Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/236

 grandsons or the swains here have a longing to ride with thee and become thy men, I will spare them to thee to the number of a half score. How say ye, lads, cried he down the hall, be there any here who desire to see how the lord of Longshaw arrayeth his battles, and would bring back some fair stories to the maidens' ears? Now it was soon seen that no few there were that would be fain to ride with the Knight, who soon had his choice of ten tall men, stout, and deft in weapons, and the end of the feast was merrier than the beginning.

Next morning they were away early, and the old man led them out over his meadows, which were exceeding rich of neat and sheep; and at parting he said: Fair Knight of Longshaw, I have gone as far as I may this day, and must turn again; but this I say to thee, if ever the world goes amiss with thee, as it yet may for all thy valiancy, or forsooth because of it, come hither to me, or if I be dead, to my sons and my grandsons, and abide here as merrily as thou mayst. And spare not to bring whomso of thine thou wilt, as maybe this goodly youngling here, laying his hand on Osberne's shoulder, of whom some of thy men were telling tales to some of mine last night. And now I bid farewell to thee and thine.

So Sir Godrick and his went their ways, and the new fellows led them by the shortest road when they knew whither Sir Godrick had will to wend. And when they were out of that valley they came up on to the down country, which