CHAPTER XIX.
STAMFORD BRIDGE.
Owing to the difficulty of getting the levies formed up and set in motion,
the Norsemen had arrived on the ground and had taken up a defensive
position before the English reached it. Had the force contained a strong
body of housecarls, Wulf, who had talked the matter over with the earls,
would have advised that they should fight on the defensive and allow the
Norsemen to attack; but with freshly-raised troops, ready and eager for
battle, but wanting the discipline that alone enables trained soldiers to
endure patiently a long series of attacks, he thought that there was more
chance of victory in attacking the enemy. Morcar commanded on the left,
Edwin on the right. Wulf took up his position by the side of Morcar, and
exchanged a few words with Osgod before advancing to the charge.
"This will be a right royal contest, master," the latter said as he
fingered his heavy axe. "Never before have I seen a set battle like this."
"Do you keep close to me, Osgod."
"That I am sure to do, master," the latter broke in.
"Yes, I know that while we fight you will be by my side, but it may be that
we shall have to fly. The Norsemen outnumber us greatly, and their king is
a host in himself. This is a good position to defend, but a bad one to fly
from. The king's last words were a charge to me not to throw away my life,
and therefore while I shall fight as long as fighting can avail, I shall
also do my best to save myself if we are defeated.
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