. Though I have heard say that while she
was under the tyrant she was somewhat rough with her women when she was
sad. Eh, fair sir! but is it not so that she cast sheep's eyes on
thee, time was, in this same dale?"

Ralph reddened and answered naught; and Bull spake again, laughing:
"Yea, so it is: she told me that much herself, and afterwards I heard
more from her damsel Agatha, who told me the merry tale of that device
they made to catch thee, and how thou brakest through the net.
Forsooth, though this she told me not, I deem that she would have had
the same gift of thee as her mistress would. Well, lad, lucky are they
with whom all women are in love. So now I prithee trust so much in thy
luck as to come with me to Utterbol."

Quoth Ralph: "Once again, Lord of Utterbol, we thank thee; but whereas
thou hast said that thou hast much to do in this land; even so I have a
land where deeds await me. For I stole myself away from my father and
mother, and who knows what help they need of me against foemen, and
evil days; and now I might give help to them were I once at home, and
to the people of the land also, who are a stout-hearted and valiant and
kindly folk."

The new Lord's face clouded somewhat, as he said: "If thine heart
draweth thee to thy kindred, there is no more to say. As for me, what
I did was for kindred's sake, and then what followed after was the work
of need. Well, let it be! But since we must needs part hastily, this
at least I bid you, that ye abide with me for to-night, and the banquet
in the great pavilion. Howsoever ye may be busied, gainsay me not
this; and to-morrow I shall further you on your way, and give you a
score of spears to follow thee to Goldburg. Then as for Goldburg and
Cheaping Knowe, see ye to it yourselves: but beyond Cheaping Knowe and
the plain country, thy name is known, and the likeness of thee told in
words; and no man in those mountains shall hurt or hinder thee, but all
thou meetest shall aid and further thee. Moreover, at the feast
to-night thou shalt see thy friend Otter, and he and I betwixt us shall
tell thee how I came to Utterbol, and of the change of days, and how it
betid. For he is now my right-hand man, as he was of the dead man.
Forsooth, after the slaying I would have had him take the lordship of
Utterbol, but he would not, so I must take it perforce or be slain, and
let a new master reign there little better than the old. Well then,
how sayest thou