Butnowthefellowshiptooktoridingsofastdowntheslopesofthemountainsonafarbetterroad，thattalkingtogetherwasnoteasy。
　　Theykeptgoodwatch，bothbehindandahead，norweretheysetuponagain，thoughwhilestheysawclumpsofmenonthehill-sides。
　　Soafterawhile，whenitwasalittlepastnoon，theycameadowntothelowerslopesofthemountainsandthefoot-hills，whichweregreenandunstony；
　　andthereonweretobeseencattleandneatherdsandshepherds，andhereandtherethegarthofahomestead，andfencedacresaboutit。
　　Sonowthattheywerecomedownintothepeopledparts，theydisplayedthebannersoftheirfellowships，towit，theAgnes，theWhiteFleece，theChristopher，andtheShipandNicholas，whichlastwasthebanneroftheFaring-knightsofWhitwall；
　　butRalphwasgladtorideunderthebannerofSt。Nicholas，hisfriend，anddeemedthatluckmighttherathercometohimthereby。
　　Buttheydisplayedtheirbannersnow，becausetheyknewthatnomanofthepeopledpartswouldbesohardyastofallupontheChapmen，ofwhomtheylookedtohavemanymattersfortheiruseandpleasure。
　　Sonowthattheyfeltthemselvessafe，theystayedthem，andsatdownbyafairlittlestream，andatetheirdinnerofsuchmeatanddrinkastheyhad；andRalphdepartedhissharewithhisthrall，andthemanwashungryandatewell；sothatClementsaidmockingly：
　　“Thoufeedestthythralloverwell，lord，evenforaking’sson：
　　isitsothatthouartmindedtofattenhimandeathim？”
　　Thensomeoftheotherstookupthejest，andbadethecarlerefrainhimofthemeat，sothathemightnotfatten，andmightlivethelonger。
　　Hehearkenedtothem，andknithisbrowsandlookedfiercelyfromonetotheother。ButRalphlaughedaloud，andshookhisfingerathimandrefrainedhim，andhiswrathranoffhimandhelaughed，andshovedthevictualintohimdoughtily，andsighedforpleasurewhenhehadmadeanendanddrunkadraughtofwine。
　　RalphTalksWithBullShockheadWhentheyrodeonagain，RalphrodebesideBull，whowasmerryandblithenowhewasfullofmeatanddrink；
　　andhespakeanon：“Sothouartaking’sson，master？
　　Ideemedfromthefirstthatthouwertoflineage。
　　Forasforthesechurlsofchapmen，andthesworderswhomtheywage，theyknownotthenameoftheirmother’smother，norhaveheardonewordofthebeginneroftheirkindred；
　　andtheirdeedsarelikeuntotheirkinlessness。”
　　“Andarethydeedssogood？”saidRalph。“Aretheyill。”
　　saidBull，“whentheyaredoneagainstthefoemen？”SaidRalph：
　　“Andareallmenyourfoemenwhopassthroughthesemountains？”
　　“All。”saidBull，“buttheybeofthekindredortheirknownfriends。”
　　“Well，Bull。”saidRalph，“Ilikethydeedslittle，thatthoushouldestravishmenandwomenfromtheirgoodlife，andsellthemforapriceintotoilandwearinessandstripes。”
　　SaidBull：“Howmuchworsedowethanthechapmenbyhisdebtor，andthelordofthemanorbyhisvillein？”SaidRalph：
　　“Farworse，ifyedidbutknowit，poormen！”QuothBull：
　　“ButIneitherknowit，norcanknowit，nay，notwhenthousayestit；foritisnotso。Andlookyou，master，thislifeofaboughtthrallisnotsuchanexceedingevillife；
　　forofttheybedealtwithsoftlyandfriendly，andhaveotherthrallstoworkforthemundertheirwhips。”
　　Ralphlaughed：“WhichshallImakethee，friendBull，theupperortheunder？”Bullreddened，butsaidnaught。SaidRalph：
　　“OrwhereshallIsellthee，thatImaymakethebestpennyoutofmygoodluckandvaliancy？”Bulllookedchopfallen：
　　“Nay。”saidheinawheedlingvoice，“thouwiltnotsellme，thou？
　　ForIdeemthatthouwiltbeagoodmastertome：and。”hebrokeintosuddenheathereat，“ifIhaveanothermasterIshallsurelyslayhimwhate’erbetide。”
　　Ralphlaughedagain，andsaid：“Seestthouwhatanevilcraftyefollow，whenthoudeemestitbettertobeslainwithbittertormentsasthoushouldestbeifthouslewestthymasterthantobesoldtoanymastersaveoneexceedinggood？”
　　Bullheldhispeacehereat，butpresentlyhesaid：
　　“Well，beourcraftgoodorevil，itisgainful；andwhilesthereispreytakenrightgood，which，formypart，Iwouldnotsell，onceIhadmyhandthereon。”“Yea，women？”saidRalph。
　　“Evenso。”saidBull，“suchanonewastakenbymykinsmanBullNosybutalittlewhileagone，whomhetookdowntothemarketatCheapingKnowe，asIhadnotdoneifIhadoncemyarmsabouther。
　　Forshewasasfairasaflower；andyetsowellbuilt，thatshecouldbearasmuchasastrongmaninsomeways；and，saithNosy，whenshewastaken，therewasnoweepingorscreechinginher，butpatienceratherandquietness，andintenttobearallandlive……Master，mayIasktheeaquestion？”“Askon。”saidRalph。
　　SaidBull：“Thepairofbeadsaboutthyneck，whencecamethey？”
　　“Theywerethegiftofadearfriend。”saidRalph。“Awoman？”
　　quothBull。“Yea。”saidRalph。
　　“Nowisthisstrange。”saidBull，“andIwotnotwhatitmaybetoken，butthissamewomanhadaboutherneckapairofbeadsasliketothineasiftheyhadbeentheverysame：didthiswomangivetheethebeads？
　　ForIwillsaythisofthee，master，thatthouartwellnighaslikelyamanassheisawoman。”
　　Ralphsighed，forthistalkofthewomanandthebeadsbroughtallthestoryintohismind，sothatitwasasifhesawitadoingagain：
　　theLadyoftheWildwoodledalongtodeathbeforehedeliveredher，andtheirflighttogetherfromtheWateroftheOak，andthatmurderofherinthedesert。Andbetwixtthediversedeedsofthedaythishadoflatebecomesomewhatdimtohim。Yetafterhisgriefcamejoythatthismanalsohadseenthedamsel，whomhisdreamofthenighthadcalledDorothea，andthatheknewofhercaptors；
　　whereforebyhismeanshemightcomeonheranddeliverher。
　　Nowhespakealoud：“Nay，itwasnotshethatgavethemtome，butyetwereIfaintofindthiswomanthatthousawest；
　　forIlooktomeetafriendwhenasImeether。Sotellme，dostthouthinkthatImaycheapenherofthykinsman？”
　　Bullshookhishead，andsaid：“Itmaybe：oritmaybethathehathalreadysoldhertoonewhoheedethnottreasuresomuchasfairflesh；
　　andfairishersbeyondmost。But，lord，Iwilldomybesttofindherforthee；asthouartaking’ssonandnoillmaster，Ideem。”
　　“Dothat。”quothRalph，“andIinturnwilldowhatmoreImayfortheebesidesmakingtheefree。”Andtherewithherodeforwardthathemightgetoutofearshot，forBull’stongueseemedliketobelong。
　　Andpresentlyheheardlaughterbehindhim，asthecarlebeganjestingandtalkingwiththechapmanlads。
　　OftheTownofCheapingKnoweNowwhenitwaseveningtheypitchedtheircampdownintheplainfieldsamidsttallelmtrees，andhadtheirbannersstillflyingoverthetentstowarnallcomersofwhattheywere。
　　Butthenextmorningthechapmenandtheirfolkwereupbetimestorummagetheirloads，andtoarraytheirwaresforthemarket；
　　andtheygatnottotheroadbeforemid-morning。MeantimeoftheirridingRalphhadmoretalkwithBull，whosaidtohim：
　　“Fairlord，IredetheewhenthouartinthemarketofCheapingKnowe，bidmasterClementbringtheetothethrall-merchant，andtrustmethatifsuchafairimageasthatwewerespeakingofhathpassedthroughhishandswithinthesethreemonths，hewillrememberit；
　　andthenthoushalthaveatleastsometaleofwhathathbefallenherbutalittlewhileago。”
　　ThatseemedgoodredetoRalph，andwhentheywentontheirwayherodebesideClement，andaskedhimmanythingsconcerningCheapingKnowe；andatlastaboutthethrall-markettherein。
　　AndClementsaidthat，thoughhedealtnotinsuchwares，hehadoftenseenthemsold，andknewthemasterofthatmarket。
　　AndwhenRalphaskedifthesaidmasterwouldanswerquestionsconcerningthesellingofmenandofwomen，Clementsmiledandsaid：
　　“Yea，yea，hewillanswer；forashelivesbysellingthralls，andeverytimeathrallissoldbyhimhemakethsomegainbyit，itistohisprofitthattheychangemastersasoftenasmaybe；
　　andwhenthouaskestofthewomanwhomthouartseeking，hewillbedeemingthattherewillbesomenewchafferahead。
　　Iwillbringtheetohim，andthoushaltaskhimofwhatthouwilt，andbelikehewilltelltheequietlyoverthewine-cup。”
　　TherewithwasRalphwellcontent，andhegreweagertoenterintothetown。
　　Theycametothegatesalittlebeforesunset，aftertheyhadpassedthroughmuchfaircountry；butnightothewallsitwasbareoftreesandthickets，whereas，saidClement，theyhadbeencutdownlesttheyshouldserveascovertostrong-thievesorfolkassailingthetown。
　　Thewallswerestrongandtall，andagreatcastlestoodhighuponahill，aboutwhichthetownwasbuilded；sothatifthetownweretakentherewouldyetbeanothertownwithinittobetakenalso。
　　Butthetownwithin，saveforthesaidcastle，wasscarcesofairlybuildedastheworstofthetownswhichRalphhadseenerst，thoughtherewereamanyhousestherein。
　　Muchpeoplewasgatheredaboutthegatetoseethemerchantsenterwithbannersdisplayed；andRalphdeemedmanyofthefolkfair，suchasweregoodlyclad；formanyhadbutfoulcloutstocovertheirnakedness，andseemedneedyandhunger-pinched。Withalthereweremanywarriorsamongstthethrong，andmostoftheseboreatokenontheirsleeves，towit，aswordreddenedwithblood。
　　AndClement，speakingsoftlyinRalph’sear，didhimtowitthatthiswasthetokenofthelordwhohadgottenthecastleinthosedays，andwastyrantofthetown；andhowthathehadsomanymen-at-armsreadytodohisbiddingthatnoneinthetownwassafefromhimifhedeemeditmoreforhispleasureandprofittorobormaim，ortormentorslay，thantosufferthemtolivepeaceably。
　　“Butwithuschapmen。”saidClement，“hewillnotmeddle，lesttherebeanendofchafferinthetown；andverilythemarketisgood。”
　　Thustheyrodethroughthestreetsintothemarketplace，whichwaswideandgreat，andthebesthousesofthetownweretherein，andsocametothehosteloftheMerchants，calledtheFleece，whichwasabighouse，andgoodlyenough。
　　ThenextmorningClementandtheotherchapmenwentupintotheCastle，bearingwiththemgiftsoutoftheirwaresforthelord，andClementbadeRalphkeepclosetillhecameback，andespeciallytokeephiswar-caughtthrall，BullShockhead，safeathome，lesthebetakenfromhim，andtoclothehimintheguiseofthechapmanlads，andtodockhishair；
　　andevensoRalphdid，thoughBullwereloaththereto。
　　Aboutnoonthechapmencamebackagainwellpleased；andClementgaveRalphaparchmentfromthelord，whichbadeallmenhelpandletpassRalphofUpmeads，asasergeantofthechapmen’sguard，andsaidwithalthatnowhewasfreetogoaboutthetownifhelisted，sothathewerebackatthehosteloftheFleecebynightfall。
　　SoRalphwentincompanywithsomeofthesergeantsandothers，andlookedatthisandthataboutthetownwithouthindrance，savethattheguardwouldnotsufferthemtopassfurtherthanthebaileyoftheCastle。
　　Andforthesaidbailey，forsooth，theyhadbutlittlestomach；fortheysawthence，ontheslopesoftheCastle-hill，tokensofthecrueljusticeofthesaidlord；forthereweremenandwomenthere，yea，andbabesalso，hangingongibbetsandthrustthroughwithsharppales，andwhentheyaskedoffolkwhythesehadsuffered，theybutlookedatthemasifastonished，andpassedonwithoutaword。
　　Sotheywentthence，andfoundthemaster-church，anddeemeditnotmuchfairerthanitwasgreat；anditwasnowisegreat，albeititwasstrangeanduncouthoffashion。
　　Thentheycametogreatgardenswithinthetown，andtheywereexceedinggoodly，andhadtreesandflowersandfruitsinthemwhichRalphhadnotseenhitherto，aslemons，andoranges，andpomegranates；andthewaterswererunningthroughtheminrunnelsofashlar；andtheweatherwasfairandhot；
　　sotheyrestedinthosegardenstillitwasevening，andthengatthemhometoFleece，wheretheyhadgoodentertainment。
　　RalphHearethMoreTidingsoftheDamselThesecondday，whilethemerchantssawtotheirchaffer，mostofthemen-at-arms，andRalphwiththem，spenttheirtimeagaininthosegoodlygardens；where，indeed，someofthemmadefriendsoffairwomenoftheplace；inwhichtherewaslessriskthanhadbeenforaliensinsometowns，whereasatCheapingKnowesuchwomenaswereweddedaccordingtolaw，ordamselsinthecareoftheirkindred，orslaveswhowereconcubines，hadnotdaredsomuchastolookonaman。
　　ThethirddaytimehungsomewhatheavyonRalph’shands，notbutthattheCompanionswerewellatease，butratherbecausehimseemedthathewasnotstirringinthequest。
　　ButthenextdayClementbadehimcomeseethatthrall-merchantaforesaid，andbroughthimtoacornerofthemarket-place，wherewasathronglookingonatthecheaping。Theywentthroughthethrong，andbesideastonelikealeaping-onstonesawatallman，goodlyofpresence，blackbearded，cladinscarlet；andthiswasthemerchant；andbyhimweretwoofhisknavesandcertainweaponedmenwhohadbroughttheirwarestothecheaping。
　　Andsomeofthesewerearrayedlikethosefoemenofthemountains。
　　Therewasahalfscoreandthreeofthesechattelstobesold，whostooduponeafterotheronthestone，thatfolkmightcheapenthem。Thecheapingwaslongabout，becausetheythathadamindtobuywerecarefultoknowwhattheywerebuying，likeasiftheyhadbeencheapeningahorse，andmostofthembeforetheybidtheirhighesthadthechattelsawayintothemerchant’sboothtostripthem，lesttheyshouldbuydamagedorunhandsomebodies；andthismoreespeciallyifitwereawoman，forthemenwerealreadywellnighnaked。
　　Ofwomenfourofthemwereyoungandgoodly，andRalphlookedatthemclosely；
　　buttheywerenaughtliketothewomanofhisquest。
　　NowthischeapingirkedRalphsorely，aswasliketobe，whereas，ashathbeentold，hecamefromalandwherewerenothralls，nonebutvavassorsandgoodyeomen：yetheabodetillallwasdone，hanselpaid，andthethrallsledoffbytheirnewmasters。