ood on somewhat level ground for a while; then the
trees began to thin, and the ground grew broken; and at last it was
very rugged, with high hills and deep valleys, and all the land
populous of wild beasts, so that about sunset they heard thrice the
roar of a lion. But ever the Sage led them by winding ways that he
knew, round the feet of the hills, along stream-sides for the most
part, and by passes over the mountain-necks when they needs must, which
was twice in the day.

Dusk fell on them in a little valley, through which ran a stream bushed
about its edges, and which for the rest was grassy and pleasant, with
big sweet-chestnut trees scattered about it.

"Now," quoth the Elder; "two things we have to beware of in this
valley, the lions first; which, though belike they will not fall upon
weaponed men, may well make an onslaught on your horses, if they wind
them; and the loss of the beasts were sore to you as now. But the
second thing is the chase from Utterbol. As to the lions, if ye build
up a big fire, and keep somewhat aloof from the stream and its bushes,
and tether you horses anigh the fire, ye will have no harm of them."

"Yea," said Ralph, "but if the riders of Utterbol are anigh us, shall
we light a candle for them to show them the way?" Said the Sage: "Were
ye by yourselves, I would bid you journey night-long, and run all risk
rather than the risk of falling into their hands. But whereas I am
your guide, I bid you kindle your fire under yonder big tree, and leave
me to deal with the men of Utterbol; only whatso I bid you, that do ye
straightway."

"So be it," said Ralph, "I have been bewrayed so oft of late, that I
must needs trust thee, or all help shall fail me. Let us to work." So
they fell to and built up a big bale and kindled it, and their horses
they tethered to the tree; and by then they had done this, dark night
had fallen upon them. So they cooked their victual at the fire (for
Ralph had shot a hare by the way) and the Sage went down to the stream
and fetched them water in a lethern budget: "For," said he, "I know
the beasts of the wood and they me, and there is peace betwixt us."
There then they sat to meat unarmed, for the Sage had said to them:
"Doff your armour; ye shall not come to handystrokes with the Utterbol
Riders."

So they ate their meat in the wilderness, and were nowise ungleeful,
for to those twain the world seemed fair, and they hoped for great
things. But though th