Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/226

 in all peace and lacks not men, yet here is Sir Godrick of Longshaw, who is here with me partly for the gathering of men. But good must they be who ride with him, and all without fear, whereas I shall tell thee that he is the hardiest knight and most fearless rider of these days. Now do ye two talk it over together.

Osberne looked Sir Godrick in the face, and ever the more he beheld him the better he liked the looks of his eyes and his visage. So now spake the Knight: How sayest thou, young man? After all I have heard of thee I may well ask thee to be of mine. Only I must tell thee that the work may be both hard and rough; and though there may be somewhat to be won, yet on the other hand the pay may be little more than leave to do the work. Said Osberne: So far as that goes, I am well willing to take my chance of it; but there is one thing which might stand in the way of service with thee. What is that? said Sir Godrick. Said Osberne: It is in my mind that from henceforth for a while my days should pass in some land that is far hence, that is, from mine own place, and rather to the south than the north.

Where dwelleth thy kindred then? said Godrick. In the Dale which is cleft by the Sundering Flood, said Osberne, up under the great mountains; and I am of the East Dale, else scarce had I been here. Well, said the Knight, my chiefest house, which hight Longshaw, lieth a long way south of this; but I shall tell thee that it is no great way from the Sundering Flood, but betwixt