And all men knew Penny-thumb, who had been
ransacked last autumn. As he came forth, it seemed as if his
neighbours had been trying to hold him back; but a stout, broad-
shouldered man, black-haired and red-bearded, made way for the old
man, and led him out of the throng, and stood by him; and this man
was well armed at all points, and looked a doughty carle. He stood
side by side with Penny-thumb, right in front of the men of his
house, and looked about him at first somewhat uneasily, as though he
were ashamed of his fellow; but though many smiled, none laughed
aloud; and they forbore, partly because they knew the man to be a
good man, partly because of the solemn tide of the Folk-mote, and
partly in sooth because they wished all this to be over, and were as
men who had no time for empty mirth.
Then said the Alderman: 'What wouldest thou, Penny-thumb, and thou,
Bristler, son of Brightling?'
Then Penny-thumb began to speak in a high squeaky voice:
'Alderman, and Lord of the Folk!' But therewithal Bristle, pulled
him back, and said:
'I am the man who hath taken this quarrel upon me, and have sworn
upon the Holy Boar to carry this feud through; and we deem, Alderman,
that if they who slew Rusty and ransacked Penny-thumb be not known
now, yet they soon may be.
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