Asforthefolk，theyweresuchthatthestreetsseemedfullofholidaymakers，sojoyousandwelldightwerethey；andthewomenliketothosefairthrallswhomhehadseenthatothertime，savingthattheywerenotcladsowantonly，howevergaily。
Theycameintothegreatsquare，andtheretheysawthatthemasonsandbuildershadbegunonthemasterchurchtomakeitfairerandbigger；thepeopleweresportingthereasinthestreets，andamongstthemweresomeweaponedmen，butthemostpartoftheseborethetokenoftheDryTree。
SotheyenteredtheFlowerdeLuce，andhadgoodwelcomethere，asiftheywerecomehometotheirownhouse；forwhenitspeoplesawsuchagoodlyoldmanintheSage，andsostoutandtrimaknightaswasRichard，andaboveallwhentheybeheldthelovelinessofRalphandUrsula，theypraisedthemopen-mouthed，andcouldscarcemakeenoughofthem。
Andwhentheyhadhadtheirmeatandwererestedcametwoofthemaidsthereandaskedthemifitwerelawfultotalkwiththem；
andRalphlaughedandbadethemsitbythem，andeatadaintymorsel；
andtheytookthatblushing，fortheywerefairandyoung，andRalph’sfaceandthemerrywordsofhismouthstirredtheheartswithinthem：
andforsoothitwasnotsomuchtheythatspakeasUrsulaandtheSage；
forRalphwassomewhatfewspoken，whereasheponderedconcerningthecomingdays，andwhathehalfdeemedthathesawa-doingatUpmeads。
Butatlasttheyfoundtheirtongues，andsaidhowthatalreadyrumourwasabroadthattheywereintheBurgwhohaddrunkoftheWateroftheWellattheWorld’sEnd；andsaidone：
“Itisindeedafairsighttoseeyoufolkcomingbackintriumph；
andsomethinkswillmanydeemifyeabidewithusoverto-morrow，andyet，Lady，forawhilewearewell-nighasjoyousasyecanbe，whereaswehavebutnewlycomeintonewlifealso：
someofusfromverythralldomofthemostgrievous，andIamofthose；
andsomeofusindailyperilofit，liketomysisterhere。
Somayhappen。”saidshe，smiling，“noneofusshallseektotheWelluntilwehavewornourpresentblissalittlethreadbare。”
Ursulasmiledonher，buttheSagesaid：“Mayhappenitisofnoavailspeakingofsuchthingstoayoungandfairwoman；butwhatwouldbetideyouiftheoldBurgersweretocomebackandwintheirwallsagain？”Themaidwhohadbeenathrallchangedcountenanceathisword；buttheotheronesaid：
“IftheBurgerscomeback，theywillfindthemuponthewallswhohavealreadychacedthem。Thoumaystdeemmeslimandtender，oldwiseman；
butsuchasminearmis，ithasupheavedtheedgesagainstthefoe；andifitbeamurdertoslayaBurger，thenamIworthyofthegallows。”“Yea，yea。”
quothRichard，laughing，“yeshallbedouble-mannedtheninthisgoodtown：
yemaywellwin，unlessthesightofyoushallmakethefoeoverfierceforthegain。”
SaidtheSage“Itiswell，maiden，andifyeholdtothat，andkeepyourcarlesinthesameroad，yeneednottofeartheBurgers：
andtosaysooth，Ihaveitinmymind，thatbeforelongyeshallhavebothwarandvictory。”
ThenRalphseemedtowakeupasfromadream，andhearose，andsaid：
“Thouartintheright，Sage，andtomineeyesitseemeththatboththouandIshallbesharersinthewarandthevictory。”
Andtherewithhefelltostridingupanddownthehall，whilethetwomaidenssatgazingonhimwithgleamingeyesandflushedcheeks。
Butinalittlewhilehecamebacktohisseatandsathimdown，andfelltotalkwiththewomen，andaskedthemofthetownandthebuildingtherein，andthemarkets，whethertheythrove；
andtheyandtwoorthreeofthetownsmenormerchantsansweredall，andtoldhimhowfairtheirestatewas，andhowthrivingwasthelotofoneandallwiththem。
TherewithwasRalphwellpleased，andtheysattalkingthereingoodfellowshiptillthenightwassomewhatworn，andallmenfaredtobed。
RalphSeesHamptonandtheScaurWhenitwasmorningRalpharoseandwentintothehallofthehostelry，andevenasheenteredittheoutsidedooropened，andincameRoger，andRichardwithhim(forhehadbeenastirveryearly)andRoger，whowasarmedfromheadtofootandworeacoatoftheDryTree，criedout：
“Now，Lord，thouwertbestdoonthywar-gear，forthoushaltpresentlybecaptainofanhost。”“Yea，Roger。”quothRalph，“andhastthoudonewell？”
“Wellenough。”saidRichard；“thinehostshallnotbeagreatone，butnomaninitwillbeablencher，fortheybeallchampionsoftheDryTree。”
“Yea。”quothRoger，“soitwasthatStephena-Hurstbroughtmetoacompanyofmyoldfellows，andwewentallofustogethertotheCaptainoftheBurg(e’enheoftheDryTree，whointheselatestdaysismadecaptainofall)，anddidhimtowitthatthouhadstaneed；andwhereashe，asallofus，hadheardofthestrokesthatthoustruckestinthewoodthatdaywhenthyhappinessfirstbegan，(woeworththewhile！)hesticklednottogivesomeofusleavetolookonthehand-playwiththee。
Butsoft，myLord！aboundnotinthanksasyet，tillItellthee。
ThesaidCaptainhathgottensomewhatofthemindofachapmanbydwellinginatown，’tislike(thesaintsforgivemeforsayingso！)andwouldstrikeabargainwiththee。”
“Yea。”saidRalph，smiling，“Ipartlyguesswhatlikethebargainis；
butsaythou。”
SaidRoger：“Ilikenothisbargain，notforthysakebutmineown；
thisitis，thatweshallride，allofuswhoaretobeofthyfellowship，totheCastleoftheScaurto-day，andtherethyLadyshallsitinthethronewhereasinpastdaysourLadyandQueenwaswonttosit；andthatthoushaltswearuponherhead，thatwhensoeverhebiddeththeecometothehelpoftheBurgoftheFourFrithsandthetribesoftheWheat-wearers，thoushaltcomeinarmsbythestraightestroadwithsuchfellowshipasthoumaystgather；
andifthouwiltsodo，weoftheDryTreewhogowiththeeonthisjourneyarethinetosaveortospendbyfloodorfield，orcastlewall，amidsttheedgesandtheshaftsandthefire-flaught。Whatsayestthou——
thouwhoartlucky，andhastoflatebecomewise？AndIwilltellthee，thatthoughIhopeitnot，yetIwouldthoushouldstnaysayit；foritwillbehardformetoseeanotherwomansittinginourLady’sseat：
yea，toseehersittingthere，whohathstolenherluck。”
SaidRalph：“NowthisprofferoftheCaptain’sIcallfriendlyandknightly，andIwillgladlyswearashewill；allthemoreaswithoutanyoathIshouldneverfailhimwhensoeverhemaysendforme。
Asforthee，Roger，ridewithusifthouwilt，andthoushaltbewelcomebothinthecompany，andattheHighHouseofUpmeadswhensowecomethere。”
ThenwasRogersilent，butnowiseabashed；andastheyspoketheyheardthetrampofhorsesandtheclashofweapons，andtheysawthroughtheopendoorthreemen-at-armsridinguptothehouse；
soRalphwentouttowelcomethem；theywerearmedfullwellinbrightarmour，andtheircoatswereoftheDryTree，andweretallmenandwarrior-like。TheyhailedRalphascaptain，andhegavethemtheseleofthedayandbadecomeinanddrinkacup；
sodidthey，buttheywerescarceofftheirhorseseretherecameanotherthree，andthensixtogether，andsooneafterothertillthehalloftheFlowerdeLucewasfullofthegleamofsteelandclashofarmour，andtheladsheldtheirhorseswithoutandweremerrywiththesightofthestalwartmen-at-arms。
NowcomethUrsuladownfromherchambercladinherbravery；
andwhentheysawhertheysetupashoutforjoyofher，sothattheraftersrangagain；butshelaughedforpleasureofthem，andpouredthemoutthewine，tilltheyweremerrierwiththesightofherthanwiththegoodliquor。
NowRogercomestoRalphandtellshimthathedeemshishosthathcometothelastman。ThenRalpharmedhim，andthosetwomaidensbroughthimhishorse，andtheymountallofthemanddrawupintheSquare；andRogerandStephena-Hurstarraythem，fortheywerechosenofthemasleadersalongwithRalph，andRichard，whomtheyallknew，atleastbyhearsay。
ThenRogerdrewfromhispouchaparchment，andreadtherollofnames，andtherewasnomanlacking，andtheywerethreescoresavefive，besidesRogerandtheway-farers，andneverwasabandoflikenumberseenbetter；
andRichardsaidsoftlyuntoRalph：“Ifwehadafewmoreofthese，IshouldcarelittlewhatfoemenweshouldmeetinUpmeads：soothly，mylord，theyhadaswellhaveriddenintoredHellasintoourgreenfields。”
“Fearnot，Richard。”saidRalph，“weshallhaveenough。”
SothentheyrodeoutoftheSquareandthroughthestreetstotheNorthGate，andmuchfolkwasabroadtolookonthem，andtheyblessedthemastheywent，bothcarlesandqueans；
fortherumourwastowardthattherewasridingagoodanddearLordandaFriendoftheWelltogethisownagainfromoutofthehandsofthealiens。
HerewiththeyridealittletrotthroughtheFreedomoftheBurg，andwhentheywereclearofittheyturnedasidefromthewoodlandhighwaywhereonRalphhaderstriddenwithRogerandfollowedtheridesagoodwaytillitwaspastnoon，whentheycameintoaveryclosethicketwheretherewasbutanarrowandwindingwaywhereontwomenmightnotrideabreast，andRogersaid：
“Now，ifweweretheoldBurgers，andtheDryTreestillholdingtheScaur，weshouldpresentlyknowwhatsteel-pointdinnermeaneth；
ifthedeadcouldriseoutoftheirgravestogreettheirfoemen，weshouldanonbeamerrycompanyhere。Butatlasttheylearnedthetrick，andwerewonttofetchacompassroundaboutGreyGooseThicketasithightamongstus。”
“Well。”saidRalph，“buthowiftherebyanywaylayingus；
theBurgersmaybewiserstillthanthoudeemest，andyemayhavelearnedthemmorethanthouartmindedtothink。”
“Nay。”saidRoger，“Ibadeahalfscoreturnasidebythethicketpathonourlefthands；thatshallmakeallsure；butindeedIlookfornolurkersasyet。Inamonth’stimethatmaybetide，butnotyet；notyet。
Buttellme，fairSir，haveyeanydeemingofwherethoumaystgettheemorefolkwhobenotafraidofthehardhand-play？ForRichardhathbeentellingmethattherebetidingsintheair。”
SaidRalph：“Ifhopeplaymenotfalse，IlooktogathersomestoutcarlesoftheShepherdCountry。”“Yea。”saidRoger，“butIshalltelltheethattheyhavebeenatwhilesunfriendsoftheDryTree。”SaidRalph：
“Ithinktheywillbefriendsuntome。”“Thenitshalldowell。”
saidRoger，“fortheybegoodinafray。”
Sotalkedtheyastheyrode，buteverRogerwouldgivenoheedtoUrsula。
butmadeasifhewottednotthatshewasthere，thougheverandanonRalphwouldbeturningbacktospeaktoherandhelpherthroughthepasses。
Atlastthethicketbegantodwindle，andpresentlyridingoutofalittlevalleyorlongtrenchontoaridgenearlybareoftrees，theysawbelowthemafairgreenplain，andinthemidstofitagreatheapofgreyrocksrisingoutofitlikeareefoutofthesea，andonthesaidreef，andclimbingupasitweretothetopmostofit，thewhitewallsofagreatcastle，thecrownwhereofwasahugeroundtower。
Atthefootoftheridgewasathorpofwhitehousesthatchedwithstrawscatteredoveragoodpieceoftheplain。
Thecompanydrewreinontheridge-top，andtheChampionsraisedagreatshoutatthesightoftheiroldstrong-place；
andRogerturnedtoRalphandsaid：“FairSir，howdeemestthouoftheCastleoftheScaur？”butRichardbrokein：
“Formypart，friendRoger，Ideemthatyedoliketopeopleunlearnedinwartoleavethestrongholdungarnishedofmen。
Thisisafool’sdeed。”“Nay，nay。”saidRoger，“weneednotbeover-hasty，whileitisourchiefbusinesstoorderthemingledfolkoftheWheat-wearersandotherswhodwellintheBurgasnow。”
ThenspakeRalph：“YethowwiltthousaybutthatthefoemenwhomwegotomeetinUpmeadsmaybesomeofthoseveryBurgers：hastthouheardwhethertheyhavefoundanewdwellingamongsomeunhappyfolk，orbestillroving：
maybetheyshalldeemUpmeadsfair。”
SpakeMichaela-Hurst：“Bythyleave，fairSir，wehavehadawordofthoseridersandstrong-thievesthattheyhavefetchedafarcompass，andgotthemarmour，andbecomeintothewoodlandnorthoftheWoodDebateable。
Forlikeallstrong-thieves，theylovethewood。”
Rogerlaughed：“Yea，aswedid，friendMichael，whenwewerethieves；
whereasnowwebelordsandgentlemen。Butastothytidings，Isetnotmuchbythem；forofthesamemessagewasthiswordthattheyhadalreadyfallenonHighambytheWay；andweknowthatthiscannotbetrue；
sincethoughforsooththeAbbothashadunpeaceonhishands，weknowwherehisfoemencamefrom，theWesttowit，andtheBandedBarons。”
“Yea，yea。”quoththeSage，“butmaynottheBurgershavetakenservicewiththem？”“Yea，forsooth。”quothRoger，“butIdeemnot，orwehadbeensurerthereof。”
