When Ralph awoke in the morning he cried out that he could see the woodland; and Ursula arose at his cry and looked where he pointed, and sure enough there were trees on a rising ground some two miles ahead, and beyond them, not very far by seeming, they beheld the tops of great dark mountains.  On either hand moreover, nigh on their right hand, far off on their left, ran a reef of rocks, so that their way seemed to be as between two walls.  And these said reefs were nowise like those that they had seen of late, but black and, as to their matter, like to the great mountains by the rock of the Fighting Man:  but as the reefs ran eastward they seemed to grow higher.

Now they mounted their horses at once and rode on; and the beasts were as eager as they were, and belike smelt the water.  So when they had ridden but three miles, they saw a fair little river before them winding about exceedingly, but flowing eastward on the whole.  So they spurred on with light hearts and presently were on the banks of the said river, and its waters were crystal-clear, though its sands were black:  and the pink-blossomed willow-herb was growing abundantly on the sandy shores.  Close to the water was a black rock, as big as a man, whereon was graven the sign of the way, so they knew that there was no evil in the water, wherefore they drank their fill and watered their horses abundantly, and on the further bank was there abundance of good grass.  So when they had drunk their fill, for the pleasure of the cool water they waded the ford barefoot, and it was scarce above Ursula’s knee.  Then they had great joy to lie on the soft grass and eat their meat, while the horses tore eagerly at the herbage close to them.  So when they had eaten, they rested awhile, but before they went further they despoiled them, one after other, and bathed in a pool of the river to wash the foul wilderness off them.  Then again they rested and let the horses yet bite the grass, and departed not from that pleasant place till it was two hours after noon.  As they were lying there Ralph said he could hear a great roar like the sound of many waters, but very far off:  but to Ursula it seemed naught but the wind waxing in the boughs of the woodland anigh them.

CHAPTER 20

They Come to the Ocean Sea

Being come to the wood they went not very far into it that day, for they were minded to rest them after the weariness of the wilderness:  they feasted on a hare which Ralph shot, and made a big fire to keep off evil beasts, but none came nigh them, though they heard the voices of certain beasts as the night grew still.  To be short, they slept far into the morrow’s morn, and then, being refreshed, and their horses also, they rode strongly all day, and found the wood to be not very great; for before sunset they were come to its outskirts, and the mountains lay before them.  These were but little like to that huge wall they had passed through on their way to Chestnut-dale, being rather great hills than mountains, grass-grown, and at their feet somewhat wooded, and by seeming not over hard to pass over.