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.
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