"In spite of the fact that they are all dressed somewhat alike in leather
jerkins, it is easy to see which are the trained soldiers," Wulf said. "The
housecarls are as merry over the food they have brought with them as if
they were going upon a march of pleasure through the hills, while the
border levies evidently regard the business as a serious one."
"That is no wonder," Beorn replied, "seeing how for years they have
suffered at the hands of the Welsh. Look at those hills, Wulf, I can count
a dozen beacons alight. Of course, they have heard of the preparations for
attack, and they are flashing the news from hill to hill of the advance of
our force. It will not be long before they gather to oppose us."
"It is like enough they may attack us to-night, Beorn. They may have had
spies at Hereford, and will have known two days ago of our coming. They may
reckon that we should anticipate no attack until farther among their hills,
and that we shall in consequence be careless, as in truth we seem to be. I
think it would be well to offer Gurth our housecarls to stand sentry
to-night."
"He might laugh at us," Beorn said doubtfully.
"Well, let him laugh; he will laugh good-humouredly anyhow, for he is of a
kindly and light-hearted disposition. At any rate there cannot be any harm
in proposing it, and after the surprise we got from the Bretons we cannot
be too cautious."
They walked to the fire where Gurth was sitting with four or five of his
friends, all of whom had furnished bodies of housecarls.
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