we have
striven hard to save our lives this long while past, that there might
be one or two left to tell the tale; but now it is not so sure but
that up there they will slay us for coming home alive. But we heed
not, for we be foul like beasts and hungry like beasts and weary like
beasts. Let the beasts pass who were once men of Brookside."

"Poor men," said the Maiden kindly, "ye need not wound your lips by
telling me the tale, for I know it, to wit the others are all slain
and perished, and that your lord fell with all valiance in the heat of
the battle. O woe is me for my friend!" And she wept.

But the man stared at her wildly, as if he were astonied to hear the
unused sweetness of her voice. But she said: "Come now, and let me
lead thee to thy fellows; maybe they will be astir now." So she put
her hand on his bridle to lead him, and he followed without naysay,
and the others after him. And they passed in under the gate; and by
this time there were a score of more folk in the court, for they had
seen the riding of men from the walls or windows. But lo, now the
Maiden, when she looked about for the Carline, might see her nowhere.
But even therewith came one man and another thronging about those
runaways, and some crying out, Tell all, tell at once! and blubbering
outright, bearded men though they were; and some standing stockstill
and staring straight before them in the extremity of their overthrow.
And amidst of all this the Maiden was shoved aside and swept out of
the way, till presently she felt a hand laid on her shoulder, and
found it was the Carline, who spake: "Come out now amidst all this
hubbub ere some one think of it to shut the gates. Come speedily." And
they came outside the gate, and found none there, but two horses, and
saddle-bags and a pack upon each. And the Carline said: "Mount now,
and we will go as thy dead friend bade us; for none may stay us now,
and these horses are our very own. Now will we ride away, tonight it
may be as far as the Grey Sisters, but tomorrow further."

Chapter LXII. They Fall in with Three Chapmen

Now when the next day was, the Lady of Brookside sent a half score of
men-at-arms to the House of the Grey Sisters, and bade them give up to
them the Carline and the Maiden, if they had them there. But the
Sisters said that they had come to them indeed the night before and
had slept in their house, but had gone on early in the morning; and
when the men asked what road the