ning, and then gat them home to Fleece, where they had good
entertainment.

CHAPTER 24

Ralph Heareth More Tidings of the Damsel

The second day, while the merchants saw to their chaffer, most of the
men-at-arms, and Ralph with them, spent their time again in those
goodly gardens; where, indeed, some of them made friends of fair women
of the place; in which there was less risk than had been for aliens in
some towns, whereas at Cheaping Knowe such women as were wedded
according to law, or damsels in the care of their kindred, or slaves
who were concubines, had not dared so much as to look on a man.

The third day time hung somewhat heavy on Ralph's hands, not but that
the Companions were well at ease, but rather because himseemed that he
was not stirring in the quest.

But the next day Clement bade him come see that thrall-merchant
aforesaid, and brought him to a corner of the market-place, where was a
throng looking on at the cheaping. They went through the throng, and
beside a stone like a leaping-on stone saw a tall man, goodly of
presence, black bearded, clad in scarlet; and this was the merchant;
and by him were two of his knaves and certain weaponed men who had
brought their wares to the cheaping. And some of these were arrayed
like those foemen of the mountains. There was a half score and three
of these chattels to be sold, who stood up one after other on the
stone, that folk might cheapen them. The cheaping was long about,
because they that had a mind to buy were careful to know what they were
buying, like as if they had been cheapening a horse, and most of them
before they bid their highest had the chattels away into the merchant's
booth to strip them, lest they should buy damaged or unhandsome bodies;
and this more especially if it were a woman, for the men were already
well nigh naked. Of women four of them were young and goodly, and
Ralph looked at them closely; but they were naught like to the woman of
his quest.

Now this cheaping irked Ralph sorely, as was like to be, whereas, as
hath been told, he came from a land where were no thralls, none but
vavassors and good yeomen: yet he abode till all was done, hansel
paid, and the thralls led off by their new masters. Then Clement led
him up to the merchant, to whom he gave the sele of the day, and said:
"Master, this is the young knight of whom I told thee, who deemeth that
a woman who is his friend hath been brought to this market and sold