There were men of the Shepherds also
with such fleeces as they could spare from the daily chaffer with the
neighbours. And of the Woodlanders were four carles and a woman with
peltries and dressed deer-skins, and a few pieces of well-carven
wood-work for bedsteads and chairs and such like.
Soon was the Burg thronged with folk in all its open places, and all
were eager and merry, and it could not have been told from their
demeanour and countenance that the shadow of a grievous trouble hung
over them. True it was that every man of the Dale and the neighbours
was girt with his sword, or bore spear or axe or other weapon in his
hand, and that most had their bucklers at their backs and their helms
on their heads; but this was ever their custom at all meetings of
men, not because they dreaded war or were fain of strife, but in
token that they were free men, from whom none should take the weapons
without battle.
Such were the folk of the land: as for the chapmen, they were well-
spoken and courteous, and blithe with the folk, as they well might
be, for they had good pennyworths of them; yet they dealt with them
without using measureless lying, as behoved folk dealing with simple
and proud people; and many was the tale they told of the tidings of
the Cities and the Plain.
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