black raiment. Then indeed were we afraid, and we turned about and
fled up the beach; but now it was too late, for the tide was at more
than half ebb and long was the way over the sand to the place where
we had left our horses tied among the tamarisk-bushes. Nevertheless
we ran, and had gotten up to the pebble-beach before they ran in
amongst us: and they caught us, and cast us down on to the hard
stones.

"Then they made us sit in a row on a ridge of the pebbles; and we
were sore afraid, yet more for defilement at their hands than for
death; for they were evil-looking men exceeding foul of favour. Then
said one of them: 'Which of all you maidens is the Hostage of the
House of the Rose?'

"Then all we kept silence, for we would not betray her. But the evil
man spake again: 'Choose ye then whether we shall take one, or all
of you across the waters in our black ship.' Yet still we others
spake not, till arose thy beloved, O Hallblithe, and said:

"'Let it be one then, and not all; for I am the Hostage.'

"'How shalt thou make us sure thereof?' said the evil carle.

"She looked on him proudly and said: 'Because I say it.'

"'Wilt thou swear it?' said he.

"'Yea,' said she, 'I swear it by the token of the House wherein I
shall wed; by the wings of the Fowl that seeketh the Field of
Slaying.'