es of woodmen or hunters; and they got off their horses and knocked
at the door of one of these, and a great black-haired carle opened to
them, who, when he saw the knight's armour, would have clapped the door
to again, had not Ralph by the minstrel's rede held out the parchment
to him, who when he saw it became humble indeed, and gave them such
guesting as he might, which was scant indeed of victual or drink, save
wild-fowl from the heath. But they had wine with them from the last
guest-house, whereof they bade the carle to drink; but he would not,
and in all wise seemed to be in dread of them.

When it was morning early they rode their ways, and the carle seemed
glad to be rid of them. After they had ridden a few miles the land
bettered somewhat; there were islands of deep green pasture amidst the
blackness of the heath, with cattle grazing on them, and here and there
was a little tillage: the land was little better than level, only it
swelled a little this way and that. It was a bright sunny day and the
air very clear, and as they rode Ralph said: "Quite clear is the sky,
and yet one cloud there is in the offing; but this is strange about it,
though I have been watching it this half hour, and looking to see the
rack come up from that quarter, yet it changes not at all. I never saw
the like of this cloud."

Said the minstrel: "Yea, fair sir, and of this cloud I must tell thee
that it will change no more till the bones of the earth are tumbled
together. Forsooth this is no cloud, but the topmost head of the
mountain ridge which men call the Wall of the World: and if ever thou
come close up to the said Wall, that shall fear thee, I deem, however
fearless thou be." "Is it nigh to Utterness?" said Ralph. "Nay," said
the minstrel, "not so nigh; for as huge as it seemeth thence."

Said Ralph: "Do folk tell that the Well at the World's End lieth
beyond it?" "Surely," said the minstrel.

Said Ralph, his face flushing: "Forsooth, that ancient lord of
Goldburg came through those mountains, and why not I?" "Yea," said the
minstrel, "why not?" And therewith he looked uneasily on Ralph, who
heeded his looks naught, for his mind was set on high matters.

On then they rode, and when trees or some dip in the land hid that
mountain top from them, the way seemed long to Ralph.

Naught befell to tell of for some while; but at last, when it was
drawing towards evening again, they had been riding through a thick
pine-woo