They bore with them
a light tent for Ursula's lodging benights, and the rest
of them slept on the field as they might; or should they come
to a thicket or shaw, they would lodge them there softly.
Victual and drink failed them not, for they bore what they needed
on sumpter-horses, and shot some venison on the way withal.
They saw but few folk; for the most part naught save a fowler
of the waste, or a peat-cutter, who stood to look on the men-at-arms
going by, and made obeisance to the token of Utterbol.
But on a time, the fifth day of their journey, they saw, in the morning,
spears not a few standing up against a thicket-side in the offing.
Redhead looked under the sharp of his hand, and laughed as though
he were glad, and said: "I know not clearly what these may be,
but it looketh like war. Now, knight, this is best to do:
hold with thee three of our best men, so that ye may safe guard the Lady,
and I with the others will prick on and look into this."
"Nay," said Ralph, "thou mayst yet be apaid of a man's aid;
and if there be strokes on sale in the cheaping-stead yonder,
I will deal along with thee. Leave thy three men with the Lady,
and let us on; we shall soon be back."
"Nay once more, dear lord," quoth Ursula, "I fear to be left alone
of thee, and it is meet that thou free me from fear. I will ride
with you, but three horse-lengths behind, so as not to hinder you.
I have been worse bestead than this shall be.
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