So Alfred said, and we, who began to see what his great plan was, were cheered.

In the evening Odda came with eight hundred men of Devon.  Alfred had two hundred maybe, and my few men and the townsfolk made another two hundred.  But Hubba had twenty-three longships, whose crews, if up to fighting strength, would not be less than a hundred in each.

So we watched till the tide fell, when he could not come into the Parret, and then I went back to Heregar’s hall.  It seemed very bare, for all goods had been sent up to the great refuge camp of Dowsborough, to which all day long the poor folk had been flying, driving with them their sheep and cattle and swine, that they might save what they could.  But with Odda had come his daughter, the Lady Etheldreda, who would not leave him; and she and the Lady Alswythe and Thora were yet in the house, and Osmund the jarl sat in the hall, listless and anxious of face.  It was an ill time for him; but there were none of us who did not like him well, and feel for him in his helplessness.

“What news?” he said, when he saw me come into the hall.

“Hubba will be here on the next tide—­with early morning,” I said.

He sighed, and rising up went to the doorway and looked out to the hills.

“I would that I could make these two noble ladies seek refuge yonder,” he said; “but one will not leave her father, nor the other her husband.”

Then I said: 

“At least I think you should take Thora there.  This is a difficult place for you.”

“I know Hubba,” he said, “and if I abide here I may be of use.  I need not tell you that you are fighting the best warrior of our time, and that with too small a force.”

“Well,” I said, “you and I can speak plainly, neither of us being Saxons.  We shall be beaten by numbers, and you mean that you will be able to save these ladies by staying?”

“Ay,” he said.  “And if by any chance Alfred wins, I may be able to ask for mercy for the conquered.”

Then came in Thora, and her face was troubled.  She had been trying to make Etheldreda go to the hill fort, where all the women and children of the countryside had been sent.

“It is of no use,” she said; “they will bide here.”

“Well,” said Osmund, “then we will stay also.  I and our friend have spoken thereof, and it seems well that we do so.”

I suppose they had talked of this before, for she made no answer, but sat down wearily enough before the fire; and Osmund and I went out to the courtyard, for we were both restless.

Then Heregar came in on his white horse, and saw Osmund, and called to him, asking of the same business, for he had asked the jarl to speak about it as a friend.  So I went in again, and Thora sat by herself yet, looking up to see who came now.  I went and stood by her, staring into the fire, and feeling as if I wanted to go out again.  Restlessness was in the very air while we waited for the coming fight.