Man would say
to man: We were over many in Silver-dale, and we needed more
thralls, because those we had were lessening, and especially the
women; now are we more at ease in Rose-dale, though we have sent
thralls to Silver-dale; but yet we can bear no more men from thence
to eat up our stock from us: let them fare south to the happy dales,
and conquer them, and we will go with them and help therein, whether
we come back to Rose-dale or no. Such talk did I hear then with mine
own ears: but some of those whom I shall bring to you to-morrow
shall know better what is doing, since they have fled from Rose-dale
but a few days. Moreover, there is a man and a woman who have fled
from Silver-dale itself, and are but a month from it, journeying all
the time save when they must needs hide; and these say that their
masters have got to know the way to Burgdale, and are minded for it
before the winter, as I said; and nought else but the ways thither do
they desire to know, since they have no fear.'
By then was night come, and though the moon was high in heaven, and
lighted all that waste, the Burgdalers must needs light a fire for
cooking their meat, whatsoever that woodsman might say; moreover, the
night was cold and somewhat frosty.
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