If we could escape the strange tribes from the west, I looked for no trouble at the hands of those common raiders.
The thicket ended with the ridge, and there was a quarter-mile of broken meadow before the forest began.

It was a queer place, that patch of green grass set like an arena for an audience on the mountain side.
A fine stream ran through it, coming down the glen on our right, and falling afterwards into a dark, woody ravine.

I mistrusted the look of it, for there was no cover, and 'twas in full view of the whole flanks of the hills.
Ringan, too, was disturbed.

"Twould be wiser like to wait for darkness before trying that bit," he said.

"We'll be terrible kenspeckle to the gentry we ken of." But I would not hear of delay.