dness was but as the flower-garlands wherewith the
heathen times men were wont to deck the slaughter-beasts for the
blood-offering. Yea, and into his mind came certain tales of how there
were heathen men yet in the world, who beguiled men and women, and
offered them up to their devils, whom they called gods: but all this
ran off him soon, when he bethought him how little wisdom there was in
running to meet the evil, which might be on the way, and that way a
rough and perilous one. So he plucked up heart, and spake freely and
gaily with David and one or two others who rode anigh.

They were amidst of the company: the Lord went first after his
fore-runners in a litter done about with precious cloths; and two score
horsemen came next, fully armed after their manner. Then rode Ralph
with David and a half dozen of the magnates: then came a sort of cooks
and other serving men, but none without a weapon, and last another
score of men-at-arms: so that he saw that fleeing was not to be thought
of though he was not bound, and save for lack of weapons rode like a
free man.

The day was clear as yesterday had been, wherefore again Ralph saw the
distant mountain-top like a cloud; and he gazed at it long till David
said: "I see that thou art gazing hard at the mountains, and perchance
art longing to be beyond them, were it but to see what like the land is
on the further side. If all tales be true thou art best this side
thereof, whatever thy lot may be."

"Lieth death on the other side then?" quoth Ralph. "Yea," said David,
"but that is not all, since he is not asleep elsewhere in the world:
but men say that over there are things to be seen which might slay a
strong man for pure fear, without stroke of sword or dint of axe."

"Yea," said Ralph, "but how was it then with him that builded Goldburg?"

"O," said David, "hast thou heard that tale? Well, they say of him,
who certes went over those mountains, and drank of the Well at the
World's End, that he was one of the lucky: yet for all his luck never
had he drunk the draught had he not been helped by one who had learned
many things, a woman to wit. For he was one of them with whom all
women are in love; and thence indeed was his luck....Moreover, when all
is said, 'tis but a tale."

"Yea," quoth Ralph laughing, "even as the tales of the ghosts and bugs
that abide the wayfarer on the other side of yonder white moveless
cloud."

David laughed in his turn and said: "Thou