row, and he smiled
a little, and said: "Well, man of the East Dale, hast thou perchance
yet another question to ask? for meseems for a man who would take
wages of me thou hast already asked a few."

Quoth Osberne: "Lord, be not wroth, but one more question have I to
ask. And as to my wages, let that be; for to ask these questions and
to have them thus answered, is better than wages to me. But now this
is verily my last question. That Masterless Wood which thou hast said
is a shield and refuge to thee, is it not also a refuge for rufflers
and runagates and strong-thieves? and what dost thou do in dealing
with such ill-doers?"

Now Sir Godrick spake quietly and said: "My lad, true it is that there
is a sort of folk who haunt the said wood, who live by taking from
others. But thou shalt wot that they do but little harm to husbandmen
and other poor folk, because such have little to be robbed of. And
forsooth many of those from whom they rob are worthy to lose that
which they have gotten from poor folk by fraud and covin, and may as
duly be called thieves as those that waylay them. Nevertheless we
suffer not the said runagates to live and rob wholly in peace; and if
we take them, they have the choice of a high gallows or somewhat hard
service under my captains. Nay, if it be proven of them that they have
been murderous and cruel, they may not forego the dance in the air,
even as I said afore. Now then, deemest thou me so evil a lord? Or
dost thou deem thee meet for nought save the host of heaven and to be
a sergeant of the blessed Michael himself? May he help and save us!"

Said Osberne: "That may come to pass, lord, one day, but meanwhile I
pray thee receive me as thy man, and thou shalt find that I am not so
ill at obeying a commandment as ye may deem."

And therewith he knelt before the Knight and put his hands between his
hands, and swore by Allhallows to be true to him.

Sir Godrick was well pleased, and said to Sir Medard: "Hath he done
aught hitherto for which I might dub him a knight?" "Many deeds," said
Sir Medard, "hath he done whereby he might be made a knight; but he
will not have it because his kindred are not and were not of the
knighthood, albeit men of honour."

"Well," said Sir Godrick, "in these matters let each man go his own
way, so let it be as it will; yet some name shall I give him that he
may be known by it. And lo thou, he is clad all in red, and ruddy of
countenance is he, and his sprouting b