it; for the town is, as it were, an island in the sea of
woodland which covers all, right up to the feet of the Great Mountains,
and does what it may to climb them whereso the great wall or its
buttresses are anywise broken down toward our country; but the end of
it lieth along our road, as I said, and we do but skirt it. A woeful
wood it is, and save for the hunting of the beasts, which be there in
great plenty, with wolves and bears, yea, and lions to boot, which come
down from the mountains, there is no gain in it. No gain, though
forsooth they say that some have found it gainful."

"How so?" said Ralph. Said Otter: "That way lieth the way to the Well
at the World's End, if one might find it. If at any time we were clear
of Utterbol, I have a mind for the adventure along with thee, lad, and
so I deem hast thou from all the questions thou hast put to me
thereabout."

Ralph mastered himself so that his face changed not, and he said:
"Well, Captain, that may come to pass; but tell me, are there any
tokens known whereby a man shall know that he is on the right path to
the Well?"

"The report of folk goeth," said Otter, "concerning one token, where is
the road and the pass through the Great Mountains, to wit, that on the
black rock thereby is carven the image of a Fighting Man, or monstrous
giant, of the days long gone by. Of other signs I can tell thee
naught; and few of men are alive that can. But there is a Sage
dwelleth in the wood under the mountains to whom folk seek for his
diverse lore; and he, if he will, say men, can set forth all the way,
and its perils, and how to escape them. Well, knight, when the time
comes, thou and I will go find him together, for he at least is not
hard to find, and if he be gracious to us, then will we on our quest.
But as now, see ye, they have struck our tents and the Queen's pavilion
also; so to horse, is the word."

"Yea," quoth Ralph, looking curiously toward the place where the
Queen's pavilion had stood; "is not yonder the Queen's litter taking
the road?" "Yea, surely," said Otter.

"Then the litter will be empty," said Ralph. "Maybe, or maybe not,"
said Otter; "but now I must get me gone hastily to my folk; doubtless
we shall meet upon the road to Utterbol."

So he turned and went his ways; and Ralph also ran to his horse,
whereby was David already in the saddle, and so mounted, and the whole
rout moved slowly from out of Vale Turris, Ralph going ever by David.