But though they have slain many,
they have not slain all, and the remnant have fled by divers ways
westaway, that they may gain the wood and the ways to Rose-dale; and
the stoutest of the thralls are at their heels, and ever as they go
fresh men from the fields join in the chase with great joy. I have
gathered together of the best of them two hundreds and a half well-
armed; and if thou wilt give me leave, I will get to me yet more, and
follow hard on the fleers, and so get me home to Rose-dale; for
thither will these runaways to meet whatso of their kind may be left
there. Also I would fain be there to set some order amongst the poor
folk of mine own people, whom this day's work hath delivered from
torment. And if thou wilt suffer a few men of the Dalesmen to come
along with me, then shall all things be better done there.'
'Luck go with thine hands!' said Face-of-god. 'Take whomso thou wilt
of the Burgdalers that have a mind to fare with thee to the number of
five score; and send word of thy thriving to Folk-might, the
chieftain of the Dale; as for us, meseemeth that we shall abide here
no long while.
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