known to him. My brother here, Eldred, will head all the
inhabitants of the marshes of this neighbourhood. With these
and the brothers of the abbey, in all, as I reckon, nigh four
hundred men, he will to-morrow march to join Algar."

Messengers were at once sent off through the surrounding
country bidding every man assemble on the morrow
morning at Croyland, and soon after daybreak they began to
arrive. Some were armed with swords, some with long sickles,
used in cutting rushes, tied to poles, some had fastened
long pieces of iron to oars to serve as pikes. They were a
rough and somewhat ragged throng, but Eldred saw with
satisfaction that they were a hard and sturdy set of men,
accustomed to fatigue and likely to stand firm in the hour
of battle.

Most of them carried shields made of platted osiers covered
with skin. The armoury of the abbey was well supplied,
and swords and axes were distributed among the worst armed
of the fenmen. Then, with but little order or regularity, but
with firm and cheerful countenances, as men determined to
win or die, the band moved off under Eldred's command,
followed by the contingent of the abbey, eighty strong, under
lay brother Toley.

A sturdy band were these monks, well fed and vigorous.
They knew that they had no mercy to expect from the Danes,
and, regarding them as pagans and enemies of their religion
as well as of their country, could be trusted to do their
utmost. Late that evening they joined Algar at the place they