From the top of the hill we may get a general view of the country, and
shall have some idea as to the course to take. We must first of all try to
find a native who can tell us which is the direction of Porthwyn and how
far it lies away. Our orders are to reconnoitre it and that must be done
before there is any question of return. Even if I were absolutely alone, I
would carry out that order."
Beorn was silent for a minute, and then said doubtfully, "Perhaps you are
right, Wulf; but when Gurth gave us the order he gave us more than three
hundred men to carry it out, and we have now but seventy."
By this time they were on their way up the valley, followed by their men.
"The fact that two hundred and fifty men have left us really makes the
matter easier than it would otherwise have been," Wulf said. "Of course our
guide carried the news of our coming straight to Porthwyn, and it is like
enough that fires are at present blazing on the hills. The larger division
is more likely to be seen than ours, and to be attacked, and we shall have
all the more chance of getting up unobserved. I sincerely trust that the
thanes, when they discover that they have lost us, will at once lead their
men back to Gurth's camp. In that case they may escape before the Welsh can
assemble and attack them; and as it would naturally be supposed that as
soon as we had lost our guide we retreated in a body, the Welsh will
imagine that there is no occasion for further vigilance.
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