"Of this," said Walter; "that here in this land be strange
adventures toward, and that if we, and I in especial, were to turn
our backs on them, and go home with nothing done, it were pity of
our lives: for all will be dull and deedless there. I was deeming
it were good if we tried the adventure."

"What adventure?" said the old man, rising up on his elbow and
staring sternly on him.

Said Walter: "The wending yonder pass to the eastward, whereby the
huge men come to thee from out of the Bear-country; that we might
see what should come thereof."

The carle leaned back again, and smiled and shook his head, and
spake: "That adventure were speedily proven: death would come of
it, my son."

"Yea, and how?" said Walter.

The carle said: "The big men would take thee, and offer thee up as
a blood-offering to that woman, who is their Mawmet. And if ye go
all, then shall they do the like with all of you."

Said Walter: "Is that sure?"

"Dead sure," said the carle.

"How knowest thou this?" said Walter.