But the
slain whom they find of the kindreds do they array out yonder before
this Hall. In all wise are these men tame and biddable, save that
they rage against the Dusky Men, though they fear them yet. As for
us, they deem us Gods come down from heaven to help them. So much
for what is good: now have I an ill word to say; to wit, that in the
houses whereas we have found many thralls alive, yet also have we
found many dead; for amongst these murder-carles were some of an evil
sort, who, when they saw that the battle would go against them,
rushed into the houses hewing down all before them--man, woman, and
child; so that many of the halls and chambers we saw running blood
like to shambles. To be short: of them whom they were going to hew
to the Gods, we have found thirteen living and three dead, of which
latter is one woman; and of the living, seven women; and all these,
living and dead, with the leaden shackles yet on them wherein they
should be burned. To all these and others whom we have found, we
have done what of service we could in the way of victual and clothes,
so that they scarce believe that they are on this lower earth.
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