It was the day before yesterday, that is
the day when thou departedst into the woods on that adventure whereof
thou shalt one day tell me more, wilt thou not?'
'Yea, in good time,' said Face-of-god.
'Well,' quoth Hall-face, 'we went into the woods that day and in the
morning, but after sunrise, to the number of a score: we looked to
meet a bear and a she-bear with cubs in a certain place; for one of
the Woodlanders, a keen hunter, had told us of their lair. Also we
were wishful to slay some of the wild-swine, the yearlings, if we
might. Therefore, though we had no helms or shields or coats of
fence, we had bowshot a plenty, and good store of casting-weapons,
besides our wood-knives and an axe or so; and some of us, of whom I
was one, bore our battle-swords, as we are wont ever to do, be the
foe beast or man.
'Thus armed we went up Wildlake's Way and came to Carlstead, where
half-a-score Woodlanders joined themselves to us, so that we became a
band. We went up the half-cleared places past Carlstead for a mile,
and then turned east into the wood, and went I know not how far, for
the Woodlanders led us by crooked paths, but two hours wore away in
our going, till we came to the place where they looked to find the
bears.
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