MasterClementTellsRalphConcerningtheLandsWhereuntoTheyWereRidingWhentheyweregottenamileortwofromWhitwall，andallwasgoingsmoothly，ClementcameuptoRalphandrodeathislefthand，andfelltospeechwithhim，andsaid：
　　“Now，lord，willItelltheemoreconcerningourjourney，andthefolkthatweareliketomeetupontheroad。
　　Andoftheperils，whatsotheymaybe，Itoldtheenotbefore，becauseIknewtheedesirousofseekingadventureseast-away，andknewthatmytaleswouldnothinderthee。”
　　“Yea。”saidRalph，“andhadnotthisgoodlyfellowshipbeen，Ihadgonealone，orwithanycarlethatIcouldhavelightlyhired。”
　　Clementlaughedandsaid：“Fairsir，thouwouldsthavefailedofhiringanyonemantogowiththeeeast-wardamanymiles。
　　Forwithlessthanascoreofmenwell-armedthedangerofdeathorcaptivityisovergreat，ifyeridethemountainwaysuntoCheapingKnowe。Yea，andevenifapoormanwhohathnothing，wendthatwayalone，hemaywellfallamongthieves，andbestolenhimselfbodyandbones，forlackofanythingbettertosteal。”
　　HereatRalphfelthisheartrise，whenhethoughtofbattleandstrife，andhemadehishorsetospringsomewhat，andthenhesaid：
　　“Itlikethmewell，dearfriend，thatIridenotwiththeefornaught，butthatImayearnmydailybreadlikeanother。”
　　“Yea。”saidClement，lookingonhimkindly，“IdeemofallthybrethrenthouhastthebiggestshareofthebloodofRedRobert，whofirstwonUpmeads。AndnowthoushaltknowthatthisgoodtownofWhitwallthatliethbehindusisthelastofthelandsweshallcometowhereinfolkcananycourtesy，orareruledbythecustomsofthemanor，orbyduelawfulEarlsandKings，orthelawsoftheLineageorthePort，orhaveanyGuildsfortheirguiding，andhelping。
　　Andthoughthesefolkswhereuntoweshallcome，are，someofthem，Christianmenbyname，andhaveamongstthempriestsandreligious；
　　yetaretheywildmenofmanners，andmanyheathencustomsabideamongstthem；asswearingonthealtarsofdevils，andeatinghorse-fleshattheHigh-tides，andspell-raisingmorethanenough，andsuchlikethings，eventothereddeningofthedoom-ringswiththebloodofmenandofwomen，yea，andofbabes：fromsuchthingstheirpriestscannotwithholdthem。Asfortheirtownsthatweshallcometo，Isaynotbutweshallfindcraftsamongstthem，andworthygoodmentherein，buttheyhavelittlemightagainstthetyrantswhoreignoverthetowns，andwhoareofnogreatkindred，norofbloodbetterthanotherfolk，butmerelymasterfulandwisemenwhohavegainedtheirplacebycunningandthehighhand。
　　Thoushaltseecastlesandfairstrong-housesaboutthecountry-side，butthegreatmenwhodwellthereinarenotthenaturalkindlylordsofthelandyieldingservicetoEarls，Dukes，andKings，andhavingunderthemvavassorsandvilleins，menofthemanor；
　　buttheirtillersandshepherdsandworkmenandservantsbemerethralls，whomtheymaysellatanymarket，liketheirhorsesoroxen。
　　Forsooththesegreatmenhavewiththemforthemorepartfreemenwagedfortheirservice，whowillnotholdtheirhandsfromaughtthattheirmasterbiddeth，notstayingtoaskifitbelawfulorunlawful。
　　Andthatthemorebecausewhosoisafreemanthere，houseandheadmustheholdonthetenureofbowandsword，andhislifeisliketobeshortifhehathnotswornhimselftotheserviceofsometyrantofacastleoratown。”
　　“Yea，masterClement。”saidRalph，“thesebenopeacefullandswheretothouartbringingus，orverypleasanttodwellin。”
　　“Littleforpeace，butmuchforprofit。”saidClement；
　　“fortheselandsbefruitfulofwineandoilandwheat，andneatandsheep；withalmetalsandgemsaredugupoutofthemountains；
　　andontheotherhand，theymakebutlittlebycraftsmanship，whereforearetheytheeagererforchafferwithusmerchants；
　　whereasalsotherearemanyofthemwellabletopayforwhattheylack，ifnotinmoney，theninkind，whichinawayisbetter。
　　Yea，itisagoodlylandformerchants。”
　　“ButIamnomerchant。”saidRalph。
　　“Soitis。”saidClement，“yetthoudesirethsomething；
　　andwhitherwearewendingthoumaystheartidingsthatshallpleasethee，ortidingsthatshallpleaseme。Tosaysooth，thesetwomaywellbeadversetoeachother，forIwouldnothavetheehearsomuchoftidingsasshallleadtheeon，butratherI
　　wouldhavetheereturnwithme，andnotthrowthyyounglifeaway：
　　forindeedIhaveaninklingofwhatthouseekest，andmeseemsthatDeathandtheDevilshallbethyfaring-fellows。”
　　Ralphheldhispeace，andClementsaidinacheerfullervoice：
　　“Moreover，thereshallbestrangeandgoodlythingstosee；
　　andthemenofthesepartsbemostlygoodlyofbody，andthewomengoodlieryet，aswecarlesdeem。”
　　Ralphsighed，andanswerednotatonce，butpresentlyhesaid：
　　“MasterClement，canstthougivemetheorderofourgoingsforthesenextdays？”“Yea，certes。”saidClement。
　　“Inthreedays’timeweshallcometotheentryofthemountains：
　　twodaysthenceweshallgowithoutcomingunderanyroofsavethenakedheavens；thedaythereaftershallwecometotheMid-MountainHouse，whichisasitwereanhostelry；
　　butitwasbuiltandisupheldbythefolksthatdwellanigh，amongstwhombethefolkofCheapingKnowe；andthathouseishalloweduntotruce，andnomansmitethanothertherein；
　　sothatweoftcomeonthemountainstrong-thievesthere，andtherewebeblithetogetherandfeasttogetheringoodfellowship。
　　Butwhentherebefoemeninthathousetogether，eachmanoreachfellowshipdeparting，hathgraceofanhourbeforehisfoemanfollow。
　　Sucharethecustomsofthathouse，andnomanbreakeththemever。
　　Butwhenwedepartthenceweshallridealldayandsleepamidstthemountains，andifwebenotbesetthatnightorthemorrow’smornthereof，safeandunfoughtenshallwecometoCheapingKnowe。Doththatsufficetheeasatthistime？”
　　“Yeamaster。”quothRalph。
　　Sotherewiththeirtalkdropped，forthemoment；butClementtalkedmuchwithRalphthatday，andhonouredhimmuch，asdidallthatcompany。
　　TheyCometotheMid-MountainGuest-HouseOnthatnighttheysleptintheirtentswhichtheyhadpitchedonthefieldofalittlethorpbesideawater；andtheretheyhadmeatanddrinkandallthingsastheyneededthem。
　　Andinlikewiseitbefellthemthenextday；butthethirdeveningtheysetuptheirtentsonalittlehillsidebyaroadwhichledintoadeeppass，eventheentryofthemountains，aroadwhichwentbetwixtexceedinghighwallsofrock。
　　Forthemountainsideswentupsteepfromtheplain。
　　Theretheykeptgoodwatchandward，andnaughtbefellthemtotellof。
　　Thenextmorningtheyenteredthepass，androdethroughituptotheheaths，androdealldaybywildandstonywaysandcameateventoagrassyvalleywateredbyalittlestream，wheretheyguested，watchingtheircampwell；
　　andagainnonemeddledwiththem。
　　AstheyweredepartingthenextmornRalphaskedofClementifheyetlookedforonsetfromthewaylayers。SaidClement：
　　“Itismostlike，lord；forwebearichprey，anditisbutseldomthatsuchacompanyrideththisroad。Andalbeitthatthewildmenknownottoadaywhenweshallpassthroughtheircountry，yettheyknowthetimewithinafourandtwentyhoursorso。
　　Forwemaynothideourjourneyfromallmen’shearing；
　　andwhentheearheareth，thetonguewaggeth。Butartthouyetanxiousconcerningthismatter，son？”“Yea。”saidRalph，“forIwouldfainlookonthesemiscreants。”
　　“Itislikethatyeshallseethem。”saidClement；“butI
　　shalllookonitasatokenthattheyareaboutwaylayingusifwecomeonnoneofthemintheMountainHouse。Fortheywillbefearfullesttheirpurposeleakoutfromunwarylips。”
　　Ralphwonderedhowitwouldbe，andwhatmightcomeofit，androdeon，ponderingmuch。
　　Theroadwasroughthatday，andtheywentnotaboveafoot-pacethemorepartofthetime；anddaylongtheyweregoingupandup，anditgrewcoldasthesungotlow；thoughitwasyetsummer。
　　Atlastatthetopofalongstonyridge，whichlaybeneathagreatspreadingmountain，onthecrestwhereofthesnowlayinplenty，Ralphsawahouse，longandlow，buildedofgreatstones，bothwallsandroof：
　　atsightthereofthemenofthefellowshipshoutedforjoy，andhastenedon，andClementspurredupthestonyslopesallhemight。
　　ButRalphrodeslowly，sincehehadnaughttoseeto，savehimself，sothathewaspresentlyleftalone。Nowhelooksaside，andseessomethingbright-huedlyingunderabigstonewherethelastraysofthesunjustcaughtsomecornerofit。Sohegoesthither，deemingthatmayhappenoneofthecompanyhaddroppedsomething，pouchorclout，orwhatnot，inhishasteandhurry。Hegotoffhishorsetopickitup，andwhenhehadlaidhandonitfoundittobeahands-breadthoffinegreenclothembroideredwithflowers。
　　Hehelditinhishandawhilewonderingwherehecouldhaveseensuchlikestuffbefore，thatitshouldsmiteapangintohisheart，andsuddenlycalledtomindthelittlehallatBourtonAbbaswiththeoakenbenchesandtherush-strewnfloor，andthissameflower-broideredgreenclothdancingaboutthenakedfeetofafairdamsel，asshemovednimblyhitherandthitherdightinghimhisbever。
　　Buthisthoughtstayednotthere，butcarriedhimintothedayswhenhewasabidingindesireofthelovethathewonatlast，andlostsospeedily。ButashestoodponderingheheardClementshoutingtohimfromthegarth-gateofthathouse。
　　SoheleaptonhishorseandrodeuptheslopeintothegarthandlighteddownbyClement；whofelltochidinghimfortarrying，andsaid：
　　“Thereisperilinloiteringoutsidethisgarthalone；forthoseSonsoftheRopeoftenlurkhardbyforwhattheymayeasilypickup，andtheybebriskandnimblelads。”“Whatailedthee？”saidRalph。
　　“IstayedtolookataflowerwhichcalledUpmeadstomymind。”
　　“Yealad，yea。”quothClement，“andartthousosoftasthat？
　　ButcomethouintotheHouse；itisasIdeemeditmightbe；
　　besidestheHouse-wardenandhiswifethereisnosoultherein。
　　ThoushaltyetlookonMickHangman’ssons，asthoudesirest。”
　　SotheywentintotheHouse，andmenhadallthattheymightneed。
　　Thewardenwasanoldhoarman，andhiswifewell-strickeninyears；
　　andaftersupperwastalkofthisandthat，anditfellmuch，aswasliketobe，onthosestrong-thieves，andClementaskedthewardenwhathehadseenofthemoflate。
　　Theoldcarleanswered：“Nay，masterClement，muchaccordingtowont：
　　afewbeevesdrivenintoourgarth；apackortwobroughtintothehall；
　　andwhilesoneortwoofthemcomeinhitherwithemptyhandsforasleepandabellyful；andagainacaptiveledinontheroadtothemarket。
　　Forsoothitisnowagoodfewdaysagothreeofthembroughtinawomanasgoodlyasmineeyeshaveeverseen；andshesatonthebenchyonder，andseemedtoheedlittlethatshewasacaptiveandhadshacklesonherfeetafterthecustomofthesemen，thoughindeedherhandswereunbound，sothatshemighteathermeat；andthecarlethieftoldmethathetookherbutalittlewayfromthegarth，andthatshemadeastoutdefencewithaswordbeforetheymighttakeher，butbeingtaken，shemadebutlittleofit。”
　　“Wouldhedoheranyhurt？”saidRalph。“Nay，surely。”saidthecarle；
　　“dothamanmakeaholeinapieceofclothwhichheistakingtomarket？
　　Nay，hewascourteoustoherafterhisfashion，andbadeusgiveherthebestofallwehad。”
　　“Whatlikewasshe？”saidRalph。Saidthecarle：
　　“Shewassomewhattall，ifIamtonotesuchmatters，grey-eyedandbrownhaired，andgreatabundanceofit。
　　Herlipsveryred；hercheekstannedwiththesun，butinsuchwisethatherownwhiteandredshonethroughthesun’spainting，sothatherfacewasassweetasthebestwheat-earinaten-acrefieldwhentheseasonhathbeengood。Herhandswerenotlikethoseofademoisellewhosittethinachambertobelookedat，butbrownasofonewhohathbornethesickleinthesun。
　　Butwhenshestretchedoutherhandsothatthewristofhercameforthfromhersleeveitwasaswhiteasmilk。”
　　“Well，myman。”saidthecarline，“thouhastagoodmemoryforanoldandoutworncarle。Whydostthounottelltheyoungknightwhatshewascladwithal；sincesavefortheirraimentallwomenofanagearemuchalike？”
　　“Nay，dothoudoit。”saidthecarle；“shewasevenasfairasIhavesaid；
　　sothattherebefewlikeher。”
　　Saidthedame：“Well，thereisnaughtsomuchtobesaidforherraiment：
　　hergownwasgreen，offineclothenough；butnotverynew：
　　weltsofneedle-workithadonit，andawreathofneedle-workflowersroundthehemoftheskirt；butacantlewastornofffromit；
　　inthescufflewhenshewastaken，Isuppose，sothatitwassomewhatraggedinoneplace。Furthermore——“
　　ShehadbeenlookingatRalphasshespoke，andnowshebrokeoffsuddenly，andsaid，stilllookingathimhard；
　　“Well，itisstrange！”“Whatisstrange？”saidClement。
　　“Onaught，naught。”saidthedame，“savethatfolkshouldmakesomuchtodoaboutthismatter，whentherearesomanycomingandgoingabouttheMidhouseoftheMountains。”
　　ButRalphnotedthatshewasstillstaringathimevenaftershehadletthetalkdrop。