, and not knowing which side to turn
to, stood still and abode the newcomers, who were nought but courteous
to them, and bade them to eat with them. The twain yeasaid it
perforce, and were well treated by the travelers, who said they were
merchants on the road to the peopled parts that lay beyond the
mountains; and even so it seemed by their packs and bundles of goods.
Albeit, ere they lay down to sleep, the Maiden whispered to the
Carline: "Mother, I fear me that we have fallen amongst thieves: and
this seems like the tale of the felons who first stole me, with no
kind and dear knight at hand to buy me out of servitude." "Yea, my
sweet," said the Carline, "the hay smelleth of that weed; but fear
thou not, for I will deliver thee if so it be." So when the morning
was, and the day was bright, those merchants drew about the Carline
and the Maiden; and there were three masters there, and two of them
young men not ill-liking.

Now the Carline speaks to the elder of the three, and thanks him for
the meat and drink and company, and says withal that they will now be
gone, as time presses them. Says the chapman: "Nay, Carline, not so
fast; how shall ye go safer than with us, ten weaponed men to wit? And
safe thou shouldst go, dame, whereas thou bearest with thee so great a
treasure." Said the third and youngest of the chapmen: "Go with us ye
needs must till we have seen thy damsel safely set in good hands: or
what do ye with her?" Said the Maiden: "O my masters, this is my
fostermother, and to say sooth the only mother that I have known; it
is with all my will that I go where she leadeth, I pray you let her do
her will." And she was sore moved, and wept.

"Let-a-be, child," said the Carline, caressing her; "if these lords
are fain to be our guides and guards, let us thank them kindly for it
and go with them joyfully." The chapmen looked keenly on her, but
could see nought amiss in her way of speech; so they trowed in her,
and went about their matters arraying them for departure, and right
joyous they seemed of the adventure. As for the Maiden, she yet wept;
and when the Carline got to talk to her apart, as was easy amidst all
the bustle, the sweetling said amidst her tears: "O my mother, I know
not how to bear it, that now after all is done I am to be a thrall,
and sold to someone, I know not who. And I shall be hidden away from
the quest and the quest from me, so that I shall never see my love
again. And even now who knows h