days time Ralph
got speech of the Deacon of the Chapmen of the Town; who told him two
matters; first that the lord of Utterbol had not been in Whiteness
these six months; and next that the wild man had verily brought the
damsel into the market; but he had turned away thence suddenly with
her, without bringing her to the stone, and that it was most like that
he would have the lord of Utterbol buy her; who, since he would be
deeming that he might easily bend her to his will, would give him the
better penny for her. "At the last," quoth the Deacon, "the wild man
led her away toward the mountain pass that goeth to Goldburg, the
damsel and he alone, and she with her hands unbound and riding a little
horse." Of these tidings Ralph deemed it good that all traces of her
were not lost; but his heart misgave him when he thought that by this
time she must surely be in the hands of the lord of Utterbol.

CHAPTER 26

They Ride the Mountains Toward Goldburg

Five days the Fellowship abode at Whiteness, and or ever they departed
Clement waged men-at-arms of the lord of the town, besides servants to
look to the beasts amongst the mountains, so that what with one, what
with another, they entered the gates of the mountains a goodly company
of four score and ten.

Ralph asked of Bull if any of those whom he might meet in these
mountains were of his kindred; and he answered, nay, unless perchance
there might be some one or two going their peaceful errands there like
Bull Nosy. So Ralph armed him with a good sword and a shield, and
would have given him a steel hood also, but he would not bear it,
saying that if sword and shield could not keep his head he had well
earned a split skull.

Seven days they rode the mountains, and the way was toilsome and weary
enough, for it was naught but a stony maze of the rocks where nothing
living dwelt, and nothing grew, save now and again a little dwarf
willow. Yet was there naught worse to meet save toil, because they
were over strong for the wild men to meddle with them, whereas the
kindreds thereabout were but feeble.

But as it drew towards evening on the seventh day Ralph had ridden a
little ahead with Bull alone, if he might perchance have a sight of the
ending of this grievous wilderness, as Clement said might be, since now
the way was down-hill, and all waters ran east. So as they rode, and
it was about sunset, they saw something lying by a big stone under a
cliff; so they drew