"
"Well," quoth Ralph; "strip them of all armour and weapons,
and let a score of thy riders drive them back the way they came
into the Debateable Wood. But give them this last word from me,
that or long I shall clear the said wood of all strong-thieves."
Stephen departed on that errand; and presently comes Giles and another
of the Shepherds with a like tale, and had a like answer.
Now amidst all these deeds it yet lacked an hour of noon. So presently
Ralph arose and took Richard apart for a while and spoke with him a little,
and then came back to Ursula and took her by the hand, and said:
"Beloved, Richard shall take thee now to a pleasant abode this side
the water; for I grudge that thou shouldst enter the High House
without me; and as for me I must needs ride back to Wulstead to bring
hither my father and mother, as I promised to do after the battle.
In good sooth, I deemed it would have lasted longer." Said Ursula:
"Dear friend, this is even what I should have bidden thee myself.
Depart speedily, that thou mayst be back the sooner; for sorely do I long
to enter thine house, beloved." Then Ralph turned to Nicholas, and said:
"Our host is not so great but that thou mayst victual it well; yet I
deem it is little less than when we left Wulstead early this morning."
"True is that, little lord," said Nicholas. "Hear a wonder amongst battles:
of thy Shepherds and the other footmen is not one slain, and but
some five hurt.
Pages:
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742