nd I would for your behoof that it were
a goodlier one: and but one wisdom have I, even that which dwelleth in
mine own head-bone. Yet it may be that this may avail you one time or
other. But lo you! though I am thy thrall, have I not the look of a
thrall-huckster from over sea leading up my wares to the cheaping-stead?"
They laughed at his words and were merry, and much love there was amongst
them as they went up to the House of the Raven.

But when they came thither they went into the garth, and there was no man
therein, for it was now dusk, and the windows of the long hall were
yellow with candle-light. Then said Fox: "Abide ye here a little; for I
would go into the hall alone and see the conditions of thy people, O
Hallblithe."

"Go thou, then," said Hallblithe, "but be not rash. I counsel thee; for
our folk are not over-patient when they deem they have a foe before
them."

The Puny Fox laughed, and said: "So it is then the world over, that happy
men are wilful and masterful."

Then he drew his sword and smote on the door with the pommel, and the
door opened to him and in he went: and he found that fair hall full of
folk and bright with candles; and he stood amidst the floor; all men
looked on him, and many knew him at once to be a man of the Ravagers, and
silence fell upon the hall, but no man stirred hand against him. Then he
said: "Will ye hearken to the word of an evil man, a robber of the
folks?"

Spake the chieftain from the dais: "Words will not hurt us, sea-warrior;
and thou art but one among many; wherefore thy might this eve is but as
the might of a new-born baby. Speak, and afterwards eat and drink, and
depart safe from amongst us!"

Spake the Puny Fox: "What is gone with Hallblithe, a fair young man of
your kindred, and with the Hostage of the Rose, his troth-plight maiden?"

Then was the hush yet greater in the hall, so that you might have heard a
pin drop; and the chieftain said: "It is a grief of ours that they are
gone, and that none hath brought us back their dead bodies that we might
lay them in the Acre of the Fathers."

Then leapt up a man from the end-long table nigh to Fox, and cried out:
"Yea, folk! they are gone, and we deem that runagates of thy kindred, O
new-come man, have stolen them from us; wherefor they shall one day pay
us."

Then laughed the Puny Fox and said: "Some would say that stealing
Hallblithe was like stealing a lion, and that he might take care of
himself;