CHAPTER IV. FACE-OF-GOD FARETH TO THE WOOD AGAIN
When it was the earliest morning and dawn was but just beginning,
Face-of-god awoke and rose up from his bed, and came forth into the
hall naked in his shirt, and stood by the hearth, wherein the piled-
up embers were yet red, and looked about and could see nothing
stirring in the dimness: then he fetched water and washed the night-
tide off him, and clad himself in haste, and was even as he was
yesterday, save that he left his bow and quiver in their place and
took instead a short casting-spear; moreover he took a leathern scrip
and went therewith to the buttery, and set therein bread and flesh
and a little gilded beaker; and all this he did with but little
noise; for he would not be questioned, lest he should have to answer
himself as well as others.
Thus he went quietly out of doors, for the door was but latched,
since no bolts or bars or locks were used in Burgstead, and through
the town-gate, which stood open, save when rumours of war were about.
He turned his face straight towards Wildlake's Way, walking briskly,
but at whiles looking back over his shoulder toward the East to note
what way was made by the dawning, and how the sky lightened above the
mountain passes.
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