f men
who crowded upwards and filled the camp and ramparts and fosse, so
that before sunset Alfred had a host that any king might be proud
to call his own. Yet he would call it not Alfred's force, but
England's.

Standing on the old ramparts, he spoke to them, while all the great
gathering was silent. And the words he said sank into the heart of
every man who heard, so that he felt as if on his arm alone it
rested to free England, and that his arm could not fail. Not long
did the king speak, but when he ended there rose a cheering that
was good to hear, for it came from hearts that had been made strong
to dare aught that might come.

After that he spoke to the thanes, giving each one his place, and
telling them all that he had planned, so that each knew what was
looked for from him. It seemed that he had forgotten nothing, and
that the day must go as he said he thought it would.

Men slept on their arms that night, without watch fires, lest any
prowling Danes should see that somewhat was on hand, although
Guthrum had drawn to him every man from out of Wessex, as was said,
and as seemed true. I have heard tales from some that in the night
the warriors who lie resting in the mounds around their old
stronghold came forth and wandered restless along the ramparts,
longing to take their part again in the mighty struggle they knew
was coming. I saw nothing, but Harek the scald says he saw.

Next day we marched towards our foes. Eighteen miles we went, and
then came to the holy place Glastonbury, where the burnt ruins
spoke again, as it were, to the warriors of wrong and cruelty to be
avenged.

There we were, but eight miles from the foe, and that night we lay
in a great meadow they called Iglea, deep down in the folds of the
hills, where even so great a host might be hidden for many days if
no chance betrayed them. Alfred took a few of us when night came,
and climbed the steep tor above Glastonbury town. Thence we could
see the long line of fires on Polden Hills that marked where the
Danes slept, all unknowing that any host could be gathered in their
rear.

In the grey of morning we set our ranks in order. I was with
Alfred, with Ethered of Mercia and Ethelnoth, and more nobles whom
I knew; and my few men were in the shield wall, among the best
warriors of the Saxon levies. None grudged that honour to those who
had made the point of the wedge that broke Hubba's ranks and won
the Raven banner.

Now, in our Norse lan