It will be three hours before help can arrive from
York. Till then there is nought to do but to carry water to the wounded.
When they arrive the monks will dress the wounds, and the men and women
carry such as can be moved down by the river, where they can be treated
more easily than lying in the fields. Have a strict search made for the
body of my brother, and place a guard over it. Sweyn is in charge of the
Norse camp. There is great treasure there, which shall to-morrow be partly
divided among the troops."
Wulf went at once down to the bridge, while Harold and his thanes lay down
like the soldiers on the field of battle. In a short time men, women, and
children came in from Helmsley. Having been told what they were required
for, they had brought with them jugs and drinking cups, and also a supply
of torches. The first search was made over the ground west of the river.
Here few English had fallen, but the Norsemen lay thickly. Wulf ordered
that water should be given to all, foe as well as friend. The number of
living was small, for the heavy two handed axes had done their work
thoroughly. When such as survived had been seen to, Wulf led the villagers
over the bridge.
"Scatter right and left," he said, "and then move forward. You cannot go
wrong." Having seen them all at work, he hurried away to the spot where he
had left Osgod sitting. He had before leaving him staunched the flow of
blood by winding a bow string round the arm above the wound and then
twisting it tightly.
Pages:
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408