Phelim had spoken thereof when he and I went ashore just now, and word passes swiftly without losing in the telling.

They took us up through the village to the camp, and there a tent was pitched, large and open in front, as the court of the king.
The enclosure swarmed with men, wilder than any I had ever seen, and picketed rows of most beautiful horses were along one side.
It was a strange court.

The nobles were dressed in black or dull saffron-coloured tunics, with great, shaggy cloaks of the natural hue of the wool they were made of, and but for the rich gold ornaments they wore on their arms and necks, there was little to choose between their attire and that of their followers.

Not one wore mail, but their swords were good, and their spears heavy and well cared for.

As for helms, they had no need of them.