of what grief or pain she might even then be bearing, so that
he longed to deliver her, and that longing was sweet to him.
In such thoughts he fell asleep.



CHAPTER 21

A Battle in the Mountains


When it was morning they arose early and ate a morsel; and Clement gave
freely to the Warden and his helpmate on behalf of the fellowship;
and then they saddled their nags, and did on the loads and departed;
and the way was evil otherwise, but it was down hill, and all
waters ran east.

All day they rode, and at even when the sun had not quite set,
they pitched their camp at the foot of a round knoll amidst
a valley where was water and grass; and looking down thence,
they had a sight of the fruitful plain, wherein lay Cheaping
Knowe all goodly blue in the distance.

This was a fair place and a lovely, and great ease would they
have had there, were it not that they must keep watch and ward
with more pains than theretofore; for Clement deemed it as good
as certain that the wild men would fall upon them that night.

But all was peaceful the night through, and in the morning they gat
to the way speedily, riding with their armour on, and their bows bent: