'
Men shouted again, and they said that Red-coat had spoken well. Then
one after other the goodmen of the Dale came and gave their word for
fellowship in arms with the Men of Shadowy Vale, if there were such
as Face-of-god had said, which they doubted not; and amongst them
that spake were Fox of Nethertown, and Warwell, and Gritgarth, and
Bearswain, and Warcliff, and Hart of Highcliff, and Worm of
Willowholm, and Bullsbane, and Highneb of the Marsh: all these were
stout men-at-arms and men of good counsel.
Last of all the Alderman spake and said:
'As to the war, that must we needs meet if all be sooth that we have
heard, and I doubt it not.
'Now therefore let us look to it like wise men while time yet serves.
Ye shall know that the muster of the Dalesmen will bring under shield
eight long hundreds of men well-armed, and of the Shepherd-Folk four
hundreds, and of the Woodlanders two hundreds; and this is a goodly
host if it be well ordered and wisely led. Now am I your Alderman
and your Doomster, and I can heave up a sword as well as another
maybe, nor do I think that I shall blench in the battle; yet I
misdoubt me that I am no leader or orderer of men-of-war: therefore
ye will do wisely to choose a wiser man-at-arms than I be for your
War-leader; and if at the Great Folk-mote, when all the Houses and
Kindreds are gathered, men yeasay your choosing, then let him abide;
but if they naysay it, let him give place to another.
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