Three escaped. They fled
wildly toward the flame and leaped over and through its flickering yellow
crest and there was no pursuit. It was not a time for besieged men to be
seeking useless vengeance. There came wild yells from the lower end of
the valley where the greater fight was on. With a cry Ab gathered his men
together and the victorious band ran toward the barrier again, there with
overwhelming force to end the struggle. Ever, in later years, did Ab
regret that his fight with Boarface had not ended sooner. To save an old
hero he had come too late.
Boarface, when taking with him a strong band to the upper end of the
valley, had still left a supposably overwhelming force to fight its way
up and over the barrier. Ab away from the scene of struggle, old Hilltop
assumed command. He was a fit man for such death-facing steadfastness as
was here required.
Never had Ab been able to persuade Lightfoot's father to use or even try
the new weapon, the bow and arrow. He had no tender feeling toward modern
innovations. He had a clear eye and strong arm, and the ax and spear were
good enough for him! He recognized Ab's great qualities, but there were
some things that even a well-regarded son-in-law could not impose upon
any elder family male. Among these was this twanging bow with its light
shaft, better fitted for a child's plaything than for real work among
men.
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