the road, save what I must do. So now bid
thy Upmeads squire farewell, and then to horse with thee!"

So Ralph cast his arms about Richard, and kissed him and said: "This is
also a farewell to the House where I was born and bred." And as he
spake the thought of the House and the garden, and the pleasant fields
of Upmeads came into his heart so bitter-sweet, that it mingled with
his sorrow, and well-nigh made him weep. But as for Richard he
forebore words, for he was sad at heart for the sundering.

Then he gat to horse, and the whole company of them bestirred them, and
they rode out a-gates. And master Clement it was that ordered them,
riding up and down along the array.

But Ralph fell to speech with the chapmen and men-at-arms; and both of
these were very courteous with him; for they rejoiced in his company,
and especially the chapmen, who were somewhat timorous of the perils of
the road.

CHAPTER 19

Master Clement Tells Ralph Concerning the Lands Whereunto They Were
Riding

When they were gotten a mile or two from Whitwall, and all was going
smoothly, Clement came up to Ralph and rode at his left hand, and fell
to speech with him, and said: "Now, lord, will I tell thee more
concerning our journey, and the folk that we are like to meet upon the
road. And of the perils, whatso they may be, I told thee not before,
because I knew thee desirous of seeking adventures east-away, and knew
that my tales would not hinder thee."

"Yea," said Ralph, "and had not this goodly fellowship been, I had gone
alone, or with any carle that I could have lightly hired."

Clement laughed and said: "Fair sir, thou wouldst have failed of
hiring any one man to go with thee east-ward a many miles. For with
less than a score of men well-armed the danger of death or captivity is
over great, if ye ride the mountain ways unto Cheaping Knowe. Yea, and
even if a poor man who hath nothing, wend that way alone, he may well
fall among thieves, and be stolen himself body and bones, for lack of
anything better to steal."

Hereat Ralph felt his heart rise, when he thought of battle and strife,
and he made his horse to spring somewhat, and then he said: "It liketh
me well, dear friend, that I ride not with thee for naught, but that I
may earn my daily bread like another."

"Yea," said Clement, looking on him kindly, "I deem of all thy brethren
thou hast the biggest share of the blood of Red Robert, who first won
Upmeads. And now