earthrust; though, save for Ralph, they did not run straight on each
other; but fenced and foined with their spears deftly enough. As for
Ralph, he smote a tall man full on the breast and pierced him through
and through, and then pulled out the Upmeads blade and smote on the
right hand and the left, so that none came anigh him willingly.

Shortly to say it, in five minutes' time the Black Riders were fleeing
all over the field with them of Utterbol at their heels, and the bowmen
ran back again into the wood. But one of the foemen as he fled cast a
javelin at a venture, and who should be before it save Ursula, so that
she reeled in her saddle, and would have fallen downright but for one
of the Utterbol fellows who stayed her, and got her gently off her
horse. This Ralph saw not, for he followed far in the chase, and was
coming back somewhat slowly along with Redhead, who was hurt, but not
sorely. So when he came up, and saw Ursula sitting on the grass with
four or five men about her, he sickened for fear; but she rose up and
came slowly and pale-faced to meet him, and said: "Fear not, beloved,
for steel kept out steel: I have no scratch or point or edge on me."
So therewith he kissed her, and embraced her, and was glad.

The Utterbol Riders had slain sixteen of their foemen; for they took
none to mercy, and four of their band were slain outright, and six
hurt, but not grievously. So they tarried awhile on the field of deed
to rest them and tend their wounded men, and so rode on again heedfully.

But Redhead spake: "It is good to see thee tilting, King's Son. I
doubt me I shall never learn thy downright thrust. Dost thou remember
how sorry a job I made of it, when we met in the lists at Vale Turris
that other day?"

"Yea, yea," said Ralph. "Thou were best let that flea stick on the
wall. For to-day, at least, I have seen thee play at sharps deftly
enough."

Quoth Redhead: "Lord, it is naught, a five minutes' scramble. That
which trieth a man, is to fight and overcome, and straight have to
fight with fresh foemen, and yet again, till ye long for dark night to
cover you--yea, or even death."

"Warrior-like and wisely thou speakest," said Ralph; "and whoever thou
servest thou shalt serve well. And now once more I would it were me."

Redhead shook his head at that word, and said: "I would it might be
so; but it will not be so as now."

Forth on they rode, and slept in a wood that night, keeping good wat