elike they saw that
there was nothing else to be said, but as moody they were as moody
might be. And to say sooth, the Carline deemed that, had it not been
for the serving men that would be left over, she might well leave them
to slay themselves. But now they went back to their folk, and the
Carline followed them in a little while.

Chapter LXIII. They Escape from the Chapmen by the Carline's Wizardry

The next night after, they were come to but a little way from the end
of the mountains, and could see the tilled and peopled lands lying
down before them, and this had been no very long day's journey. The
three merchant masters had ridden much apart from each other all day,
and there was little feasting between them at even, and all men laid
them down early to sleep. The Carline had spoken a word to the Maiden
as they were a-riding, so that none might hear: "Sweetling," she said,
"the thing thou hast to do tonight is to give heed to my least word or
beckoning, and obey it, and then will all be well." So they two lay
down somewhat away from the carle-folk. Amidst of the night then,
awoke the Maiden, and the moon was high and very bright, and looking
to her left side she saw the Carline was not there where she ought to
have been; but nought scared was she thereat, since she wotted well
that something would betide. But moving as little as she might, she
let her eyes go round the campment, and even therewith saw the said
Carline coming out of the tent of the masters, who slept all together
there, whereas their serving-men lay as they might, under cloaks and
such-like, beneath the naked heavens, the weather being fine and dry
as at that time. Stole the Carline then and went up to each one of the
said men and made unked signs over him, and when all that was done
stood up by herself amidst them all and laughed aloud. Then she called
out: "O sweetling that I am preserving as a pearl of all price for the
greatest warrior of the world, wakest thou or sleepest? Speak out and
fear not, for these now will lie here like logs long after the moon is
gone out and the sun is shining. These carles thou seest, and two of
the masters lie therein in their tent; but the third, the old one, I
lured away far into the thicket and laid him asleep there; so that his
being away, and the others hunting for him, might breed delay and
quarrels amongst these runagates."

The Maiden lightly arose and spake in a clear voice: "My mother, I am
verily