IntheeveningDavidtalkedwithRalphinhistent，andsaid：
　　“Ifto-morrowbeclear，knight，thoushaltseeanewsightwhenthoucomestoutfromthecanvas。”SaidRalph：“Isupposethymeaningisthatweshallseethemountainsfromhence？”
　　“Yea。”saidDavid；“soholdupthineheartwhenthatsightfirstcomethbeforethineeyes。Asforus，weareusedtothesight，andthatfromaplacemuchnighertothemountains：
　　yettheywhoaresoft-heartedamongstusareovercomeatwhiles，whenthereisstormandtempest，andeviltidesathand。”
　　SaidRalph：“AndhowfarthenarewefromUtterbol？”SaidDavid：
　　“AfterwehaveleftBull-meadintheDaleoftheTower，whereto-morrowthouarttorunwiththespear，itisfourdays’ridetoUtterness；andfromUtternessyemaycomeifmylordwilluntoUtterbolintwelvehours。
　　Buttellme，knight，howdeemestthouofthytiltingto-morrow？”
　　SaidRalph：“LittleshouldIthinkofit，iflittlelayuponit。”
　　“Yea。”saidDavid，“butartthouagoodtilter？”Ralphlaughed：
　　quothhe，“Thathangsonthegoodnessofhimthattiltethagainstme：
　　Ihavebothoverthrown，andbeenoverthrownoftenough。Yetagain，whoshalljudgeme？forImusttellthee，thatwereIfairlyjudged，Ishouldbedeemednoillspear，evenwhenIcamenotuppermost：
　　forinallthesegamesarehapswhichnomanmayforesee。”
　　“Well，then。”saidDavid，“allwillgowellwiththeeforhistime：
　　formylordwilljudgethee，andifitbeseenthatthouhastspokentruly，andartmorethanalittledeftattheplay，hewillbeliketomakethebestofthee，sincethouartalreadypaidfor。”
　　Ralphlaughed：yetasthoughthejestpleasedhimbutlittle；
　　andtheyfelltotalkofothermatters。AndsoDaviddeparted，andRalphslept。
　　RalphComethTotheValeoftheTowerButwhenitwasmorningRalphawoke，andsawthatthesunwasshiningbrightly；sohecasthisshirtonhim，andwentoutatonce，andturnedhisfaceeastward，and，scarceawake，saidtohimselfthatthecloudslayheavyintheeastwardheavensafterlastnight’shaze：
　　butpresentlyhiseyesdeared，andhesawthatwhathehadtakenforcloudswasahugewallofmountains，blackandterrible，thatroseupsharpandclearintothemorningair；fortherewasneithercloudnormistinalltheheavens。
　　NowRalph，thoughhewerebutlittleusedtothesightofgreatmountains，yetfelthisheartratherrisethanfallatthesightofthem；forhesaid：
　　“Surelybeyondthemliethsomenewthingforme，lifeordeath：
　　fairfameortheforgettingofallmen。”Anditwaslongthathecouldnottakehiseyesoffthem。
　　Ashelooked，cameuptheCaptainOtter，andsaid：“Well，Knight，thouhastseenthemthismorn，evenifyedieerenightfall。”
　　SaidRalph：“Whatdeemestthoutoliebeyondthem？”
　　“Ofusnoneknowethsurely。”saidOtter；“whilesIdeemthatifoneweretogettotheothersidetherewouldbeagreatplainliketothis：whilesthatthereisnaughtsavemountainsbeyond，andyetagainmountains，likethewavesofahugestonesea。
　　OrwhilesIthinkthatonewouldcometoanendoftheworld，toaplacewhereisnaughtbutaledge，andthenbelowitagulffilledwithnothingbutthehowlingofwinds，andthedepthofdarkness。
　　Moreoverthisismythought，thatallweofthesepartsshouldbemildermenandofbetterconditions，ifyonderterriblewallwereaway。
　　Itisasifwewerethrallsofthegreatmountains。”
　　SaidRalph，“IsthisthentheWalloftheWorld？”
　　“Itmaywellbeso。”saidOtter；“butthiswordisatwhilessaidofsomethingelse，whichnomanaliveamongstushasyetseen。
　　ItisapartofthetaleoftheseekersfortheWellattheWorld’sEnd，whereofwesaidawordthatotherday。”
　　“AndtheDryTree。”saidRalph，“knowestthouthereof？”saidRalph。
　　“Suchatree，muchbeworshipped。”saidOtter，“wehave，notveryfarfromUtterbol，onthehithersideofthemountains。
　　YetIhaveheardoldmensaythatitisbutatoy，andanimageofthatwhichisverilyanightheWellattheWorld’sEnd。
　　Butnowhastetheetodoonthyraiment，forwemustneedsgettohorseinalittlewhile。”“Yetonemoreword。”
　　saidRalph；“thousayestthatnonealiveamongstyouhaveseentheWalloftheWorld？”“Nonealive。”quothOtter；
　　“forsoothwhatthedeadmaysee，thatisanotherquestion。”
　　SaidRalph：“ButhaveyenotknownofanywhohavesoughttotheWellfromthisland，whichissonighthereunto？”
　　“Suchtherehavebeen。”saidOtter；“butiftheyfoundit，theyfoundsomethingbeyondit，orcamewestagainbysomewayelsethanbyUtterbol；fortheynevercamebackagaintous。”
　　Therewithheturnedonhisheel，andwenthisways，andupcameDavidandonewithhimbringingvictual；andDavidsaid：“Now，thouluckyone，hereiscomethybreakfast！forweshallpresentlybeonourway。
　　Castonthyraiment，andeatandstrengthenthyselffortheday’swork。
　　Hastthoulookedwellonthemountains？”“Yea。”saidRalph，“andthesightofthemhasmademeaslittledownheartedasthouart。
　　Forthouartjoyousofmoodthismorning。”Davidnoddedandsmiled，andlookedsomerrythatRalphwonderedwhatwastoward。
　　Thenhewentintohistentandcladhimself，andatehisbreakfast，andthengattohorseandrodebetwixttwoofthemen-at-arms，heandOtter；forDavidwasriddenforwardtospeakwiththeLord。
　　Ottertalkedevergailyenough；butRalphheededhimlittleawhile，buthadhiseyeseveronthemountains，andcouldseethatforalltheyweresodark，andfilledupsomuchoftheeastwardheaven，theyweresofarawaythathecouldseebutlittleofthemsavethattheyweredarkblueandhuge，andonerisingupbehindtheother。
　　Thustheyrodethedowncountry，tillatlast，twohoursbeforenoon，comingoverthebrowofalongdown，theyhadbeforethemashallowdale，pleasanterthanaughttheyhadyetseen。
　　Itwaswell-grassed，andalittleriverranthroughit，fromwhichwentnarrowleatsheldupbyhatches，sothatthemorepartofthevalleybottomwasawater-meadow，whereinasnowweregrazingmanykineandsheep。Therewerewillowsaboutthebanksoftheriver，andinaningleofitstoodagrangeorhomestead，withmanyroofshalfhiddenbyclumpsoftalloldelmtrees。
　　Otherhousestherewereinthevale；twoorthreecots，towit，ontheslopeofthehitherdown，andsomehalf-dozenaboutthehomestead；andaboveandbeyondallthese，onamoundsomewhatawayfromtheriverandthegrange，agreatsquaretower，withbarriersandbaileyalldightreadyforwar，andwithabanneroftheLord’shangingout。
　　Butbetweenthetowerandtheriverstoodasnowagreatpavilionofsnow-whiteclothstripedwithgoldandpurple；
　　androundaboutitwereothertents，asthoughalittlearmywerecomeintothevale。
　　Sowhentheylookedintothatfairplace，OttertheCaptainroseinthestirrupsandcastuphishandforjoy，andcriedoutaloud：“Now，youngknight，nowwearecomehome：
　　howlikestthoumyLord’sland？”
　　“Itisafairland。”saidRalph；“butistherenotcomesomeonetobidthyLordbattleforit？orwhatmeanthetentsdownyonder？”
　　SaidOtter，laughing：“Nay，nay，ithathnotcometothatyet。
　　YonderismyLord’slady-wife，whohathcometomeethim，butinlove，sotosay，notinbattle——notyet。ThoughI
　　saynotthatthecupoflovebetwixtthembebrim-full。Butthisitbehovethmenottospeakof，thoughthouarttobemybrother-in-arms，sincewearetotilttogetherpresently：
　　forlo！yonderthetilt-yard，mylad。”
　　Therewithhepointedtothebroadgreenmeadow：butRalphsaid：
　　“Howcanstthou，afreeman，bebrother-in-armstoathrall？”
　　“Nay，lad。”quothOtter，“letnotthatwaspstingthee：
　　forevensuchwasI，timewas。Nay，suchamInow，butthatacertainhabitofkeepingmywitsinafraymakethmeofavailtomyLord，sothatIamwelllookedto。
　　ForsoothinmyLord’slandthefreemenareoflittleaccount，sincetheymustoftenestdoasmyLordandmyLord’sthrallsbidthem。Truly，brother，itiswewhohavethewitsandthelucktoriseabovethewhipping-postandtheshacklesthatarethegreatmenhereabouts。Isaywe，forIdeemthatthouwiltdonoless，whereasthouhasttheluckylookinthineeyes。
　　Soletto-daytryit。”
　　Ashespakecamemanyglitteringfiguresfromoutofthosetents，andtherewithalarosethesoundofhornsandclashingofcymbals，andtheirownhornsgavebackthesoundofwelcome。
　　ThenRalphsawamaningoldenarmourofstrange，outlandishfashion，sittingonagreatblackhorsebesidetheLord’slitter；
　　andOttersaid：“Lo！myLord，armedanda-horsebacktomeetmylady：
　　shelookethkinderonhimthus；thoughinthineearbeitsaid，heisnogreatmanofwar；norneedhebe，sincehehathusforhisshieldandhishauberk。”
　　Herewithweretheycomeontothecausewayabovethegreenmeadows，andpresentlydrewreinbeforethepavilion，andstoodaboutinahalf-ringfacingatwoscoreofgailycladmen-at-arms，whohadcomewiththeLadyandaroutoffolkofthehousehold。
　　ThentheLordgatoffhishorse，andstoodinhisgoldenarmour，andallthehornsandothermusicstruckup，andforthfromthepavilioncametheLadywithahalf-scoreofherwomencladgailyinsilkengownsofgreen，andblue，andyellow，broideredallaboutwithgoldandsilver，butwithnakedfeet，andhavingironringsontheirarms，sothatRalphsawthattheywerethralls。
　　Somethingtoldhimthathisdamselshouldbeamongstthese，sohegazedhardonthem，butthoughtheyweregoodlyenoughtherewasnoneofthemliketoher。
　　AstotheQueen，shewascladallinfinelinenandgold，withgoldshoesonherfeet：herarmscamebarefromoutofthelinen：
　　greattheywere，andthehandsnotsmall；butthearmsroundandfair，andthehandsshapely，andallverywhiteandrosy：
　　herhairwasasyellowasanythatcanbeseen，anditwasplenteous，andshedalldownabouther。Hereyeswereblueandsetwideapart，hernosealittlesnubbed，hermouthwide，full-lippedandsmiling。
　　Shewasverytall，afullhalf-headtallerthananyofherwomen：
　　yea，astallasamanwhoisabovethemiddleheightofmen。
　　Nowshecameforwardhastilywithlongstrides，andkneltadownbeforetheLord，butevenasshekneeledlookedroundwithalaughingface。
　　TheLordstoopeddowntoherandtookherbybothhands，andraisedherup，andkissedheronthecheekandhelookedbutlittleandofnopresencebesideher：andhesaid：“Hailtothee，myLady；
　　thouartcomefarfromthinehometomeetme，andIthanktheetherefor。
　　IsitwellwithourHouse？”
　　Shespakeseemingcarelesslyandloud；buthervoicewassomewhathusky：
　　“Yea，myLord，alliswell；fewhavedoneamiss，andtheharvestisplenteous。”AsshespaketheLordlookedwithknitbrowsatthedamselsbehindher，asifhewereseekingsomething；andtheLadyfollowedhiseyes，smilingalittleandflushingasifwithmerriment。
　　ButtheLordwassilentawhile，andthenlethisbrowclearandsaid：
　　“Yea，Lady，thouartthankedforcomingtomeetus；andtimelyisthycoming，sincethereisgameandgleefortheeathand；
　　IhavecheapenedalikelythrallofMorfinntheUnmanned，andheisagifttothee；andhehathgivenoutthatheisnoillplayerwiththespearafterthefashionofthemofthewest；
　　andwearegoingtoprovehiswordhereinthismeadowpresently。”
　　TheLady’sfacegrewglad，andshesaid，lookingtowardtheringofnewcomers：“Yea，Lord，andwhichoftheseishe，ifhebehere？”
　　TheLordturnedalittletopointoutRalph，buteventherewiththeLady’seyesmetRalph’s，whoreddenedforshameofbeingsoshowntoagreatlady；
　　butasforhersheflushedbrightredalloverherfaceandeventoherbosom，andtroublecameintohereyes，andshelookedadown。ButtheLordsaid：
　　“Yonderistheyoungling，theswordlessoneinthegreencoat；alikelylad，ifhehathnotliedabouthisprowess；andhecansingtheeasongwithal，andtellapiteoustaleofold，anddoallthatthosewhoberearedinthelineagesofthewestlandsdeemmeetanddueformenofknightlyblood。
　　Dostthoulikethelooksofhim，lady！wiltthouhavehim？”
　　TheLadystillheldherheaddown，andtormentedthegrasswithherfoot，andmurmuredsomewhat；forshecouldnotcometoherselfagainasyet。
　　SotheLordlookedsharplyonherandsaid：“Well，whenthistiltingisover，thoushalttellmethymindofhim；forifheturnoutadastardIwouldnotasktheetotakehim。”
　　Nowtheladyliftedupherface，andshewasgrownsomewhatpale；
　　butsheforcedherspeechtocome，andsaid：“Itiswell，Lord，butnowcomethouintomypavilion，forthymeatisready，anditlackethbutaminuteorsoofnoon。”Sohetookherhandandledherintothepavilion，andallmengotofftheirhorses，andfelltopitchingthetentsandgettingtheirmeatready；
　　butOtterdrewRalphapartintoanookofthehomestead，andtheretheyatetheirmeattogether。