even were
Combwich hill unsafe, there was yet a refuge whence attack could again
be made.

Then Ealhstan, who had listened quietly, said that such messages were
rare, but all the less to be despised. Therefore would he think thereof
more fully.

"What," he asked, "is the main difficulty?"

I said that the crossing of Parret was like to be hard in any case; but
at night and unobserved yet more so. But that, could we reach the
farther bank, I could find places where we might lie in wait for a day,
if need were, with many men.

Thereupon the bishop took that great book of Caesar's wars, and looked
into it. But he seemed long in finding aught to meet that case, while we
talked of one thing or another concerning it among ourselves.

At last he shut the book and said, very gravely: "I would that I could
swim."

"I also, Father," said Wislac, "and why I cannot, save for sheer
cowardice, I know not, having been brought up on Thames side, and never
daring to go out of depth."

At that we were fain to laugh, so dismally did the broad-shouldered
Mercian blame himself. But the bishop said that if I went, needs must
that he came also. But he did not dissuade me in any way.

"Wulfhere the Counsellor," he said then, "have you no plan?"

"To cross the river?" answered the veteran. "Aye, many, if they may be
managed. Rafts for those who cannot swim, surely."

Now I bethought me of the many boats that ever lay in the creek under
Combwich, and wondered if any were yet whole. 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
mig