up
by hatches, so that the more part of the valley bottom was a
water-meadow, wherein as now were grazing many kine and sheep. There
were willows about the banks of the river, and in an ingle of it stood
a grange or homestead, with many roofs half hidden by clumps of tall
old elm trees. Other houses there were in the vale; two or three cots,
to wit, on the slope of the hither down, and some half-dozen about the
homestead; and above and beyond all these, on a mound somewhat away
from the river and the grange, a great square tower, with barriers and
bailey all dight ready for war, and with a banner of the Lord's hanging
out. But between the tower and the river stood as now a great pavilion
of snow-white cloth striped with gold and purple; and round about it
were other tents, as though a little army were come into the vale.

So when they looked into that fair place, Otter the Captain rose in the
stirrups and cast up his hand for joy, and cried out aloud: "Now,
young knight, now we are come home: how likest thou my Lord's land?"

"It is a fair land," said Ralph; "but is there not come some one to bid
thy Lord battle for it? or what mean the tents down yonder?"

Said Otter, laughing: "Nay, nay, it hath not come to that yet. Yonder
is my Lord's lady-wife, who hath come to meet him, but in love, so to
say, not in battle--not yet. Though I say not that the cup of love
betwixt them be brim-full. But this it behoveth me not to speak of,
though thou art to be my brother-in-arms, since we are to tilt together
presently: for lo! yonder the tilt-yard, my lad."

Therewith he pointed to the broad green meadow: but Ralph said: "How
canst thou, a free man, be brother-in-arms to a thrall?" "Nay, lad,"
quoth Otter, "let not that wasp sting thee: for even such was I, time
was. Nay, such am I now, but that a certain habit of keeping my wits
in a fray maketh me of avail to my Lord, so that I am well looked to.
Forsooth in my Lord's land the free men are of little account, since
they must oftenest do as my Lord and my Lord's thralls bid them.
Truly, brother, it is we who have the wits and the luck to rise above
the whipping-post and the shackles that are the great men hereabouts.
I say we, for I deem that thou wilt do no less, whereas thou hast the
lucky look in thine eyes. So let to-day try it."

As he spake came many glittering figures from out of those tents, and
therewithal arose the sound of horns and clashing of cymbals, a