Wistan is able to recognize the stone tower for what it is: a trap that, used correctly, can kill a large number of people at one time. This implies first-hand familiarity with how the trap works, which explains why Wistan finds it so easy to validate the Saxons’ hatred and his immediate condemnation of Britons. Wistan’s familiarity with the trap also implies that his warrior training has prepared him to use it to his advantage. The reason for Wistan’s insistence on chopping load after load of firewood is revealed: Wistan knows the soldiers are coming and plans to use the trap against them.