The Well at the Worlds End | Page 5

but little chided either for sloth or misdoing, even as it hath been
aforetime."
The young men looked at one another, and Blaise answered and said:
"Sir, as for me I say we will do after your commandment, to take what
road luck may show us, or to turn back home again." They all yeasaid
this one after the other; and then King Peter said: "Now before I draw
the cuts, I shall tell you that I have appointed the squires to go with
each one of you. Richard the Red shall go with Blaise; for though he be
somewhat stricken in years, and wise, yet is he a fierce carle and a
doughty, and knoweth well all feats of arms.
"Lancelot Longtongue shall be squire to Hugh; for he is good of
seeming and can compass all courtesy, and knoweth logic (though it be
of the law and not of the schools), yet is he a proper man of his hands;
as needs must he be who followeth Hugh; for where is Hugh, there is
trouble and debate
"Clement the Black shall serve Gregory: for he is a careful carle, and
speaketh one word to every ten deeds that he doeth; whether they be
done with point and edge, or with the hammer in the smithy.
"Lastly, I have none left to follow thee, Ralph, save Nicholas
Longshanks; but though he hath more words than I have, yet hath he
more wisdom, and is a man lettered and far-travelled, and loveth our
house right well.

"How say ye, sons, is this to your liking?"
They all said "yea." Then quoth the king; "Nicholas, bring hither the
straws ready dight, and I will give them my sons to draw."
So each young man came up in turn and drew; and King Peter laid the
straws together and looked at them, and said:
"Thus it is, Hugh goeth north with Lancelot, Gregory westward with
Clement." He stayed a moment and then said: "Blaise fareth eastward
and Richard with him. As for thee, Ralph my dear son, thou shalt back
with me and abide in my house and I shall see thee day by day; and
thou shalt help me to live my last years happily in all honour; and thy
love shall be my hope, and thy valiancy my stay."
Therewith he arose and threw his arm about the young man's neck; but
he shrank away a little from his father, and his face grew troubled; and
King Peter noted that, and his countenance fell, and he said:
"Nay nay, my son; grudge not thy brethren the chances of the road, and
the ill-hap of the battle. Here at least for thee is the bounteous board
and the full cup, and the love of kindred and well-willers, and the
fellowship of the folk. O well is thee, my son, and happy shalt thou
be!"
But the young man knit his brows and said no word in answer.
Then came forward those three brethren who were to fare at all
adventure, and they stood before the old man saying nought. Then he
laughed and said: "O ho, my sons! Here in Upmeads have ye all ye
need without money, but when ye fare in the outlands ye need money;
is it not a lack of yours that your pouches be bare? Abide, for I have
seen to it."
Therewith he drew out of his pouch three little bags, and said; "Take ye
each one of these; for therein is all that my treasury may shed as now.
In each of these is there coined money, both white and red, and some
deal of gold uncoined, and of rings and brooches a few, and by

estimation there is in each bag the same value reckoned in lawful silver
of Upmeads and the Wolds and the Overhill-Countries. Take up each
what there is, and do the best ye may therewith."
Then each took his bag, and kissed and embraced his father; and they
kissed Ralph and each other, and so got to horse and departed with their
squires, going softly because of the hot sun. But Nicholas slowly
mounted his hackney and led Ralph's war-horse with him home again
to King Peter's House.
CHAPTER 2
Ralph Goeth Back Home to the High House
Ralph and King Peter walked slowly home together, and as they went
King Peter fell to telling of how in his young days he rode in the Wood
Debateable, and was belated there all alone, and happed upon men who
were outlaws and wolfheads, and feared for his life; but they treated
him kindly, and honoured him, and saw him safe on his way in the
morning. So that never thereafter would he be art and part with those
who hunted outlaws to