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hawser was cast off and the boats fell to tugging the big ship
toward the harbour…mouth with hale and how of men。 Then the sail
fell down from the yard and was sheeted home and filled with the
fair wind as the ship's bows ran up on the first green wave outside
the haven。 Even therewith the shipmen cast abroad a banner； whereon
was done in a green field a grim wolf ramping up against a maiden；
and so went the ship upon her way。
Walter stood awhile staring at her empty place where the waves ran
into the haven…mouth； and then turned aside and toward the
Katherine； and at first he was minded to go ask shipmaster Geoffrey
of what he knew concerning the said ship and her alien wayfarers；
but then it came into his mind； that all this was but an imagination
or dream of the day； and that he were best to leave it untold to
any。 So therewith he went his way from the water…side； and through
the streets unto his father's house； but when he was but a little
way thence； and the door was before him； him…seemed for a moment of
time that he beheld those three coming out down the steps of stone
and into the street； to wit the dwarf； the maiden； and the stately
lady： but when he stood still to abide their coming； and looked
toward them； lo！ there was nothing before him save the goodly house
of Bartholomew Golden； and three children and a cur dog playing
about the steps thereof； and about him were four or five passers…by
going about their business。 Then was he all confused in his mind；
and knew not what to make of it； whether those whom he had seemed to
see pass aboard ship were but images of a dream； or children of Adam
in very flesh。
Howsoever； he entered the house； and found his father in the
chamber； and fell to speech with him about their matters； but for
all that he loved his father； and worshipped him as a wise and
valiant man； yet at that hour he might not hearken the words of his
mouth； so much was his mind entangled in the thought of those three；
and they were ever before his eyes； as if they had been painted on a
table by the best of limners。 And of the two women he thought
exceeding much； and cast no wyte upon himself for running after the
desire of strange women。 For he said to himself that he desired not
either of the twain； nay； he might not tell which of the twain； the
maiden or the stately queen； were clearest to his eyes； but sore he
desired to see both of them again； and to know what they were。
So wore the hours till the Wednesday morning； and it was time that
he should bid farewell to his father and get aboard ship； but his
father led him down to the quays and on to the Katherine； and there
Walter embraced him； not without tears and forebodings； for his
heart was full。 Then presently the old man went aland； the gangway
was unshipped； the hawsers cast off； the oars of the towing…boats
splashed in the dark water； the sail fell down from the yard； and
was sheeted home； and out plunged the Katherine into the misty sea
and rolled up the grey slopes； casting abroad her ancient withal；
whereon was beaten the token of Bartholomew Golden； to wit a B and a
G to the right and the left； and thereabove a cross and a triangle
rising from the midst。
Walter stood on the stern and beheld； yet more with the mind of him
than with his eyes； for it all seemed but the double of what the
other ship had done； and the thought of it as if the twain were as
beads strung on one string and led away by it into the same place；
and thence to go in the like order； and so on again and again； and
never to draw nigher to each other。
CHAPTER III： WALTER HEARETH TIDINGS OF THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER
Fast sailed the Katherine over the seas； and nought befell to tell
of； either to herself or her crew。 She came to one cheaping…town
and then to another； and so on to a third and a fourth； and at each
was buying and selling after the manner of chapmen； and Walter not
only looked on the doings of his father's folk； but lent a hand；
what he might； to help them in all matters； whether it were in
seaman's craft； or in chaffer。 And the further he went and the
longer the time wore； the more he was eased of his old trouble
wherein his wife and her treason had to do。
But as for the other trouble； to wit his desire and longing to come
up with those three； it yet flickered before him； and though he had
not seen them again as one sees people in the streets； and as if he
might touch them if he would； yet were their images often before his
mind's eye； and yet； as time wore； not so often； nor so troublously；
and forsooth both to those about him and to himself； he seemed as a
man well healed of his melancholy mood。
Now they left that fourth stead； and sailed over the seas and came
to a fifth； a very great and fair city； which they had made more
than seven months from Langton on Holm； and by this time was Walter
taking heed and joyance in such things as were toward in that fair
city； so far from his kindred； and especially he looked on the fair
women there； and desired them； and loved them； but lightly； as
befalleth young men。
Now this was the last country whereto the Katherine was boun； so
there they abode some ten months in daily chaffer； and in pleasuring
them in beholding all that there was of rare and goodly； and making
merry with the merchants and the towns…folk； and the country…folk
beyond the gates； and Walter was grown as busy and gay as a strong
young man is like to be； and was as one who would fain be of some
account amongst his own folk。
But at the end of this while； it befell on a day； as he was leaving
his hostel for his booth in the market； and had the door in his
hand； there stood before him three mariners in the guise of his own
country； and with them was one of clerkly aspect； whom he knew at
once for his father's scrivener； Arnold Penstrong by name； and when
Walter saw him his heart failed him and he cried out： 〃Arnold； what
tidings？ Is all well with the folk at Langton？〃
Said Arnold： 〃Evil tidings are come with me； matters are ill with
thy folk； for I may not hide that thy father； Bartholomew Golden； is
dead； God rest his soul。〃
At that word it was to Walter as if all that trouble which but now
had sat so light upon him； was once again fresh and heavy； and that
his past life of the last few months had never been； and it was to
him as if he saw his father lying dead on his bed； and heard the
folk lamenting about the house。 He held his peace awhile； and then
he said in a voice as of an angry man：
〃What； Arnold！ and did he die in his bed； or how？ for he was neither
old nor ailing when we parted。〃
Said Arnold： 〃Yea； in his bed he died： but first he was somewhat
sword…bitten。〃
〃Yea； and how？〃 quoth Walter。
Said Arnold： 〃When thou wert gone； in a few days' wearing； thy
father sent thy wife out of his house back to her kindred of the
Reddings with no honour； and yet with no such shame as might have
been； without blame to us of those who knew the tale of thee and
her； which； God…a…mercy； will be pretty much the whole of the city。〃
〃Nevertheless； the Reddings took it amiss； and would have a mote
with us Goldings