The Flame-Flower 71

greater bows that will slay these savages
from the North.”

But they shook their heads, and _ said,
“Who shall lead us?” And at that moment
came the sound of a horn from the edge of
the wood ; and the men turned pale, and drew
together whispering, “It is the men from
the North!”

Now, in the days long ago (before the
conquerors had come, when hamlet warred
with hamlet, and all that dwelt beyond the
belt of forest might be foes), it was binding
upon any true man who passed the forests
and so came forth into a hamlet not his own,
that he should sound a horn, that those of
the hamlet should be aware of his coming
and that he might not steal upon them as a
foe or a robber would. And this custom had
fallen into disuse these many years.

A single figure broke from the wood and
drew near them, till it had come within a
javelin-cast, and then it halted. It was a tall
and strong figure, with fair hair—it was
Evan.

“Tt is he who herds with the evil spirits of