So we, finding him ever ready to hear what was wanted, put the question to him plainly as they had bidden us.  And that was, that he himself should lead the levy of Dorset.

Now Tatwine, the old abbot, sat with him and heard this, and straightway he began to tremble, and cry out that such work was unfit for a bishop.

So the bishop said to me, very quietly, but with a look in his eyes which seemed to show that this was what he longed for: 

“Heregar, my son, go and tell the thanes what the abbot says, and ask if they will go without me.”

All the thanes were waiting to hear the bishop’s answer to our request, and I told them this, and they knew at once what answer to give, for they said, or Osric said for them, while all applauded: 

“We will not go against these heathens unless the bishop leads us.  Else must Somerset fight her own battles.”

So with that word I went back to the bishop, and told him.

“So, Tatwine, my brother, you see how it is.  Needs must that I go, else were it shame to us that heathen men should have freedom in a Christian land.”

But Tatwine groaned, and, maybe knowing the bishop well, said no more.

Then Ealhstan bade him remember all the saints who had warred against the heathen, and were held blameless—­nay, rather, the holier.

“Therefore,” said he, “I am in good company, and will surely go.”

Whereupon Tatwine rose up and went out, saying that he should go to the abbey and seek protection for the bishop, and men say he bided there almost night and day, praying until all was past.  Certainly I saw him no more in his accustomed places, save at mass.

When he had gone the bishop smiled a little, looking after him, and then spoke to us.

“I may tell my council that this is what I should love.  Nevertheless, it will not be I who lead, but you three.  For the counsel must be Wulfhere’s, and the coolness Wislac’s, and the rest Heregar’s, who will by no means bide that we run away.  Now, I think that you three will make a good leader of me.”

On that we thanked him for his words, and we followed him out to the hall.  And there the thanes shouted and cheered as he came, and still more when he prayed them to follow him to victory or a warrior’s death.  And that they swore to do, not loudly, but in such sort that none could mistake that they would surely do so.

Then he bade them muster their men by the first light in the morning, and so he would lead them first of all to Brent, to join the ealdorman.  And Osric should be his second in command.

That pleased all, and soon we were left alone with him again, but we could hear outside the cheering of men now and then, as some thane gathered his following and told them the name of their leader.

So we three went out presently and saw to our horses, and then I was wondering about arms for Dudda, for I had left the matter too long, and it seemed there were few weapons remaining for sale in the town by reason of men of the levy buying or borrowing what they lacked in equipment.  And the poor fellow hung about sadly, thinking he should find none in the end, and swearing he would follow me even had he naught but a quarterstaff in his hand.