So flee if they pursue, for ye shall have us to flee to. Now be ye
wary, nor let the curse of the Wolf and the Face lie on your
slothfulness.'
Wood-wise did but nod his head and lift his hand to his fellows, who
set off after him down the slope without more tarrying. They went
very warily, as if they were hunting a quarry which would flee from
them; and they crept amongst the grass and stones from bush to bush
like serpents, and so, unseen by the Dusky Men, who indeed were
busied over their own matters, they came to the fringe of bushes
above the broken ground aforesaid, and there they took their stand,
and before them below those steep banks was but the space at the back
of the houses. As to the houses, as aforesaid, they were not so high
as elsewhere about the Market-place; and at the end of a long low
hall there was a gap between its gable and the next house, whereby
they had a clear sight of the Place about the god's altar and the
banners, and the great hall of Silver-dale, with the double stair
that went up to the door thereof.
There then they made them ready, and Wood-wise set men to watch that
none should come sidelong on them unawares; their bows were bent and
their quivers open, and they were eager for the fray.
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