Wood
itself, and the edge thereof toward the Sundering Flood; but partly he
was sick at heart of for ever asking questions to which came evermore
but one answer, and partly there was very much work come to his hand
that he might scarce turn over to another, of visiting the captured
strongholds, and seeing to the men-at-arms therein and their captains,
and suchlike matters; for now he was closer to the rede and mind of
Sir Godrick than any other.

Chapter XLVI. Osberne Enters the City of the Sundering Flood

So, as aforesaid, the time wore till Marymass was over, and then came
fresh tidings, to wit that the men of the Small Crafts and the lesser
commons were risen against the Porte and the King, and had gotten to
them the North Gate of the City, and were holding it against their
foemen, together with that quarter of the city which lay round about
it. The news hereof was sure, for it was brought to Longshaw one night
by three of the weavers who had ridden on the spur to tell it to Sir
Godrick, and these three men he knew well, and that they were trusty.

Now so it was both that it had not been easy at any time that war
should find Longshaw not duly prepared, and also that at this time
there was no tidings which Sir Godrick looked for more that this.
Speedy therefore was his rede. For he gave into Osberne's hands
fifteen hundreds of his best men, and bade him ride to the City and
the North Gate and see what the fields without the City looked like;
and the very next morning the Red Lad and his rode out of Longshaw,
having with them two of the said weaver-carles, but the third abode
with Sir Godrick.

Now so good were the Red Lad's wayleaders and knew all the passages
and roads so inly, and so diligent was the Red Lad himself and his men
so good and trusty, that by the second day about sunset he was but
five miles from the North Gate, and he and his covered by some
scattering woodland that lay thereabout.

Straightway Osberne sends a half score of spies to get them to the
City and see what was toward, and come back, they that were not slain,
and tell him thereof. Straightway they went, and had such hap that all
they came back unscathed, and this was their story: That the men of
the Small Crafts were not by seeming hard pressed, for still their
banners hung out of the North Gate and the wall and towers thereabout;
but that both within the City had been bitter battle against them all
day long, and also a host of men