On the morrow they arose betimes, and broke their fast and went their
ways till noon: by then the wood had thinned somewhat, and there was
little underwood betwixt the scrubby oak and ash which were pretty
nigh all the trees about: the ground also was broken, and here and
there rocky, and they went into and out of rough little dales, most
of which had in them a brook of water running west and southwest; and
now Face-of-god led his men somewhat more easterly; and still for
some while they met no man.
At last, about four hours after noon, when they were going less
warily, because they had hitherto come across nothing to hinder them,
rising over the brow of a somewhat steep ridge, they saw down in the
valley below them a half score of men sitting by the brook-side
eating and drinking, their weapons lying beside them, and along with
them stood a woman with her hands tied behind her back.
They saw at once that these men were of the Felons, so they that had
their bows bent, loosed at them without more ado, while the others
ran in upon them with sword and spear. The felons leapt up and ran
scattering down the dale, such of them as were not smitten by the
shafts; but he who was nighest to the woman, ere he ran, turned and
caught up a sword from the ground and thrust it through her, and the
next moment fell across the brook with an arrow in his back.
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