'Forsooth, we were but a few; for when we were gotten into this Vale,
this strip of grass and water in the wilderness, and had told up our
company, we were but two hundred and thirty and five of men and women
and children. For there were an hundred and thirty and three grown
men of all ages, and of women grown seventy and five, and one score
and seven children, whereof I was one; for, as thou mayst deem, it
was easier for grown men with weapons in their hands to escape from
that slaughter than for women and children.
'There sat we in yonder Doom-ring and took counsel, and to some it
seemed good that we should all dwell together in Shadowy Vale, and
beset the skirts of the foemen till the days should better; but
others deemed that there was little avail therein; and there was a
mighty man of the kindred, Stone-wolf by name, a man of middle-age,
and he said, that late in life had he tasted of war, and though the
banquet was made bitter with defeat, yet did the meat seem wholesome
to him. "Come down with me to the Cities of the Plain," said he,
"all you who are stout warriors; and leave we here the old men and
the swains and the women and children.
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