of the hall,
and we on the benches round the walls, for the long tables had been
cleared.

When all was ready, Eanulf stood up and told the thanes, for some were
men who had had no part in Osric's levy, all about the fighting, and how
it had ended. And having done that, he asked for the advice of such as
would have aught to say.

Very soon an old thane rose up and said that he thought all would be
well if forces were so posted as to prevent the Danes coming beyond the
land they then held.

And several growled assent to that; and one said that Danes bided in one
place no long time, but would take ship again and go elsewhere.

That, too, seemed to please most, and I saw Eanulf bite his lip, for he
was a man who loved action. And Wulfhere, too, shifted in his seat, as
if impatient.

Then they went back to the first proposal, and began to name places
where men might be posted to keep the Danes in Parret valley at least,
till they went away.

Then at last Wulfhere grew angry, and rose up, looking very red.

"And what think you will Parret valley be like when they have done their
will therein? Does no man remember the going back to his place when
these strangers had bided in it for a while, after they beat us in Dorset?"

There were two thanes who had lands in that part, and they flushed, so
that one might easily know they remembered; but they said naught.

Then Eanulf spake, very plainly:

"I am for raising the levy of Somerset again, and stronger, and driving
them out; but I cannot do it without your help."

Then there was silence, and the thanes looked at one another for so long
that I waxed impatient, and being headstrong, maybe, got up and spoke:

"Landless I am, and maybe not to be hearkened to, but nevertheless I
will say what it seems to me that a man should say. Into this land of
peace these men from over seas have come wantonly, slaying our friends,
burning our houses, driving our cattle, making such as escape them take
to the woods like hunted wild beasts. Where is Edred the Thane? Where is
Matelgar? Where twenty others you called friends? Dead by Combwich, and
none to bury them. The Danes have their arms, the wolves their bodies.
Is no vengeance to be taken for this? Or shall the Danes sail away
laughing, saying that the hearts of the Saxons are as water?"

Then there rose an angry growl at that, and I was glad to hear it. So
was Eanulf, as it seemed. And Wulfhere got up and stood beside me and
spo