And they all set to work to the trussing up of their
goods, and then turned their backs on the Great Water, and came up
into the woodland, and so to the camp in the wood-lawn. And there
had Viridis a joyful meeting with her babes, and she gladdened the
hearts of Sir Hugh's men-at-arms by her kind greeting; and they
rejoiced in meeting Aurea and Atra again, and they wondered at
Birdalone and her beauty, and their hearts went out to her, both the
old men's and the young ones. But Habundia's men looked on it all
like images of warriors.
There then they feasted merrily that evening. But when the morrow
was come they were speedily on the way toward Utterhay; and the way-
leaders guided them so well and wisely, that by noon of the fifth day
they were come forth of the wood and on to the bent that looked down
upon the town of Utterhay. There turned to Hugh the three way-
leaders, and spake: Lord, we have done thee the service which we
were bidden; if thou hast no further need of us, give us leave.
Said Hugh: Leave ye have, and I shall give you a great reward ere ye
go.
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