and
booths both great and little.

Therefore, whereas the Markmen were far fewer in all than the Roman main-
battle, and whereas this same host was in very good array, no doubt there
was that the Markmen would have been grievously handled had the Romans
fallen on; but the Roman Captain would not have it so: for though he was
a bold man, yet was his boldness that of the wolf, that falleth on when
he is hungry and skulketh when he is full. He was both young and very
rich, and a mighty man among his townsmen, and well had he learned that
ginger is hot in the mouth, and though he had come forth to the war for
the increasing of his fame, he had no will to die among the Markmen,
either for the sake of the city of Rome, or of any folk whatsoever, but
was liefer to live for his own sake. Therefore was he come out to
vanquish easily, that by his fame won he might win more riches and
dominion in Rome; and he was well content also to have for his own
whatever was choice amongst the plunder of these wild-men (as he deemed
them), if it were but a fair woman or two. So this man thought, It is my
business to cross the ford and come to Wolfstead, and there take the
treasure of the tribe, and have a stronghold there, whence we may slay so
many of these beasts with little loss to us that we may march away easily
and with our hands full, even if Maenius with his men come not to our
aid, as full surely he will: therefore as to these angry men, who be not
without might and conduct in battle, let us remember the old saw that
saith 'a bridge of gold to a fleeing foe,' and let them depart with no
more hurt of Romans, and seek us afterwards when we are fenced into their
stead, which shall then be our stronghold: even so spake he to his
Captains about him.

For it must be told that he had no tidings of the overthrow of the Romans
on the Ridge; nor did he know surely how many fighting-men the Markmen
might muster, except by the report of those dastards of the Goths; and
though he had taken those two women in the wastes, yet had he got no word
from them, for they did as the Hall-Sun bade them, when they knew that
they would be questioned with torments, and smiting themselves each with
a little sharp knife, so went their ways to the Gods.

Thus then the Roman Captain let the Markmen go their ways, and turned
toward the ford, and the Markmen went slowly now toward their horses.
Howbeit there were many of them who murmured against Otter, saying