e there the winter
over. But they prayed leave to depart, because their hearts were sore
for their own land and their kindred. So they abode there but two
days, and on the third day were led away by a half score of men gaily
apparelled after their manner, and having with them many sumpter-beasts
with provision for the road. With this fellowship they came safely and
with little pain unto Chestnut Vale, where they abode but one night,
though to Ralph and Ursula the place was sweet for the memory of their
loving sojourn there.

They would have taken leave of the Innocent Folk in the said vale, but
those others must needs go with them a little further, and would not
leave them till they were come to the jaws of the pass which led to the
Rock of the Fighting Man. Further than that indeed they would not, or
durst not go; and those huge mountains they called the Wall of Strife,
even as they on the other side called them the Wall of the World.

So the twain took leave of their friends there, and howbeit that they
had drunk of the Well at the World's End, yet were their hearts grieved
at the parting. The kind folk left with them abundant provision for
the remnant of the road, and a sumpter-ox to bear it; so they were in
no doubt of their livelihood. Moreover, though the turn of autumn was
come again and winter was at hand, yet the weather was fair and calm,
and their journey through the dreary pass was as light as it might be
to any men.

CHAPTER 2

They Hear New Tidings of Utterbol

It was on a fair evening of later autumn-tide that they won their way
out of the Gates of the Mountains, and came under the rock of the
Fighting Man. There they kissed and comforted each other in memory of
the terror and loneliness wherewith they had entered the Mountains that
other time; though, sooth to say, it was to them now like the reading
of sorrow in a book.

But when they came out with joyful hearts into the green plain betwixt
the mountains and the River of Lava, they looked westward, and beheld
no great way off a little bower or cot, builded of boughs and rushes by
a blackthorn copse; and as they rode toward it they saw a man come
forth therefrom, and presently saw that he was hoary, a man with a long
white beard. Then Ralph gave a glad cry, and set spurs to his horse
and galloped over the plain; for he deemed that it could be none other
than the Sage of Swevenham; and Ursula came pricking after him laughing
for joy.