For indeed they deemed that they could
see that these men would never return to Carlstead, but would abide
with the Men of the Wolf in Silver-dale, once it were won. And this
they deemed but meet and right, yet were they sorry thereof; for the
Woodlanders were well beloved of all the Dalesmen; and now that they
had gotten to know that they were come of so noble a kindred, they
were better beloved yet, and more looked upon.
CHAPTER XL. OF THE HOSTING IN SHADOWY VALE
It was on the evening of the fourth day after the Folk-mote that
there came through the Waste to the rocky edge of Shadowy Vale a band
of some fifteen score of men-at-arms, and with them a multitude of
women and children and old men, some afoot, some riding on asses and
bullocks; and with them were sumpter asses and neat laden with
household goods, and a few goats and kine. And this was the whole
folk of the Woodlanders come to the Hosting in Shadowy Vale and the
Home of the Children of the Wolf. Their leaders of the way were
Wood-father and Wood-wont and two other carles of Shadowy Vale; and
Red-wolf the tall, and Bears-bane and War-grove were the captains and
chieftains of their company.
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