As for us, we are used to
the sight, and that from a place much nigher to the mountains:
yet they who are soft-hearted amongst us are overcome at whiles,
when there is storm and tempest, and evil tides at hand."
Said Ralph: "And how far then are we from Utterbol?" Said David:
"After we have left Bull-mead in the Dale of the Tower, where to-morrow thou
art to run with the spear, it is four days' ride to Utterness; and from
Utterness ye may come (if my lord will) unto Utterbol in twelve hours.
But tell me, knight, how deemest thou of thy tilting to-morrow?"
Said Ralph: "Little should I think of it, if little lay upon it."
"Yea," said David, "but art thou a good tilter?" Ralph laughed:
quoth he, "That hangs on the goodness of him that tilteth against me:
I have both overthrown, and been overthrown oft enough. Yet again,
who shall judge me? for I must tell thee, that were I fairly judged,
I should be deemed no ill spear, even when I came not uppermost:
for in all these games are haps which no man may foresee."
"Well, then," said David, "all will go well with thee for this time:
for my lord will judge thee, and if it be seen that thou hast
spoken truly, and art more than a little deft at the play, he will
be like to make the best of thee, since thou art already paid for."
Ralph laughed: yet as though the jest pleased him but little;
and they fell to talk of other matters. And so David departed,
and Ralph slept.
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