,
which he bore to his lodgings to scour and gaze at for the rest of the day.

CHAPTER XIII. A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAD.

How shall I tell what it was like when the bishop, standing aloft at the
head of the abbey steps with all the monks round him, gave into my
hands, as I knelt, his standard to bear at the head of his men?

Very early in the morning it was, and all the roofs were golden in
bright sunlight, and the men, drawn up in a hollow square fronting the
abbey, were silent and attentive as mass was sung in the great church,
so that the sound of the chanting came out to them through the open
doors. And when the sacring [xi] bell rang, as though a
wave went along the ranks, all knelt, and there was a clash and ring of
steel, and then silence for a space, very wonderful.

Then came out, when mass was said, bishop, and thanes, and monks, and
there gave me the banner, Wulfhere and Wislac kneeling on either side of
me, and behind us those six stout housecarles whom the bishop had chosen
and armed for me. So the banner was given and blessed, and I rose up,
grasping the golden-hafted cross from which it hung, and lifted it that
all might see.

Then was a great shout from all the men, and swords were drawn and
brandished on every side, and, without need of command, all the Dorset
host swore to follow it even to the death. And that was good to hear.

But as for me, my thoughts were more than I may write, but it seems to
me that they were as those of Saint George when he rode out to slay the
dragon in the old days, so great were they.

After that a little wait, and then the horses; and the bishop mounted a
great bay charger, managing him as a master. And to me was brought my
white horse by the collier, looking a grim fighting man enough in his
arms, and to Wulfhere and Wislac black and gray steeds given by Ealhstan
himself.

Now the bishop rode, followed by us, to the centre of the levy, and
again a great shout rose up even mightier than that first, and when it
ended he spoke to the men as he was wont to speak but even yet more
freely, and then put himself at their head, and so began the march to
Brent. And all the town was out to see us go, never doubting of our
victory, nor thinking of how few might return of all that long line of
sturdy and valiant fighting men.

When we were clear of the town at last, and went, the men singing as
they marched, down the ancient green lanes that had seen our
forefathers' levi