Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/133

 CHAPTER XXIII. OSBERNE IS CHOSEN CAPTAIN OF THE DALESMEN.

O when he was come anigh the stead he saw the gathered folk and the glittering of weapons about a knoll a bowshot without the garth, and made the best of his way toward the Mote. And as he was drawing near, there ran toward him divers men from the skirts of the throng, and cried out to him to hasten, For now, cried one of them, the Mote is dealing with thee. So he ran on with them; and when he entered the throng, which for those parts was no small one, there went up a great shout, and they shoved him along up to the foot of the knoll, on the top whereof stood three of the best men of estate, and the Lawman of the Dale, and the captain of the men of East Cheaping. These called him to come amongst them, and then the Lawman fell to speaking: Osberne Wulfgrimson, said he, thou art late at the Mote, and it is well-nigh done, but this is the heart of the matter, that we have ten score and six of goodmen pledged them to ride with these friends of East Cheaping; but they have craved to have a captain to them chosen from us Dalesmen. But whereas there hath been but little war or strife in the Dale since the riding of the White Champion, which is a thirty years ago, we be for the most part little skilled in battle; and we all wot that thou hast a