Scarce were the words out of his mouth ere a man came leaping forth
from out the wood, and stood before Ralph in the twilight of the
boughs, and Ralph noted of him that he was clad pretty much like to
Bull Shockhead of past time, save that he had a great bull's head for a
helm (which afterwards Ralph found out was of iron and leather) and a
great gold ring on his arm.

Then Ralph thrust his sword back into the sheath, and his folk handled
their weapons peaceably, while Ralph hailed the new-comer as Lord or
Duke of the Bulls.

"Belike," quoth the said chieftain, "thou wouldst wish to show me some
token, whereby we may wot that thou art that Friend of the Well and of
our kinsman concerning whom he sent us a message."

Then Ralph bethought him of the pouch with the knot of grass therein
which Bull Shockhead had given him at Goldburg; so he drew it out, and
gave it into the hand of the chieftain, who no sooner caught a glimpse
thereof than he said: "Verily our brother's hand hath met thine when he
gave thee this. Yet forsooth, now that I look on thee, I may say that
scarce did I need token to tell me that thou wert the very man. For I
can see thee, that thou art of great honour and worship, and thou didst
ride boldly against the foemen when thou knewest not that we had
waylaid thy waylayers. Now I wot that there is no need to ask thee
whether thou wouldst get thee out of our mountains by the shortest
road, yet wilt thou make it little longer, and somewhat safer, if ye
will suffer us to lead thee by way of our dwelling." So Ralph yeasaid
his bidding without more words.

As they spake thus together the road both above and below was become
black with weaponed men, and some of Ralph's band looked on one
another, as though they doubted their new friends somewhat. But the
Sage of Swevenham spoke to them and bade them fear nought. "For," said
he, "so far as we go, who are now their friends, there is no guile in
these men." The Bull captain heard him and said: "Thou sayest sooth,
old man; and I shall tell thee that scarce had a band like thine come
safe through the mountains, save by great good luck, without the leave
of us; for the fool with the crown that lieth there dead had of late
days so stirred up the Folks of the Fells through his grimness and
cruelty that we have been minded to stop everything bigger than a
cur-dog that might seek to pass by us, for at least so long as yonder
rascal should live. But ye be welcom