But not so fast could they flee but he
was presently amidst them, smiting down all about him, and they so
terror-stricken that scarce might they raise a hand against him. All
that blended host followed him mad with wrath and victory, and as
they pressed on, they heard behind them the horns and war-cries of
the Shepherds falling on from the east. Nought they heeded that now,
but drave on a fearful storm of war, and terrible was the slaughter
of the Felons.
It was but a few minutes ere they had driven them up against that
great stack of faggots that had been dight for the burnt-offering of
men, and many of the felons had mounted up on to it, and now in their
anguish of fear were shooting arrows and casting spears on all about
them, heeding little if they were friend or foe. Now were the men of
the kindreds at point to climb this twiggen burg; but by this time
the fury of Face-of-god had run clear, and he knew where he was and
what he was doing; so he stayed his folk, and cried out to them:
'Forbear, climb not! let the torch help the sword!' And therewith he
looked about and saw the fire-pot which had been set down there for
the kindling of the bale-fire, and the coals were yet red in it; so
he snatched up a dry brand and lighted it thereat, and so did divers
others, and they thrust them among the faggots, and the fire caught
at once, and the tongues of flame began to leap from faggot to faggot
till all was in a light low; for the wood had been laid for that very
end, and smeared with grease and oil so that the burning to the god
might be speedy.
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