yet will I not
wrestle with weird. Only I forewarn thee that I shall change the days
of Utterbol.'

"'It will not be for the worst then,' quoth I. 'So now go wake up thy
lion, and lead him away to his den: and we will presently send him
this carrion for a reward of his jonglery.' 'Gramercy, butcher,' saidst
thou, 'I am not for thy flesh-meat to-day. I was forewarned that the
poor beast should be poisoned at this man's home-coming, and so will he
be if he eat of this dastard; he will not outlive such a dinner.'
Thereat we all laughed heartily."

"Yea," said Bull, "So I went to lead away the lion when thou hadst
bidden me return in an hours' wearing, when all should be ready for my
Lordship. And thou wert not worse than thy word, for when I came into
that court again, there were all the men-at-arms assembled, and the
free carles, and the thralls; and the men-at-arms raised me on a
shield, set a crowned helm on my head, and thrust a great sword into my
hand, and hailed me by the name of the Bull of Utterbol, Lord of the
Waste and the Wildwood, and the Mountain-side: and then thou, Otter,
wert so simple as to kneel before me and name thyself my man, and take
the girding on of sword at my hand. Then even as I was I went in to my
Lady and told her the end of my tale, and in three minutes she lay in
my arms, and in three days in my bed as my wedded wife. As to Agatha,
when I had a little jeered her, I gave her rich gifts and good lands,
and freedom, to boot her for her many stripes. And lo there, King's
Son and Sweet Lady, the end of all my tale."

"Yea," quoth Otter, "saving this, that even already thou has raised up
Utterbol from Hell to Earth, and yet meseemeth thou hast good-will to
raise it higher."

Bull reddened at his word, and said: "Tush, man! praise the day when
the sun has set." Then he turned to Ralph, and said: "Yet couldst thou
at whiles put in a good word for me here and there amongst the folks
that thou shalt pass through on thy ways home, I were fain to know that
I had a well-speaking friend abroad." "We shall do no less," said
Ralph; and Ursula spake in like wise.

So they talked together merrily a while longer, till night began to
grow old, and then went to their chambers in all content and
good-liking.

CHAPTER 6

They Ride From Vale Turris. Redhead Tells of Agatha

On the morrow when they arose, Ralph heard the sound of horses and the
clashing of arms: he went to the window, and