the worse therefor. Or how deemest thou?"

Ralph stood silent awhile; for he was thinking of the big man whom he had
met at the churchyard gate, and all this tale seemed wonderful to him.
But at last he said:

"I cannot tell what there is in it; herein am I no help to you.
To-day I am but little; though I may one day be great.
Yet this may I do for you; tomorrow will I let sing a mass
in St. Mary's Church on your behoof. And hereafter, if I wax
as my will is, and I come to be lord in these lands, I will
look to it to do what a good lord should do for the shepherds
of the Downs, so that they may live well, and die in good hope.
So may the Mother of God help me at need!"

Said the old shepherd: "Thou hast sworn an oath, and it is a good oath,
and well sworn. Now if thou dost as thou swearest, words can but
little thanks, yet deeds may. Wherefore if ever thou comest back hither,
and art in such need that a throng of men may help thee therein; then let
light a great fire upon each corner of the topmost wall of Bear Castle,
and call to mind this watch-word: 'SMITE ASIDE THE AXE, O BEAR-FATHER,'
and then shalt thou see what shall betide thee for thy good-hap: farewell now,
with the saints to aid!"

Ralph bade them live well and hail, and mounted his horse and rode off
down the Greenway, and as he rode the shepherds waved their weapons
to him in token of good-will.