If I went off I should dream
that I had one of those Welsh wolves at my throat. However, it is a good
thing that you thought of it."
"I think, my lord," one of the soldiers said, "there are a number of our
men among the Welsh. I can make out helmets and shields, and I think many
are clad in leather jerkins."
Wulf looked attentively.
"Yes, there are certainly shields and helmets," he said. "I fear there is
no doubt they have overtaken Oswald's levies."
"And have made them prisoners?"
Wulf shook his head. "They never take prisoners, you know. I fear they have
slain them all and possessed themselves of their arms and clothes. In no
other way can there be Saxon shields and helmets among them."
"By St. Nicholas!" Osgod exclaimed, "it is too bad that we should be
standing here doing nothing. Why doesn't Llewellyn attack us instead of
keeping his men gaping there at the castle?"
"Because at present he can do nothing, and is not fool enough to throw away
hundreds of lives; besides, he must know that his mother and children are
in our hands."
Presently a white flag was raised among the Welsh. Wulf had expected this,
and had ordered a white cloth to be held in readiness to raise in reply. As
soon as this flew out to the wind three men were seen to advance with the
flag towards the foot of the road up to the castle. Wulf at once sent for
the two interpreters to join him.
"Shall you let them come up, master?" Osgod asked.
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