XXVIIThe escaping Saxons kept together as well as they might, taking the road westwards along the river bank. It was easier for men on foot than for cavalry and so for a while the fugitives made good ground. Here and there, the Cymry came upon exhausted runners, who gasped in the reeds, wide-eyed and waiting for death. Medrawt spared none of them, though his followers would have done so. When the sun was setting ahead of them, many of the riders hoped that they would be called off from this cruel chase, but Medrawt’s face was grim. For the first time, he would force his will on friend and foe alike. Men began to hate him that day.
At length, the straggling fugitives reached the hill near where the river rose. Behind it lay deep woodlands. Some fear kept them from entering these woods. Ins
