Thus arrayed he left Burgstead
before the dawn, and came to Wildlake's Way and betook him to the
Woodland. He made no stop or stay on the path, but ate his meat
standing by an oak-tree close by the half-blind track. When he came
to the little wood-lawn, where was the toft of the ancient house, he
looked all round about him, for he deemed that a likely place for
those ugly wood-wights to set on him; but nought befell him, though
he stooped and drank of the woodland rill warily enough. So he
passed on; and there were other places also where he fared warily,
because they seemed like to hold lurking felons; though forsooth the
whole wood might well serve their turn. But no evil befell him, and
at last, when it yet lacked an hour to sunset, he came to the wood-
lawn where Wild-wearer had made his onset that other eve.
He went straight up to the house, his heart beating, and he scarce
believing but that he should find the Friend abiding him there: but
when he pushed the door it gave way before him at once, and he
entered and found no man therein, and the walls stripped bare and no
shield or weapon hanging on the panels.
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