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，andRichardwithhimforhehadbeenastirveryearlyandRoger，whowasarmedfromheadtofootandworeacoatoftheDryTree，criedout：
　　“Now，Lord，thouwertbestdoonthywar-gear，forthoushaltpresentlybecaptainofanhost。”“Yea，Roger。”quothRalph，“andhastthoudonewell？”
　　“Wellenough。”saidRichard；“thinehostshallnotbeagreatone，butnomaninitwillbeablencher，fortheybeallchampionsoftheDryTree。”
　　“Yea。”quothRoger，“soitwasthatStephena-Hurstbroughtmetoacompanyofmyoldfellows，andwewentallofustogethertotheCaptainoftheBurge’enheoftheDryTree，whointheselatestdaysismadecaptainofall，anddidhimtowitthatthouhadstaneed；andwhereashe，asallofus，hadheardofthestrokesthatthoustruckestinthewoodthatdaywhenthyhappinessfirstbegan，woeworththewhile！hesticklednottogivesomeofusleavetolookonthehand-playwiththee。
　　Butsoft，myLord！aboundnotinthanksasyet，tillItellthee。
　　ThesaidCaptainhathgottensomewhatofthemindofachapmanbydwellinginatown，’tislikethesaintsforgivemeforsayingso！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。”