"Well," said the chapman, "this is fine talk about pleasure and
the doing of one's will; nevertheless a whole skin is good wares,
though it be not to be cheapened in any market of the world.
Now, lord, go thou where thou wilt, whether I say go or abide;
and forsooth I am no man of King Peter's, that I should stay thee.
As for the name of the next town, it is called Higham-on-the-Way,
and is a big town plenteous of victuals, with strong walls and a castle,
and a very rich abbey of monks: and there is peace within its walls,
because the father abbot wages a many men to guard him and his,
and to uphold his rights against all comers; wherein he doth wisely,
and also well. For much folk flocketh to his town and live well therein;
and there is great recourse of chapmen thither. No better market is
there betwixt this and Babylon. Well, Sir Ralph, I rede thee if thou
comest unhurt to Higham-on-the-Way, go no further for this time,
but take service with the lord abbot, and be one of his men of war;
thou may'st then become his captain if thou shouldest live;
which would be no bad adventure for one who cometh from Upmeads."

Ralph looked no brighter for this word, and he answered nought to it:
but said presently:

"And what is to be looked for beyond Higham if one goeth further?
Dost thou know the land any further?"

The carle smiled: "Yea forsooth, and down to the Wood Perilous,
and beyond it, and the lands beyond the Wood; and far away through them.
I say not that I have been to the Dry Tree; but I have spoken to one
who hath heard of him who hath seen it; though he might not come
by a draught of the Well at the World's End."