that especially the young women. Yet I will say of him that
he is wise, and asketh not overmuch; the more is the sorrow
of many of the maidens. A fell woodsman he is, and
exceeding stark, and as yet heedeth more of valiance than of
the love of woman."

The Marshal looked no less troubled than before at these
words; he said: "I would see this young man speedily."

"So shall it be, Lord," said Lord Richard. Therewith he
called to him a squire, and said: "Go thou down into the
thorpe, and bring hither Christopher, for that a great lord
is here who would set him to do a deed of woodcraft, such as
is more than the wont of men."

So the squire went his ways, and was gone a little while,
and meantime drew nigh to the hall a sound of triumphing
songs and shouts, and right up to the hall doors; then
entered the squire, and by his side came a tall young man,
clad but in a white linen shirt and deerskin brogues, his
head crowned with a garland of flowers: him the squire
brought up to the lords on the dais, and louted to them, and
said: "My lords, I bring you Christopher, and he not
overwilling, for now hath he been but just crowned king of
the games down yonder; but when the carles and queans there
said that they would come with him and bear him company to
the hall doors, then, forsooth, he yea-said the coming. It
were not unmeet that some shame were done him."

"Peace, man!" said Lord Richard, "what hath this to do with