ButtherewiththeSagedrewuptothemandsaid：“Benotdismayed，LordRalph。WhatwertthougoingtosaytotheChampionswhenthiscarlebrakein？”
“This。”saidRalph，“thatIthankedtheDryTreeheartilyforitsgift，butthatmeseemeditnaughtwisetoleavethisstrongholddisgarnishedofmentillIcancomeorsendbackfromUpmeads。”
Stephen’sfaceclearedattheword，andhesaid：“Ibidtheebelieveit，lord，thatthereisnotreasoninourCaptain’sheart；
andthatiftherewereIwouldfightagainsthimandhismenonthybehalf。”AndRoger，thoughinasomewhatsurlyvoice，saidthelike。
Ralphthoughtalittle，andthenhesaid：“Itiswell；gowedownandoutofgatestomeetthem，thatwemaythesoonergetonourwaytoUpmeads。”