a great sword into my hand, and hailed me by the name of the Bull of Utterbol, Lord of the Waste and the Wildwood, and the Mountain-side:  and then thou, Otter, wert so simple as to kneel before me and name thyself my man, and take the girding on of sword at my hand.  Then even as I was I went in to my Lady and told her the end of my tale, and in three minutes she lay in my arms, and in three days in my bed as my wedded wife.  As to Agatha, when I had a little jeered her, I gave her rich gifts and good lands, and freedom, to boot her for her many stripes.  And lo there, King’s Son and Sweet Lady, the end of all my tale.”

“Yea,” quoth Otter, “saving this, that even already thou has raised up Utterbol from Hell to Earth, and yet meseemeth thou hast good-will to raise it higher.”

Bull reddened at his word, and said:  “Tush, man! praise the day when the sun has set.”  Then he turned to Ralph, and said:  “Yet couldst thou at whiles put in a good word for me here and there amongst the folks that thou shalt pass through on thy ways home, I were fain to know that I had a well-speaking friend abroad.”  “We shall do no less,” said Ralph; and Ursula spake in like wise.

So they talked together merrily a while longer, till night began to grow old, and then went to their chambers in all content and good-liking.

CHAPTER 6

They Ride From Vale Turris.  Redhead Tells of Agatha

On the morrow when they arose, Ralph heard the sound of horses and the clashing of arms:  he went to the window, and looked out, and saw how the spears stood up thick together at the Tower’s foot, and knew that these were the men who were to be his fellows by the way.  Their captain he saw, a big man all-armed in steel, but himseemed that he knew his face under his sallet, and presently saw that it was Redhead.  He was glad thereof, and clad himself hastily, and went out a-doors, and went up to him and hailed him, and Redhead leapt off his horse, and cast his arms about Ralph, and made much of him, and said:  “It is good for sore eyes to see thee, lord; and I am glad at heart that all went well with thee that time.  Although, forsooth, there was guile behind it.  Yet whereas I wotted nothing thereof, which I will pray thee to believe, and whereas thou hast the gain of all, I deem thou mayst pardon me.”

Said Ralph:  “Thou hast what pardon of me thou needest; so be content.  For the rest, little need is there to ask if thou thrivest, for I behold thee glad and well honoured.”

As they spoke came the Lord forth from the Tower, and said:  “Come thou, Lord Ralph, and eat with us ere thou takest to the road; I mean with Otter and me.  As for thee, Redhead, if aught of ill befall this King’s Son under thy way-leading, look to it that thou shalt lose my good word with Agatha; yea, or gain my naysay herein; whereby thou shalt miss both fee and fair dame.”