well used to the water, lord?" "Much as a mallard is," said Ralph.
Said Roger: "That is well, for though there is a ford some mile and a
half down stream, for that same reason it is the way whereby men mostly
cross the water into the wildwood; and here again we are more like to
meet foes than well-wishers; or at the least there will be question of
who we are, and whence and whither; and we may stumble in our answers."
Said Ralph: "There is no need to tarry, ride we down to the water."

So did they, and took the water, which was deep, but not swift. On the
further side they clomb up a hill somewhat steep; at the crown they
drew rein to give their horses breath, and Ralph turned in h