But the dead were Iron-shield aforesaid, and Wool-sark, and the
Hewer, a Woodlander.
'So came we sadly at eventide to Burgstead with the two dead
Burgdalers, and the captive felons, and the wounded of us that might
go afoot; and ye may judge that they of Burgdale and our father
deemed these tidings great enough, and wotted not what next should
befall. Stone-face would have had those two felons slain there and
then; for no true tale could we get out of them, nor indeed any word
at all. But the Alderman would not have it so; and he deemed they
might serve our turn as hostages if any of our folk should be taken:
for one and all we deemed, and still deem, that war is on us and that
new folk have gathered on our skirts.
'So the captives were shut up in the red out-bower of our house; and
our father was minded that thou mightest tell us somewhat of them
when thou wert come home. But about dusk to-day the word went that
they had broken out and gotten them weapons and fled up the Dale; and
so it was.
'But to-morrow morning will a Gate-thing be holden, and there it will
be looked for of thee that thou tell us a true tale of thy goings.
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