in, peacefully enough, nor dreamt I aught.

With morning light that vision and the bidding to Combwich, and what I
had thought thereon, seemed yet stronger. Very early the Somerset men
went with Eanulf, and we of the bishop's levy only remained on Brent
after the morning meal.

Then as we three stood on the edge of the hill, and looked out where
Matelgar had looked, I told my two friends of his coming and of his words.

"Three things there are," said Wislac, "that hinder this ghost's
business; namely, want of wings, uncertainty of darkness, and ignorance
of the time when the Danes shall come."

"There are also three things that make for it, brother," said Wulfhere.
"Namely: that men can swim, that there is no moon, and that the Danes
are careless in their watch of the waste they leave behind them."

"Think you that the hill will be unguarded?" asked I, glad that Wulfhere
did not put away the plan at once.

"Why should they guard it? There are Danes at the ships--though few, I
expect, for we have been well beaten. And more in plenty from Parret to
Quantocks, and no Saxon left between the two forces."

"Why not burn the ships then?" asked Wislac.

"Doubtless that could we, once over Parret," answered Wulfhere, "but
what then? Away go the Danes through Somerset, burning and plundering
even to Cornwall, and there bide till ships come, and then can be gone
in safety. That is not what we need. We have to trap them and beat them
here."

"So then, Wulfhere," I said, "think you that the plan is good?"

"Aye," he answered, "good enough; but not easy. Moreover, I doubt if the
bishop would let his standard bearer part from him."

That was likely enough to stop all the plan; but yet I would lay it
before Ealhstan, for it seemed to us that such a message might by no
means go untold at least.

So we sought him, and asked for speech with him; and at that he laughed,
saying that surely his council had the best right to that. Osric was
with him, and the bishop told him how that we three had been his first
advisers in this matter.

Then we sat down and I told Ealhstan all, asking nothing.

When I had ended, Osric looked at me, and said that the plan was
venturesome; but no doubt possible to be carried out, and if so, by none
better than myself, who knew every inch of that country. Then, thinking
over it, as it were, he added that the woods beyond Matelgar's hall
would shelter any force that must needs seek cover, so that,