ng to follow afoot, there came a swain from
behind the house leading a red horse which he brought to Hallblithe as
one who bids mount. So Hallblithe leapt into the saddle and at once
caught up with the litter of the Long-hoary down along the river. They
passed by no other house, save here and there a cot beside some fold or
byre; they went easily, for the way was smooth by the river-side; so in
less than two hours they came where the said river ran into the sea.
There was no beach there, for the water was ten fathom deep close up to
the lip of the land; but there was a great haven land-locked all but a
narrow outgate betwixt the sheer black cliffs. Many a great ship might
have lain in that haven; but as now there was but one lying there, a
round-ship not very great, but exceeding trim and meet for the sea.

There without more ado the carles took the elder from the litter and bore
him aboard, and Hallblithe followed him as if he had been so appointed.
They laid the old man adown on the poop under a tilt of precious web, and
so went aback by the way that they had come; and Hallblithe went and sat
down beside the Long-hoary, who spake to him and said: "Seest thou, son,
how easy it is for us twain to be shipped for the land whither we would
go? But as easy as it is for thee to go thither whereas we are going,
just so hard had it been for thee to go elsewhere. Moreover I must tell
thee that though many an one of the Isle of Ransom desireth to go this
voyage, there shall none else go, till the world is a year older, and he
who shall go then shall be likest to me in all ways, both in eld and in
feebleness, and in gibing speech, and all else; and now that I am gone,
his name shall be the same as that whereby ye may call me to-day, and
that is Grandfather. Art thou glad or sorry, Hallblithe?"

"Grandfather," said Hallblithe, "I can scarce tell thee: I move as one
who hath no will to wend one way or other. Meseems I am drawn to go
thither whereas we are going; therefore I deem that I shall find my
beloved on the Glittering Plain: and whatever befalleth afterward, let it
be as it will!"

"Tell me, my son," said the Grandfather, "how many women are there in the
world?"

"How may I tell thee?" said Hallblithe.

"Well, then," said the elder, "how many exceeding fair women are there?"

Said Hallblithe, "Indeed I wot not."

"How many of such hast thou seen?" said the Grandfather.

"Many," said Hallblithe; "the daughters