Then all the noise and clamour fell, and it was to men as if they who
had come thither a folk, had now become an host of war.
But once again the Alderman rose up and spake:
'Now have ye yeasaid three things: That we take Face-of-god of the
House of the Face for our War-leader; that we fare under weapons at
once against them who would murder us; and that we take the valiant
Folk of the Wolf for our fellows in arms.'
Therewith he stayed his speech, and this time the shout arose clear
and most mighty, with the tossing up of swords and the clashing of
weapons on shields.
Then he said: 'Now, if any man will speak, here is the War-leader,
and here is the chief of our new friends, to answer to whatso any of
the kindred would have answered.'
Thereon came forth the Fiddle from amongst the Men of the Sickle, and
drew somewhat nigh to the Alderman, and said:
'Alderman, we would ask of the War-leader if he hath devised the
manner of our assembling, and the way of our war-faring, and the day
of our hosting. More than this I will not ask of him, because we wot
that in so great an assembly it may be that the foe may have some spy
of whom we wot not; and though this be not likely, yet some folk may
babble; therefore it is best for the wise to be wise everywhere and
always.
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