Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/316

 but a merchant seeking gain from town to town and house to house. And I have some pretty things amongst my packs. Might I ask of your valour what thou wouldst have of me?

The Knight, who by this time was off his horse, laughed and said: Well, first we three would have meat and drink of you, and some horse-meat also, for we have ridden far this morning; and next, meseems, after what thou hast said, that it would help the victual down if I were to turn over some of those dear-bought and far-fetched wares of thine, even if I have to pay for peeping.

Who then was full of smiles and soft words save the Chapman; he bade the Knight into his tent most sweetly, and set his folk to dighting a noble dinner. The Knight entered and did off his basnet, and showed a well-looked face, with good grey eyes like a hawk, and dark hair curling close to his head; there was nought cruel or base to be seen in his visage, though it had the fierceness of the warrior. So they sat down to meat, and talked the while of their eating; and a good deal of their talk was concerning the Knight of Longshaw, Sir Godrick, and his uprising, and what his chances might be of his outfacing all his foes, who, said the Chapman, were many and great, and more belike than Sir Godrick wotted of. Quoth he: And glad shall I be if he be overborne; for what should a knight do, to set him up against great and noble men, and wage all kinds of rascaile on behoof of a set of villeins and