So we got us ready; but the Woodmen told us that the Upmeads carles,
though they be not many, are strong and dauntless, and since we
now had pleasant life before us, with good thralls to work for us,
and with plenty of fair women for our bed-mates, we deemed it best
to have the most numbers we might, so that we might over-whelm the said
carles at one blow, and get as few of ourselves slain as might be.
Now we knew that another band of us had entered the lands of
the Abbot of Higham, and had taken hold of some of his castles;
wherefore the captains considered and thought, and sent us to give
bidding to our folk south here to march at once toward us in Upmeads,
that our bands might meet there, and scatter all before us.
There is our story, lord."
Ralph knitted his brow, and said: "Tell me (and thy life
lieth on thy giving true answers), do thy folk in these
strongholds know of your purpose of falling upon Upmeads?"
"Nay," said the Burger. Said Ralph: "And will they know
otherwise if ye do them not to wit?" "Nay," again said the man.
Said Ralph: "Are thy folk already in Upmeads?" "Nay," said
the captive, "but by this time they will be on the road thither."
"How many all told?" said Ralph The man reddened and stammered:
"A thousand--two--two thousand--A thousand, lord," said he.
"Get thy sword ready, Stephen," said Ralph. "How many,
on thy life, Burger?" "Two thousand, lord," said the man.
"And how many do ye look to have from Higham-land?" Said the Burger,
"Somewhat more than a thousand.
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