To go
the more lightly, to run the more nimbly, they had thrown away their
harness, and carried nothing save their swords. They pained themselves
to get to the ships, deeming that if they might enter therein their
troubles would be at an end. As they strove to ford the river Teign,
Cador, the huntsman, came winding upon their slot. The Saxons were
dismayed beyond measure, and without stay or delay fled from their
foe. Cador lighted upon Cheldric in the steep mountain, called
Tenedic, and slew him in that place. As Cador came on Cheldric's
companions he killed them with the sword, in sore sorrow. For those
who escaped from Cador they made their way from every part to the
ships. There they were slain by the archers, or perished miserably in
the sea. The Britons took no captives, he who cried for mercy perished
alike with him who strove with his sword. The rest of the Saxons fled
to the coverts of the woods and the mountains, by large companies. In
such desolate and waste places they lurked and hid from their enemies
until hunger and thirst put a term to their miseries.
When Cador had made an end of his slaying, and given quiet to the
land, he followed after Arthur, and took the road towards Scotland.
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