his word is at whiles said of something else, which
no man alive amongst us has yet seen. It is a part of the tale of the
seekers for the Well at the World's End, whereof we said a word that
other day."

"And the Dry Tree," said Ralph, "knowest thou thereof?" said Ralph.
"Such a tree, much beworshipped," said Otter, "we have, not very far
from Utterbol, on the hither side of the mountains. Yet I have heard
old men say that it is but a toy, and an image of that which is verily
anigh the Well at the World's End. But now haste thee to do on thy
raiment, for we must needs get to horse in a little while." "Yet one
more word," said Ralph; "thou sayest that none alive amongst you have
seen the Wall of the World?" "None alive," quoth Otter; "forsooth what
the dead may see, that is another question." Said Ralph: "But have ye
not known of any who have sought to the Well from this land, which is
so nigh thereunto?" "Such there have been," said Otter; "but if they
found it, they found something beyond it, or came west again by some
way else than by Utterbol; for they never came back again to us."

Therewith he turned on his heel, and went his ways, and up came David
and one with him bringing victual; and David said: "Now, thou lucky
one, here is come thy breakfast! for we shall presently be on our way.
Cast on thy raiment, and eat and strengthen thyself for the day's work.
Hast thou looked well on the mountains?" "Yea," said Ralph, "and the
sight of them has made me as little downhearted as thou art. For thou
art joyous of mood this morning." David nodded and smiled, and looked
so merry that Ralph wondered what was toward. Then he went into his
tent and clad himself, and ate his breakfast, and then gat to horse and
rode betwixt two of the men-at-arms, he and Otter; for David was ridden
forward to speak with the Lord. Otter talked ever gaily enough; but
Ralph heeded him little a while, but had his eyes ever on the
mountains, and could see that for all they were so dark, and filled up
so much of the eastward heaven, they were so far away that he could see
but little of them save that they were dark blue and huge, and one
rising up behind the other.

Thus they rode the down country, till at last, two hours before noon,
coming over the brow of a long down, they had before them a shallow
dale, pleasanter than aught they had yet seen. It was well-grassed,
and a little river ran through it, from which went narrow leats held