As to the ransacking and cowing
of Harts-bane, I say that I am sackless therein, because the man is
but a ruffler and a man of violence, and hath cowed many men of the
Dale; and if he gainsay me, then do I call him to the Holm after this
war is over; either him or any man who will take his place before my
sword.'
Then he held his peace, and man spake to man, and a murmur arose, as
they said for the more part that it was a fair and manly offer. But
Bristler called his fellows and Penny-thumb to him, and they spake
together; and sometimes Penny-thumb's shrill squeak was heard above
the deep-voiced talk of the others; for he was a man that harboured
malice. But at last Bristler spake out and said:
'Tall man, we know that thou art a chieftain and of good will to the
men of the Dale and their friends, and that want drave thee to the
ransacking, and need to the manslaying, and neither the living nor
the dead to whom thou art guilty are to be called good men; therefore
will I bring the matter to purse, if thou wilt handsel me self-doom.'
'Yea, even so let it be,' quoth Folk-might; and stepped forward and
took Bristler by the hand, and handselled him self-doom.
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