For the counsel must be
Wulfhere's, and the coolness Wislac's, and the rest Heregar's, who will
by no means bide that we run away. Now, I think that you three will make
a good leader of me."
On that we thanked him for his words, and we followed him out to the
hall. And there the thanes shouted and cheered as he came, and still
more when he prayed them to follow him to victory or a warrior's death.
And that they swore to do, not loudly, but in such sort that none could
mistake that they would surely do so.
Then he bade them muster their men by the first light in the morning,
and so he would lead them first of all to Brent, to join the ealdorman.
And Osric should be his second in command.
That pleased all, and soon we were left alone with him again, but we
could hear outside the cheering of men now and then, as some thane
gathered his following and told them the name of their leader.
So we three went out presently and saw to our horses, and then I was
wondering about arms for Dudda, for I had left the matter too long, and
it seemed there were few weapons remaining for sale in the town by
reason of men of the levy buying or borrowing what they lacked in
equipment. And the poor fellow hung about sadly, thinking he should find
none in the end, and swearing he would follow me even had he naught but
a quarterstaff in his hand.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197