had been little more than a fair deed of war if he had made
them unbuckle and open.

When dinner was over and they were drinking a cup, he called three of
the wisest of them apart along with Osberne, and asked them
straightway if they knew of any fair maid who had been bought of late
by any chapman from the Red Skinners, and he bade Osberne tell closely
what like was Elfhild: even so he did, sore abashed the while. But
when he was done, the chapmen laid their heads together, and asked one
or two others of their company, but could give no tidings of any such.

So therewith they parted, and Sir Godrick and his rode the wood, which
was diverse of kind, for six days more; and at last, on a bright sunny
afternoon, when after riding a plain not much be-timbered they had
made their way through a thick and close wood for some five hours,
they came out of the said wood on to a plain of greensward cleft by a
fair river, which winded about the foot of a long low ridge where were
orchards and gardens a many, and all above them so many buildings and
towers and walls of stone, that to Osberne it seemed as if they had
before them a very fair town. But even therewith all the company by
Sir Godrick's bidding stayed, and drew up in a line, and the banner of
the Hart impaled was displayed; and Sir Godrick spake to Osberne and
said: "Lo, Red Lad, my House of Longshaw, and this is the Shaw which
we have come through: now how likest thou the house?"

"Well, and exceeding well," said Osberne; "it is as a town."

"Yea," said Sir Godrick; "and therefore if I can but keep it well
victualled, and have with me a host big enough of stout men, it shall
never be taken."

Now Osberne looked again, and he saw that midmost of the towers and
walls was a very great hall exceeding fair, with lovely pinnacles and
spires and windows like to carven ivory, and beside it a church fairer
yet; and then before it and lower down the hill and on either side
were huge towers, stern and stout, all without fretwork or ornament;
and there were many of these and one to help the other, all about the
hill, and down by the river-side a baily such as never was a stronger or
a wiser. And Sir Godrick said: "See thou, lad, those fair and
beauteous buildings were the work of peace, when we sat well beloved
on our own lands: it is an hundred of years ago since they were done.
Then came the beginning of strife, and needs must we build yonder
stark and grim towers and walls in