gs
and Galtings and the other Houses of the Mid-mark on the further side of
the water to be in the second, and with them the more part of the Nether-
mark; but the men of Up-mark to be in the third, and the stay-at-homes to
follow on with them: and this third battle to let the wood cover them
till they be needed, which may not be till the day of fight draws to an
end, when all shall be needed: for no Roman man must be left alive or
untaken by this even, or else must we all go to the Gods together.
Hearken, Arinbiorn. I am not called fore-sighted, and yet meseems I see
somewhat how this day shall go; and it is not to be hidden that I shall
not see another battle until the last of all battles is at hand. But be
of good cheer, for I shall not die till the end of the fight, and once
more I shall be a man's help unto you. Now the first of the Romans we
meet shall not be able to stand before us, for they shall be unready, and
when their men are gotten ready and are fighting with us grimly, ye of
the second battle shall hear the war-token, and shall fall on, and they
shall be dismayed when they see so many fresh men come into the fight;
yet shall they stand stoutly; for they are valiant men, and shall not all
be taken unawares. Then, if they withstand us long enough, shall the
third battle come forth from the wood, and fall on either flank of them,
and the day shall be won. But I think not that they shall withstand us
so long, but that the men of Up-mark and the stay-at-homes shall have the
chasing of them. Now get me my war-gear, and let the first battle get
them to the outgate of the garth."

So they brought him his arms; and meanwhile the Hall-Sun spake to one of
the Captains, and he turned and went away a little space, and then came
back, having with him three strong warriors of the Wolfings, and he
brought them before the Hall-Sun, who said to them:

"Ye three, Steinulf, Athalulf, and Grani the Grey, I have sent for you
because ye are men both mighty in battle and deft wood-wrights and house-
smiths; ye shall follow Thiodolf closely, when he winneth into the Roman
garth, yet shall ye fight wisely, so that ye be not slain, or at least
not all; ye shall enter the Hall with Thiodolf, and when ye are therein,
if need be, ye shall run down the Hall at your swiftest, and mount up
into the loft betwixt the Middle-hearth and the Women's-Chamber, and
there shall ye find good store of water in vats and tubs, and this ye
shal