Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/251

 captives whatsoever they may be, but keep such as they may deem likely to sell to the thrall-cheapers. Now as to thy foes being of this ill folk, I deem it more like the more I think thereof, for not only hast thou given me a true picture of their aspect, but it is mostly the other side of the Sundering Flood which they haunt, though whiles we meet them about the borders of the Wood Masterless nigh unto the Flood. Withal I must tell thee, that though I speak of both the Black and the Red Skimmers as of nations or tribes, I say not but they be mingled with runagates of divers folks; for whatever is worst or evillest or cruellest will drift toward them. And I wot not but that these men be worse than they of the blood, having in them more malice and grudging. But this I know for sure, that these are they who set them to work on such a business, and spy for them, and sell them their plunder, as they may well do since they are of aspect like other folk and know their tongues. But what aileth thee, Red Lad, to look so wan and so perturbed of countenance? Hast thou aught on thine heart which thou wouldst tell me? That have I, said Osberne: and so as shortly as he might he told his lord the whole tale of his dealings with Elfhild, and how she had vanished away before hand might touch hand, or face face; and how he deemed that she had been borne off by these same Red Skimmers. And when he had done Sir Godrick said: Poor lad, and this was the cause then that made thee so eager to take service