three hours before noon
Albeit some of the Shepherds and of the Dalesmen of the westernmost Dale had brought light tents , and tilted themselves in in the night before the Mote down in the meadows below the Mote-stead . From early morning there had been a stream of folk on the Portway setting westward ; and many came thus early that they might hold converse with friends and well-wishers ; and some that they might disport them in the woods . Men went in no ordered bands , as the Burgstead men at least had done on the day of the Weapon-show , save that a few of them who were arrayed the bravest gathered about the banners , and went with them to the Mote-stead ; for all the banners must needs be there . The Folk-mote was to be hallowed-in three hours before noon , as all men knew ; therefore an hour before that time were all men of the Dale and the Shepherds assembled that might be looked for , save the Alderman and the chieftains with the banner of the Burg , and these were not like to come many minutes before the Hallowing . Folk were gathered on the Field in such wise , that the men-at-arms made a great ring round about the Doom-ring , -LRB- albeit there were many old men there , girt with swords that they should never heave up again in battle -RRB- , so that without that ring there was nought save women and children . But when all the other Houses were assembled , men looked around , and beheld the place of the Woodlanders that it was empty ; and they marvelled that they were thus belated . For now all was ready , and a watcher had gone up to the Tower on the height , and had with him the great Horn of Warning , which could be heard past the Mote-stead and a great way down the Dale : and if he saw foes coming from the East he should blow one blast ; if from the South , two ; if from the West , three ; if from the North , four .