It irked me to see
Dallach when he first fell to his meat last night, how he ate like a
dog for fear and famine. How shall it be, moreover, when we have
them in the Dale, and they fall to the deed of kind there, as they
needs must. Will they not bear us evil and thrall-like men?'
'Maybe,' said Stone-face, 'and maybe not; for they have been thralls
but for a little while: and I deem that in no long time shall ye see
them much bettered by plenteous meat and rest. And after all is
said, this Dallach bore him like a valiant man; also it was valiant
of him to flee; and of the others may ye say the like. But look you!
there are men going down yonder towards our lair: belike those shall
be our guests, and there be no Dusky Men amongst them. Come, let us
home!'
So Face-of-god looked and beheld from the height of the burg shapes
of men grey and colourless creeping toward the lair from sunshine to
shadow, like wild creatures shy and fearful of the hunter, or so he
deemed of them.
So he turned away, angry and sad of heart, and the twain went down
the burg and across the water to their camp, having seen little to
tell of from the height.
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