Filemon chuckled. "There is a variation to the trick, wherein we pretend to be three incompetent lunatics and purposely let Mikelaus fall, though pretending to catch him, but failing through one or another of our comic antics."
"Dasa miago lou-lou. Yi. Tinka."
"Just so!" said Filemon. "And the soup is now prepared to Dame Corcas" exacting standards. I serve you with our compliments! Eat hearty, one and all! Even you, Mikelaus; for once in your penurious little life, you shall sup your fill!"
"Arum."
After the meal, Madouc and Sir Pom-Pom prepared to continue on their way. Filemon called in a cheery voice: "If we may, we will go in your company, and thus enliven the journey!"
"Of course we shall!" said Dame Corcas definitely. "It would be sad indeed if we were to part company now, after such a jolly time together."
"Then it is so decided, by popular vote!" declared Filemon.
"We shall go as a little group of boon companions," declared Dame Corcas. "Even though you two ride fine horses while we must walk-or in the case of poor raggle-taggle little Mikelaus, scurry and lope. Be brave, good Mikelaus! Someday the world will turn right for you, and give you a fine reward for all your generous deeds."
"Yi arum bosko."
The group set off down the lane: Sir Pom-Pom riding first on gray Fustis, with Madouc next on Juno, at a gait sufficiently easy that Filemon and Dame Corcas, trudging behind, had no difficulty in keeping pace, and even Mikelaus, by dint of first running at full speed, then halting to catch his breath, remained only a few yards behind.
The lane wound up hill and down dale: between hedges of hawthorn or low fences of mossy fieldstone; past vineyards and orchards, fields of barley and water-meadows sprinkled with flowers; into the shade of small forests, then once more out into the open sunlight.
All at once, after two hours of travel, Dame Corcas gave a choking cry and, clutching her chest, fell to her knees, where she remained, sobbing under her breath. Filemon instantly went to tend her. "My dear Corcas, what is it this time? Another of your attacks?"
Dame Corcas at last managed to speak. "I fear as much. Luckily, it does not seem truly severe, and I do not need my potion. Still, for a period I am obliged to rest. You and dear Mikelaus must go on to Biddle Bray without me, and make arrangements for the gala. When I am better I will creep on alone at my own pace, and eventually, if the Fates are kind, I will arrive in time to do my stint at the performance."
"Unthinkable!" declared Filemon staunchly. "Surely there is a better solution to the problem! Let us take the advice of our friends." He addressed Sir Pom-Pom. "What is your opinion?"
"I would not wish to offer advice."
Filemon struck his fist into the palm of his hand. "I have it!" He turned to Madouc. "Perhaps you, in your kindness, might allow Dame Corcas to ride in your place onward to Biddle Bray, which lies along the road at no great distance."
"It would be most companionable and loyal," cried Dame Corcas fervently. "I fear that otherwise I might just lie here in the road all night, until my strength returns."
Madouc glumly dismounted. "I suppose it will do me no great harm to walk for a bit."
"I thank you, from the bottom of my heart!" cried Dame Corcas. With surprising agility she stepped to Juno"s side and swung herself into the saddle. "Ah! I feel better already! Filemon, shall we sing a brave little song, to bolster our spirits?"
"Of course, my dear! What shall it be?"
" "The Song of the Three Merry Vagabonds", of course."
"Very good." Filemon clapped his hands to establish the cadence; then, in his gustful baritone mingled with Dame Corcas"
piping soprano, the song was rendered:
Our wants are many, our farthings few; And oft we sleep in the rain and dew!
Our evening meal is a turnip stew; In spite of all we"re a jolly crew!
Refrain (as sung by Mikelaus): Sigmo chaska yi yi yi Varmous varmous oglethorpe.
Our argosies ride distant tides; Out there somewhere our fortune hides.
Though pain seems what our life provides Our dauntless doctrine still abides!
Refrain (as sung by Mikelaus): Poxin mowgar yi yi yi Vilish hoy kazinga.
The land is broad, the sky is vast!
We travel far, but not too fast.
The dogs bark loud as we walk past; At night the owls fly off aghast.
Refrain (sung by Mikelaus): Varmous toigal yi yi yi Tinkish wombat nip.
So went the ballad for sixteen more verses, with Mikelaus in each case croaking a refrain from the road behind.
Other songs were sung, with such gusto that Madouc at last called up to Dame Corcas: "You seem to have recovered your strength."
"To some extent, my dear! But it is verging into the afternoon, and now I must take my potion to prevent a new attack.
I believe that I have the packet ready to hand." Dame Corcas searched her pouch, then gave a cry of consternation. "This is a dreadful discovery!"
"What now, my dear?" cried Filernon.
"I left my potion at the spot where we made our meal! I remember distinctly tucking the packet into the crotch of the elm tree."
"That is most inconvenient! You must have your potion, if you are to survive the night!"
"There is only one solution!" said Dame Corcas decisively.
"I will ride back at speed for the potion. Meanwhile, you must continue to the old hut where once before we pa.s.sed the night; it lies only a mile or so ahead. You may prepare us all nice beds of straw, and I will be back with you surely before the sun sets."
"It seems the only way," said Filemon. "Ride at best speed; still, do not founder the horse, gallant beast though it may be!"
"I know how to get the most out of such an animal," said Dame Corcas. "I will see you anon!" She turned back down the road, and kicked up Juno first into a trot, then into a warbling gallop, and soon disappeared from view, while Madouc and Sir Pom-Pom watched nonplussed.
"Come then," said Filemon. "As Dame Corcas mentioned, there is a deserted hut a short distance ahead, which will provide us a kindly shelter for the night."
The group continued, with Sir Pom-Pom, on Fustis, leading the way. Twenty minutes later they came upon a desolate old crofter"s hut, situated a few yards off the road in the shade of two sprawling oak trees.
"Here we are," said Filemon. "It is not a palace, but it is better than nothing, and clean straw is to be had in the rick."
He turned to Mikelaus who had been trying to engage his attention. "What is it now, Mikelaus?"
"Fidix. Waskin. Bolosio."
Filemon stared down at him in shock. "Can it be true?"
"Arum. Fooner."
"I cannot recall the act! Still I will search my wallet." Almost at once Filemon discovered a packet tied in black cord. "Mikelaus, you are right! I absent-mindedly took up Dame Corcas" potion and dropped it into my pouch! And now the poor creature will be in a dreadful state! She will never give up her search while the light persists, and the worry may bring on a severe attack; you will recall that episode at Cwimbry."
"Arum."