e and took the cup and lifted it and spake: "This I
swear, that I will go home to my kindred, yet on the road will I not
gainsay help to any that craveth it. So may all Hallows help me!"

Therewith he drank: and Bull said: "This is well said, O happy man!
But now that men have drunk well, do ye three and Otter come with me
into the Tower, whereas the chambers are dight for you, that I may make
the most of this good day wherein I have met thee again."

So they went with him, and when they had sat down in the goodliest
chamber of the Tower, and they had been served with wine and spices,
the new Lord said to Ralph: "And now, my master, wilt thou not ask
somewhat concerning me?" "Yea," said Ralph, "I will ask thee to tell
the tale of how thou camest into thy Lordship." Said the Lord, "This
shall ye hear of me with Otter to help me out. Hearken!"

CHAPTER 5

Bull Telleth of His Winning of the Lordship of Utterbol

"When thou rannest away from me, and left me alone at Goldburg, I was
grieved; then Clement Chapman offered to take me back with him to his
own country, which, he did me to wit, lieth hard by thine: but I would
not go with him, since I had an inkling that I should find the slayer
of my brother and be avenged on him. So the Chapmen departed from
Goldburg after that Clement had dealt generously by me for thy sake;
and when they were gone I bethought me what to do, and thou knowest I
can some skill with the fiddle and song, so I betook myself to that
craft, both to earn somewhat and that I might gather tidings and be
little heeded, till within awhile folk got to know me well, and would
often send for me to their merry-makings, where they gave me fiddler's
wages, to wit, meat, drink, and money. So what with one thing what
with another I was rich enough to leave Goldburg and fall to my journey
unto Utterbol; since I misdoubted me from the first that the caytiff
who had slain my brother was the Lord thereof.

"But one day when I went into the market-place I found a great stir and
clutter there; some folk, both men and women screeching and fleeing,
and some running to bows and other weapons. So I caught hold of one of
the fleers, and asked him what was toward; and he cried out, 'Loose me!
let me go! he is loose, he is loose!'

"'Who is loose, fool?' quoth I. 'The lion,' said he, and therewith in
the extremity of his terror tore himself away from me and fled. By
this time the others also had got some