d destroy us. Let
each man rest as he may, and sleep if he may with his war-gear on him and
his weapons by his side, and when he is next awakened by the captains and
the leaders of hundreds and scores, let him not think that it is night,
but let him betake himself to his place among his kindred and be ready to
go through the wood with as little noise as may be. Now all is said that
the War-duke would have me say, and to-morrow shall those see him who are
foremost in falling upon the foemen, for he longeth sorely for his seat
on the days of the Wolfing Hall."

So he spake, and even as he bade them, they made no sound save a joyous
murmur; and straightway the more part of them betook themselves to sleep
as men who must busy themselves about a weighty matter; for they were
wise in the ways of war. So sank all the host to the ground save those
who were appointed as watchers of the night, and Arinbiorn and Thiodolf
and the Hall-Sun; they three yet stood together; and Arinbiorn said:

"Now it seems to me not so much as if we had vanquished the foe and were
safe and at rest, but rather as if we had no foemen and never have had.
Deep peace is on me, though hitherto I have been deemed a wrathful man,
and it is to me as if the kindreds that I love had filled the whole
earth, and left no room for foemen: even so it may really be one day. To-
night it is well, yet to-morrow it shall be better. What thine errand
may be, Thiodolf, I scarce know; for something hath changed in thee, and
thou art become strange to us. But as for mine errand, I will tell it
thee; it is that I am seeking Otter of the Laxings, my friend and fellow,
whose wisdom my foolishness drave under the point and edge of the Romans,
so that he is no longer here; I am seeking him, and to-morrow I think I
shall find him, for he hath not had time to travel far, and we shall be
blithe and merry together. And now will I sleep; for I have bidden the
watchers awaken me if any need be. Sleep thou also, Thiodolf! and wake
up thine old self when the moon is low." Therewith he laid himself down
under the lee of the pile of faggots, and was presently asleep.

CHAPTER XXVI--THIODOLF TALKETH WITH THE WOOD-SUN

Now were Thiodolf and the Hall-Sun left alone together standing by the
Speech-Hill; and the moon was risen high in the heavens above the tree-
tops of the wild-wood. Thiodolf scarce stirred, and he still held his
head bent down as one lost in thought.

T