TheyRidetoBearCastleButwhiletheyspakethusandweremerry，thedawnhadwellnighpassedintodaylight。ThenRalphbadeoldGilessleepforanhour，andwentforthandcalledRogerandRichardandwenttothegreatbarn。
TherehebadethewatchwakeupStephenandallmen，andtheygattohorseasspeedilyastheymight，andwereontheroaderethesunwasfullyup。
Thespearmenofthethorpdidnotfailthem，andnumberedtwentyandthreealltold。GileshadahorsegivenhimandrodethewaybyRalph。
Theyrodeupanddownthehillsanddales，butwentacrosscountryandnotbytheGreenway，forthuswisetheroadwasshorter。
Butwhentheyhadgonesometwoleagues，andwerenighontopofacertainlowgreenridge，theydeemedthattheyheardmen’svoicesanighandtheclashofarms；anditmustbesaidthatbyRalph’sredetheyjourneyedsomewhatsilently。