Who would have thought that a number of men, heathen and infidel though they be, could have made so foul an outcry ?" Cuthbert laughed.
"Every one fights according to his own method, Cnut; and I am not sure that there is not something to be said for this outcry, for it is really so wild and fearful that it makes my blood almost curdle in my veins; and were it not that I know the proved valour of our knights and footmen, I should feel shaken by this terrible introduction to the fight." "I heed it no more," said Cnut, "than the outcry of wild fowl, when one comes upon them suddenly on a lake in winter.

It means no more than that; and I reckon that they are trying to encourage themselves fully as much as to frighten us.

However, we shall soon see.

If they can fight as well as they can scream, they certainly will get no answering shouts from us.
The English bulldog fights silently, and bite as hard as he will, you will hear little beyond a low growl.

Now, my men," he said, turning to his archers, "methinks the heathen are about to begin in earnest.