,*APT] #b 
,OTT] ,& ,HIS ,FOLK ,COME ,9TO ,MID-,M>K 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,OTT] & HIS FOLK RODE !IR WAYS ALONG ,MIRKWOOD-WAT]1 & MADE NO /AY1 EXCEPT N[ & AGA9 TO BREA! !IR HORSES1 TILL !Y CAME TO ,BATTLE=D 9 ! E>LY MORN+2 !RE !Y BAIT$ !IR HORSES1 = ! GRASS WAS GOOD 9 ! MEAD[1 & ! WAT] EASY TO COME AT4  

,SO AFT] !Y HAD RE/$ !RE A %ORT H\R1 & HAD EAT5 :AT WAS EASY = !M TO GET1 !Y CROSS$ ! =D1 & W5D$ ALONG ,MIRKWOOD-WAT] BETWE5 ! WOOD & ! RIV]1 BUT W5T SL[] ?AN BE=E LE/ !Y %\LD WE>Y !IR HORSES2 SO ?AT IT WAS HI<-NOON BE=E !Y HAD COME \T ( ! WOODL& WAY 9TO ,MID-M>K2 & AT ONCE AS SOON AS ! :OLE PLA9 ( ! ,M>K OP5$ \T BE=E !M1 !Y SAW :AT MO/ ( !M LOOK$ TO SEE 7S9CE NONE D\BT$ ,HROS%ILD'S TALE71 & ?AT WAS A COLUMN ( SMOKE RIS+ HI< & /RAI<T UP 9TO ! AIR1 = ! AFT]NOON WAS HOT & W9DLESS4 ,GREAT WRA? ROSE 9 !IR HE>TS !REAT1 & MANY A /RONG MAN TREMBL$ = ANG]1 ?\< NONE = FE>1 AS ,OTT] RAIS$ HIS RI<T H& & /RET*$ IT \T T[>DS ?AT TOK5 ( WRACK & RU92 YET !Y MADE NO /AY1 NOR DID !Y QUICK5 !IR PACE MU*2 BECAUSE !Y KNEW ?AT !Y %\LD COME TO ,BE>HAM BE=E NI<T-FALL1 & !Y W\LD NOT MEET ! ,ROMANS WAY-WORN & HAGG>D2 BUT !Y RODE ON /EADILY1 A T]RIBLE COMPANY ( WRA?FUL M54  

,!Y PASS$ BY ! DWELL+S ( ! K9DR$S1 ?\< SAVE = ! ,GALT+S ! H\SES ON ! EA/ SIDE ( ! WAT] BETWE5 ! ,BE>+S & ! WILD-WOOD ROAD W]E BUT SMALL2 = ! ?ICKET CAME SOME:AT NE> TO ! WAT] & P9*$ ! MEAD[S4  ,BUT ! ,GALT+S W]E GREAT HUNT]S & TRACK]S ( ! WILD-WOOD1 & !Y ( ! ,G$D+S1 ! ,]+S & ! ,)+S1 :I* W]E SMALL] ,H\SES1 LIV$ SOME:AT ON ! TAKE ( FI% FROM ,MIRKWOOD-WAT] 7AS DID ! ,LAX+S ALSO ( ! ,NE!R-M>K71 = !REAB\T W]E !RE GOODLY POOLS & $DIES1 & SUN-W>M$ %ALL[S !RE)AL = ! SPAWN+ ( ! TR\TS2 AS !RE W]E EYOTS 9 ! WAT]1 MO/ ( :I* TAIL$ (F 9TO A GRAVELLY %ALL[ AT !IR L[] 5DS4  

,N[ AS ! RID]S ( ! ,GO?S CAME OV] AGA9/ ! DWELL+S ( ! ,)+S1 !Y SAW PEOPLE1 MO/LY WOM51 DRIV+ UP ! BEA/S FROM ! MEAD[ T[>DS ! G>?2 BUT UPON ! T(TS AB\T !IR DWELL+S W]E GA!R$ MANY FOLK1 :O HAD !IR EYES TURN$ T[>D ! TOK5 ( RAVAGE ?AT HUNG 9 ! SKY ABOVE ! FAIR PLA92 BUT :5 !SE BEHELD ! RID+ ( ! HO/1 !Y TOSS$ UP !IR >MS TO !M & :ATEV] !Y BORE 9 !M1 & ! S\ND ( !IR %RILL CRY 7= !Y W]E ALL WOM5 & Y\NG LADS7 CAME D[N ! W9D TO ! E>S ( ! RID]S4  ,BUT D[N BY ! RIV] ON A SWELL ( ! GR\ND W]E SOME SWA9S & A FEW ?RALLS1 & AMONG !M SOME M5 >M$ & A-HORSEBACK2 & !SE1 :5 !Y P]CEIV$ ! HO/ COM+ ON TURN$ & RODE TO MEET !M2 & AS !Y DREW NE> !Y %\T$ AS M5 OV]JOY$ TO MEET !IR K9DR$2 & 9DE$ ! FI<T+-M5 ( !IR [N ,H\SE W]E RID+ 9 ! HO/4  ,& ! >M$ M5 W]E ?REE OLD M51 & ONE V]Y OLD ) M>VEL\S LONG :ITE HAIR1 & F\R LONG LADS ( SOME FIFTE5 W9T]S1 & F\R /\T C>LES ( ! ?RALLS BE>+ B[S & BUCKL]S1 & !SE RODE BEH9D ! SWA9S2 SO !Y F\ND !IR [N K9DR$ & RODE AMONG !M4  

,BUT :5 !Y W]E ALL J+L+ & CLA%+ ON TOGE!R1 ! DU/ >IS+ FROM ! SUN-DRI$ TURF1 ! E>? %AK+ ) ! ?UND] ( ! HORSE-HO(S1 !N ! HE>T ( ! LONG-HO>Y ONE /IRR$ )9 HIM AS HE BE?\<T HIM ( ! DAYS ( HIS Y\?1 & TO HIS OLD NO/RILS CAME ! SMELL ( ! HORSES & ! SAVOR ( ! SWEAT ( W>RIORS RID+ CLOSE TOGE!R KNEE TO KNEE AD[N ! MEAD[4  ,SO HE LIFT$ UP HIS VOICE & SANG3  

   0,RIDE? LOVELY ALONG   

   ,! /RONG BY ! /RONG2   

   ,S(T UND] HIS BREA?   

   ,S+E? SWORD 9 ! %EA?1   

   ,& %IELD BABBLE? (T   

   ,UNTO HELM-CRE/ AL(T2   

,H[ SOON %ALL !IR WORDS RISE MID WRA? ( ! BATTLE   

,9TO WRANGLE UNHE$$ ( CLANG+ & RATTLE1   

,& NO MAN %ALL NOTE !N ! GOLD ON ! SWORD   

,:5 ! RUNES HAVE NO MEAN+1 ! M\?-CRY NO WORD1   

,:5 ALL M+L$ TOGE!R1 ! W>-SEA ( M5   

,%ALL TOSS UP ! /EEL-SPRAY R\ND F\RSCORE & T54   

   0,N[ AS MAIDS BURN ! WE$   

   ,BETWIXT ACRE & MEAD1   

   ,SO ! ,BE>+S' ,RO(   

   ,BURNE? LITTLE ALO(1   

   ,& R$ GL[E? ! HALL   

   ,BETWIXT WALL & FAIR WALL1   

,:]E (T5 ! MEAD-SEA WE SIPP$ 9 OLD DAYS1   

,:5 \R FEET W]E A-WE>Y ) W5D+ ! WAYS2   

,:5 ! LOVE ( ! LOVELY AT EV5 WAS BORN1   

,& \R H&S FELT FAIR H&S AS !Y FELL ON ! HORN4   

,!RE R\ND AB\T /&E? ! R+ ( ! FOE   

,TOSS+ BABES ON !IR SPE>S LIKE ! WE$S O'] ! L[4   

   0,RIDE1 RIDE !N6 NOR SP>E   

   ,! R$ /E$S AS YE F>E6   

   ,YET IF DAYLI<T %ALL FAIL1   

   ,BY ! FIRE-LI<T ( BALE   

   ,%ALL WE SEE ! BLE>$ EYES   

   ,( ! W>-LE>N$1 ! WISE4   

,9 ! ACRE ( BATTLE ! WORK IS TO W91   

,LET US LIVE BY ! LABOR1 %EAF-SMIT+ !RE92   

,& AS (T O'] ! SICKLE WE SANG 9 TIME PA/   

,:5 ! CRAKE ?AT LONG MOCK$ US FL$ LI<T AT ! LA/1   

,SO S+ O'] ! SWORD1 & ! SWORD-H>D5$ H&   

,BE>+ D[N TO ! REAP+ ! WRA? ( ! L&40   

,SO HE SANG2 & A GREAT %\T W5T UP FROM HIS K9DR$ & ?OSE >\ND HIM1 & IT WAS TAK5 UP ALL ALONG ! HO/1 ?\< MANY KNEW NOT :Y !Y %\T$1 & ! :OLE HO/ QUICK5$ ITS PACE1 & W5T A GREAT TROT OV] ! SMOO? MEAD[4  

,SO 9 NO LONG :ILE W]E !Y COME OV] AGA9/ ! /EAD ( ! ,]+S1 & !REAB\TS W]E NO BEA/S A-FIELD1 & NO WOM51 = ALL ! NEAT W]E DRIV5 9TO ! G>? ( ! ,H\SE2 BUT ALL !Y :O W]E NOT W>-FIT W]E /&+ )\T DOORS LOOK+ D[N ! ,M>K T[>DS ! REEK ( ! ,BE>+ DWELL+S1 & !SE ALSO S5T A CRY ( WELCOME T[>D ! HO/ ( !IR K9DR$4  ,BUT ALONG ! RIV]- BANK CAME TO MEET ! HO/ AN >M$ B& ( TWO OLD M51 TWO Y\?S :O W]E !IR SONS1 & TWELVE ?RALLS :O W]E >M$ ) LONG SPE>S2 & ALL !SE W]E A-HORSEBACK3  SO !Y FELL 9 ) !IR K9DR$ & ! HO/ MADE NO /AY = !M1 BUT PRESS$ ON OV]- RUNN+ ! MEAD[4  ,& /ILL W5T UP ?AT COLUMN ( SMOKE1 & ?ICK] & BLACK] IT GREW A-TOP1 & RUDDI] AMIDMO/4  

,SO CAME !Y BY ! ABODE ( ! ,G$D+S1 & !RE ALSO ! NEAT & %EEP W]E CLOSE 9 ! HOME-G>?3  BUT >M$ M5 W]E LY+ OR /&+ AB\T ! RIV] BANK1 TALK+ OR S++ M]RILY NONE O!RWISE ?AN ?\< DEEP PEACE W]E ON ! L&2 & :5 !Y SAW ! F>+ ( ! HO/ !Y SPRANG TO !IR FEET ) A %\T & GAT TO !IR HORSES AT ONCE3  !Y W]E MORE ?AN ! O!R B&S HAD BE51 = ! ,G$D+S W]E A GREAT] ,H\SE2 !Y W]E SEV5 OLD M51 & T5 SWA9S1 & T5 ?RALLS BE>+ LONG SPE>S LIKE TO ?OSE ( ! ,]+S2 & NO SOON] HAD !Y FALL5 9 ) !IR K9DR$1 ?AN ! M5 ( ! HO/ ESPI$ A GREAT] COMPANY YET COM+ TO MEET !M3 & !SE W]E ( ! FOLK ( ! ,GALT+S2 & AMONG !M W]E T5 W>RIORS 9 !IR PRIME1 BECAUSE !Y HAD BUT ( LATE COME BACK FROM ! HUNT+ 9 ! WOOD & HAD BE5 BELAT$ FROM ! MU/] ( ! K9DR$S2 & ) !M W]E EI<T OLD M5 & FIFTE5 LADS1 & EI<TE5 ?RALLS2 & ! SWA9S & ?RALLS ALL BORE B[S BESIDES ! SWORDS ?AT !Y W]E GIRT )AL1 & NOT ALL ( !M HAD HORSES1 BUT !Y :O HAD NONE RODE BEH9D ! O!RS3  SO !Y JO9$ !MSELVES TO ! HO/1 %\T+ AL\D2 & !Y HAD ) !M A GREAT HORN ?AT !Y BLEW ON TILL !Y HAD TAK5 !IR PLACE 9 ! >RAY2 & :]EAS !IR K9DR$ WAS ) ,?IODOLF1 !Y FOLL[$ ALONG ) ! H9D] M5 ( ! ,%IELD+S4  

,SO N[ ALL ! HO/ W5T ON TOGE!R1 & :5 !Y HAD PASS$ ! ,GALT+ ABODES1 !RE WAS NO?+ BETWE5 !M & ,BE>HAM1 NOR NE$ !Y LOOK = ANY FUR!R HELP ( M52 !RE W]E NO BEA/S AFIELD NOR ANY TO H]D !M1 & ! /AY-AT-HOMES W]E )9 DOORS DI<T+ !M = DEP>TURE 9TO ! WILD-WOOD IF NE$ %\LD BE3 BUT A LITTLE :ILE AFT] !Y HAD PASS$ !SE DWELL+S CAME 9TO ! HO/ TWO SWA9S ( AB\T TW5TY W9T]S1 & A D\<TY MAID1 !IR SI/]1 & !Y B>E NO WEAPONS SAVE %ORT SPE>S & KNIVES2 !Y W]E WET & DRIPP+ ) ! WAT]1 = !Y HAD JU/ SWUM ,MIRKWOOD-WAT]4  ,!Y W]E ( ! ,WOLF+ ,H\SE1 & HAD BE5 %EPH]D+ A FEW %EEP ON ! WE/ SIDE ( ! WAT]1 :5 !Y SAW ! HO/ F>+ TO BATTLE1 & MI<T NOT REFRA9 !M1 BUT SWAM !IR HORSES ACROSS ! SWIFT DEEPS TO JO9 !IR K9DR$ TO LIVE & DIE ) !M4  ,! TALE TELLS ?AT !Y ?REE F\<T 9 ! BATTLES ?AT FOLL[$ AFT]1 & W]E NOT SLA9 !RE1 ?\< !Y 5T]$ !M UN>M$1 BUT LIV$ LONG YE>S AFT]W>DS3  ( !M NE$ NO MORE BE SAID4  

,N[1 :5 ! HO/ WAS BUT A LITTLE PA/ ! ,GALT+ DWELL+S M5 BEGAN TO SEE ! FLAMES M+L$ ) ! SMOKE ( ! BURN+1 & ! SMOKE ITSELF GR[+ ?9N]1 AS ?\< ! FIRE HAD OV]- MA/]$ EV]Y?+ & WAS CONSUM+ ITSELF ) ITS [N VIOL5CE2 & SOME:AT AFT]W>DS1 ! GR\ND RIS+1 !Y C\LD SEE ! ,BE>+ MEAD[ & ! FOEM5 !REON3  YET A LITTLE FUR!R1 & FROM ! HEI<T ( ANO!R SWELL+ ( ! E>? !Y C\LD SEE ! BURN+ H\SES !MSELVES & ! >RAY ( ! ,ROMANS2 SO !RE !Y /AY$ & BREA!D !IR HORSES A :ILE4  ,& !Y BEHELD H[ ( ! ,ROMANS A GREAT COMPANY WAS GA!R$ TOGE!R 9 CLOSE >RAY BETWIXT ! =D & ! ,BE>+ ,HALL1 BUT NI<] UNTO ! =D1 & !SE W]E A %ORT MILE FROM !M2 BUT O!RS !Y SAW /REAM+ \T FROM ! BURN+ DWELL+S1 AS IF !IR WORK W]E DONE !RE1 & !Y C\LD NOT SEE ?AT !Y HAD ANY CAPTIVES ) !M4  ,O!R ,ROMANS !RE W]E1 & AMONG !M M5 9 ! ATTIRE ( ! ,GO?S1 BUSI$ AB\T ! RIV] BANKS1 AS ?\< !Y W]E GO+ TO TRY ! =D4  

,BUT A LITTLE :ILE ABODE ,OTT] 9 ?AT PLACE1 & !N WAV$ HIS >M & RODE ON & ALL ! HO/ FOLL[$2 & AS !Y DREW NI<]1 ,OTT]1 :O WAS WISE 9 W>1 BEHELD ! ,ROMANS & DEEM$ !M A GREAT HO/1 & ! V]Y K]NEL & MA9 BODY ( !M MANY MORE ?AN ALL HIS COMPANY2 & MOREOV] !Y W]E DULY & WELL >RAY$ AS M5 WAIT+ A FOE2 SO HE KNEW ?AT HE MU/ BE W>Y OR HE W\LD LOSE HIMSELF & ALL HIS M54  

,SO HE /AY$ HIS COMPANY :5 !Y W]E AB\T TWO FURLONGS FROM !M1 & ! MA9 BODY ( ! FOE /IRR$ NOT1 BUT HORSEM5 & SL+]S CAME =? FROM ITS SIDES & MADE ON T[>D ! ,GO?S1 & 9 ?REE OR F\R M9UTES W]E )9 B[%OT ( !M4  ,!N ! B[M5 ( ! ,GO?S SLIPP$ D[N FROM !IR HORSES & B5T !IR B[S & NOCK$ !IR >R[S & LET FLY1 & SLEW & HURT MANY ( ! HORSEM51 :O 5DUR$ !IR %OT BUT = A M9UTE OR TWO & !N TURN$ RE9 & RODE BACK SL[LY TO !IR FOLK1 & ! SL+]S CAME NOT ON V]Y EAG]LY :]EAS !Y W]E DEAL+ ) M5 A-HORSEBACK1 & ! B[M5 ( ! ,GO?S ALSO HELD !M /ILL4  

,N[ TURN$ ,OTT] TO HIS FOLK & MADE !M A SIGN1 :I* !Y KNEW WELL1 ?AT !Y %\LD GET D[N FROM !IR HORSES2 & :5 !Y W]E AFOOT ! LEAD]S ( T5S & HUNDR$S >RAY$ !M1 9TO ! W$GE- >RAY1 ) ! B[M5 ON EI!R FLANK3  & ,OTT] SMIL$ AS HE BEHELD ?IS ADO+ & ?AT ! ,ROMANS M$DL$ NOT ) !M1 BELIKE BECAUSE !Y LOOK$ TO HAVE !M GOOD *EAP1 S9CE !Y W]E BUT A FEW WILD M54  

,BUT :5 !Y W]E ALL >RAY$ HE SAT /ILL ON HIS HORSE & SPAKE TO !M %ORT & %>PLY1 SAY+3  

0,M5 ( ! ,GO?S1 WILL YE M\NT Y\R HORSES AGA9 & RIDE 9TO ! WOOD & LET IT COV] Y\1 OR WILL YE FI<T !SE ,ROMANS80  ,!Y ANSW]$ HIM ) A GREAT %\T & ! CLA%+ ( !IR WEAPONS ON !IR %IELDS4  0,?AT IS WELL10 QUO? ,OTT]1 0S9CE WE HAVE COME SO F>2 = ,I P]CEIVE ?AT ! FOE WILL COME TO MEET US1 SO ?AT WE MU/ EI!R ABIDE !IR %OCK OR TURN \R BACKS4  ,YET MU/ WE FI<T WISELY OR WE >E UNDONE1 & ,?IODOLF 9 RISK ( UNDO+2 ?IS HAVE WE TO DO IF WE MAY1 TO ?RU/ 9 BETWE5 !M & ! =D1 & IF WE MAY DO ?AT1 !RE LET US FI<T IT \T1 TILL WE FALL ONE OV] ANO!R4  ,BUT IF WE MAY NOT DO IT1 !N WILL WE NOT ?R[ \R LIVES AWAY BUT DO ! FOEM5 :AT HURT WE MAY )\T M+L+ \RSELVES AMONG !M1 & SO ABIDE ! COM+ ( ,?IODOLF2 = IF WE GET NOT BETWIXT !M & ! =D WE MAY 9 NO CASE H9D] !M FROM CROSS+4  ,& ALL ?IS ,I TELL Y\ ?AT YE MAY FOLL[ ME WISELY1 & REFRA9 Y\R WRA? ?AT YE MAY LIVE YET TO GIVE IT ! RE9 :5 ! TIME COMES40  

,SO HE SPAKE & GOT D[N FROM HIS HORSE & DREW HIS SWORD & W5T TO ! HEAD ( ! W$GE->RAY & BEGAN SL[LY TO LEAD =?2 BUT ! ?RALLS & SWA9S HAD HE$ ( ! HORSES1 & !Y DREW ABACK ) !M T[>DS ! WOOD :I* WAS BUT A LITTLE WAY FROM !M4  

,BUT = ,OTT] HE L$ HIS M5 D[N T[>DS ! =D1 & :5 ! ,ROMANS SAW ?AT1 !IR MA9 BODY BEGAN TO MOVE =W>D1 F>+ SLANT- WISE1 AS A CRAB1 D[N T[>D ! =D2 !N ,OTT] HA/5$ SOME:AT1 AS HE WELL MI<T1 S9CE HIS M5 W]E WELL LE>N$ 9 W> & DID NOT BREAK !IR >RAY2 BUT N[ BY ?IS TIME W]E ?OSE BURN]S ( ! ,ROMANS COME UP ) ! MA9 BATTLE1 & ! ,ROMAN CAPTA9 S5T !M AT ONCE AGA9/ ! ,GO?S1 & !Y ADVANC$ BOLDLY 5\<1 A GREAT CL\D ( M5 9 LOOSE >RAY :O FELL TO ) >R[S & SL+S ON ! W$GE->RAY & SLEW & HURT MANY3  YET DID NOT ,OTT] /AY HIS FOLK2 BUT IT WAS ILL GO+ = !M1 = !IR UN%IELD$ SIDES W]E TURN$ TO ! ,ROMANS1 NOR DUR/ ,OTT] SCATT] HIS B[M5 \T FROM ! W$GE- >RAY1 LE/ ! ,ROMANS1 :O W]E MORE ?AN !Y1 %\LD 5T] 9 AMONG !M4  ,EV] HE GAZ$ E>NE/LY ON ! MA9 BATTLE ( ! ,ROMANS1 & :AT !Y W]E DO+1 & PRES5TLY IT BECAME CLE> TO HIM ?AT !Y W\LD \TGO HIM & COME TO ! =D1 & !N HE WOTT$ WELL ?AT !Y W\LD SET ON HIM JU/ :5 !IR LI<T->M$ W]E ON HIS FLANK & HIS RE>W>D1 & !N IT W\LD GO H>D BUT !Y W\LD BREAK !IR >RAY & ALL W\LD BE LO/3  !RE=E HE SLACK$ HIS PACE & W5T V]Y SL[LY & ! ,ROMANS W5T NONE ! SL[] = ?AT2 BUT !IR LI<T->M$ GREW BOLD] & DREW MORE TOGE!R AS !Y CAME NI<] TO ! ,GO?S1 AS ?\< !Y W\LD GIVE !M AN ONSET2 BUT JU/ AT ?AT NICK ( TIME ,OTT] PASS$ ! WORD D[N ! RANKS1 &1 WAV+ HIS SWORD1 TURN$ %>PLY TO ! RI<T & FELL ) ALL ! W$GE->RAY ON ! CLU/]+ ?RONG ( ! LI<T->M$1 & HIS B[M5 SPREAD \T N[ FROM ! RI<T FLANK ( ! W$GE->RAY1 & %OT %>P & SWIFT & ! B[M5 ON ! LEFT FLANK RAN =W>D SWIFTLY TILL !Y HAD CLE>$ ! W$GE->RAY & W]E ON ! FLANK ( ! LI<T->M$ ,ROMANS2 & !Y1 :AT BETWE5 ! ONSET ( ! SWORDSM5 & SPE>M5 ( ! ,GO?S1 & !IR %>P >R[S1 KNEW NOT :I* WAY TO TURN1 & A GREAT SLAU<T] BEFELL AMONG !M1 & !Y ( !M W]E ! HAPPIE/ :O MI<T SAVE !MSELVES BY !IR FEET4  

,N[ AFT] ?IS /ORM1 & AFT] !SE M5 HAD BE5 ?RU/ AWAY1 ,OTT] /AY$ NOT1 BUT SWEPT R\ND AB\T ! FIELD T[>D ! HORSES2 & 9DE$ HE LOOK$ TO IT ?AT ! MA9-BATTLE ( ! ,ROMANS %\LD FOLL[ HIM1 BUT !Y DID NOT1 BUT /AY$ /ILL TO RECEIVE ! FLE]S ( !IR LI<T->M$4  ,& ?IS 9DE$ WAS ! GOODHAP ( ! ,GO?S2 = !Y W]E SOME:AT DISORD]$ BY !IR *ASE ( ! LI<T->M$1 & !Y SMOTE & SP>$ NOT1 !IR HE>TS BE+ FULL ( BITT] WRA?1 AS MI<T WELL BE2 = EV5 AS !Y TURN$ ON ! ,ROMANS1 !Y BEHELD ! GREAT RO( ( ! ,BE>+S FALL 9 OV] ! BURN$ HALL1 & A GREAT %[] ( SP>KS BUR/ UP FROM ITS FALL1 & !RE W]E ! RAGG$ GABLES LEFT /&+1 LICK$ BY LITTLE TONGUES ( FLAME :I* C\LD NOT TAKE HOLD ( !M BECAUSE ( ! CLAY :I* FILL$ ! SPACES BETWE5 ! GREAT TIMB]S & WAS DAUB$ OV] !M4  ,& !Y SAW ?AT ALL ! O!R H\SES W]E EI!R ALI<T OR SMOLD]+1 D[N TO ! SMALLE/ COT ( A ?RALL1 & EV5 ! B>NS & BOO?S BO? GREAT & LITTLE4  

,!RE=E1 :]EAS ! ,M>KM5 W]E F> FEW] 9 ALL ?AN ! ,ROMAN MA9-BATTLE1 & :]EAS ?IS SAME HO/ WAS 9 V]Y GOOD >RAY1 NO D\BT !RE WAS ?AT ! ,M>KM5 W\LD HAVE BE5 GRIEV\SLY H&L$ HAD ! ,ROMANS FALL5 ON2 BUT ! ,ROMAN ,CAPTA9 W\LD NOT HAVE IT SO3 = ?\< HE WAS A BOLD MAN1 YET WAS HIS BOLDNESS ?AT ( ! WOLF1 ?AT FALLE? ON :5 HE IS HUNGRY & SKULKE? :5 HE IS FULL4  ,HE WAS BO? Y\NG & V]Y RI*1 & A MI<TY MAN AMONG HIS T[NSM51 & WELL HAD HE LE>N$ ?AT G+] IS HOT 9 ! M\?1 & ?\< HE HAD COME =? TO ! W> = ! 9CREAS+ ( HIS FAME1 HE HAD NO WILL TO DIE AMONG ! ,M>KM51 EI!R = ! SAKE ( ! CITY ( ,ROME1 OR ( ANY FOLK :ATSOEV]1 BUT WAS LIEF] TO LIVE = HIS [N SAKE4  ,!RE=E WAS HE COME \T TO VANQUI% EASILY1 ?AT BY HIS FAME WON HE MI<T W9 MORE RI*ES & DOM9ION 9 ,ROME2 & HE WAS WELL CONT5T ALSO TO HAVE = HIS [N :ATEV] WAS *OICE AMONG ! PLUND] ( !SE WILD-M5 7AS HE DEEM$ !M71 IF IT W]E BUT A FAIR WOMAN OR TWO4  ,SO ?IS MAN ?\<T1 ,IT IS MY BUS9ESS TO CROSS ! =D & COME TO ,WOLF/EAD1 & !RE TAKE ! TREASURE ( ! TRIBE1 & HAVE A /RON<OLD !RE1 :5CE WE MAY SLAY SO MANY ( !SE BEA/S ) LITTLE LOSS TO US ?AT WE MAY M>* AWAY EASILY & ) \R H&S FULL1 EV5 IF ,MA5IUS ) HIS M5 COME NOT TO \R AID1 AS FULL SURELY HE WILL3  !RE=E AS TO !SE ANGRY M51 :O BE NOT )\T MI<T & CONDUCT 9 BATTLE1 LET US REMEMB] ! OLD SAW ?AT SAI? 'A BRIDGE ( GOLD TO A FLEE+ FOE1' & LET !M DEP>T ) NO MORE HURT ( ,ROMANS1 & SEEK US AFT]W>DS :5 WE >E F5C$ 9TO !IR /EAD1 :I* %ALL !N BE \R /RON<OLD3  EV5 SO SPAKE HE TO HIS ,CAPTA9S AB\T HIM4  

,= IT MU/ BE TOLD ?AT HE HAD NO TID+S ( ! OV]?R[ ( ! ,ROMANS ON ! ,RIDGE2 NOR DID HE KN[ SURELY H[ MANY FI<T+-M5 ! ,M>KM5 MI<T MU/]1 EXCEPT BY ! REPORT ( ?OSE DA/>DS ( ! ,GO?S2 & ?\< HE HAD TAK5 ?OSE TWO WOM5 9 ! WA/ES1 YET HAD HE GOT NO WORD FROM !M1 = !Y DID AS ! ,HALL-,SUN BADE !M1 :5 !Y KNEW ?AT !Y W\LD BE QUE/ION$ ) TORM5TS1 & SMIT+ !MSELVES EA* ) A LITTLE %>P KNIFE1 SO W5T !IR WAYS TO ! ,GODS4  

,?US !N ! ,ROMAN ,CAPTA9 LET ! ,M>KM5 GO !IR WAYS1 & TURN$ T[>D ! =D1 & ! ,M>KM5 W5T SL[LY N[ T[>D !IR HORSES4 ,H[BEIT !RE W]E MANY ( !M :O MURMUR$ AGA9/ ,OTT]1 SAY+ ?AT IT WAS ILL DONE TO HAVE COME SO F> & RIDD5 SO H>D1 & !N TO HAVE DONE SO LITTLE1 & ?AT W]E TO-MORR[ COME1 !Y W\LD NOT BE L$ AWAY SO EASILY3  BUT N[ !Y SAID IT WAS ILL2 = ! ,ROMANS W\LD CROSS ! WAT]1 & MAKE !IR WAYS TO ,WOLF/EAD1 NONE H9D]+ !M1 & W\LD BURN ! DWELL+S & SLAY ! OLD M5 & ?RALLS1 & HAVE AWAY ! WOM5 & *ILDR5 & ! ,HALL-,SUN ! TREASURE ( ! ,M>KM54  ,9 SOO?1 !Y KNEW NOT ?AT A B& ( ! ,ROMAN LI<T->M$ HAD ALREADY CROSS$ ! WAT]1 & HAD FALL5 UPON ! DWELL+S ( ! ,WOLF+S2 BUT ?AT ! OLD M5 & Y\NGL+S & ?RALLS ( ! ,H\SE HAD COME UPON !M AS !Y W]E 5TANGL$ AMID ! T(TS & ! G>?S1 & HAD OV]COME !M & SLA9 MANY4  

,?US W5T ,OTT] & HIS M5 TO !IR HORSES :5 IT WAS N[ DRAW+ T[>D SUNSET 7= ALL ?IS WAS SOME :ILE ADO+71 & BETOOK !M TO A RIS+ GR\ND NOT F> FROM ! WOOD-SIDE1 & !RE MADE :AT SORT ( A G>? !Y MI<T1 ) !IR HORSES & ! LIMBS ( TREES & LONG-%AFT$ SPE>S2 & !Y SET A WAT* & ABODE 9 ! G>? RI<T W>ILY1 & LI<T$ NO FIRES :5 NI<T FELL1 BUT ATE :AT MEAT !Y HAD ) !M1 :I* WAS BUT LITTLE1 & SO SLEEP+ & WAT*+ ABODE ! MORN+4  ,BUT ! MA9 BODY ( ! ,ROMANS DID NOT CROSS ! =D ?AT NI<T1 = !Y FE>$ LE/ !Y MI<T GO A/RAY !RE91 = IT WAS AN ILL =D TO ?OSE ?AT KNEW NOT ! WAT]3  SO !Y ABODE ON ! BANK NI< TO ! WAT]'S $GE1 ) ! M9D TO CROSS AS SOON AS IT WAS FAIRLY DAYLI<T4  

,N[ ,OTT] HAD LO/ ( HIS M5 SOME HUNDR$ & TW5TY SLA9 OR GRIEV\SLY HURT1 & !Y HAD AWAY ) !M ! HURT M5 & ! BODIES ( ! SLA94  ,! TALE TELLS NOT H[ MANY ( ! ,ROMANS W]E SLA91 BUT A MANY ( !IR LI<T->M$ HAD FALL51 S9CE ! ,M>KM5 HAD TURN$ SO HA/ILY UPON !M1 & !Y HAD ) !M MANY ( ! BE/ B[M5 ( ! ,M>K4  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#c1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #b -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/