Jefan heard and turned back, and called to him to stay; but he also was too late.  He had but a dozen men with him, while from the opposite side of the camp those who had driven off their foes had joined those who poured out with Kynan.  One or two of Jefan’s men shouted, and went with them, unheeding the call of their leader to stay.

Then in a moment I knew what the word which had been passed meant.  The Mercians who had drawn off from the side attacks closed up and charged down on the scattered Welsh, on whose pursuit Gymbert and his men turned.  We could do naught but stand and watch, helpless, for we dared not leave the gate, which we could not close against the retreat which must come.

Round Kynan and his men Gymbert’s force swarmed, and the din of wild battle rang as the ancient foes, Welsh and Mercian, met on the level turf.  I saw Kynan’s red sword rise above the turmoil, and heard his voice rallying his men to him; and then he had them together in a close body, outnumbered indeed by two to one, but better fighters and better trained than the mob against them.  And then they began to cut their way back to the gate.

We stood there across it, waiting, and then it was our turn.  Of a sudden out of the ditch on either hand leaped men who had waited there unnoticed for this moment, and they fell on us.  We were eight, and but four of us could stand in the gateway at a time.  Jefan and I and Erling and a tall Welshman were the first, and before us were some dozen Mercians, and more to come as they could find room on the narrow causeway.

Now it was a question whether we might hold the gate till Kynan won back to it, or whether when he did come he should find it held against him; and for one terrible moment I had a fear that men would be coming over the stockade in the rear upon us.  And I could not look round, for I had all my time taken up in keeping my own life from the attack in front.

I think it was about that time that Kynan began to sing some wonderful old Welsh war song, which rang above the clash of weapons and the cries of those who fought.  It took hold of me, and I seemed to smite in time to its swinging cadence.  Yet he came back very slowly.

Jefan went down first.  Into the ditch he rolled, with his grip on the throat of a Mercian; for his sword snapped, and he flew at the man.  One from behind us took his place with a yell of rage, and he went too far, and was gone also, speared at once.  Then another, and another to my left; for the tall Briton was down, and still Erling and I were not hurt.  I would that Kynan would get back more quickly.  He was coming, but the press before us was thick.

So we fought, and I fell to thinking what a wondrous sword this was which Carl the Great had given me.  It shore the spear shafts, and the brass-studded shields seemed to split before it touched them, and the tough leather jerkins of the forest men could not hold its edge back.  The wild song of Kynan never ceased, and he seemed to sing of it.  He was getting nearer, but the Mercians thronged between his men and us.