FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140  
141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   >>  
s ear, till he had told off twenty men, and them he sent off right and left into the darkness and I was left with Wislac standing alone, watching the Danes. I kept my eyes fixed on them till they seemed to waver and grow dim, so intently did I watch them; and then all of a sudden there was the sound of a raven's croak, and into the firelight and on those careless watchers leapt Wulfhere and his men from all around. There was one choked cry, and that was all, and Wulfhere beckoned to me. I advanced, and the line closed up and followed. Now we stood on Combwich hill, and all was well so far. Ealhstan came up to me, unknowing of what had caused the halt, being over the brow of the hill, and when he knew, said it was well done, and that now we might rest safely for a time. So we bade the men sit down, and those who were wet made up the fire afresh: for there was no need to put it out, but rather reason for allowing the Danes to see it burning, as if in safety. When we three sat by the bishop, Wislac asked what we were to wait for, and, indeed, that must be the next thought. Then said the bishop that after a while he would take the force to the woods that overhung the roadway, and so wait for the Danes as Eanulf and Osric drove them back; but that it was not more than midnight yet. Then came a little silence, and in that I seemed to hear the sound of footsteps coming up the hill from Combwich, and bade the others listen. And at the same time some of the men heard the sound, and started up to see who came. But they were the steps of one man only, walking carelessly. Into the light of the fire stepped one, at the sight of whom the men stared, though Wislac laughed quietly. It was that young thane who had wanted to fight my friend Wislac on the day of the council. He was very wet, and tired, throwing himself down beside us when he saw where we sat. Ealhstan asked him who bade him come, and how he had followed us. "Nearly had I forgotten a dispute I have with Wislac the Thane here. Wherefore I asked no man's leave, but followed you just too late for the crossing. So needs must swim. And here am I to see that Wislac counts fairly, and that he may have the same surety of me." Whereat we were obliged to laugh, and most of all the bishop, because he would fain have been angry, and could not. Then the thane, whose name was Aldhelm, asked who was the slain man over whose body he had well-nigh fallen on the other
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   126   127   128   129   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140  
141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   153   >>  



Top keywords:
Wislac
 

bishop

 

Ealhstan

 

Combwich

 

Wulfhere

 
footsteps
 
laughed
 

quietly

 
listen
 

coming


wanted

 

fallen

 
stepped
 

walking

 
carelessly
 

stared

 
started
 
crossing
 

Wherefore

 

surety


Whereat

 

obliged

 

counts

 

fairly

 

dispute

 

throwing

 

council

 

Aldhelm

 

silence

 

Nearly


forgotten

 
friend
 

burning

 

choked

 

watchers

 
firelight
 

careless

 
beckoned
 

unknowing

 
caused

advanced
 

closed

 
sudden
 
darkness
 

standing

 

watching

 
twenty
 

intently

 
thought
 

overhung