Thus all things throve in Silver-dale, and the days wore on toward
the summer, and the Yule-tide rest beyond it, and the years beyond
and far beyond the winning of Silver-dale.
CHAPTER LIII. OF THE WORD WHICH HALL-WARD OF THE STEER HAD FOR FOLK-
MIGHT
But of the time then passing, it is to be said that the whole host
abode in Silver-dale in great mirth and good liking, till they should
hear tidings of Dallach and his company, who had followed hot-foot on
the fleers of the Dusky Men. And on the tenth day after the battle,
Iron-face and his two sons and Stone-face were sitting about sunset
under a great oak-tree by that stream-side which ran through the
Mote-stead; there also was Folk-might, somewhat distraught because of
his love for the Bride, who was now mending of her hurts. As they
sat there in all content they saw folk coming toward them, three in
number, and as they drew nigher they saw that it was old Hall-ward of
the Steer, and the Sun-beam and Bow-may following him hand in hand.
When they came to the brook Bow-may ran up to the elder to help him
over the stepping-stones; which she did as one who loved him, as the
old man was stark enough to have waded the water waist-deep.
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