And Giles said: "It is not to be doubted but that Martha hath sent round
the war-brand, and thou wilt presently have an host that will meet thy foemen
without delay; and what there lacks in number shall be made good by thy luck,
which once again was shown by our falling in with that company e'en now."
"Yea truly," said Ralph, "but wilt thou now tell me how I shall guide
myself amongst thy folk, and if they will grant me the aid I ask?"
"Look, look," said Giles, "already some one hath made clear thine asking
to our folk; and hearken! up there they are naming the ancient Father of
our Race, without whom we may do nought, even with the blessed saints to aid.
There then is thine answer, lord."
Indeed as he spoke came down on the wind the voice of a chant,
sung by many folk, the words whereof he well remembered:
SMITE ASIDE AXE, O BEAR-FATHER. And therewith rose up into
the air a column of smoke intermingled with fire from each
of the four corners of that stronghold of the Ancient Folk.
Ralph rejoiced when he saw it, and the heart rose within him
and fluttered in his bosom, and Ursula, who rode close behind him,
looked up into his face well pleased and happy.
Thus rode they up the bent and over the turf bridge into
the plain of the garth, and whatso of people were there
flocked about to behold the new-come warriors; sooth to say,
there were but some two hundreds, who looked but few indeed in
the great square place, but more were streaming in every minute.
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