On the other side went Wood-wont and Wood-wise, lightly
clad but weaponed. Wood-mother was riding in an ox-wain just behind
them, and Wood-father went beside her bearing an axe. Scattered all
about them were the men of the Steer, gaily clad, bearing weapons, so
that the oak-wood was bright with them, and the glades merry with
their talk and singing and laughter, and before them down the glades
went the banner of the Steer, and the White Beast led them the
nearest way to Burgdale.
CHAPTER LVII. HOW THE HOST CAME HOME AGAIN
It was fourteen days before they came to Rose-dale; for they had much
baggage with them, and they had no mind to weary themselves, and the
wood was nothing loathsome to them, whereas the weather was fair and
bright for the more part. They fell in with no mishap by the way.
But a score and three of runaways joined themselves to the Host,
having watched their goings and wotting that they were not foemen.
Of these, some had heard of the overthrow of the Dusky Men in Silver-
dale, and others not. The Burgdalers received them all, for it
seemed to them no great matter for a score or so of new-comers to the
Dale.
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