and to wake Withelm, but I could not stir, and
when I would have spoken, I could frame no word, so that alone in all
the host I saw the slain men fight their battle over again, step by
step. The wedge of the Northmen won to the far shore as we had won--as
they had won in life but a few hours ago--and into the line of foemen
they cut their way, and on the far side of the stream they stayed and
fought, as it had been in the battle. Yet though one could see that the
men shouted and cried, there was no sound at all, and among the wildest
turmoil walked the sentries of Alsi's host unconcerned and unknowing.
And to me they seemed to be the ghosts, and the phantom strife that
which was real.

Then I was ware of a stranger thing yet than all I had seen so far, for
on the field were more than those whom I knew. There stood watching on
either side of the battle two other ghostly hosts, taking no part in the
struggle, but watching it as we had watched from our place when we fell
back into the rear to rest, pointing and seeming to cheer strokes that
were good and deeds that were valiant. And I knew that these were men
who had fought and died on this same field in older days, for on one
side were the white-clad Britons, and on the other the stern, dark-faced
Romans, steel and bronze from head to foot.

So the battle went onward to where we had won and had been pressed back;
and then, little by little, the hosts faded away, and with them went the
watchers, and surely across the field went the quick gallop of no
earthly steeds, the passing to Odin of the choosers of the slain, the
Valkyries.

Then came across the brook to me one through the mist, and the sentries
paid no heed to him, and he came to my side and spoke to me. It was
Cadwal, the Welsh thane, and his breast was gashed so that I thought
that he could not have lived.

"Ay, I am dead," he said, "as men count death, and yet I would have part
in victory over Alsi, for the sake of Havelok and of Goldberga. Stay up
my body on the morrow, that I may seem to fight at least, that I may
bide in the ranks once more in the day of victory. Little victory have
the British seen since Hengist came. Say that you will do this."

Then he looked wistfully at me, and I gave him some token of assent; and
at that came back all the shadows of our men, and seemed to pray the
same. And then was a stir of feet near me, and a shadow across the
trampled grass, and instead of the dead the voice of