,*APT] #bh 
,! ,M5 ,( ,BURGDALE ,MEET ,! ,RUNAWAYS 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,MORRIS 

,TEXT 3 

,N[ ]E ! NI<T WAS F> SP5T1 ,DALLA* >OSE & SAID3  

',K9D FOLK1 YE WILL PRES5TLY BE SLEEP+2 BUT ,I BID Y\ KEEP A GOOD WAT*1 & IF YE WILL BE RUL$ BY ME1 YE WILL K9DLE NO FIRE ON ! MORR[1 = ! SMOKE RISE? ?ICK 9 ! MORN+ AIR1 & IS AS A BEACON4  ,AS = ME1 ,I %ALL LEAVE Y\ H]E TO RE/1 & ,I MYSELF WILL F>E ON M9E ]R&4'  

,!Y BADE HIM SLEEP & RE/ HIM AFT] SO MANY TOILS & H>D%IPS1 SAY+ ?AT !Y W]E NOT TI$ TO AN H\R TO BE BACK 9 ,BURGDALE2 BUT HE SAID3  ',NAY1 ! MOON IS HI<1 & IT IS AS GOOD AS DAYLI<T TO ME1 :O C\LD F9D MY WAY EV5 BY />LI<T2 & Y\R T>RY+ H]E IS N[ISE SAFE4  ,MOREOV]1 IF ,I C\LD F9D ?OSE FOLK & BR+ !M P>T ( ! WAY BY NI<T & CL\D IT W]E WELL2 = IF WE W]E TAK5 AGA91 BURN+ QUICK W\LD BE ! BE/ DEA? BY :I* WE %\LD DIE4 ,AS = ME1 N[ AM ,I /RONG ) MEAT & DR9K & HOPE2 & :5 ,I COME TO ,BURGDALE !RE WILL BE TIME 5\< = RE/+ & SLUMB]4'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',%ALL ,I NOT W5D ) !E TO SEE !SE PEOPLE & ! LAIRS :]E9 !Y HIDE8'  

,! MAN SMIL$3  ',NAY1 E>L1' SAID HE1 '?AT %ALL NOT BE4  ,= WOT YE :AT8  ,IF !Y W]E TO SEE ME 9 COMPANY ( A MAN-AT->MS !Y W\LD DEEM ?AT ,I WAS BR++ ! FOE UPON !M1 & W\LD FLEE1 OR MAYHAPP5 W\LD FALL UPON US4  ,= AS = ME1 :5 ,I SAW !E1 ?\ W]T CLOSE ANI< ME1 SO ,I KNEW !E TO BE NO ,DUSKY ,MAN2 BUT !Y W\LD SEE ! GLITT] ( ?9E >MS FROM AF>1 & TO !M ALL WEAPON$ M5 >E FOEM54  ,?\1 LORD1 KN[E/ NOT ! HE>T ( A ?RALL1 NOR ! FE> & D\BT ?AT IS 9 IT4  ,NAY1 ,I MYSELF MU/ CA/ (F !SE CLO!S ?AT YE HAVE GIV5 ME1 & F>E NAK$1 LE/ !Y MI/RU/ ME4  ,ONLY ,I WILL TAKE A SPE> 9 MY H&1 & SL+ A KNIFE R\ND MY NECK1 IF YE WILL GIVE !M TO ME2 = IF ! WOR/ HAPP51 ,I WILL NOT BE TAK5 ALIVE4'  

,!RE) HE CA/ (F HIS RAIM5T1 & !Y GAVE HIM ! WEAPONS & WI%$ HIM GOOD SPE$1 & HE W5T HIS WAY TWIXT MOONLI<T & %AD[2 BUT ! ,BURGDAL]S W5T TO SLEEP :5 !Y HAD SET A WAT*4  

,E>LY 9 ! MORN+ !Y AWOKE1 & ! SUN WAS %9+ & ! ?RU%ES S++ 9 ! ?ORN-BRAKE1 & ALL SEEM$ FAIR & PEACEFUL1 & A LITTLE HAZE /ILL HUNG AB\T ! FACE ( ! BURG OV] ! RIV]4  ,SO !Y W5T D[N TO ! WAT] & WA%$ ! NI<T FROM (F !M2 & !NCE ! MO/ P>T ( !M W5T BACK TO !IR LAIR AMONG ! ?ORN-BU%ES3  BUT F\R ( !M W5T UP ! DALE 9TO ! OAK-WOOD TO %OOT A BUCK1 & FIVE MORE !Y S5T \T TO WAT* !IR SKIRTS >\ND !M2 & ,FACE-(-GOD ) OLD ,/ONE-FACE W5T OV] A =D ( ! /REAM1 & CAME ON TO ! L[] SLOPE ( ! BURG1 & SO W5T UP IT TO ! TOP4  ,!NCE !Y LOOK$ AB\T TO SEE IF AU<T W]E /IRR+1 BUT !Y SAW LITTLE SAVE ! WA/E & ! WOOD1 :I* ON ! NOR?-EA/ WAS ?ICK ( BIG TREES /RET*+ \T A LONG WAY4  ,!IR [N LAIR WAS CLE> TO SEE OV] ITS BANK & ! BU%ES !RE(1 & ?AT MISLIK$ ,FACE-(-GOD1 LE/ ANY FOE %\LD CLIMB ! BURG ?AT DAY4  ,! MORN+ WAS CLE>1 & ,FACE-(-GOD LOOK+ NOR?-&-BY-WE/ DEEM$ HE SAW SMOKE RIS+ 9TO ! AIR OV] ! TREE-COV]$ RIDGES ?AT HID ! FUR!R DI/ANCE T[>D ?AT AIRT1 ?\< FUR!R EA/ UPHOVE ! BLACK %\LD]S ( ! ,GREAT ?AT ,WA/E & ! SN[Y PEAKS BEH9D !M4  ,! SAID SMOKE WAS NOT SU* AS COME? FROM ONE GREAT FIRE1 BUT WAS LIKE A ?9 VEIL /A9+ ! PALE BLUE SKY1 AS :5 M5 >E BURN+ L+ ON ! HEA?-SIDE & IT IS SE5 ALO(4  

,HE %[$ ?AT SMOKE TO ,/ONE-FACE1 :O SMIL$ & SAID3  

',N[ WILL !Y BE LI<T+ ! COOK+ FIRES 9 ,ROSE-DALE3  W\LD ,I W]E !RE ) A FEW HUNDR$S ( AXES & /AVES AT MY BACK6'  

',YEA1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 SMIL+ 9 HIS FACE1 'BUT :]E ,I PRAY !E >E !SE ELVES & WOOD-WI<TS1 ?AT WE MEET !M NOT8  ,GRIM ?+S !RE >E 9 ! WOODS1 & ?+S FAIR 5\< ALSO3  BUT MESEEME? ?AT ! TROLLS & ! ELVES ( ?Y Y\NG YE>S HAVE BE5 FRI<T$ AWAY4'  

,SAID ,/ONE-FACE3  ',MAYBE1 FO/]-SON2 ?AT HA? BE5 SE5 ]E N[1 ?AT :5 ONE RACE ( MAN OV]RUNNE? ! L& 9HABIT$ BY ANO!R1 ! WI<TS & ELVES ?AT LOVE ! VANQUI%$ >E SE5 NO MORE1 OR GET !M AWAY F> (F 9TO ! \T]MO/ WILDS1 :]E FEW M5 EV] COME4'  

',YEA1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 '?AT MAY WELL BE4  ,BUT DEEME/ ?\ BY ?AT TOK5 ?AT WE %ALL BE VANQUI%$8'  

',AS = US1 ,I KN[ NOT1' SAID ,/ONE-FACE2 'BUT ?Y FRI5DS ( ,%AD[Y ,VALE HAVE BE5 VANQUI%$4  ,MOREOV]1 CONC]N+ !SE FELONS :OM N[ WE >E HUNT+1 >E WE ALL SO SURE ?AT !Y BE M58  ,C]TA9 IT IS1 ?AT :5 ,I GO 9TO BATTLE ) !M1 ,I %ALL SMITE ) NO MORE PITY ?AN MY SWORD1 AS IF ,I W]E SMIT+ ?+S ?AT MAY NOT FEEL ! WOES ( MAN4'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',YEA1 EV5 SO %ALL IT BE ) ME4  ,BUT :AT ?9KE/ ?\ ( !SE RUNAWAYS8  ,%ALL WE HAVE TID+S ( !M1 OR %ALL ,DALLA* BR+ ! FOE UPON US8  ,IT WAS = ! SAKE ( ?AT QUE/ION ?AT ,I HAVE CLOMB ! BURG3  & ?AT WE MI<T WAT* ! L& AB\T US4'  

',NAY1' SAID ,/ONE-FACE1 ',I HAVE SE5 MANY M51 & ,I DEEM ( ,DALLA* ?AT HE IS A TRUE MAN4  ,I DEEM WE %ALL SOON HAVE TID+S ( HIS FELL[S2 & !Y MAY HAVE SE5 ! ELVES & WOOD-WI<TS3  ,I W\LD FA9 ASK !M !RE(1 & AM EAG] TO SEE !M4'  

,SAID ,FACE-(-GOD3  ',& ,I SOME:AT DREAD TO SEE !M1 & !IR RAGS & !IR MIS]Y & ! WEALS ( !IR /RIPES4  ,IT IRK$ ME TO SEE ,DALLA* :5 HE FIR/ FELL TO HIS MEAT LA/ NI<T1 H[ HE ATE LIKE A DOG = FE> & FAM9E4  ,H[ %ALL IT BE1 MOREOV]1 :5 WE HAVE !M 9 ! ,DALE1 & !Y FALL TO ! DE$ ( K9D !RE1 AS !Y NE$S MU/4  ,WILL !Y NOT BE> US EVIL & ?RALL-LIKE M58'  

',MAYBE1' SAID ,/ONE-FACE1 '& MAYBE NOT2 = !Y HAVE BE5 ?RALLS BUT = A LITTLE :ILE3  & ,I DEEM ?AT 9 NO LONG TIME %ALL YE SEE !M MU* BETT]$ BY PL5TE\S MEAT & RE/4  ,& AFT] ALL IS SAID1 ?IS ,DALLA* BORE HIM LIKE A VALIANT MAN2 ALSO IT WAS VALIANT ( HIM TO FLEE2 & ( ! O!RS MAY YE SAY ! LIKE4  ,BUT LOOK Y\6 !RE >E M5 GO+ D[N YOND] T[>DS \R LAIR3  BELIKE ?OSE %ALL BE \R GUE/S1 & !RE BE NO ,DUSKY ,M5 AMONG !M4  ,COME1 LET US HOME6'  

,SO ,FACE-(-GOD LOOK$ & BEHELD FROM ! HEI<T ( ! BURG %APES ( M5 GRAY & COLORLESS CREEP+ T[>D ! LAIR FROM SUN%9E TO %AD[1 LIKE WILD CREATURES %Y & FE>FUL ( ! HUNT]1 OR SO HE DEEM$ ( !M4  

,SO HE TURN$ AWAY1 ANGRY & SAD ( HE>T1 & ! TWA9 W5T D[N ! BURG & ACROSS ! WAT] TO !IR CAMP1 HAV+ SE5 LITTLE TO TELL ( FROM ! HEI<T4  

,:5 !Y CAME TO !IR CAMPM5T !RE W]E !IR FOLK /&+ 9 A R+ R\ND AB\T ,DALLA* & ! O!R RUNAWAYS4  ,!Y MADE WAY = ! ,W>-LEAD] & ,/ONE-FACE1 :O CAME AMONG !M & BEHELD ! ,RUNAWAYS1 ?AT !Y W]E MANY MORE ?AN !Y LOOK$ TO SEE2 = !Y W]E ( C>LES ONE SCORE & ?REE1 & ( WOM5 EI<TE51 ALL TOLD SAVE ,DALLA*4  ,:5 !Y SAW ?OSE TWA9 COME ?R\< ! R+ ( M5 & P]CEIV$ ?AT !Y W]E *IEFTA9S1 SOME ( !M FELL D[N ON !IR KNEES BE=E !M & HELD \T !IR JO9$ H&S TO !M1 & KISS$ ! ,BURGDAL]S' FEET & ! HEMS ( !IR G>M5TS1 :ILE ! TE>S /REAM$ \T ( !IR EYES3  SOME /OOD MOV+ LITTLE & />+ BE=E !M /UPIDLY3  & SOME KEPT GLANC+ FROM FACE TO FACE ( ! WELL-LIK+ HAPPY ,BURGDALE C>LES1 ?\< = A :ILE EV5 !IR FACES W]E SAD & D[NCA/ AT ! SI<T ( ! POOR M53 SOME ALSO KEPT MURMUR+ ONE OR TWO WORDS 9 !IR C\NTRY TONGUE1 & ,DALLA* TOLD ,FACE-(-GOD ?AT !SE W]E CRY+ \T = VICTUAL4  

,IT MU/ BE SAID ( !SE POOR FOLK ?AT !Y W]E ( DIV]S CONDITIONS1 & *IEFLY ( ?REE3  & FIR/ !RE W]E SEV5 ( ,ROSE-DALE & FIVE ( ,SILV]-DALE LATE COME TO ! WOOD 7( !SE ,SILV]-DAL]S ,DALLA* HAD TOLD BUT ( TWO1 = ! O!R ?REE W]E BUT JU/ COME74  ,( !SE TWELVE W]E SEV5 WOM51 & ALL1 SAVE TWO ( ! WOM51 W]E CLAD 9 ONE SCANTY KIRTLE OR %IRT ONLY2 = SU* WAS ! WONT ( ! ,DUSKY ,M5 ) !IR ?RALLS4  ,!Y HAD BR\<T AWAY WEAPONS1 & HAD AMONG !M SIX AXES & A SPE>1 & A SWORD1 & FIVE KNIVES1 & ONE MAN HAD A %IELD4  

,YET ?\< !SE W]E CLAD & >M$1 YET 9 SOME WISE W]E !Y ! WOR/ ( ALL2 !Y W]E SO TIMOR\S & CR++1 & MO/ ( !M HEAVY-EY$ & SULL5 & D[N-LOOK+4  ,MANY ( !M HAD BE5 GRIEV\SLY MI%&L$3  ONE MAN HAD HAD HIS LEFT H& SMITT5 (F2 ANO!R WAS DOCK$ ( ?REE ( HIS TOES1 & ! GRI/LE ( HIS NOSE SLIT UP2 ONE WAS HALT1 & F\R HAD BE5 E>-CROPP$1 NOR DID ANY LACK WEALS ( :IPP+4  ,( ! ,SILV]-DALE NEW-COM]S ! ?REE M5 W]E ! WOR/ ( ALL ! ,RUNAWAYS1 ) WILD W&]+ EYES1 BUT SULL5 ALSO1 & CR++ IF ANY DREW NI<1 & W\LD NOT LOOK ANYONE 9 ! FACE1 SAVE PRES5TLY ,FACE-(-GOD1 ON :OM !Y W]E SOON FOND TO FAWN1 AS A DOG ON HIS MA/]4  ,BUT ! WOM5 :O W]E ) !M1 & :O W]E WELL-NI< AS TIMOR\S AS ! M51 W]E ?OSE TWO GAILY- DAD ONES1 & !Y W]E S(T-H&$ & :ITE-SK9N$1 SAVE = ! LA/ DAYS ( WEA!R 9 ! WOOD2 = !Y HAD BE5 B$-?RALLS ( ! ,DUSKY ,M54  

,SU* W]E ! NEW-COM]S TO ! WOOD4  ,BUT O!RS HAD BE51 LIKE ,DALLA*1 MON?S !RE92 IT MAY BE SAID ?AT !RE W]E EI<TE5 ( !SE1 C>LES & QUE5S TOGE!R4  ,LITTLE RAIM5T !Y HAD AMONG !M1 & SOME W]E ALL BUT />K NAK$1 SO ?AT ON !SE MI<T WELL BE SE5 AS ON ,DALLA* ! M>KS ( OLD /RIPES1 & ( !SE ALSO W]E !RE M5 :O HAD BE5 %ORN ( SOME MEMB] OR O!R1 & !Y W]E ALL BURNT & BLACK5$ BY ! WEA!R ( ! WOODL&2 YET = ALL !IR NAK$NESS1 !Y BORE !MSELVES BOLD] & MORE MANLIKE ?AN ! LAT] COM]S1 NOR DID !Y ALTOGE!R LACK WEAPONS TAK5 FROM !IR FOEM51 & MO/ ( !M HAD SOME $GE-TOOL OR ANO!R4 ,( !SE FOLK W]E F\R FROM ,SILV]-DALE1 ?\< ,DALLA* KNEW IT NOT4  

,BESIDES !SE W]E A HALF SCORE & ONE :O HAD BE5 YE>S 9 ! WOOD 9/EAD ( MON?S2 WEA!R-BEAT5 9DE$ W]E !SE1 %AGGY & R\<-SK9N$ LIKE WILD M5 ( K9D4  ,SOME ( !M HAD MADE !MSELVES SK9 BREE*ES OR CL\TS1 SOME W5T />K NAK$2 ( WEAPONS ( ! ,DALE HAD !Y FEW1 BUT !Y BORE B[S ( HAZEL OR WY*-ELM /RUNG ) DE]-GUT1 & %AFTS HEAD$ ) FL9T /ONES2 /AVES ALSO ( ! SAME FA%ION1 & GREAT CLUBS ( OAK OR HOLLY3  SOME ( !M ALSO HAD MADE !M T>GETS ( SK9 & WILL[-TWIGS1 = !SE W]E ! W>RIORS ( ! ,RUNAWAYS3  !Y HAD A FEW /EEL KNIVES AMONG !M1 BUT HAD MO/LY LE>N$ ! CRAFT ( US+ %>P FL9TS = KNIVES3  BUT F\R ( !SE W]E WOM54  

,?REE ( !SE M5 W]E ( ! K9DR$S ( ! ,WOLF FROM ,SILV]-DALE1 & HAD BE5 9 ! WOOD = H>D UPON T5 YE>S1 & WILD AS !Y W]E1 & )\T HOPE ( MEET+ !IR FELL[S AGA91 !Y W5T PR\DLY & BOLDLY AMONG ! O!RS1 OV]TOPP+ !M BY ! HEAD & MORE4  ,= ! GREAT] P>T ( !SE M5 W]E SOME:AT %ORT ( /ATURE1 ?\< BY NATURE /RONG & /\T ( BODY4  

,IT MU/ BE TOLD ?AT ?\< ,DALLA* HAD ?US GOTT5 ALL !SE MANY ,RUNAWAYS TOGE!R1 YET HAD !Y NOT BE5 DWELL+ TOGE!R AS ONE FOLK2 = !Y DUR/ NOT1 LE/ ! ,DUSKY ,M5 %\LD HE> !RE( & FALL UPON !M1 BUT !Y HAD KEPT !MSELVES AS BE/ !Y C\LD 9 CAVES & 9 BRAKES ?REE TOGE!R OR TWO1 OR EV5 F>+ ALONE AS ,DALLA* DID3  ONLY AS HE WAS A /RONG & /\!>T$ MAN1 HE W5T TO & FRO & W&]$ AB\T MORE ?AN ! O!RS1 SO ?AT HE =GA!R$ ) MO/ ( !M & KNEW !M4  ,HE SAID ALSO ?AT HE D\BT$ NOT BUT ?AT !RE W]E MORE ,RUNAWAYS 9 ! WOOD1 BUT !SE W]E ALL HE C\LD COME AT4  ,DIV]S :O HAD FL$ HAD DI$ FROM TIME TO TIME1 & SOME HAD BE5 CAU<T & CRUELLY SLA9 BY !IR MA/]S4 ,!Y W]E NONE ( !M OLD2 ! OLDE/1 SAID ,DALLA*1 SCANT ( =TY W9T]S1 ?\< MANY FROM !IR ASPECT MI<T HAVE BE5 OLD 5\<4  

,SO ,FACE-(-GOD LOOK$ & BEHELD ALL !SE POOR PEOPLE2 & SAID TO HIMSELF1 ?AT HE MI<T WELL HAVE DREAD$ ?AT SI<T4  ,= H]E WAS HE BR\<T FACE TO FACE ) ! ,SORR[ ( ! ,E>?1 :]E( HE HAD KN[N NAU<T H]ET(ORE1 SAVE IT MI<T BE AS A TALE 9 A M9/REL'S SONG4  ,& :5 HE ?\<T ( ! M9UTES ?AT HAD MADE ! H\RS1 & ! H\RS ?AT HAD MADE ! DAYS ?AT !SE M5 HAD PASS$ ?R\<1 HIS HE>T FAIL$ HIM1 & HE WAS DUMB & MI<T NOT SPEAK1 ?\< HE P]CEIV$ ?AT ! M5 ( ,BURGDALE LOOK$ = SPEE* FROM HIM2 BUT HE WAV$ HIS H& TO HIS FOLK1 & !Y UND]/OOD HIM1 = !Y HAD HE>D ,DALLA* SAY ?AT SOME ( !M W]E CRY+ = VICTUAL4 ,SO !Y SET TO WORK & DI<T$ = !M SU* MEAT AS !Y HAD1 & !Y SET !M D[N ON ! GRASS & MADE !MSELVES !IR C>V]S & S]V+-M51 & BADE !M EAT :AT !Y W\LD ( SU* AS !RE WAS4 ,YET1 9DE$1 IT GRIEV$ ! ,BURGDAL]S AGA9 TO NOTE H[ !SE FOLK W]E DRIV5 TO EAT2 = !Y !MSELVES1 ?\< !Y W]E M]RY FOLK1 W]E EXCE$+ C\RTE\S AT TABLE1 & ( GREAT OBS]VANCE ( MANN]S3  :]EAS !SE POOR ,RUNAWAYS ATE1 SOME ( !M LIKE HUNGRY DOGS1 & SOME HID+ !IR MEAT AS IF !Y FE>$ IT %\LD BE TAK5 FROM !M1 & SOME C[]+ OV] IT LIKE FALCONS1 & SC>CE ANY ) A MANLIKE PLEASURE 9 !IR MEAL4  ,&1 !IR EAT+ OV]1 ! MORE P>T ( !M SAT DULL & MOPI%1 & AS IF ALL ?+S W]E =GOTT5 = ! TIME PRES5T4  

,ALBEIT PRES5TLY ,DALLA* BE/IRR$ HIM & SAID TO ,FACE-(-GOD3 ',LORD ( ! ,E>L-FOLK1 IF ,I MI<T GIVE !E R$E1 IT W]E BE/ TO TURN Y\R FACES TO ,BURGDALE )\T MORE T>RY+4  ,= WE >E OV]- NI< TO ,ROSE-DALE1 BE+ BUT ?US MANY 9 COMPANY4  ,BUT :5 WE COME TO \R NEXT RE/+-PLACE1 !N %ALL BR+ !E TO SPEE* ) ! LA/-COM]S FROM ,SILV]-DALE2 = !RE !Y TALK ) ! TONGUE ( ! K9DR$S2 BUT WE ( ,ROSE-DALE = ! MORE P>T TALK O!RWISE2 ?\< 9 MY H\SE IT CAME D[N FROM FA!R TO SON4'  

',YEA1' SAID ,FACE-(-GOD1 GAZ+ /ILL ON ?AT UNHAPPY FOLK1 AS !Y SAT OR LAY UPON ! GRASS AT RE/ = A LITTLE :ILE3  BUT HIM-SEEM$ AS HE GAZ$ ?AT SOME MEMORIES ( PA/ TIME /IRR$ 9 SOME ( !M2 = SOME1 !Y HUNG !IR HEADS & ! TE>S /OLE \T ( !IR EYES & ROLL$ D[N !IR *EEKS4  ,BUT ?OSE OLD] ,RUNAWAYS ( ,SILV]- DALE W]E NOT CR\*$ D[N LIKE MO/ ( ! O!RS1 BUT /RODE UP & D[N LIKE BEA/S 9 A D52 YET W]E ! TE>S ON ! FACE ( ONE ( !SE4  ,!N ,FACE-(-GOD CON/RA9$ HIMSELF1 & SPAKE TO ! FOLK1 & SAID3  ',WE >E N[ OV]-NI< TO \R FOES ( ,ROSE-DALE TO LIE H]E ANY LONG]1 BE+ TOO FEW TO FALL UPON !M4  ,WE WILL COME HI!R AGA9 ) A HO/ :5 WE HAVE DULY QUE/ION$ !SE M5 :O HAVE S\<T REFUGE ) US3  & LET US CALL YOND] HEI<T ! ,BURG ( ! ,RUNAWAYS1 & IT %ALL BE A L&M>K = US :5 WE >E ON ! ROAD TO ,ROSE-DALE4'  

,!N ! ,BURGDAL]S BADE ! ,RUNAWAYS C\RTE\SLY & K9DLY TO >ISE & TAKE ! ROAD ) !M2 & BY ?AT TIME W]E !IR M5 ALL COME 92 & F\R ( !M HAD V5ISON ) !M1 :I* WAS NE$FUL1 IF !Y W]E TO EAT ?AT NI<T OR ! MORR[1 AS ! GUE/S HAD EAT5 !M TO ! BONE4  

,SO !Y T>RI$ NO MORE1 BUT SET \T ON ! HOMEW>D WAY2 & ,FACE- (-GOD BADE ,DALLA* WALK BESIDE HIM1 & ASK$ HIM SU* CONC]N+ ,ROSE-DALE & ITS ,DUSKY ,M54  ,DALLA* TOLD HIM ?AT !SE W]E NOT SO MANY AS !Y W]E MA/]FUL1 NOT BE+ ABOVE EI<T HUNDR$S ( M51 ALL FI<T+-M54  ,AS TO WOM51 !Y HAD NONE ( !IR [N RACE1 BUT LAY ) ! ,DALESWOM5 AT !IR WILL1 & BEGAT *ILDR5 ( !M2 & ALL OR MO/ ( ! SAID *ILDR5 FAVOR$ ! RACE ( !IR BEGETT]S4  ,( ! M5-*ILDR5 !Y RE>$ MO/1 BUT ! WOM5- *ILDR5 !Y SLEW AT ONCE2 = !Y VALU$ NOT WOM5 ( !IR [N BLOOD3  BUT BESIDES ! WOM5 ( ! ,DALE1 !Y W\LD GO AT :ILES 9 B&S TO ! $GES ( ! ,PLA9 & BEGUILE WAYF>]S1 & BR+ BACK ) !M !NCE WOM5 TO BE !IR B$-?RALLS2 ALBEIT SOME ( !SE W]E B\<T ) A PRICE FROM ! ,WE/L& M54  

,AS TO ! NUMB] ( ! FOLK ( ,ROSE-DALE1 ITS [N FOLK1 HE SAID !Y W\LD NUMB] SOME FIVE ?\S& S\LS1 ONE ) ANO!R2 ( :OM SOME ?\S& MI<T BE FIT TO BE> >MS IF !Y HAD ! HE>T !RETO1 AS !Y HAD NONE4  ,YET BE+ CLOSELY QUE/ION$1 HE DEEM$ ?AT !Y MI<T FALL ON !IR MA/]S FROM BEH9D1 IF BATTLE W]E JO9$4  

,HE SAID ?AT ! FOLK ( ,ROSE-DALE HAD BE5 A GOODLY FOLK BE=E !Y W]E 5?RALL$1 & PEACEABLE ) ONE ANO!R1 BUT ?AT N[ IT WAS A SPORT ( ! ,DUSKY ,M5 TO SET A MAT* BETWE5 !IR ?RALLS TO FI<T IT \T ) SWORD & BUCKL] OR O!RWISE2 & ! VANQUI%$ MAN1 IF HE W]E NOT SORE HURT1 !Y W\LD SC\RGE1 OR %E> SOME MEMB] FROM HIM1 OR EV5 SLAY HIM \TRI<T1 IF ! MAT* BETWE5 ! [N]S W]E SO MADE4  ,& MANY O!R SAD & GRIEV\S TALES HE TOLD TO ,FACE-(-GOD1 MORE ?AN NE$ BE TOLD AGA92 SO ?AT ! ,W>-LEAD] W5T ALONG SORRY & ANGRY1 ) HIS TEE? SET1 & HIS H& ON ! SWORD-HILT4  

,?US !Y W5T TILL NI<T FELL ON !M1 & !Y C\LD SC>CE SEE ! SIGNS !Y HAD MADE ON !IR \TW>D J\RNEY4  ,!N !Y MADE /AY 9 A LITTLE VALLEY1 HAV+ SET A WAT* DULY2 & S9CE !Y W]E BY ?IS TIME F> FROM ,ROSE-DALE1 & W]E A GREAT COMPANY AS REG>D$ SCATT]$ B&S ( ! FOE1 !Y LI<T$ !IR FIRES & COOK$ !IR V5ISON1 & MADE GOOD *E] TO ! ,RUNAWAYS1 & SO W5T TO SLEEP 9 ! WILD-WOOD4  

,:5 MORN+ WAS COME !Y GAT !M AT ONCE TO ! ROAD2 & IF ! ,BURGDAL]S W]E EAG] TO BE \T ( ! WOOD1 !IR EAG]NESS WAS AS NAU<T TO ! EAG]NESS ( ! ,RUNAWAYS1 MO/ ( :OM C\LD NOT BE EASY N[1 & DEEM$ EV]Y M9UTE LO/ UNLESS !Y W]E W5D+ ON TO ! ,DALE2 SO ?AT ?IS DAY !Y W]E WILL+ TO GET OV] ! MORE GR\ND1 :]EAS !Y HAD NOT SET \T ON !IR ROAD TILL AFT]NOON YE/]DAY4  

,H[SOEV]1 !Y RE/$ AT NOONTIDE1 & ,FACE-(-GOD BADE ,DALLA* BR+ HIM TO SPEE* ) O!RS ( ! ,RUNAWAYS1 & FIR/ ?AT HE MI<T TALK ) ?OSE ?REE M5 ( ! K9DR$S :O HAD FL$ FROM ,SILV]-DALE 9 E>LY DAYS4  ,SO ,DALLA* BR\<T !M TO HIM2 BUT HE F\ND ?AT ?\< !Y SPAKE ! TONGUE1 !Y W]E SO FEW-SPOK5 FROM WILDNESS & LONEL9ESS1 AT LEA/ AT FIR/1 ?AT NAU<T C\LD COME FROM !M ?AT WAS NOT DRAGG$ FROM !M4  

,!SE M5 SAID ?AT !Y HAD BE5 9 ! WOOD MORE ?AN N9E YE>S1 SO ?AT !Y KNEW BUT LITTLE ( ! CONDITIONS ( ! ,DALE 9 ?AT PRES5T DAY4  ,H[EV]1 AS TO :AT ,DALLA* HAD SAID CONC]N+ ! ,DUSKY ,M51 !Y /R5G!N$ HIS WORDS2 & !Y SAID ?AT ! ,DUSKY ,M5 TOOK NO DELI<T SAVE 9 BEHOLD+ TORM5TS & MIS]Y1 & ?AT !Y D\BT$ IF !Y W]E M5 OR TROLLS4  ,!Y SAID ?AT S9CE !Y HAD DWELT 9 ! WOOD !Y HAD SLA9 NOT A FEW ( ! FOEM51 WAYLAY+ !M AS OCCASION S]V$1 BUT ?AT 9 ?IS W>F>E !Y HAD LO/ TWO ( !IR FELL[S4  ,:5 ,FACE-(-GOD ASK$ !M ( !IR DEEM+ ( ! NUMB]S ( ! ,DUSKY ,M51 !Y SAID ?AT BE=E ?OSE B&S HAD BROK5 9TO ,ROSE-DALE1 !Y C\NT$ !M1 AS F> AS !Y C\LD CALL TO M9D1 AT AB\T ?REE ?\S& M51 ALL W>RIORS2 & ?AT SOME:AT LESS ?AN ONE ?\S& HAD GONE UP 9TO ,ROSE-DALE1 & SOME HAD DI$1 & MANY HAD BE5 CA/ AWAY 9 ! WILD-WOOD1 !IR FELL[S KNEW NOT H[4  ,YET HAD NOT !IR NUMB]S 9 ,SILV]-DALE DIM9I%$2 BECAUSE TWO YE>S AFT] !Y 7! SPEAK]S7 HAD FL$1 CAME ?REE MORE ,DUSKY ,COMPANIES OR ,TRIBES 9TO ,SILV]-DALE1 & EA* ( !SE TRIBES WAS ( ?REE LONG HUNDR$S2 & ) !IR COM+ HAD ! CRUELTY & MIS]Y MU* 9CREAS$ 9 ! ,DALE1 SO ?AT ! ?RALLS BEGAN TO DIE FA/2 & ?AT DRAVE ! ,DUSKY ,M5 BEYOND ! BORD]S ( ,SILV]-DALE1 SO ?AT !Y FELL UPON ,ROSE-DALE4  ,:5 ASK$ H[ MANY ( ! K9DR$S MI<T YET BE ABID+ 9 ,SILV]-DALE1 !IR FACES CL\D$1 & !Y SEEM$ EXCE$+ WRO?1 & ANSW]$1 ?AT !Y W\LD WILL+LY HOPE ?AT MO/ ( ?OSE ?AT HAD NOT BE5 SLA9 AT ! TIME ( ! OV]?R[ W]E N[ DEAD1 YET 9DE$ !Y FE>$ !RE W]E YET SOME ALIVE1 & MAYHAPP5 NOT A FEW WOM54  

,BY !N MU/ !Y GET ON FOOT AGA91 & SO ! TALK FELL BETWE5 !M2 BUT :5 !Y MADE /AY = ! NI<T1 AFT] !Y HAD DONE !IR MEAT1 ,FACE-(-GOD PRAY$ ,DALLA* BR+ TO HIM SOME ( ! LATE/-COME FOLK FROM ,SILV]-DALE1 & HE BR\<T TO HIM ! MAN & ! WOMAN :O HAD BE5 9 ! ,DALE )9 ?AT MOON4  ,AS TO ! MAN1 IF ?OSE ( ! ,E>L-FOLK HAD BE5 FEW-SPOK5 FROM FI]C5ESS & WILDNESS1 HE WAS NO LESS SO FROM M]E DULLNESS & WE>9ESS ( MIS]Y2 BUT ! WOMAN'S TONGUE W5T GLIBLY 5\<1 & IT SEEM$ TO PLEASURE H] TO TALK AB\T H] PA/ MIS]IES4  ,AS A=ESAID1 %E WAS BETT] CLAD ?AN MO/ ( ?OSE ( ,ROSE-DALE1 & 9DE$ MI<T BE CALL$ GAILY CLAD1 & :]E H] RAIM5T WAS BEF\L$ OR R5T1 IT WAS FROM ! R\<NESS ( ! WOOD & ITS WEA!R1 & NOT FROM ! ?RALLDOM4  ,%E WAS A Y\NG & FAIR WOMAN1 BLACK-HAIR$ & GRAY- EY$4  ,%E HAD WA%$ H]SELF ?AT DAY 9 A WOODL& /REAM :I* !Y HAD CROSS$ ON ! ROAD1 & HAD >RAY$ H] G>M5TS AS TRIMLY AS %E MI<T1 & HAD PLUCK$ SOME FUMITORY1 :]E) %E HAD MADE A G>L& = H] HEAD4  ,%E SAT D[N ON ! GRASS 9 FRONT ( ,FACE-(- GOD1 :ILE ! MAN H] MATE /OOD LEAN+ AGA9/ A TREE & LOOK$ ON H] GRE$ILY4  ,! ,BURGDALE C>LES DREW NE> TO H] TO HE>K5 H] /ORY1 & LOOK$ K9DLY ON ! TWA94  ,%E SMIL$ ON !M1 BUT ESPECIALLY ON ,FACE-(-GOD1 & SAID3  

',?\ HA/ S5T = ME1 LORD1 & ,I WOT WELL ?\ W\LD/ HE> MY TALE %ORTLY1 = IT W\LD BE LONG TO TELL IF ,I W]E TO TELL IT FULLY1 & BR+ 9TO IT ALL ?AT ,I HAVE 5DUR$1 :I* HAS BE5 BITT] 5\<1 = ALL ?AT YE SEE ME SMOO? ( SK9 & WELL-LIK+ ( BODY4  ,I HAVE BE5 ! B$-?RALL ( ONE ( ! *IEFTA9S ( ! ,DUSKY ,M51 AT :OSE H\SE MANY ( !IR GREAT M5 W\LD ASSEMBLE1 SO ?AT YE MAY ASK ME :ATSO YE WILL2 AS ,I HAVE HE>D MU* TALK & MAY CALL IT TO M9D4  ,N[ IF YE ASK ME :E!R ,I HAVE FL$ BECAUSE ( ! %AME ?AT ,I1 A FREE WOMAN COME ( FREE FOLK1 %\LD BE A M]E ?RALL 9 ! B$ ( ! FOES ( MY K91 & ) NO PRICE PAID = ME1 ,I MU/ NE$S SAY IT IS NOT SO2 S9CE OV] LONG HAVE WE ( ! ,DALE BE5 ?RALLS TO BE A%AM$ ( SU* A MATT]4  ,& AGA91 IF YE DEEM ?AT ,I HAVE FL$ BECAUSE ,I HAVE BE5 BURD5$ ) GRIEV\S TOIL & BE5 DRIV5 !RETO BY ! :IP1 YE MAY LOOK ON MY H&S & MY BODY & YE WILL SEE ?AT ,I HAVE TOIL$ LITTLE !RE)3  NOR AGA9 DID ,I FLEE BECAUSE ,I C\LD NOT 5DURE A FEW /RIPES N[ & AGA92 = SU* USAGE DO ?RALLS LOOK =1 EV5 :5 !Y >E DELICATELY KEPT = ! SAKE ( ! FAIRNESS ( !IR BODIES1 & ?IS !Y MAY WELL 5DURE2 YEA ALSO1 & ! M]E FE> ( DEA? BY TORM5T N[ & AGA94  ,BUT BE=E ME LAY DEA? BO? ASSUR$ & HORRIBLE2 SO ,I TOOK M9E [N C\NSEL1 & TOLD NONE = FE> ( BEWRAYAL1 SAVE HIM :O GU>D$ ME2 & ?AT WAS ?IS MAN2 :O FL$ NOT FROM FE>1 BUT FROM LOVE ( ME1 & TO HIM ,I HAVE GIV5 ALL ?AT ,I MI<T GIVE4  ,SO WE GOT \T ( ! H\SE & D[N ! ,DALE BY NI<T & CL\D1 & HID = ONE :OLE DAY 9 ! ,DALE ITSELF1 :]E ,I TREMBL$ & FE>$1 SO ?AT ,I DEEM$ ,I %\LD DIE ( FE>2 BUT ?IS MAN WAS WELL PLEAS$ ) MY COMPANY1 & ) ! LACK ( TOIL & BEAT+ EV5 = ! DAY4  ,& 9 ! NI<T AGA9 WE FL$ & REA*$ ! WILD-WOOD BE=E DAWN1 & WELL- NI< FELL 9TO ! H&S ( ?OSE :O W]E HUNT+ US1 & HAD \TGONE US ! DAY BE=E1 AS WE LAY HID4  ,WELL1 :AT IS TO SAY8 ,!Y SAW US NOT1 ELSE HAD WE NOT BE5 H]E1 BUT SCATT]$ PIECE-MEAL OV] ! L&4  ,?IS C>LE KNEW ! PASSES ( ! WOOD1 BECAUSE HE HAD FOLL[$ HIS MA/] !RE91 :O WAS A GREAT HUNT] 9 ! WA/ES1 CONTR>Y TO ! WONT ( !SE M51 & HE HAD LA9 A NI<T ON ! BURG YOND]2 !RE=E HE BR\<T ME ?I!R1 BECAUSE HE KNEW ?AT !REAB\T WAS PL5TY ( PREY EASY TO TAKE1 & HE HAD A B[ ) HIM2 & !RE WE FELL 9 ) O!RS ( \R FOLK :O HAD FL$ BE=E1 & ) ,DALLA*2 :O E'5 N[ TOLD US :AT WAS H>D TO BELIEVE1 ?AT !RE WAS A FAIR Y\NG MAN LIKE ONE ( ! ,GODS LEAD+ A B& ( GOODLY W>RIORS1 & SEEK+ = US TO BR+ US 9TO A PEACEFUL & HAPPY L&2 & ?IS MAN W\LD NOT HAVE GONE ) HIM BECAUSE HE FE>$ ?AT HE MI<T FALL 9TO ?RALLDOM ( O!R FOLK1 :O W\LD TAKE ME AWAY FROM HIM2 BUT = ME1 ,I SAID ,I W\LD GO 9 ANY CASE1 = ,I WAS WE>Y ( ! WOOD & ITS R\<NESS & TOIL1 & ?AT IF ,I HAD A NEW MA/] HE W\LD SC>CELY BE WORSE ?AN MY OLD ONE WAS AT HIS BE/1 & HIM ,I C\LD 5DURE4  ,SO ,I W5T1 & GLAD & GLAD ,I AM1 :ATEV] YE WILL DO ) ME4  ,& N[ WILL ,I ANSW] :ATSO YE MAY ASK ( ME4'  

,%E LAID H] LIMBS TOGE!R DA9TILY & LOOK$ FONDLY ON ,FACE-(- GOD1 & ! C>LE SC[L$ AT H] SOME:AT AT FIR/1 BUT PRES5TLY1 AS HE WAT*$ H]1 HIS FACE SMOO!D ITSELF \T ( ITS WR9KLES4  

,BUT ,FACE-(-GOD POND]$ A LITTLE :ILE1 & !N ASK$ ! WOMAN IF %E HAD HE>D ANY WORDS TO REMEMB] ( LATE DAYS CONC]N+ ! AFFAIRS ( ! ,DUSKY ,M5 & !IR 9T5T2 & HE SAID3  

',I PRAY !E1 SI/]1 BE TRU?FUL 9 ?9E ANSW]1 = SOME:AT LIE? ON IT4'  

,%E SAID3  ',H[ C\LD ,I SPEAK AU<T BUT ! SOO? TO !E1 ,O LOVELY LORD8  ,! LA/ WORD SPOK5 H]E( ,I M9D ME WELL3  = MY MA/] HAD BE5 MI%&L+ ME1 & ,I WAS SULL5 TO HIM AFT] ! SM>T1 & HE MOCK$ & JE]$ ME1 & SAID3  ,YE WOM5 DEEM WE CANNOT DO )\T Y\1 BUT YE >E FOOLS1 & KN[ NO?+2 WE >E GO+ TO CONQU] A NEW L& :]E ! WOM5 >E PL5TY1 & F> FAIR] ?AN YE BE2 & WE %ALL LEAVE Y\ TO F>E AFIELD LIKE ! O!R ?RALLS1 OR WORK 9 ! DIGG+ ( SILV]2 & BELIKE YE WOT :AT ?AT MEANE?4  ,ALSO HE SAID ?AT !Y W\LD LEAVE US TO ! NEW TRIBE ( !IR FOLK1 F> WILD] ?AN !Y1 :OM !Y LOOK$ = 9 ! ,DALE 9 AB\T A MOON'S WE>+2 SO ?AT !Y NE$S MU/ SEEK TO O!R L&S4  ,ALSO ?IS SAME TALK W\LD WE HE> :5EV] IT PLEAS$ ANY ( !M TO MOCK US !IR B$-?RALLS4  ,N[1 MY SWEET LORD1 ?IS IS NAU<T BUT ! V]Y SOO?4'  

,AGA9 SPAKE ,FACE-(-GOD AFT] A :ILE3  

',TELL ME1 SI/]1 HA/ ?\ HE>D ( ANY ( ! ,DUSKY ,M5 BE+ SLA9 9 ! WOOD8'  

',YEA1' %E SAID1 & TURN$ PALE !RE) & CAU<T H] BREA? AS ONE *OK+2 BUT SAID 9 A LITTLE :ILE3  

',?IS ALONE WAS IT H>D = ME TO TELL !E AMONG ALL ! ,I GRIEFS ,I HAVE BORNE1 :]E( ,I MI<T HAVE TOLD !E MANY TALES1 & WILL DO ONE DAY IF ?\ WILT SUFF] IT2 BUT FE> MAKES ?IS H>D = ME4  ,= 9 V]Y SOO? ?IS WAS ! CAUSE ( MY FLEE+1 ?AT MY MA/] WAS BR\<T 9 SLA9 BY AN >R[ 9 ! WOOD2 & HE WAS TO BE BORNE TO BALE & BURN$ 9 ?REE DAYS' WE>+2 & WE ?REE B$-?RALLS ( HIS1 & ?REE ( ! BE/ ( ! M5-?RALLS1 W]E TO BE BURN$ QUICK ON HIS BALE-FIRE AFT] SORE TORM5TS2 !RE=E ,I FL$1 & HID A KNIFE 9 MY BOSOM1 ?AT ,I MI<T NOT BE TAK5 ALIVE2 BUT SWEET WAS LIFE TO ME1 & BELIKE ,I %\LD NOT HAVE SMITT5 MYSELF4'  

,& %E WEPT SORE = PITY ( H]SELF BE=E !M ALL4  ,BUT ,FACE-(- GOD SAID3  

',KN[E/ ?\1 SI/]1 BY :OM ! MAN WAS SLA98'  

',NAY1' %E SAID1 /ILL SOBB+2 'BUT ,I HE>D NAU<T !RE(1 NOR HAD ,I NOT$ IT 9 MY T]ROR4  ,! DEA? ( O!RS1 :O W]E SLA9 BE=E HIM1 & ! LOSS ( MANY1 WE KNEW NOT H[1 MADE !M MORE BITT]LY CRUEL ) US4'  

,& AGA9 WAS %E WEEP+2 BUT ,FACE-(-GOD SAID K9DLY TO H]3  ',WEEP NO MORE1 SI/]1 = N[ %ALL ALL ?Y TR\BLES BE OV]2 ,I FEEL 9 MY HE>T ?AT WE %ALL OV]COME !SE FELONS1 & MAKE AN 5D ( !M1 & !RE !N IS ,BURGDALE = !E 9 ITS L5G? & BREAD?1 OR ?9E [N ,DALE TO DWELL 9 FREELY4'  

',NAY1' %E SAID1 'NEV] WILL ,I GO BACK ?I!R6' & %E TURN$ R\ND TO HIM & KISS$ HIS FEET1 & !N >OSE & TURN$ A LITTLE T[>D H] MATE2 & ! C>LE CAU<T H] BY ! H& & L$ H] AWAY1 & SEEM$ GLAD SO TO DO4  

,SO ONCE AGA9 !Y FELL ASLEEP 9 ! WOODS1 & AGA9 ! NEXT MORN+ F>$ ON !IR WAY E>LY ?AT !Y MI<T COME 9TO ,BURGDALE BE=E NI<TFALL4  ,:5 !Y /AY$ A :ILE AT NOONTIDE & ATE1 ,FACE-(-GOD AGA9 HAD TALK ) ! ,RUNAWAYS1 & ?IS TIME ) ?OSE ( ,ROSE-DALE1 & HE HE>D MU* ! SAME /ORY FROM !M ?AT HE HAD HE>D BE=E1 TOLD 9 DIV]S WAYS1 TILL HIS HE>T WAS SICK ) ! HE>+ ( IT4  

,ON ?IS LA/ DAY ,FACE-(-GOD L$ HIS M5 WELL A?W>T ! WOOD1 SO ?AT HE HIT ,WILDLAKE'S ,WAY )\T COM+ TO ,C>L-/EAD2 & HE CAME D[N 9TO ! ,DALE SOME F\R H\RS AFT] NOON ON A BRI<T DAY ( LATT] ,M>*4  ,AT ! +ATE TO ! ,DALE HE F\ND WAT*ES SET1 ! M5 :]E( TOLD HIM ?AT ! TID+S W]E NOT RI<T GREAT4  ,HALL- FACE'S COMPANY HAD FALL5 9 ) A B& ( ! ,FELONS ?REE SCORE 9 NUMB] 9 ! OAK-WOOD NI< TO ,BO>S-BAIT1 & HAD SLA9 SOME & *AS$ ! RE/1 S9CE !Y F\ND IT H>D TO FOLL[ !M HOME AS !Y RAN = ! TANGL$ ?ICKET3  ( ! ,BURGDAL]S HAD TWO BE5 SLA9 & FIVE HURT 9 ?IS BATTLE4  

,AS = ,R$-COAT'S COMPANY1 !Y HAD FALL5 9 ) NO FOEM54  

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,FEBRU>Y #b#d1 #bba 3 ,*APT] #bh -- ,ADD$4 

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