Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/364

 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 awake and ready for the road. So she came to the Carline, and they went together to the horses and dight their own, which were the best of the company's, and without more delay gat to saddle and rode quietly down along the pass.

So rode they till it was the afternoon, and they were come out of the mountains into the first of the meadows. Then they drew rein in a fair little ingle amidst goodly trees, and gat off their horses and tethered them amongst the sweet grass. Then spake the Carline: I must now look along the ways of sleep and see what is betiding. Therewith she drew from her hardes