I deem that time presses; wherefore my
mind is that we now break up this mote, and that after we have eaten a
morsel we get ourselves into due array and take to the road. Now let
any man speak against this if he will."

None gainsaid him; nay, all seemed well-pleased. So the Elder
proclaimed the breaking up of the mote, and they went from out the
hallowed place and sat down in the dyke on the outside of the rampart
and behind the country which stretched out all lovely and blue before
them, for the day was bright and fair. There then certain women
brought victual and drink to them, and served the strangers first.

So when they had eaten and drunk, Ralph bade the Shepherds array them
duly, and appointed them leaders of tens and hundreds with the help of
Giles, who was now clad in a hauberk and mail-coif and looked a proper
man-at-arms. Then they told over their company, and numbered of the
Dry Tree one hundred and fifty champions, outtaken Stephen and Roger;
of the men of Garton were twenty and two, and of the Shepherds three
hundred and seventy and seven stout carles, some eighty of whom had
bows, and the rest glaives and spears and other staff-weapons. There
was not much armour of defence amongst them, but they were one and all
stark carles and doughty.

So when they were told over and made five hundred and fifty and four,
they gat them into array for the road; and Ralph went afoot with no
armour but his sallet, and a light coat of fence which he had gotten
him in the Burg. He would have had Ursula ride on her palfrey with the
Sage, but she would not, and held it for mirth and pleasure that she
should go afoot through the land, now she was so nigh come home to her
lord's house; so she went forth by Ralph's side with her broidered gown
trussed through her girdle so that the trimness of her feet drew the
eyes of all men to them. As for Richard, he took a half score of the
champions, and they rode on ahead to see that all was clear before the
main host; which he might well do, as he knew the country so well.

CHAPTER 25

They Come to Wulstead

Thus went they, and nought befell them to tell of till they came anigh
the gates of Wulstead hard on sunset. The gates, it has been said; for
whereas Ralph left Wulstead a town unwalled, he now found it fenced
with pales, and with two towers strongly framed of timber, one on
either side the gate, and on the battlements of the said towers they
saw spears glittering;