But ye be welcome; so now let us to the road, for the day weareth."
So the tribesmen gat them into order, and their Duke went on the left
side of Ralph, while Ursula rode on his right hand. The Duke and all
his men were afoot, but they went easily and swiftly, as wolves trot.
As for the slain of the waylayers, of whom there were some threescore,
the Bull captain would do nought but let them lie on the road.
"For," said he, "there be wolves and lynxes enough in the wood,
and the ravens of the uplands, and the kites shall soon scent the carrion.
They shall have burial soon enough. Neither will we meddle with it;
nay, not so much as to hang the felon King's head at thy saddle-bow, lord."
By sunset they were out of the wood and on the side of a rough fell,
so they went no further, but lighted fires at the edge of the thicket,
and made merry round about them, singing their songs concerning the deeds
of their folk, and jesting withal, but not foully; and they roasted
venison of hart and hind at the fires, and they had with them wine,
the more part whereof they had found in the slain King's carriages,
and they made great feast to the wayfarers, and were exceeding fain
of them; after their fashion, whereas if a man were their friend
he could scarce be enough their friend, and if he were their foe,
they could never be fierce enough with him.
CHAPTER 11
They Come Through the Mountains Into the Plain
On the morrow early they all fared on together, and thereafter
they went for two days more till they came into a valley
amidst of the mountains which was fair and lovely, and therein
was the dwelling or town of this Folk of the Fells.
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