But presently the space betwixt the Woodlanders and the men of the
Face was clear of all but the dead, so that friend saw the face of
friend; and it could be seen that the warriors of the Face were ruddy
and smiling for joy, because the battle had been easy to them, and
but few of them had fallen; for the Dusky Men who had left the
Market-stead to fall on them, had had room for fleeing behind them,
and had speedily turned their backs before the spear-casting of the
men of the Face and the onrush of the swordsmen.
There then stood these victorious men facing one another, and the
banner-bearers on either side came through the throng, and brought
the banners together between the two hosts; and the Wolf kissed the
Face, and the Sickle and the Vine met the Steer and the Bridge and
the Bull: but the Shepherds were yet chasing the fleers.
There in the forefront stood Hall-face the tall, with the joy of
battle in his eyes. And Stone-face, the wise carle in war, stood
solemn and stark beside him; and there was the goodly body and the
fair and kindly visage of the Alderman smiling on the faces of his
friends.
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