rs ago that Goldberga had
gone, and her wedding had seemed to end her story. Now the men heard and
wondered; and it is said that very many left Alsi that night and went
home, angry with him for his falsehood.

Now when all was done we sought rest, and weary we were. I will say for
myself that I did not feel like fighting next morning at all, for I was
tired out, and the one or two wounds that I had were getting sorely
stiff. Raven was much in the same case, and grumbled, sailor-wise, at
the weight of the banner and aught else that came uppermost in his mind.
Yet I knew that he would be the first to go forward again when the time
came.

The host slept on their arms along the bank of the stream through the
hot night, and the banner was pitched in their midst. Soon the moon
rose, and only the footsteps of the sentries along our front went up and
down, while across the water was the same silence; for both hosts were
wearied out, and each had learned that the other were true men, and
there was no mistrust on either side. When the light came once more we
should fight to prove who were the best men at arms, and with no hatred
between us.

Presently the mists crept up from the stream and wreathed the sleepers
on either bank with white, swaying clouds, and I mind that the last
thought I had before I closed my eyes was that my armour would be rusted
by the clinging damp--as if it were not war-stained from helm to
deerskin shoe already with stains that needed more cleansing than any rust.

Then I waked suddenly, for someone went past me, and I sat up to see who
it might be. The moon was very bright and high now, but the figure that
I saw wading in the white mist was shadowy, and I could not tell who it
was. And then another and yet another figure came from the rear of our
line, and passed among the sleeping ranks, and joined the first
noiselessly; and after a little while many came, hurrying, and they
formed up on the bank of the stream into the mighty wedge. And I feared
greatly, for not one of the sleepers stirred as the warriors went among
us, and I had looked on the faces of those who passed me, and I knew
that they were the dead whom I had seen the men gather even now and lay
in their last rank beyond our line.

Then I saw that on the far bank was gathered another host, and that was
of Alsi's men, and among them I knew the forms of some who had fallen in
the first onset when I led the charge.

I tried to put forth my h