and the towers of earth and timber which he let build thereon were scarce manned so well as they should have been, because there was so much of them, the East Cheapers did not leave them wholly in quiet, but fell on oft and hard, and slew the Baron many men and did him much scathe. And men in the town were in good heart, and said one to the other, that if things went no worse than this they might hold out merrily till winter should break upon the leaguer. But in the last of these skirmishes Osberne was hurt sorely, and though he was brought off by his fellows, and lost not Board-cleaver, as well-nigh betid, he must needs keep his bed somewhat more than a full month ere he was well healed.
But on a day in September, when he was much amended and was growing strong again, came to him Stephen, whom he had not seen for some days, and seeing that there was no man in the chamber save they two, spake to him and said: Captain, I would have a word with thee if I might. Said Osberne: Speech is free to thee, Stephen. And the Eater said: I have been out-a-gates of late, for I deemed that if I might find adventures it would be for thy health. Said Osberne, laughing: Yet maybe not for thine, Stephen. I were loth to come to Wethermel without thee. Said Stephen: At this rate it may be long ere we come to Wethermel. I would we might hasten the home-coming, said Osberne, knitting his brows, but I wot not how that may
