carle opened to them, who, when he saw the knight's armour,
would have clapped the door to again, had not Ralph by the minstrel's
rede held out the parchment to him, who when he saw it became
humble indeed, and gave them such guesting as he might, which was
scant indeed of victual or drink, save wild-fowl from the heath.
But they had wine with them from the last guest-house, whereof
they bade the carle to drink; but he would not, and in all wise
seemed to be in dread of them.

When it was morning early they rode their ways, and the carle
seemed glad to be rid of them. After they had ridden a few
miles the land bettered somewhat; there were islands of deep
green pasture amidst the blackness of the heath, with cattle
grazing on them, and here and there was a little tillage:
the land was little better than level, only it swelled a little this
way and that. It was a bright sunny day and the air very clear,
and as they rode Ralph said: "Quite clear is the sky, and yet
one cloud there is in the offing; but this is strange about it,
though I have been watching it this half hour, and looking to see
the rack come up from that quarter, yet it changes not at all.
I never saw the like of this cloud."

Said the minstrel: "Yea, fair sir, and of this cloud I must tell thee that it
will change no more till the bones of the earth are tumbled together.
Forsooth this is no cloud, but the topmost head of the mountain ridge
which men call the Wall of the World: and if ever thou come close up
to the said Wall, that shall fear thee, I deem, however fearless thou be."
"Is it nigh to Utterness?" said Ralph. "Nay," said the minstrel,
"not so nigh; for as huge as it seemeth thence."