He
struck to right and to left, slaying many, so that the press gave back
before so stout a champion. To himself alone he slew four hundred
heathen that day, working them more mischief than was done by all his
men. To an evil end came the captains of these Saxons. Baldulph lay
dead upon the mount, and dead also was Colgrin. Cheldric and some
others fled from the field, and would have got them to their ships
that they might enter therein and garnish for their needs.
When Arthur heard tidings of Cheldric's flight, and that he sought
again his ships, he bade Cador of Cornwall to follow swiftly after the
fugitives, giving ten thousand horsemen to his keeping chosen from his
best and closest friends. For his part, Arthur himself turned his face
to Scotland; for a messenger came who told that the wild Scots held
Hoel close within his city, and for a little would take him where he
lay. Cheldric made in all haste to his ships, but Cador was a crafty
captain, and by a way that he knew well he rode swiftly to Totnes,
before Cheldric might come to the town. He seized the galleys, manning
them with archers and country folk, and then hastened hotly on the
track of the fugitives. Two by two, and three by three, these drew
near the shore, as best they might hide them from the pursuers.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137