For if they were, surely
one might swim over and bring one back. And that I said.
Then of a sudden, the bishop rose up, and seemed to have come to a
decision, saying:
"See here, thanes; ever as we march to Bridgwater, we draw nearer
Parret. Now by this evening, we shall be close over against this place
Combwich, so that one may go thither and spy what there is to be done,
and come back in good time and tell us if crossing may be made by raft
or boat. Let this rest till then. But if it may be so, then I, and
Heregar and his following, and two hundred men will surely cross, and
wait for what may betide. For I think this plan is good."
So he would say no more of it then. And presently all his men were
mustered, and we marched from Brent slowly along the way to Bridgwater.
CHAPTER XIV. ELGAH THE FISHER.
Now men have said that this plan of mine needed no ghost to set it
forth, but is such that would enter the mind of any good leader. That
might be so had there been one there who knew the country as I knew it,
but there was not. And I was no general as was Eanulf. However that
might be, I tell what happened to me in the matter, and sure am I that
but for Matelgar's bidding I had never thought of this place or plan.
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