Ralph reddened as he answered: "I am of Upmeads beyond
the down country; and I pray thee let me be gone on mine errands.
It is meet that thou deal with thine own robbers and reivers,
but not with me."

Then cried out one of the bounden men: "Thou liest, lad, we be no robbers."
But he of the Knight's company who stood by him smote the man on the mouth
and said: "Hold thy peace, runagate! Thou shalt give tongue to-morrow
when the hangman hath thee under his hands."

The Knight took no heed of this; but turned to the ancient warrior and said:
"Hath he spoken truth so far?"

"Yea, Sir Aymer," quoth Oliver; "And now meseems I know him better
than he knoweth me."

Therewith he turned to Ralph and said: "How fareth Long Nicholas, my lord?"

Ralph reddened again: "He is well," said he.

Then said the Knight: "Is the young man of a worthy house, Oliver?"

But ere the elder could speak, Ralph brake in and said:
"Old warrior, I bid thee not to tell out my name,
as thou lovest Nicholas."

Old Oliver laughed and said: "Well, Nicholas and I have
been friends in a way, as well as foes; and for the sake
of the old days his name shall help thee, young lord."
Then he said to his Knight: "Yea, Sir Aymer, he is of a goodly