They are already abroad in the
woods, and were it not for the fear of the Wolf they would be thicker
therein, and faring wider; for we have slain many of them, coming
upon them unawares; and they know not where we dwell, nor who we be:
so they fear to spread about over-much and pry into unknown places
lest the Wolf howl on them. Yet beware! for they will gather in
numbers that we may not meet, and then will they swarm into the Dale;
and if ye would live your happy life that ye love so well, ye must
now fight for it; and in that battle must ye needs join yourselves to
us, that we may help each other. Herein have ye nought to choose,
for now with you it is no longer a thing to talk of whether ye will
help certain strangers and guests and thereby win some gain to
yourselves, but whether ye have the hearts to fight for yourselves,
and the wits to be the fellows of tall men and stout warriors who
have pledged their lives to win or die for it.'
She was silent a little and then turned and looked fondly on Face-of-
god and said:
'Therefore, Gold-mane, we need thee no longer; for thou must needs
fight in our battle.
Pages:
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211