town held good watch all the while; and ere it was evening,
divers bands of them went out-of-gates in good order to see that none
of the Deepdalers abode in array in the leaguer, and found nothing
there which they had cause to dread. And they took much spoil of that
which the Baron's host must needs leave behind. Meanwhile, Sir Medard
and his made what cheer they might to the Baron; and Sir Medard showed
Osberne unto him, and told him all the tale of the wolves and the
slaying of Hardcastle, and did him to wit that much of the valiancy
which they of Eastcheaping had shown in the war came of this lad of
Wethermel. And the Baron marvelled, and looked upon Osberne and said:
"Well, lad, if ever thou art hard bestead, come thou to Deepdale, and
we shall find somewhat for thee to do; and I bid thee thrive hale and
well!"

Howbeit Sir Medard told not to the Baron that Osberne had been one of
them that bore him off the last night. Yet somehow he came to know it
in time to come; I wot not through whom or how.

Chapter XXVIII. The Baron of Deepdale Makes Peace

So now the war was over, for the next day the Baron of Deepdale signed
the deed of peace which gave up to the Porte of Eastcheaping all that
for which they had withstood him; and withal some deal of ransom he
had to pay for his own body, how much my tale-teller knoweth not, but
deemeth that they would scarce put the snepe upon him as to bid but a
squire's or knight-bachelor's ransom for a free baron, a lord of wide
lands, who had under him towns, tolls, and markets.

So the ransom being paid, or some deal of it, and pledges left for the
remnant, the Baron went his ways in no very evil mood, and it was soon
seen that they of Eastcheaping would no longer need the men they had
waged over and above those who were due to them for service, wherefore
leave was given to such waged men to depart, and the Dalesmen among
others. But gifts were given them largely, over and above their
war-pay, and to Osberne and Stephen the Eater in especial. Unto whom,
amongst other things, the Butchers' guild of the good town did on the
eve of his departure bring a great and fair ox, white of colour; and
they had gilded the horns of the beast, and done him about with
garlands: but on a scroll between the horns was fairly writ the words,
The Eater's Ox. Which gift Stephen received as it was given, very
lovingly, and many a cup they drank together over him; but Stephen
said ere his friends dep