Page:Wood Beyond the World.djvu/35

 be the bears of thy country so manlike, that they dwell in builded houses?

The old man shook his head. Sir, said he, as to their bodily fashion, it is altogether manlike, save that they be one and all higher and bigger than most. For they be bears only in name; they be a nation of half wild men; for I have been told by them that there be many more than that tribe whose folk I have seen, and that they spread wide about behind these mountains from east to west. Now, sir, as to their souls and understandings I warrant them not; for miscreants they be, trowing neither in God nor his hallows.

Said the master: Trow they in Mahound then?

Nay, said the elder, I wot not for sure that they have so much as a false God; though I have it from them that they worship a certain woman with mickle worship.

Then spake Walter: Yea, good sir, and how knowest thou that? dost thou deal with them at all?

Said the old man: Whiles some of that folk come hither and have of me what I can spare; a calf or two, or a half-dozen of lambs or hoggets; or a skin of wine or