bout thy neck, whence came they?" "They
were the gift of a dear friend," said Ralph. "A woman?" quoth Bull.
"Yea," said Ralph.

"Now is this strange," said Bull, "and I wot not what it may betoken,
but this same woman had about her neck a pair of beads as like to thine
as if they had been the very same: did this woman give thee the beads?
For I will say this of thee, master, that thou art well nigh as likely
a man as she is a woman."

Ralph sighed, for this talk of the woman and the beads brought all the
story into his mind, so that it was as if he saw it adoing again: the
Lady of the Wildwood led along to death before he delivered her, and
their flight together from the Water of the Oak, and that murder of her
in the desert. And betwixt the diverse deeds of the day this had of
late become somewhat dim to him. Yet after his grief came joy that
this man also had seen the damsel, whom his dream of the night had
called Dorothea, and that he knew of her captors; wherefore by his
means he might come on her and deliver her.

Now he spake aloud: "Nay, it was not she that gave them to me, but yet
were I fain to find this woman that thou sawest; for I look to meet a
friend whenas I meet her. So tell me, dost thou think that I may
cheapen her of thy kinsman?"

Bull shook his head, and said: "It may be: or it may be that he hath
already sold her to one who heedeth not treasure so much as fair flesh;
and fair is hers beyond most. But, lord, I will do my best to find her
for thee; as thou art a king's son and no ill master, I deem."

"Do that," quoth Ralph, "and I in turn will do what more I may for thee
besides making thee free." And therewith he rode forward that he might
get out of earshot, for Bull's tongue seemed like to be long. And
presently he heard laughter behind him, as the carle began jesting and
talking with the chapman lads.

CHAPTER 23

Of the Town of Cheaping Knowe

Now when it was evening they pitched their camp down in the plain
fields amidst tall elmtrees, and had their banners still flying over
the tents to warn all comers of what they were. But the next morning
the chapmen and their folk were up betimes to rummage their loads, and
to array their wares for the market; and they gat not to the road
before mid-morning. Meantime of their riding Ralph had more talk with
Bull, who said to him: "Fair lord, I rede thee when thou art in the
market of Cheaping Knowe, bid master Clement bring the