so as to cause dread of the battle that was to come.

Now there were two men who came to us that night, and we thought that
they had brought some message from Alsi at first. But all that they
wanted was to join Havelok, and we were glad of them. They were those
two seconds of Griffin's, Cadwal and the other, whose name was Idrys,
and with them was David the priest, who had fled to us.

"We know that Havelok is one who is worth fighting for," they said, "for
we have proved it already. We are not Alsi's men, and our fathers fought
for his mother's Welsh kin against the English long ago. Let us fight
for the rights of Goldberga, at least."

Havelok welcomed them in all friendliness, though he asked them if they
had no grudge against him for the slaying of Griffin.

"As to that," they said, "after the duel we think that he deserved all
that has befallen him. We were ashamed to be his seconds."

Now these two took in hand to lead the marshmen, and set to work with
them at once, for they were ready to follow them as known thanes of the
British. And that was something gained.

We slept on our arms that night, and all night long David woke and
prayed for our success, and I think that his prayers were not lost.


CHAPTER XXIII. BY TETFORD STREAM.

In the early morning Alsi set his men in order in the valley, and seemed