2005
victory in battle, was master of the battlefield. The
survivors of the weapons fled to seek fastnesses. The
enemy seized upon gold, robbed with devastation the
treasure-cities of the people, Sodoma and Gomorra. Then
misery requited the great strongholds; the maidens, 2010
wives, and widows, deprived of friends, departed from
their homesteads. The enemy led out with them from
the city of Sodoma, with their spoils, the kinsman of
Abraham.

We may now relate this true history further, as to
what was the fate of the war-wolves after the battle, 2015
who carried off Loth and the goods of the people, the
treasures of the southlanders, [and] exulted in victory.

A warrior, a survivor of the sword who was spared
in battle, escaped from them suddenly, to seek Abraham: 2020
he reported to the Ebrew chieftain the outcome of the
fray,--the people of Sodoma sorely stricken, the nation's
wealth, and Loth's situation. Thereupon Abraham re-
ported the evil tidings to his friends; the steadfast hero 2025
requested aid of his favorite companions, Aner, Mamre,
and thirdly Escol, saying that it would be gall to his
heart and bitterest grief if his nephew should have to 2030
suffer slavery: bade the warriors famed in battle think of
some plan so that his dear kinsman might be freed, the
hero with his bride. In reply the three brothers, famed
in war, with great readiness assuaged his grief by their 2035
hardy words, and pledged their troth to Abraham that
they would avenge his injury upon his foes, with him,
or else fall in battle.

Then the holy man bade his companions take their 2040
weapons: he found there 318 spear-bearing warriors,
loyal to their ruler, of whom he knew that every one
could well support the tawny linden-shield in an onset. 2045
So Abraham set out with the three chieftains who had
just pledged their troth to him, and the band of their
followers. He wished to rescue his kinsman at least,
Loth, from suffering.[26] These warriors were famous:
they bore their shields forth boldly on the march. The 2050
war-wolves, [meanwhile], had nearly reached their
camping-place: then the prudent man, the son of Thare,
spoke to his war-leaders in these words, (great was his
need!), that they[27] should advance on the enemy in two 2055
divisions with grim conflict and hard swordplay: sa