n to run against Ralph, and it went the
same-like way: for Ralph smote him amidst of the shield, and the spear
held, so that he fell floundering off his horse.

Six of the stoutest men of Utterbol did Ralph overthrow or hurt in this
wise; and then he ran three courses with Otter, and in the first two
each brake his spear fairly on the other; but in the third Otter smote
not Ralph squarely, but Ralph smote full amidst of his shield, and so
dight him that he well-nigh fell, and could not master his horse, but
yet just barely kept his saddle.

Then the Lord cried out: "Now make we an end of it! We have no might
against this youngling, man to man: or else would Otter have done it.
This comes of learning a craft diligently."

So Ralph got off his horse, and did off his helm and awaited tidings;
and anon comes to him the surly sergeant, and brought him a cup of
wine, and said: "Youngling, thou art to drink this, and then go to my
Lord; and I deem that thou art in favour with him. So if thou art not
too great a man, thou mightest put in a word for poor Redhead, that
first man that did so ill. For my Lord would have him set up, and head
down and buttocks aloft, as a target for our bowmen. And it will be
his luck if he be sped with the third shot, and last not out to the
twentieth."

"Yea, certes," said Ralph, "I will do no less, even if it anger the
Lord." "O thou wilt not anger him," said the man, "for I tell thee,
thou art in favour. Yea, and for me also thou mightest say a word
also, when thou becomest right great; for have I not brought thee a
good bowl of wine?" "Doubt it not, man," said Ralph, "if I once get
safe to Utterbol: weary on it and all its ways!" Said the sergeant:
"That is an evil wish for one who shall do well at Utterbol. But come,
tarry not."

So he brought Ralph to the Lord, who still sat in his chair beside that
fair woman, and Ralph did obeysance to him; yet he had a sidelong
glance also for that fair seeming-queen, and deemed her both
proud-looking, and so white-skinned, that she was a wonder, like the
queen of the fays: and it was just this that he had noted of the Queen
as he stood before her earlier in the day when they first came into the
vale; therefore he had no doubt of this damsel's queenship.

Now the Lord spake to him and said: "Well, youngling, thou hast done
well, and better than thy behest: and since ye have been playing at
sharps, I deem thou would'st not do ill in battl