Add files from ibiblio as of 2025-03-03 05:16:59HEAD main

author: nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> 2025-03-03 05:16:59 -0800
committer: nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> 2025-03-03 05:16:59 -0800
commit: 489c8f89a49f41302747e63df77a1380621890b6 (patch)
tree: f7e2e57044d4f21f04303a463a32cd62881ddc16 /37405-h/37405-h.htm
parent: e86c790d989bae4b4814b7b5b4f02a91b61ed99a (diff)
1 files changed, 9737 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/37405-h/37405-h.htm b/37405-h/37405-h.htm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba8f3b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/37405-h/37405-h.htm
@@ -0,0 +1,9737 @@
+<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd'>
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">
+<head>
+<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"/>
+<meta name="generator" content="Docutils 0.8: http://docutils.sourceforge.net/"/>
+<title>A MAID AT KING ALFRED’S COURT</title>
+<meta content="37405" name="PG.Id"/>
+<meta content="A Maid at King Alfred’s Court" name="PG.Title"/>
+<meta content="2011-09-11" name="PG.Released"/>
+<meta content="Public Domain" name="PG.Rights"/>
+<meta content="Darleen Dove" name="PG.Producer"/>
+<meta content="the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net" name="PG.Producer"/>
+<meta content="Darleen Dove" name="PG.Credits"/>
+<meta content="Lucy Foster Madison" name="DC.Creator"/>
+<meta content="Ida Waugh" name="MARCREL.ill"/>
+<meta content="A Maid at King Alfred’s Court" name="DC.Title"/>
+<meta content="en" name="DC.Language"/>
+<meta content="1900" name="DC.Created"/>
+
+<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS"/>
+<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL"/>
+<meta content="A Maid at King Alfred’s Court" name="DCTERMS.title"/>
+<meta content="maidka.rst" name="DCTERMS.source"/>
+<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language"/>
+<meta content="2011-09-12T05:05:12.358532+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified"/>
+<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher"/>
+<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights"/>
+<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37405" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf"/>
+<meta content="Lucy Foster Madison" name="DCTERMS.creator"/>
+<meta content="Ida Waugh" name="MARCREL.ill"/>
+<meta content="2011-09-11" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created"/>
+<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport"/>
+<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3 by Marcello Perathoner &lt;webmaster@gutenberg.org&gt;" name="generator"/>
+<style type="text/css">
+/* 
+Project Gutenberg common docutils stylesheet.
+
+This stylesheet contains styles common to HTML and EPUB.  Put styles
+that are specific to HTML and EPUB into their relative stylesheets.
+
+:Author: Marcello Perathoner (webmaster@gutenberg.org)
+:Copyright: This stylesheet has been placed in the public domain.
+
+This stylesheet is based on:
+
+  :Author: David Goodger (goodger@python.org)
+  :Copyright: This stylesheet has been placed in the public domain.
+
+  Default cascading style sheet for the HTML output of Docutils.
+
+*/
+
+/* ADE 1.7.2 chokes on !important and throws all css out. */
+
+/* FONTS */
+
+.italics    { font-style: italic }
+.bold       { font-weight: bold }
+.small-caps { }
+.gesperrt   { }
+.antiqua    { font-style: italic } /* what else can we do ? */
+.monospaced { font-family: monospace }
+
+.smaller    { font-size: smaller }
+.larger     { font-size: larger }
+
+.xx-small   { font-size: xx-small }
+.x-small    { font-size: x-small }
+.small      { font-size: small }
+.medium     { font-size: medium }
+.large      { font-size: large }
+.x-large    { font-size: x-large }
+.xx-large   { font-size: xx-large }
+
+.text-transform-uppercase { text-transform: uppercase }
+.text-transform-lowercase { text-transform: lowercase }
+.text-transform-none      { text-transform: none }
+
+.red        { color: red }
+.green      { color: green }
+.blue       { color: blue }
+.yellow     { color: yellow }
+.white      { color: white }
+.gray       { color: gray }
+.black      { color: black }
+
+/* ALIGN */
+
+.left       { text-align: left }
+.center     { text-align: center }
+.right      { text-align: right }
+.justify    { text-align: justify }
+
+/* LINE HEIGHT */
+
+body        { line-height: 1.5 }
+p           { margin: 1.5em 0 }
+
+/* PAGINATION */
+
+.title, .subtitle     { page-break-inside: avoid;
+			page-break-after:  avoid }
+.titlepage, 
+#pg-header            { page-break-inside: avoid }
+
+/* SECTIONS */
+
+body         { text-align: justify }
+
+p.noindent   { text-indent: 0 }
+
+.boxed       { border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em }
+.topic       { margin: 5% 0; border: 1px solid black; padding: 1em }
+div.section  { clear: both }
+
+div.line-block       { margin: 1.5em 0 }  /* same leading as p */
+div.line-block.inner { margin: 0 0 0 10% }
+div.line             { margin-left: 20%; text-indent: -20%; }
+.line-block.noindent div.line { margin-left: 0; text-indent: 0; }
+
+hr.docutils  { margin: 1.5em 40%; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid black; }
+
+.clearpage,
+.cleardoublepage,
+.vfill,
+.vspace      { border: 0px solid white }
+
+.title               { margin: 1.5em 0 }
+.title.with-subtitle { margin-bottom: 0 }
+.subtitle            { margin: 1.5em 0 }
+
+/* ugly hack to give more specifity. 
+   because ADE chokes on !important */
+.first.first { margin-top: 0 } 
+.last.last   { margin-bottom: 0 }
+
+/* header font style */
+/* http://dev.w3.org/csswg/css3-fonts/#propdef-font-size */
+
+h1.title                     { font-size: 200%; }  /* for book title only */
+h2.title, p.subtitle.level-1 { font-size: 150%; margin-top: 4.5em;  margin-bottom: 2em }
+h3.title, p.subtitle.level-2 { font-size: 120%; margin-top: 2.25em; margin-bottom: 1.25em }
+h4.title, p.subtitle.level-3 { font-size: 100%; margin-top: 1.5em;  margin-bottom: 1.5em;  font-weight: bold; }
+h5.title, p.subtitle.level-4 { font-size:  89%; margin-top: 1.87em; margin-bottom: 1.69em; font-style: italic; }
+h6.title, p.subtitle.level-5 { font-size:  60%; margin-top: 3.5em;  margin-bottom: 2.5em }
+
+/* title page */
+
+h1.document-title, 
+p.document-subtitle     { text-align: center }
+
+div.titlepage,
+#pg-header,
+h1.document-title       { margin: 10% 0 5% 0 }
+p.document-subtitle     { margin:  0  0 5% 0 }
+
+/* PG header and footer */
+#pg-machine-header { }
+#pg-produced-by { }
+
+li.toc-entry            { list-style-type: none }
+ul.open li, ol.open li  { margin-bottom: 1.5em }
+
+p.attribution           { margin-top: 0; text-align: right }
+
+.example-rendered { 
+    margin: 1em 5%; border: 1px dotted red;  padding: 1em; background-color: #ffd }
+.literal-block.example-source   { 
+    margin: 1em 5%; border: 1px dotted blue; padding: 1em; background-color: #eef }
+
+/* DROPCAPS */
+
+/* BLOCKQUOTES */
+
+blockquote { margin: 1.5em 10% }
+
+blockquote.epigraph { }
+
+blockquote.highlights { }
+
+div.local-contents { margin: 1.5em 10% }
+
+div.abstract { margin: 3em 10% }
+div.caption  { margin: 1.5em 10%; text-align: center; font-style: italic }
+div.legend   { margin: 1.5em 10% }
+
+.hidden { display: none }
+
+.invisible { visibility: hidden; color: white } /* white: mozilla print bug */
+
+a.toc-backref {
+  text-decoration: none ;
+  color: black }
+
+dl.docutils dd {
+  margin-bottom: 0.5em }
+
+div.figure { margin: 3em 0 }
+
+img { max-width: 100% }
+
+div.footer, div.header {
+  clear: both;
+  font-size: smaller }
+
+div.sidebar {
+  margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em ;
+  border: medium outset ;
+  padding: 1em ;
+  background-color: #ffffee ;
+  width: 40% ;
+  float: right ;
+  clear: right }
+
+div.sidebar p.rubric {
+  font-family: sans-serif ;
+  font-size: medium }
+
+div.topic {
+  margin: 3em 0 }
+
+ol.simple, ul.simple { margin: 1.5em 0 }
+
+ol.toc-list,    ul.toc-list    { padding-left:  0  }
+ol ol.toc-list, ul ul.toc-list { padding-left:  5% }
+
+ol.arabic {
+  list-style: decimal }
+
+ol.loweralpha {
+  list-style: lower-alpha }
+
+ol.upperalpha {
+  list-style: upper-alpha }
+
+ol.lowerroman {
+  list-style: lower-roman }
+
+ol.upperroman {
+  list-style: upper-roman }
+
+p.credits {
+  font-style: italic ;
+  font-size: smaller }
+
+p.label {
+  white-space: nowrap }
+
+p.rubric {
+  font-weight: bold ;
+  font-size: larger ;
+  color: maroon ;
+  text-align: center }
+
+p.sidebar-title {
+  font-family: sans-serif ;
+  font-weight: bold ;
+  font-size: larger }
+
+p.sidebar-subtitle {
+  font-family: sans-serif ;
+  font-weight: bold }
+
+p.topic-title {
+  font-weight: bold }
+
+pre.address {
+  margin-bottom: 0 ;
+  margin-top: 0 ;
+  font: inherit }
+
+.literal-block, .doctest-block {
+  margin-left: 2em ;
+  margin-right: 2em; }
+
+span.classifier {
+  font-family: sans-serif ;
+  font-style: oblique }
+
+span.classifier-delimiter {
+  font-family: sans-serif ;
+  font-weight: bold }
+
+span.interpreted {
+  font-family: sans-serif }
+
+span.option {
+  white-space: nowrap }
+
+span.pre {
+  white-space: pre }
+
+span.problematic {
+  color: red }
+
+span.section-subtitle {
+  /* font-size relative to parent (h1..h6 element) */
+  font-size: 100% }
+
+table { margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em; border-spacing: 0 }
+table.align-left, table.align-right { margin-top: 0 }
+
+table.table                { border-collapse: collapse; }
+table.table thead          { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 2px 0 0 }
+table.table tbody          { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 2px 0 }
+table.table tr             { border: 1px solid black; border-width: 0 0 1px }
+table.table tr.last        { border-width: 0 }
+table.table td, 
+table.table th             { padding: 1ex 1em; vertical-align: middle }
+
+table.table.norules tr             { border-width: 0 }
+table.table.norules td, 
+table.table.norules th             { padding: 0.5ex 1em }
+table.table.norules tr.first td    { padding-top: 1ex }
+table.table.norules tr.last td     { padding-bottom: 1ex }
+table.table.norules tr.first th    { padding-top: 1ex }
+table.table.norules tr.last th     { padding-bottom: 1ex }
+
+
+table.citation {
+  border-left: solid 1px gray;
+  margin-left: 1px }
+
+table.docinfo {
+  margin: 3em 4em }
+
+table.docutils { }
+
+tr.footnote.footnote td, tr.footnote.footnote th { 
+  padding: 0 0.5em 1.5em;
+}
+
+table.docutils td, table.docutils th,
+table.docinfo td, table.docinfo th {
+  padding: 0 0.5em;
+  vertical-align: top }
+
+table.docutils th.field-name, table.docinfo th.docinfo-name {
+  font-weight: bold ;
+  text-align: left ;
+  white-space: nowrap ;
+  padding-left: 0 }
+
+/* used to remove borders from tables and images */
+.borderless, table.borderless td, table.borderless th {
+  border: 0 }
+
+table.borderless td, table.borderless th {
+  /* Override padding for "table.docutils td" with "!important".
+     The right padding separates the table cells. */
+  padding: 0 0.5em 0 0 } /* FIXME: was !important */
+
+h1 tt.docutils, h2 tt.docutils, h3 tt.docutils,
+h4 tt.docutils, h5 tt.docutils, h6 tt.docutils {
+  font-size: 100% }
+
+ul.auto-toc {
+  list-style-type: none }
+</style>
+<style type="text/css">
+/* 
+Project Gutenberg HTML docutils stylesheet.
+
+This stylesheet contains styles specific to HTML.
+*/
+
+/* FONTS */
+
+em                { font-style: normal }
+strong            { font-weight: normal }
+.small-caps       { font-variant: small-caps }
+.gesperrt         { letter-spacing: 0.1em }
+
+/* ALIGN */
+
+.align-left       { clear: left;
+		    float: left;
+		    margin-right: 1em }
+
+.align-right      { clear: right;
+		    float: right;
+		    margin-left: 1em }
+
+.align-center     { margin-left: auto;
+		    margin-right: auto }
+
+div.shrinkwrap    { display: table; }
+
+/* SECTIONS */
+
+body              { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% }
+
+/* compact list items containing just one p */
+li p.pfirst       { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } 
+
+.first            { margin-top: 0 !important } 
+.last             { margin-bottom: 0 !important }
+
+.dropcap          { float: left; }
+span.dropcap      { margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 }
+img.dropcap       { margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; }
+
+/* PAGINATION */
+
+@media screen {
+   .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, 
+   .contents, .foreword, .preface, .introduction, .dedication, .prologue,
+   .epilogue, .appendix, .glossary, .bibliography, .index, .colophon,
+   .footnotes, .plainpage
+                      { margin: 10%  0 }
+   .clearpage         { margin: 10% }
+   .cleardoublepage   { margin: 10% }
+   .vfill             { margin:  5% 10% }
+}
+
+@media print {
+    /* margin-top disappears after a page-break, thus padding */
+   .frontispiece, .verso, .plainpage, .section.level-2,
+   .clearpage         { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 1px }
+
+   .coverpage, .titlepage, 
+   .contents, .foreword, .preface, .introduction, .dedication, .prologue,
+   .epilogue, .appendix, .glossary, .bibliography, .index, .colophon,
+   .footnotes,
+   .cleardoublepage   { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 1px }
+
+   .vfill             { margin-top: 20% }
+   h2.title           { margin-top: 20% }
+}
+</style>
+<style type="text/css">
+.pageno       { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; }
+.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' }
+.toc-pageref  { float: right }
+pre           { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap }
+</style>
+</head>
+<body>
+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37405 ***</div>
+<div class="document" id="a-maid-at-king-alfreds-court">
+<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">A MAID AT KING ALFRED’S COURT</h1>
+</div>
+<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
+</div>
+<div class="container" id="pg-produced-by">
+<p class="noindent pfirst">Produced by Darleen Dove and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at <a class="reference external" href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>.</p>
+<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em">
+</div>
+<p class="noindent pnext">Darleen Dove</p>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div class="container titlepage">
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 15%; width: 70%" id="figure-8">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="images/cover.jpg" src="images/cover.jpg" width="75%"/>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div class="container frontispiece">
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 21%; width: 57%" id="figure-9">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="’Twill lull thee to dreamless repose." src="images/illus-fpc.jpg" width="75%"/>
+<div class="caption italics">
+“’TWILL LULL THEE TO DREAMLESS REPOSE.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">A MAID AT KING ALFRED’S COURT</span></div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line"><span class="italics smaller">A Story for Girls</span></div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line"><span class="small-caps x-small">By</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="large">LUCY FOSTER MADISON</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="xx-small">Author of “A Maid of the First Century,” etc.</span></div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line"><span class="medium">ILLUSTRATED BY IDA WAUGH</span></div>
+</div>
+<div class="align-center figure" style="margin-left: 42%; width: 15%" id="figure-10">
+<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="images/title-emb.png" src="images/title-emb.png" width="100%"/>
+</div>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="medium">THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="medium">PHILADELPHIA MCM</span></div>
+</div>
+<div class="container verso">
+<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small-caps">Copyright 1900 by The Penn Publishing Company</span></p>
+</div>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<div class="align-center container shrinkwrap">
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“I bring, thy favor to attain,</div>
+<div class="line">King Alfred and his glorious reign.</div>
+<div class="line">No nobler hero could I bring</div>
+<div class="line">Than Britain’s pure and gentle king.</div>
+<div class="line">Brighter than all, his spotless name</div>
+<div class="line">Shines on his country’s scroll of fame.</div>
+<div class="line">A thousand years his bones are dust,</div>
+<div class="line">Yet men still name him as the Just.</div>
+<div class="line">A hundred kings have ruled his state,</div>
+<div class="line">Yet him alone she names—The Great.</div>
+<div class="line">To him, her noblest praise she sings,</div>
+<div class="line">As mightiest of her mighty kings.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div class="contents level-2 section" id="id1">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2>
+<ul class="compact simple toc-list">
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ithe-meeting-in-the-forest" id="id7">CHAPTER I—THE MEETING IN THE FOREST</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-iiwinchester" id="id8">CHAPTER II—WINCHESTER</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-iiia-thief-in-the-night" id="id9">CHAPTER III—A THIEF IN THE NIGHT</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ivin-the-hall-of-alfred" id="id10">CHAPTER IV—IN THE HALL OF ALFRED</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-vthe-death-of-a-hero" id="id11">CHAPTER V—THE DEATH OF A HERO</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-vithe-wolves-concert" id="id12">CHAPTER VI—THE WOLVES’ CONCERT</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-viithe-coming-of-a-stranger" id="id13">CHAPTER VII—THE COMING OF A STRANGER</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-viiiadiva-grows-angry" id="id14">CHAPTER VIII—ADIVA GROWS ANGRY</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-ixwould-you-strike-your-king" id="id15">CHAPTER IX—WOULD YOU STRIKE YOUR KING?</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xegwina-goes-as-a-messenger" id="id16">CHAPTER X—EGWINA GOES AS A MESSENGER</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xisome-danish-tales" id="id17">CHAPTER XI—SOME DANISH TALES</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xiithe-magic-sleep" id="id18">CHAPTER XII—THE MAGIC SLEEP</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xiiivictory-sits-with-the-saxons" id="id19">CHAPTER XIII—VICTORY SITS WITH THE SAXONS</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xiva-pleasant-surprise" id="id20">CHAPTER XIV—A PLEASANT SURPRISE</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xvthe-beggar-of-athelney" id="id21">CHAPTER XV—THE BEGGAR OF ATHELNEY</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xviin-the-camp-of-the-enemy" id="id22">CHAPTER XVI—IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xviithe-winning-of-a-buckler" id="id23">CHAPTER XVII—THE WINNING OF A BUCKLER</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xviiipeace" id="id24">CHAPTER XVIII—PEACE</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xixdark-days" id="id25">CHAPTER XIX—DARK DAYS</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxaelfrics-revenge" id="id26">CHAPTER XX—ÆLFRIC’S REVENGE</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxithe-trial-of-egwina" id="id27">CHAPTER XXI—THE TRIAL OF EGWINA</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxiithe-ordeal" id="id28">CHAPTER XXII—THE ORDEAL</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxiiithe-dread-decree" id="id29">CHAPTER XXIII—THE DREAD DECREE</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxivadiva-takes-matters-into-her-hands" id="id30">CHAPTER XXIV—ADIVA TAKES MATTERS INTO HER HANDS</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxvhilda-again" id="id31">CHAPTER XXV—HILDA AGAIN</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxvithe-eclipse" id="id32">CHAPTER XXVI—THE ECLIPSE</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxviisiegberts-story" id="id33">CHAPTER XXVII—SIEGBERT’S STORY</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxviiian-unexpected-guest" id="id34">CHAPTER XXVIII—AN UNEXPECTED GUEST</a></span></li>
+<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><span class="first"><a class="reference internal pginternal" href="#chapter-xxixbringing-the-summer-home" id="id35">CHAPTER XXIX—BRINGING THE SUMMER HOME</a></span></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold xx-large">A Maid at King Alfred’s Court</span></div>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ithe-meeting-in-the-forest">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id7">CHAPTER I—THE MEETING IN THE FOREST</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Beautiful was the month of October in
+the year of our Lord 877. That part of
+merrie England called Wessex was covered,
+in this ancient time with a vast and extensive
+wood.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Only where the broad estuary of Southampton
+Water divided the tangled woodland, and along
+the river Itchen, was there any break in the
+forest. Formidable were the wastes of Andred’s
+weald, and fortunate the traveler whose path
+lay not apart from the public roads.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Hundreds of wide-spreading, broad-headed
+oak trees covered the hills and valleys, and
+flung their gnarled branches over the rich grassy
+sward beneath. Intermingled with these, sometimes
+so closely as to hide the rays of the sun,
+were beeches, hollies, and copsewood of various
+descriptions.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The great trees were girt round about with
+mosses or wreaths of ivy that betokened their
+age, and their foliage was bright with the hues
+of autumn.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The leaves were falling, but through the
+openings thus made wider vistas of beauty were
+revealed. The rich burnished bronze of the
+oak mingled with the blazing orange of the
+beech. The gray branches of the graceful ash
+contrasted with the fir—stately daughter of
+autumn.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The sunshine streaming through the trees
+caught and intensified the vivid colorings. Red
+of many degrees, up to the gaudiest scarlet;
+every tint of yellow, from the wan gold of the
+primrose to the deep orange of the tiger lily;
+purple from lightest lilac to the darkest shade
+of the pansy, mingled and intermingled, until
+the whole forest seemed one mass of glowing,
+riotous color. Ever and anon the antlers of a
+deer might have been seen as he moved restlessly
+through the wold, and in the nearer glades
+the hares and conies came stealing forth to sport
+or to feed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the distance the mellow blasts of a horn
+could be heard, which grew nearer and more
+near until presently on the high road which
+wound through the wastes of forest land from
+Silchester to Winchester (or Winteceaster, as it
+was then called) appeared the forms of two
+people, an old man and a girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">They moved slowly, the maiden accommodating
+her steps to those of her companion.
+Though not really old, for he was not much
+more than sixty, both the man’s countenance
+and carriage indicated age. His complexion
+was fair and his cheeks ruddy; but his visage
+was deeply furrowed, and his long hair, which
+escaped from under his bonnet, was white as
+snow, as was also his large and forked beard.
+His dark blue woolen mantle was clasped on
+the shoulder by a broad ouche, or brooch;
+his leggins were also of blue woolen, cross-gartered
+by strips of leather. Blue, too, was
+the under tunic. His right arm encircled a
+harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The girl who accompanied him was somewhere
+about the age of fourteen. Her form was
+enveloped in a mantle of scarlet wool, to which
+was attached a hood of the same material. The
+face under the hood was wondrously lovely, and
+had already gained her the appellation of “The
+Fair.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Grandfather, dearest,” she cried as she
+beheld a log which lay under the overhanging
+branches of a large oak, “see! here is
+rest for thy weariness. I wot that thou art
+tired.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, child. The limbs of the old tire
+quickly, and alack! I am not so young as
+I was of yore. The way hath seemed long
+to-day, and we are yet far from Winchester.
+Prithee, wind the horn no longer, for
+I weary of its sound; and truly if there be
+any within hearing, they must know of our
+coming.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He sat down as he spake, resting his harp on
+his knee. The maiden let fall the horn that
+proclaimed their coming, according to the law
+of the forest, threw back her hood, unfastened
+the fibula that closed the mantle, and
+tossed the garment on the log beside the old
+man. Thus revealed, she stood forth in all her
+beauty.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Her long yellow hair, bound only by a golden
+band, was parted smoothly and hung in ringlets
+on her shoulders. Her complexion was dazzling
+in its fairness; her cheeks rosy; her eyes
+sparkling, and blue as periwinkles. She wore
+a tunic of blue woolen, falling to her ankles,
+and bordered by a band of needlework, for
+which the Anglo-Saxon women were famous.
+Over this was worn a short gonna of scarlet, the
+sleeves of which, reaching in long, loose folds
+to the wrists, were confined there by bracelets.
+The slenderness of her waist was disclosed by a
+girdle, and over her shoulders hung a chain,
+from which was suspended a pair of cymbals
+and the horn. A picturesque figure she made
+as she stood there, and one fair to look upon.
+The old man’s eyes rested upon her fondly, and
+then he spake:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou not cold, Egwina? The Wyn
+(October) month hath bright sunshine, but his
+breezes carry also the chill that foretokens the
+coming of winter. Heaven forfend that thou
+shouldst become ill.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The girl laughed merrily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be not irked, grandfather. The mantle
+was wearisome, and I did but cast it aside for a
+time. See! Lest thou shouldst needlessly fret
+thy mind, I will put on the garment again, and
+thou shalt tell me whither we go after Winchester.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Donning the mantle she sat down beside
+him. The grandfather looked at her tenderly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina The Fair art thou called,” said he,
+“but Egwina The Good art thou also. From
+Winchester, dear child, and its market, we will
+wend our way to the royal vill at Chippenham,
+where the king is to winter.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why to Chippenham?” asked the girl.
+“It is not often, grandfather, that thou carest
+to follow the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True, child; for Alfred hath scops of his
+own in his court, and needeth not the glee of
+Wulfhere, the harper. But even as yon oak
+hath gathered the moss of years, so have sorrows
+come to me, and fain am I to lay down
+their burthen. Of bards there are many; but
+few glee maidens there be who sing as thou dost.
+For thy sake do I hope that the king will take
+us under his hand.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But if he will not, then whither?” asked the
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He will,” answered Wulfhere positively.
+“The meanest wayfarer hath the right to bed
+and board for a day and a night in any house.
+Thinkest, then, that Alfred will not give shelter
+and food to a gleeman and maiden? I trow
+that he will.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Will not the court be hindrance to thee?”
+questioned the girl gently. “Dear grandfather,
+thou hast been so free always, I fear me much
+that thou wilt mislike to be housed with one
+lord.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Were he younger, child, Wulfhere would
+have nought of it. I, and my father, and his
+father’s father have always thus lived, wandering
+from shire to shire; from burgh to burgh;
+from mead hall to mead hall, with harp and
+song and story; and none were so welcome as
+they. Many lords have bestowed gifts upon
+them, and fain would have kept them to sing of
+their bold deeds. But all of us, from father to
+son, liked better to tell of the daring of many
+than the prowess of one. The song of a harp
+of one string becometh in time irksome both to
+hearer and singer. In sooth, ’tis a merry life
+and a free. Alack and a day that ’tis past!
+The Dane is abroad in the land. For a short
+time hath he left us in quiet, and now winter
+will still further stay his hand. Guthrum the
+old is bold, and I fear that the Northmen await
+only the bringing home of the summer ere falling
+upon Wessex.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The saints forfend!” ejaculated the girl devoutly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“So it is for thy weal, Egwina, that we seek
+the king. I would not have thee die as did thy
+brother, Siegbert. God wots how they could
+kill the pretty lad.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me of it,” coaxed the maiden well
+knowing the tale, but thus did the old man
+ease his sorrow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wert too young to mind thee now that
+it was seven years this harvest when Ubbo and
+Oskitul with the tearful Danes fell upon
+the abbey of Croyland. To the monks had I
+sent Siegbert, for the abbot had heard his singing
+and was pleased with his beauty. ‘He
+shall be a second Cynewulf,’ said he, ‘when he
+shall have become learned.’ I wotted not that
+I was sending the boy to his death. But even
+while the abbot and the priests, together with
+the choir, performed the mass and were singing
+the Psalter, the pagans swooped down upon them,
+and none were there left to tell the tale. So
+little do these heathen care for our holy religion.
+In sooth, meseems that it glads their
+hearts to destroy our minsters and abbeys. They
+cared neither for the helplessness of the old nor
+the harmlessness of childhood. Bright and
+beautiful as that Baldur whom they worship,
+methinks they would have spared him. But
+hearken! was not that a call?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Both listened intently, and through the clear,
+crisp air there came a cry for help.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Some mishap hath befallen a wayfarer!” exclaimed
+Wulfhere rising quickly to his feet, his
+weariness vanishing instantly. “Come, Egwina,
+wind thy horn that he may know that help is
+near.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The maiden blew a long, loud blast and then
+they hastened in the direction whence the cry
+had come. Soon a turn of the road brought
+them in sight of the figures of a youth and a
+maiden. The girl was lying prone upon the
+sward. The youth bent over her anxiously
+stroking her hands. Both were clothed in the
+bright-colored garments of which the Saxons
+were so fond. The embroidery and richness
+of adornment of their dress proclaimed them
+to be of noble rank. A falcon hovered disconsolately
+near them, and a spear lay on the
+ground.</p>
+<p class="pnext">As soon as the lad caught sight of Wulfhere
+and Egwina, he uttered an exclamation of joy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be of good heart, Ethelfleda,” he cried;
+“here comes a gleeman and his daughter. I
+wot that they will help us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Son, wherefore thy call?” queried the bard,
+approaching.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My sister hath wrenched her foot against a
+stone,” replied the youth. “We stole away to
+try my new falcon with the lure, and all would
+have been well had not this befallen us. Wilt
+thou not, good harper, hasten into Winchester
+and bespeak for us a palfrey?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Edward,” spoke the maiden quickly, “seest
+thou not that the gleeman is old? Do thou go,
+my brother, and leave me with them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Truly hast thou spoken, Ethelfleda,” returned
+the youth, rising. “I crave forgiveness, bard,
+that I saw not thy years. Quickly will I go
+and as quickly come again. Irk not thyself
+while I am gone, my sister.” With a bow to
+Wulfhere and Egwina, and a salute for his sister
+the youth hurried away.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I hear the ripling of a rill,” remarked Egwina.
+“Cooling will its waters feel to thy foot.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But how canst thou bring the water?” asked
+the maiden, curiously. “Thou hast no bowl
+either of horn or wood.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; but I have these,” and Egwina
+touched her cymbals. “Though they be shallow,
+yet enough will they hold for thy ankle.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She unloosened the shoe of the maiden as she
+spoke and removed the silken leggins, marveling
+much at their richness as she did so.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There!” she said, after she had laved the foot
+in the cold water. “Doth it not feel better!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It doth,” answered the maiden; “so well
+that methinks I can stand upon it. How Edward
+will wonder!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do not so!” ejaculated Wulfhere, but the
+girl was up before he had spoken. Only for a
+moment, however. She reeled, and would have
+fallen had not the gleeman caught her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wert o’er rash,” he chided, gently
+stroking her brow while Egwina fetched more
+water and again bathed the ankle. The maiden
+was white from the pain, but she bravely repressed
+the moans that rose to her lips.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Witless was I,” she murmured. “Now will
+I lie still until help comes. O’er rashness is as
+bad, I ween, as not enough boldness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” said Wulfhere. “Thou art young,
+maiden, and fearless is thy spirit. Thou hast
+yet to learn that valor is not all in the doing of
+brave deeds. To bear well is also valorous.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Methinks that thou dost speak truly,” she
+returned. “Thou needst bathe the foot no
+longer, maiden, for now doth it feel better.
+Wilt thou not, ministrel, out of thy good
+pleasure beguile the time by story?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What likest thou best to hear?” asked he,
+well pleased, for the scop delighted in his art.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Of the deeds of our forefathers,” she replied,
+quickly. “Well do I love to hear of
+them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then will I tell thee of how Hengist gained
+the land for his castle. Hast heard it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; say on.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“After Hengist had driven the Picts back to
+the marches,” began Wulfhere, “he came to
+Vortigern the king, and asked for a city or
+town that he might be held in the same honor
+that he was held among his own countrymen;
+but Vortigern answered that he could not, as it
+would be displeasing to his people. ‘Then,’
+said Hengist, ‘give me only so much ground as
+I can encircle by a leather thong.’ To this
+Vortigern readily yielded, disdaining that which
+could be enclosed within a thong. Hengist,
+taking a bull’s hide, made one thong of the
+whole, with which he did encircle much ground,
+so that he built a fortress upon it, to which he
+could go should need require. Vortigern was
+wroth at being so outwitted, but Hengist called
+the strong place Thancastre,” which is to say
+“Thong Castle.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Of merry humor was Hengist,” she said.
+“It is pleasing to hear such things! Wittest
+thou aught else of him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wottest thou, maiden, how Vortigern was
+taken captive by Rowena?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; but even as wine groweth better by
+standing, so do old tales gather wit in oft telling.
+Say on.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“When Hengist had made an end of building
+his strong place he bade Vortigern come to
+see it. The king was disquieted at the strength
+of the castle, and, unknown to Hengist, sought
+to list the men to himself. When they had
+feasted and the mead glowed in the bowl,
+Rowena, daughter of Hengist, came forth from
+her bower bearing a golden cup full of wine
+which, kneeling, she presented to the king.
+‘Lord king,’ she cried, ‘wacht heil!’ ‘What doth
+she mean?’ asked the king of Hengist. ‘She
+but offers to drink thy health,’ was the answer.
+‘Thou shouldst say, ‘Drink heil!’’ The king
+did as he was told, and when the maiden drank
+kissed her, and then drank also. Then so
+stirred was he by her beauty that he gave to
+Hengist all of Kent for her hand. Thus through
+a maiden did the Saxons first get a share of
+Britain for their own.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Quotha! that is good!” exclaimed Ethelfleda.
+“I thought not of that before, and full
+oft have I heard the tale. Pleasing are thy
+stories! I would hear more of them. Tell on,
+harper.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus entreated, Wulfhere told his choicest
+tales of folklore and legends, and so well was
+the maiden entertained that the time did not
+seem long until Edward returned with attendants
+and a palfrey for her use.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Kind have ye been to me,” said the noble
+damsel, “and much do I thank ye for it.
+Prithee take this ring, maiden. It is not only
+a ward against the wiles of the wicca (witch),
+but betokeneth purity also. Take it to keep
+thee in mind of Ethelfleda.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">When she had thus spoken, her brother lifted
+her before him on the palfrey, and with many
+thanks for their courtesy, rode off with their
+servitors.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sawest thou, granther, how rich were their
+garments?” asked Egwina when the turn in
+the road hid them from their sight.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; they are gentlefolk,” answered Wulfhere.
+“Of good blood comes the maiden for
+she moaned not but bore well the pain of the
+wrench, though she was white from the hurt of
+it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And the youth! How proud in bearing he
+was!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; noble was his port. Yet methinks it
+would have been more seemly to have given us
+the name of their father. Now we wot not who
+or what they be save that they be gentle.
+Marry! I misdoubt not that the father is a
+thegn. Mayhap, one of the king’s.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But how kind of heart the maiden was!”
+mused Egwina. “How beautiful the ring
+which she gave me!” She looked at it admiringly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is a sapphire, and of great worth,”
+said the gleeman examining it. “Now, child,
+let us hasten to Winchester there to find
+some mead hall; for where there is wassail,
+there is welcome for the gleeman. Hasten,
+Egwina.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The two started off at a brisk walk, and were
+soon lost to view in the forest.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iiwinchester">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id8">CHAPTER II—WINCHESTER</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Under Æthelwulf, Alfred’s father, Winchester
+had become the chief city of England; for
+while the other kingdoms went down before the
+Northern pirates, Wessex still stood its ground.
+It was farther off from the main points of
+attack, and had the incalculable advantage
+of a succession of capable kings: Egbert, Æthelwulf,
+and—at the time of our story—Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">As the Danish invasion pressed more and
+more, Wessex grew to be the champion of all
+the other kingdoms of England. For the ruin
+of the north made it the sole remaining home
+of the civilized life of the land. Happily for
+Wessex and for England, the greatest of English
+kings succeeded to the throne at the most
+critical moment.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The six years that Alfred had sat upon the
+throne had been troubled and restless. During
+the first year, nine pitched battles were fought
+with the Danes. Then Alfred was forced to
+pay to the Northmen money for peace, for the
+invaders occupied all of Northumbria, Mercia,
+and East Anglia, and the West Saxons, deeming
+the struggle hopeless, and fearful of being
+brought under their rule, responded no longer
+to the call to battle.</p>
+<p class="pnext">For a short time Wessex was left undisturbed.
+During this interval the indefatigable Alfred
+builded ships and met the pirates upon the sea,
+defeating them on their own element. In 876
+the peace was broken with that facility which
+characterized the breaking of Danish oaths, and
+it was not until the beginning of the year 877,
+the time of our story, that peace was again
+restored.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In that forest, before spoken of, just beyond a
+circular chalk down later called St. Catherine’s
+hill—where the valley was at the narrowest and
+the downs sloped gently to the little river of
+Ichen, stood Winchester. In the time of the
+Roman, a main thoroughfare, still the High
+Street of the city, bisected it from East Gate to
+West Gate. At right angles with that street
+ran a main intersecting road from South Gate
+to North Gate. The West Saxon kings did but
+follow the lead of the Roman in retaining this
+division of the town, and, up the rising ground
+towards the west on either side of the ancient
+Roman road from the eastward gate, the houses
+of the citizens were clustered into a street; with
+here and there a stone-built dwelling, and the
+rest of “wattle and dab” construction. In the
+southeastern part of the town stood the minster
+of St. Swithen strongly inclosed, and protected
+on the north by the river and marsh lands.
+Near this convent stood the royal vill, from
+which place emanated all those plans against the
+encroachments of the Danes, the school of
+justice and learning, and the bulwark of
+England’s defense. Near the palace were the
+dwellings of the bishop and his clergy; the
+residence of the wicgerefa, which was near the
+site of the courts of justice, and in the centre of
+the town was the market with its cross.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The day after the one on which the events
+narrated in the last chapter had taken place, a
+busy scene was presented in the market. Merchandise
+of all sorts was exposed for sale. Stalwart
+Saxons, called reeves, with the badge of
+the king’s authority upon them, had charge of
+the steelyards, yard measures, and bushels, and
+were kept busy weighing and measuring that
+each might receive his just due, and the sale be
+legal according to the doom of the land. It
+was the endeavor on the part of the authorities
+to confine all bargaining as much as possible to
+towns and walled places, so that the people
+might be assured of fair dealing, and a warranty
+of what the Saxon laws called unlying witnesses.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Yet not all the citizens were occupied in
+trade, nor was all the market given up to traffic.
+On one side, quite away from the stalls, two circular
+spaces were set apart; one for bear, the
+other for bull baiting. Closer to the stalls, yet
+not so near as to detract from the business of the
+mart, some gleemen were exercising their art.
+One dexterous juggler threw three knives and
+three balls alternately in the air, catching them
+one by one as they fell.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Another, a short distance from the juggler,
+was gravely leading a great bear to dance on its
+hind legs, while his coadjutor kept time on the
+flageolet. Around each of these amusements
+was gathered the crowd that in every clime or
+age such things attract.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The merriment was at its height when from
+the upper end of the market appeared two figures
+that quietly stationed themselves near one of
+the stalls. It was Egwina and her grandfather.
+During a momentary lull the old gleeman struck
+his harp, and together he and his grandchild
+lifted up their voices in song.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The excellence of the music, for Wulfhere
+was a skillful harper, the sweetness of the song,
+and above all the wonderful beauty of the
+maiden, drew all eyes in that direction. There
+was a murmur of approval, and the crowd
+surged toward them, and gathered round the
+two, leaving the coarser attractions of baiting
+and juggling for the more refined ones of melody
+and beauty.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry!” ejaculated the juggler in disgust
+as he found himself forsaken. “’Twere unmannerly
+thus to make one forego his craft.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be not disheartened, friend,” said he with
+the dancing bear as he chained the animal, and
+quietly stretched himself out on some straw.
+“Fickle is the mind of man. Make use of thy
+leisure while thou mayst. ’Twill be but a short
+time ere they will come again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Quotha! but the gifts will be showered upon
+the maiden. And, fair though she be, Ælfric
+would gather them to his own hoard.” And he
+gazed moodily at the crowd which surrounded
+the harper and the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Song followed song in quick succession, for
+the Saxons loved to hear of the brave deeds of
+the heroes of old, until at last Wulfhere declared
+himself unable to sing longer, and, laden
+with gifts, the two slowly wended their way from
+the city. Vainly did the juggler await the
+return of an audience. The balls and knives
+seemed to have lost their charm for the people,
+and, muttering anathemas upon the ministrel
+and his daughter, he, too, left Winchester, but
+in disgust.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well have we done, Egwina,” said Wulfhere,
+pausing when they were some little distance
+from the town, to conceal the gold and
+other gifts about his person. “Truly, Winchester
+is worthily called the first city of the
+Saxons. Kingly hath it proven itself to be.
+Were it not that I fear the Dane, beshrew me
+if I would ask aught better than to dwell
+therein.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But why could we not, grandfather? Then
+might it be that we could behold again the youth
+and the maiden whom we met in the forest.
+Didst thou see aught of them?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, child; and let not thy heart dwell upon
+them. Not long are nobles mindful of their
+words. Whilst thou may be in favor to-day,
+the morrow doth full oft bring unkindness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But the maiden, Ethelfleda, her brother
+called her, seemed not like one to forget,” and
+Egwina twirled the sapphire ring upon her
+finger. “She spake as though there were truth
+and well-meaning in her words.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And so there were for the time,” answered
+Wulfhere; “but well-a-day! she is young,
+and the young learn easily the lesson of forgetfulness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why could we not live in Winchester?”
+asked the girl after a moment’s silence. “Methinks
+that we could find some thegn to take us
+under his mund. Why, grandfather, is not that
+the city where the king abideth?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She stopped short, and half turned as though
+to return to the town. Wulfhere smiled.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king hath already sought the palace at
+Chippenham,” he said. “Wottest thou not that
+by the doom of the witan he cannot dwell all
+the year in one burgh only? And I wish not
+to seek the protection of any lord but him in
+these troublesome times. Alfred hath shown
+himself able to cope with the invader, and there
+is surety nowhere else for life and limb. ’Tis
+for thy weal, child, that I fear, and to none but
+him will I commend thee. Besides, to whom
+but the king doth the protection of the wanderer
+belong?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina turned with a half sigh, for deep
+down in her heart lurked the wish to see again
+the noble maiden and the youth who had spoken
+so kindly to them the day before, and in leaving
+Winchester she felt that she left also the
+probability of seeing them once more. But unquestioned
+obedience from child to parent was
+the rule in those days, and so without further
+remark she trudged on, varying the monotony
+of the journey by frequent blasts of the horn.
+Presently the mellow notes of another horn
+floated to their ears. Wulfhere glanced back
+over his shoulder.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Behold, another cometh,” he said. “Stop,
+Egwina! If he choose to bear us company, the
+way will not seem so long.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">They waited for him, and soon the juggler
+came up with them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whither away, my merry man?” cried
+Wulfhere heartily, as the gleeman approached.
+“Brothers we be of the same craft. Therefore,
+if it seems good to thee, let us bear each other
+company.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The juggler hesitated a moment, and then answered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Willing am I for a short while at least; if
+it so be that the girl will wind the horn while
+thou and I talk by the way.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“With right good-will will she do so,” answered
+the harper. “’Tis as easily wound for
+three as for two, and always doth she wind it to
+save me the toil. Wulfhere is not what he once
+was!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wulfhere is thy name?” questioned the
+other, fixing his glittering eyes upon the maiden
+with such a look that she shrank from it, and
+crept close to the side of her grandsire. “Ælfric
+am I called in East Anglia, which is my
+home; but the Danes have driven us from our
+houses, or pressed into slavery our people, and I
+fled into Wessex for safety.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brothers we be in craft, and sibbe also in
+the fact that we flee from the Dane,” remarked
+Wulfhere. “Fearful is the pirate who hath so
+ruthlessly destroyed the homes and laid waste
+the land of our people.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whither art thou going?” queried Ælfric.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“North into Berkshire and from thence into
+Wiltshire,” answered the old man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then together can we journey but a short
+distance, for on the morrow our paths must be
+sundered, as I go into Kent. But while our
+roads are one tell me of the deeds which the
+Northmen have done of which thou thyself
+wottest, and I in turn will tell thee that which
+hath happened to me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then, with emotion, did Wulfhere tell of his
+grief in the death of his grandson, Siegbert.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And I,” said Ælfric, after he had expressed
+his sympathy, “abode in Thetford of East
+Anglia at the house of Eldred the thegn, and
+was the chief of his gleemen. None was so
+honored as I, and the heart of my lord clave
+unto me with love. Alack! the Northman fell
+upon us, and I wot not whether my lord be living
+or dead. I fled from the foe. When I was
+far distant, I looked back, and behold the manor
+was in flames.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Didst thou not fight for thy lord?” queried
+Wulfhere in amazement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; why should I risk life in vain?
+Naught would it have availed him. I myself
+would have been slain, so I fled.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It was not the old custom,” remarked the
+elder Saxon, “thus to abandon one’s lord.
+’Twere shame to live were he slain.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Times are not as they once were,” returned
+Ælfric hastily, avoiding the glance of the
+harper. “Custom hath changed, and, I trow,
+for the better. Beautiful is thy ring, maiden!
+Where gottest thou it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twas a gift,” returned Egwina, as she allowed
+the man to examine the jewel, shrinking
+from his touch as she did so, for she liked not
+his appearance.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A gift? I’ll warrant that thou and thy
+grandfather have many such?” And there was
+envy and avarice in the juggler’s look.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There be many—” began Egwina, when
+Wulfhere interrupted her:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wind thy horn, child, a little distance
+from us that our talk be not disturbed by the
+sound.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Obediently the girl ran ahead a little, and
+Wulfhere resumed the conversation with Ælfric
+concerning the atrocities committed by the
+Danes. The shades of evening were falling
+when at last the ministrel called to the girl:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, is not that a monastery that looms in
+the distance?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, granther,” and Egwina ran to his
+side.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then there will we abide. Long have we
+wayfared, and wearied am I by the journey.
+Though the priests may not hearken to song, or
+story, or glee-beam, yet will they shelter us for
+the night.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Quickening their steps they entered the courtyard
+of the convent, which was a low building
+of timber, fortified by a wall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The dwellings of the Anglo-Saxons with the
+exception of a few great nobles, were simple in the
+extreme. Yet simple as were their abodes, the
+monasteries were handsome, and great wealth
+and possessions were held by the church. Despite
+all this, learning was at the very lowest
+ebb, so much so that when Alfred was atheling,
+and desired to learn Latin, he could find no
+one in all his father’s kingdom capable of teaching
+him. There were no inns in England at this
+time, and all travelers, whether on business or
+pleasure, were entertained by the convents.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere, Ælfric, and Egwina were welcomed
+by the monks and refreshed by the bath, for
+the Saxons were a cleanly people, and fond of
+bathing; then were they called into a long, low
+hall, the refectory or dining-room, and invited
+to partake of supper. Cakes of barley, fish,
+swine flesh, milk, eggs, and cheese, with plenty
+of mead to wash it down, constituted the repast;
+for even the priests of this hardy race were
+hearty eaters and fond of good cheer.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The meat was passed round on spits, and each
+one cut a portion for himself with his knife, and
+then ate it, using the fingers to convey the
+food to the mouth, as there were no forks.</p>
+<p class="pnext">After the meal, all gathered round the fire
+which was built in the centre of the room,
+the smoke escaping through a hole or cover in
+the roof.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is forbidden us to listen to the songs of the
+people,” said the abbot addressing Wulfhere,
+“but mayhap thou canst sing to us the songs
+of the Church.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, good father,” answered Wulfhere, “I
+am not skilled in sacred song.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Cannot thy daughter sing them?” asked the
+abbot. “Truly it were ill if so fair a flower
+should know naught of the songs of the
+Faith.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know not,” replied Wulfhere in perplexity.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is one that I know,” interrupted Egwina,
+softly. “It was one that my mother sang.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let us hear it, daughter,” said the abbot.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without hesitation, Egwina then sang the
+“Crist” of Cynewulf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It was well sung,” commented the abbot,
+after Egwina had concluded. “Sweet is it to
+Him when the voice of youth sounds His
+praises. Knowest thou no more, my child?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, I know none other,” answered Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou must not think ill of us, father,” spoke
+the harper hastily, “that we wot not of these
+things. Our aim is to please the people, and
+the mead hall cares but for the song of the
+warrior or of glory.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” answered the abbot, “yet Aldhelm
+used thy art to advantage. Hast thou not heard
+how the good priest stood on the bridge of
+Malmesbury, where the ministrels were wont to
+stand, because the people would not come to
+worship, and there did he sing of war and the
+heroes, until attracted by the sweetness of his
+voice, he had gained their attention? Then did
+he change the words, and sing to them of the
+Holy One and the blessed Virgin. In which
+manner many were instructed in our sacred religion
+and brought to the Church.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sayest thou so, good father?” broke in
+Ælfric, the juggler. “Marry! but well would
+it please me to hear such songs! Canst thou or
+thy monks sing for us any of the songs that he
+sang?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is one, brother, which is food for reflection.
+That we will sing thee, and then after
+the Te Deum. Then shall ye tell us if aught
+hath happened recently from the Dane.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without further ado, the monks began singing
+the following dismal dirge, the brief metre
+sounding abruptly on the ear with a measured
+stroke like the passing bell:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“For thee was a house built ere thou wert born,</div>
+<div class="line">For thee was a mold shapen ere thou of thy mother camest.</div>
+<div class="line">Its height is not determined, nor its depth measured;</div>
+<div class="line">Nor is it closed up, however long it may be, until I thee bring where thou shalt remain;</div>
+<div class="line">Until I shall measure thee, and the sod of the earth.</div>
+<div class="line">Thy house is not highly built; it is not unhigh and low.</div>
+<div class="line">When thou art in it, the heel ways are low, the side ways unhigh.</div>
+<div class="line">The roof is built thy breast full high;</div>
+<div class="line">So thou shalt in earth dwell full cold, dim, and dark.</div>
+<div class="line">Doorless is that house, and dark it is within.</div>
+<div class="line">There thou art fast detained, and Death holds the key.</div>
+<div class="line">Loathly is that earth house, and grim to dwell in.</div>
+<div class="line">There thou shalt dwell, and worms shall share thee.</div>
+<div class="line">Thus thou art laid, and leavest thy friends.</div>
+<div class="line">Thou hast no friend that will come to thee,</div>
+<div class="line">Who will ever inquire how that house liketh thee.</div>
+<div class="line">Who shall ever open for thee the door, and seek thee;</div>
+<div class="line">For soon thou becomest loathly and hateful to look upon.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“The saints guard us!” ejaculated Ælfric,
+crossing himself devoutly. “I like not thy
+song, father, and if it were with songs like that,
+it marvels me much how thy Aldhelm should
+draw the people to hear him. Quotha! my
+flesh creepeth to think of it! Doth not thine,
+Friend Harper?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere’s face was inscrutable, and he made
+no reply for, Saxon-like, he scorned to show that
+the picture held any dread for him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is indeed gloomy to think upon, son,”
+said the abbot, “if that were all of death; but
+the religion of our Saviour hath robbed the
+grave of its terrors. We know that the soul is
+beyond, and what matters the body?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A truce to such talk,” cried Ælfric. “Give
+us the Te Deum, priest. I like not to think on
+such things.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It shall be as thou wishest, though much I
+mislike to leave the subject as I perceive that
+thou art ungodly.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then all joined in the sublime, unmetrical
+Te Deum.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Did thy priest but sing that,” burst from
+the juggler, “I would wonder not at the people
+listening to him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The abbot smiled, well pleased.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy heart is not altogether hardened, son,
+if it be touched by the hymn,” he said. “Mayhap
+thou wilt be willing yet to talk with me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">After more singing, the conversation turned
+upon the Danes, and the probability of a fresh
+outbreak discussed. The hour was late when
+the abbot, noting that Egwina’s eyes were heavy
+and that it was with difficulty she kept awake,
+arose.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To bed! to bed! See ye not that the
+maiden is aweary?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So saying he conducted them to the guest
+house, a building in the courtyard but without
+the convent proper, and soon quiet reigned over
+the monastery.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iiia-thief-in-the-night">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id9">CHAPTER III—A THIEF IN THE NIGHT</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Soft and downy was the bed in the bower
+chamber to which Egwina had been assigned,
+and grateful was it to the weary maiden, who was
+soon fast asleep.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It seemed to her that she had slept but a
+short time when something awakened her. She
+lay quite still trying to determine what it could
+be, and hearing only the soughing of the wind.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Suddenly, she felt her hand taken softly, and
+the sapphire ring which Ethelfleda had given
+her was gently withdrawn from her finger. For
+a moment the girl thought that she must be
+dreaming, and quickly clasped her right hand
+over the left. The ring was in truth gone. She
+grew numb with fear as the fact dawned upon
+her. There was a thief in the room.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Her heart almost stopped its beating, and
+then began to throb fast. Was it one of the
+monks? No, no; they were too good, too kind
+for that! It must be, it was Ælfric the juggler,
+who had joined them on their journey. Had he
+not looked covetously upon the jewel? At this
+moment she heard the thief moving quietly
+toward the door. The sound broke the spell
+that held her. It was too dark for her to
+see anything, but she sprang from the bed
+shrieking:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Grandfather! grandfather! Awake! awake!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was a muttered ejaculation from the
+intruder. He turned, bounded back toward
+her and felled her, with a blow; then, as Wulfhere
+ran into the room, dashed from the house.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina! Egwina!” called the harper in
+alarm. “What is it? What hath befallen
+thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was no response, and in trying to reach
+the couch, he stumbled over the body of the
+girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My child! My child!” broke from his lips
+in agonized accents as he recognized Egwina’s
+form by the feel of her garments and hair.
+“What hath happened to thee, little one?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Still there came no reply, and almost crazed
+by the darkness and the silence, Wulfhere ran
+across the courtyard and began to pound with
+all his might upon the portals of the convent,
+calling upon the abbot as he did so.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What hath happened?” cried the abbot from
+within in response to the clamor. “Why rouse
+ye reverend men from needed slumber?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Because,” cried Wulfhere, frantically,
+“something hath befallen my child. I know
+not what evil hath been wrought, but only that
+she lieth dead or in a swoon. For the love of
+heaven, good father, open unto me!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was a rattle of chains, and then the
+door swung back, and the old man was surrounded
+by the monks.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is it, son?” demanded the abbot.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know not,” cried Wulfhere, “save only
+that Egwina cried out to me in terror. Now
+lies she there, and whether she be quick or dead
+I wot not. Come!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The abbot was quick to act.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A leech and herbs,” he commanded.
+Without further parley, he ran rapidly with
+Wulfhere to the guest-house, the monks following.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina still lay unconscious on the floor.
+The abbot and Wulfhere stroked her hands
+while the leech applied various restoratives.
+Soon the maiden showed signs of returning consciousness,
+and the leech gave her a drink
+which he prepared from the herbs. In a short
+time she had so far recovered as to be able to
+tell her story.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And see, granther,” she concluded, “the
+ring that the maiden gave me hath been taken.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere uttered an exclamation as a sudden
+thought struck him, and he sprang to his feet.
+“Ælfric! Where is Ælfric?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Several of the monks started in search of him,
+but no juggler could be found.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis he who hath done this!” cried Wulfhere.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou lost aught of other treasure?”
+asked the abbot. “If his purpose were robbery,
+methinks that he would have deprived
+thee also of booty.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere drew from under his tunic the
+pouch that he always carried strapped about his
+waist, and from it took a bag.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“By the bones of the holy Cuthbert,” he exclaimed,
+“it is empty!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And so, indeed, it proved. The gold, silver,
+and copper coins, and gems which had been
+given him, were all gone. With a groan the
+old man let the bag fall to the floor.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Courage, man!” cried the abbot. “Thou
+hast not time to moan. Already hath the first
+cock crowed for sun-rising. ’Twill be but a
+short time ere morning dawns, and then we will
+seek the niddering. We will loose the hounds
+upon his track, and though he have a few hours
+the best of us, natheless we shall o’ertake him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So, in the early morning, Wulfhere and a
+small party of monks on palfreys set forth from
+the convent. Hounds of the best English breed
+so famed at this time were let loose upon the
+trail. It was not until late in the afternoon
+that the man-hunt was brought to a close.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then the hounds gathered round some alders
+in which Ælfric lay concealed. He was soon
+dislodged from his covert, and, seeing that resistance
+was useless, suffered himself to be led
+back to the monastery.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brother,” said Wulfhere to him, more in
+sorrow than in anger, “I knew not before that
+a gleeman would deal with another as a pagan
+might.” But Ælfric answered not a word.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A report of the matter was laid before the
+sciregerefa, the reeve or sheriff of the county,
+and Wulfhere, Egwina, the abbot, and such of
+the monks that knew of the affair, were summoned
+before him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the presence of this man, the bishop, and
+the ealdorman, Wulfhere accused the juggler
+of the theft.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“In the Lord,” said he, “do I urge this accusation
+with full right, and without fiction,
+deceit, or any fraud; so from me was stolen the
+gold and gems which my craft had brought me,
+and of this do I complain. Also from my
+granddaughter was taken a ring. These things
+were found again with Ælfric the juggler.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then the gerefa proceeded to examine the
+several persons. Ælfric looked upon Egwina
+with aversion as the maiden gave her simple
+account of the loss of her ring and the subsequent
+occurrences.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know no more,” concluded she, “for when
+I called aloud to my grandfather, the man did
+strike me, and I fell into a swound.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And this is the man?” inquired the gerefa.
+“Marry! Is it thus that a Saxon demeans
+himself?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” said Egwina, sweetly, “I would not
+take oath that it was he, good gerefa; for it was
+dark, and I could not see. Mayhap he meant
+only to affright me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The gerefa, the ealdorman, and even the
+bishop smiled at this artless attempt to shield
+the fellow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He doth not deserve thy pity, maiden,”
+said the sheriff gently. “I misdoubt not that
+he is the man sith the booty was found upon
+him. Thou needst say no more.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina sat down by her grandfather while
+the abbot and the monks deposed. Then the
+reeve turned to the juggler:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Ælfric, by these witnesses thou hast been
+proven to have taken the ring belonging to the
+maiden, and the coin and gems of the bard.
+Hast thou aught to answer for thyself? Why
+didst thou this thing? Is it not enow for the
+Northmen to pillage our people that they must
+prey upon each other?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ælfric was silent for a moment, and then
+raised his head defiantly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught can be gained by saying that I did
+it not, for ye have proved it. Ælfric did rob
+the old man of his gold, and the girl of her
+ring. Will ye know why? They were mine
+by right. Ye have dooms by which a man
+must pay bot if he wrong his neighbor by theft
+or feud; but no weregeld must he pay that
+takes from another his trade. Yet is not that
+an injury? This then have the scop and the
+maiden done to me: ’twas in the market at
+Winchester that I played with my balls and
+knives. The people cried up the act for they
+were pleased. Then, before it was time for the
+giving of the gifts, did this harper and his
+daughter come. They sang, and the throng
+left me. Have they not robbed me? I took
+that which was mine own. Had they but waited
+until the distribution of gifts, naught would
+have befallen them. I have said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He sat down as he spake, and a silence fell
+upon the company. Such a plea was unusual.
+There was a puzzled look upon the faces of the
+ealdorman and the bishop. Soon the gerefa
+spake:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Natheless, Ælfric, the mulct must be paid.
+Little did the harper and his daughter reck
+that they took gifts from thee. It was but a
+whim of fortune, and doth not condone thy
+fault. Thou knowest the doom. Canst pay
+thy weregeld?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ælfric shook his head sullenly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then hast thou kindred who will pay it for
+thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But the juggler clasped his hands.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is none,” cried he, “that is sibbe to
+me. Do to me as ye will for none is there to
+pay the bot.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If thou canst not pay thy weregeld,” said
+the reeve, “and there is no man to pay it for
+thee, then must thou become a wite theow according
+to the doom; for thus doth it read:
+‘If anyone through conviction of theft forfeit
+his freedom, and deliver himself up and his
+kindred forsake him, and he know not who shall
+make bot for him; let him then be worthy of
+theowe-work which thereunto appertaineth;
+and let the were abate from his kindred.’ Thus
+shalt thou be given unto a lord for his theow,
+and if any there be who choose to redeem thee,
+then let him come forward before the year hath
+passed; else serfdom must be thy portion for
+life.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The juggler advanced and laying down his
+sword and his spear, symbols of the free, took
+up the bill and the goad, the implements of
+slavery, and falling on his knees placed his
+head under the hand of the gerefa.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh!” cried Egwina pityingly, her eyes full
+of tears. “A theowe! Nay, granther, it must
+not be! Prithee, give to the reeve the weregeld.
+I would not that he be made a wite through us.
+Is he not a gleeman?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True;” answered Wulfhere, “and a Saxon
+also. It is just. He hath committed a crime
+against the doom of the land; according to the
+doom let him be judged. Come, child, put on
+thy ring again, and let us be going. Too long
+have we tarried already with the good monks.
+The Wind month cometh on apace, and ere it
+wanes, I would be in Alfred’s vill. Come!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He arose as he spake, but, moved by an irresistible
+impulse, Egwina sprang to the side of
+Ælfric.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sorry am I and grieved,” she said, gently
+laying her hand on his arm, “that we have
+brought thee to this pass. Take heart! It may
+be that grandfather will let me have some of the
+gifts, and if so I will send them to thee to pay
+thy were. We knew not in the market that
+thou hadst received no gifts.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Ælfric shook her hand from his arm
+roughly, and turned on her with hate in his
+eyes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thinkest thou that thy father alone could
+have taken them from me? No; it is thou that
+art to blame! Had it not been for thy fair face
+Ælfric would have received his gifts. Wulfhere
+is old! No longer hath he power to charm
+by his harp and voice, so he uses thy beauty to
+drive a better man from the field. Wulfhere
+did it not! It is thou who hath done this!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina shrank back affrighted. Wulfhere
+strode forward, his face white with passion.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What! Tauntest thou a girl? It is best for
+thy weal an thou art a theow else Wulfhere
+would make thee pay thy weregeld twice over.
+Wulfhere may have lost his power as harper,
+but strong yet is his right arm and mighty its
+stroke.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, son,” interposed the abbot. “Be
+not wroth with such as he! Thou demeanest
+thyself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True;” said the harper recovering himself,
+“what hath Wulfhere to do with a niddering?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">At that term of reproach which no Saxon
+could hear unmoved, Ælfric sprang forward, his
+face convulsed with rage, his hand upraised.
+The gerefa and the abbot seized him before the
+blow fell.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Niddering?” he shrieked. “Ælfric niddering!
+As ye be Saxons let me at him!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But they would not, and, as they led him
+away, he called back in a loud voice:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“By all the saints, I swear that Ælfric shall
+be revenged. As I am now so shall ye be!
+Look to yourselves, Wulfhere, and thou, daughter
+of Wulfhere! For every hour spent as
+theow, ye shall have double. For every task
+assigned, two shall be your portion. The rod
+and the lash shall not be wanting. I swear
+it! Lead on; I have spoken!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina paled and trembled at the words, but
+the old man laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Heed him not,” he said. “Doth not the
+beast growl when foiled? What harm can befall
+us if we are in the king’s hand? Come!”</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ivin-the-hall-of-alfred">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id10">CHAPTER IV—IN THE HALL OF ALFRED</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Wulfhere and Egwina journeyed slowly
+northward over Hampshire, into Berkshire, and
+thence into Wiltshire, so that it was not until
+the sixth day of the Wolf month that they arrived
+at Chippenham.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The landscape was dreary and barren. The
+wind howled dismally through the branches of
+the leafless trees. The sedge by the river was
+silvered over by heavy rime and the frosted flag
+rushes seemed to cut like swords. The gray
+clouds hung low in the dull leaden sky until the
+summits of the hills in the distance were lost
+among them. The wide-open moors and hedgeless
+commons showed no sign of any living
+thing on their desolate wastes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without the gates of the city all was chill and
+drear, but within the sounds of music and
+revelry could be heard on every hand; for it
+was the twelfth night, and the feast of the
+Epiphany. For twelve days the yule log had
+blazed on every hearth, and as soon as the last
+of its embers died out life must again take on
+its work-a-day aspect. So loud rang the mirth
+and hearty the feast of the last of the holy
+festival.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Chippenham held one of the strongest of the
+royal residences. A long, low irregular building,
+it still towered above the other dwellings of the
+burgh. It was brilliantly lighted, for night
+was fast approaching when the wayfarers entered
+the gates, and Wulfhere and Egwina immediately
+made their way to it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A dense throng of poor people waited without
+the hall for the remnants of the banquet which
+was going on within. Pushing their way
+through them, the two paused just outside the
+portals.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, child,” commanded Wulfhere, “sing
+as thou hast never sung before. ’Tis Alfred
+the king who hears thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And with his own nerves tingling, Wulfhere
+swept the strings of his harp, and they sang
+softly and tenderly an old ballad. The noise
+and the glee within ceased with the first few
+notes of the melody. The sweetness of the girl’s
+clear soprano blended with the deep bass of the
+bard, making a pleasing harmony. When they
+had finished the strain, the portals were flung
+wide, and the voice of the warder called in ringing
+tones:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now who be ye that bring such music from
+the harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wulfhere, the Gleeman, with his daughter,
+Egwina the Fair.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enter, Wulfhere, with thy daughter; and
+for our good cheer give us of thy melody. I wot
+that none of Alfred’s harpers hath such power
+of the harp. Enter and welcome!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Well pleased, the bard and the maiden entered.
+The hall was a long room whose length was disproportionate
+to its width, and whose vaulted
+roof was blackened by the smoke of the fire
+which burned in its centre. In the upper end
+was a dais raised a step above the rest of the
+building. The walls were covered by silken
+hangings richly embroidered, which served the
+double purpose of ornamentation and to keep
+the wind out. For in those days so illy built
+were even the palaces of the kings that the
+candles were ofttimes extinguished by the gusts
+of air which came through the cracks and
+crevices of the buildings.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Three long tables were ranged down the length
+of the apartment, filled with Alfred’s gesiths or
+retainers. In the centre of each table was a
+large boar’s head with an apple in its mouth.
+The room was decked with evergreens, conspicuous
+among them being the mistletoe, to which a
+traditionary superstition attached.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The floor was covered with rushes and sweet
+herbs, and a number of dogs lay thereon close
+to the great fire, watching greedily for some
+chance tidbit, if any there were so unmannerly
+as to throw to them. Upon the dais stood an
+oval-shaped table handsomely carved, above
+which was a canopy of richly embroidered cloth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Around this table, reserved for the king’s
+family and guests of honor, were gathered two
+ladies and three small children, one boy and
+two girls. The king’s chair was empty. Behind
+the ladies stood two youths and a maiden of
+high rank, who served them with napkins and
+mead, and with a start of surprise, Egwina saw
+that the maiden was Ethelfleda and that one of
+the youths was her brother.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The tables were laden with gold and silver
+plate, and each person had a knife with a
+jeweled hilt. Pages served the meat on spits,
+kneeling, and occasionally passed bowls of
+water in which the fingers were dipped before
+drying them on the napkins.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere and Egwina were given seats in the
+lower end of the hall among the other harpers,
+scops, bards, and gleemen. At their entrance
+every eye was turned inquiringly toward them.
+The reeve who had the feast in charge hastened
+to them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy music hath enchanted the household.
+Prithee delight us again. The feast is deepening.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Nothing loth, Wulfhere complied readily;
+then, as the song was finished, without waiting
+for further request, his fingers swept the strings
+and he half sang, half recited, improvising as
+he went:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Here Alfred of the West Saxons king, the giver of the bracelets of the nobles,</div>
+<div class="line">A lasting glory won by slaughter in battle, with the edges of swords at Ashdown.</div>
+<div class="line">The wall of shields he cleaved, the noble banners he hewed;</div>
+<div class="line">Pursuing, he destroyed the Danish people.</div>
+<div class="line">The field was colored with the warrior’s blood.</div>
+<div class="line">After that—the sun on high—the greatest star</div>
+<div class="line">Glided over the earth, God’s candle bright!</div>
+<div class="line">Till the noble creature hastened to her setting.</div>
+<div class="line">There lay soldiers many with darts struck down,</div>
+<div class="line">Northern men over their shields shot.</div>
+<div class="line">So were the Danes weary of ruddy battles.</div>
+<div class="line">The screamers of war he left behind; the raven to enjoy,</div>
+<div class="line">The dismal kite, and the black raven with horned beak, and the hoarse toad;</div>
+<div class="line">The eagle afterwards to feast on the white flesh;</div>
+<div class="line">The greedy battle hawk, and the gray beast, the wolf in the wood.</div>
+<div class="line">He has marched with his bloody sword, and the raven has followed him.</div>
+<div class="line">Furiously hath he fought, and the Northmen fear his presence.</div>
+<div class="line">Then did the Dane seek his fleet.</div>
+<div class="line">And they sang as they coursed gayly along the track of the swans:</div>
+<div class="line">‘Not here can the Great one harm us.</div>
+<div class="line">The force of the storm is a help to the arms of our rowers;</div>
+<div class="line">The hurricane is in our service;</div>
+<div class="line">It carries us the way we would go.’</div>
+<div class="line">Then arose the king in his wisdom. Alfred, great of understanding!</div>
+<div class="line">He the wise builder of ships! The giver of laws, the bestower of bracelets!</div>
+<div class="line">He spake, and the timbers took shape.</div>
+<div class="line">Then did the raven shriek on the waters.</div>
+<div class="line">Red ran the blood of the Northman, as the Dragon of Wessex pursued him.</div>
+<div class="line">Great, great are the deeds of Alfred! The wonder and glory of men!”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">Thunderous applause broke forth from the
+retainers that shook the very rafters. Wulfhere
+sat down upon the settle, and glanced toward
+the dais from which there now advanced the
+royal cup-bearer.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Later will the king grace the feast by his
+presence,” he said. “And then, O minstrel,
+shalt thou receive fitting guerdon for thy words.
+Drink hael to Elswitha, the lady” (the correct
+designation of the queens of that time was “The
+Lady”) “who sends thee cheer from her own
+table and in her own cup.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He presented the cup, a golden goblet, to
+Wulfhere as he spoke. The old man flushed
+with delight.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wass-hael,” responded he, as he took the
+cup. “Wass-hael to the Lady Elswitha.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She bids thee welcome, thou and the maiden,
+and wishes ye also to sing for her in her bower
+later. Meanwhile, partake of the glee and
+mingle as of our own household among us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So saying he returned to his own station on
+the dais.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Granther,” whispered Egwina as the youth
+left, “seest thou not that the maiden, Ethelfleda,
+serveth the lady Elswitha? The youth also is
+on the dais.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It may be, child,” answered Wulfhere.
+“They are guests, likely. Methought they were
+gentles. But didst thou see, Egwina, that the
+lady hath sent her own cup? Fortune hath
+favored us in sooth.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The girl looked at the cup as he wished, but
+ever and anon stole glances toward the dais
+where were the youth and the maiden. At this
+moment from one of the settles where sat the
+minstrels, a voice exclaimed:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me, ye wise ones, what is winter?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell us, Witlaf,” shouted the reeve. “Expect
+not wisdom at a feast.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is the banishment of summer,” answered
+the minstrel.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Good, good! Another! Give us another.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is spring? The painter of the earth.
+What is the year? The world’s chariot. What
+is the sun? Quotha! Doltish are ye if none
+can answer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The splendor of the world, the beauty of
+heaven, the grace of nature, the honor of
+day, the distributer of the hours,” spoke up
+Wulfhere. “Now thou, whom they have called
+Witlaf, answer this: What is the sea?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Witlaf thought for a moment ere he replied,
+“The path of audacity, the boundary of the earth,
+the receptacle of the rivers, the fountain of
+showers.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Right!” exclaimed the old bard, his spirits
+high, his blood coursing warmly through his
+veins, for it was scenes of this kind that he
+loved. “Right, sir bard! Now prithee read
+me this riddle. An unknown person, without
+tongue or voice spoke to me, who never existed
+before, nor has existed since, nor ever will be
+again, and whom I neither heard nor knew.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Witlaf shook his head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wilt have to unravel it thyself,” he
+said, “I know not that.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is a dream,” answered Wulfhere, and
+again the rafters shook with applause.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, wanderer, read this for me if thou
+canst. It is a wonder. I saw a man standing;
+a dead man walking who never existed,” quoth
+Witlaf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is an image in the water,” replied Wulfhere
+quickly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He hath thee, Witlaf,” came from the
+board in a merry shout. “Thou hast met
+thy match.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; here is another,” cried Witlaf on his
+mettle. “I wot that there be few men that can
+unravel this: I saw the dead produce the living,
+and by the living the dead were consumed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wulfhere smiled as sagely and answered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“From the friction of trees fire was produced,
+which consumed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So, fast and furious grew the fun, every minstrel
+or bard contributing his quota to the mirth;
+Witlaf and Wulfhere leading, each striving to
+outdo the other.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The feast thickened, and mead, pigment, and
+morat circled round the board, and the tongue
+of the Saxon was unloosened. Then did the
+harp pass from hand to hand and each sang.
+Even the nobles at the king’s board lifted up
+their voices in song. Again the cup-bearer
+approached the place where the minstrels sat.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The lady Elswitha wishes to know if thy
+daughter sings not alone?” said he, addressing
+the bard. “Hath she not some simple lay that
+will charm the ear?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She hath,” answered the gleeman, “and
+gracious is the lady in the asking. Egwina,
+Elswitha would hear thee sing. Thy sweetest,
+child! ’Tis the Lady who asks thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then timidly the maiden arose. The company
+hushed the noisy revel, and listened as the
+sweet voice of the girl sounded through the hall.
+Her voice quavered slightly when she began,
+but the maiden on the dais smiled reassuringly
+at her, and she took courage. It grew stronger
+and then pealed forth in all its strength and
+beauty:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Alone sits the exile,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Alone on the plain;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">And the voice of the south wind</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Speaks to him in vain.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“For back hath his fancy</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Flown to his lord;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">When oft he had followed him</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">With arrow and sword.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Again does he seem to feel</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">As of old his caresses;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">The thought is so sweet to him.</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">The awakening distresses.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“No friends hath he now,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Nor lord for to follow;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Long have they been estranged,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Life seem but hollow.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Naught doth earth hold for him;</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">No surcease of sorrow:</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">For hunger of heartache</div>
+<div class="line">Fails comfort to borrow.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line">“Cold, cold is his earth dwelling,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Care sits on his brow;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Joyless his dark abode,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Bereft is he now.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Those he hath loved in life</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">The tomb now is holding;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Fain would he join them there</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">For rest he is needing.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">The sad little strain produced a few moments
+of silence, and then again, after vociferous
+plaudits for the maiden, the uproar broke forth.
+As Egwina sat down, the maiden Ethelfleda
+descended from the dais, and came to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">”Thou art the maiden and this is thy father
+who were so kind to me in Andred’s Weald,”
+she said, taking Egwina by the hand. “Often
+have I wondered about thee, and hoped to see
+thee again. Now thou shalt stay with me, and
+thou shalt, if thou wilt, teach me some of thy
+pretty songs. Sweetly dost thou sing, but it hath
+made my heart sad to hear thy little plaint.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">”An it please thee, maiden, she shall sing
+another, merrier and more suited to the feast,”
+interposed Wulfhere, “I know not why the
+child chose so sad a theme.”[SYNC]</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It doth please me,” said Ethelfleda. “But
+come! Before thou dost sing again, thou shalt
+drink hael with the lady Elswitha.” To the old
+man’s joy he saw his granddaughter led to the
+dais where Alfred’s wife sat.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The lady graciously arose to receive the girl.
+With her own hand she proffered the cup. Just
+as Egwina was lifting the goblet to her lips, a
+great noise was heard without. There was the
+crash of arms, the hoarse shout of battle, and
+then the portals were flung wide, and the
+warder shouted:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Dane, the Dane!”</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vthe-death-of-a-hero">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id11">CHAPTER V—THE DEATH OF A HERO</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Instantly the wildest confusion prevailed.
+The Saxons, half-dazed by the suddenness of
+the attack, sprang for their arms which hung
+upon the walls of the hall. Such a thing as a
+winter campaign had hitherto been unknown,
+and they were taken completely by surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Before they could collect themselves or form
+any plan for defense, the Norsemen were upon
+them, and then there followed an awful scene of
+carnage. The clash of steel, the hoarse shouts
+and cries of the Saxons, the shrieks and groans
+of the women, mingled with the exultant yells
+of the Danes. High above all, rose the Norse
+battle song which contained a covert sneer at
+the English religion:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“We have sung the mass of the lances.</div>
+<div class="line">It began at sunrise, and lo! the bright star hath gone to her rest,</div>
+<div class="line">And the orison is not completed.</div>
+<div class="line">Odin awaits us in Valhalla!</div>
+<div class="line">The perennial boar steams upon the festive board!</div>
+<div class="line">Hela, the death goddess, gnashes her teeth that we escape her!</div>
+<div class="line">The kite and the raven scream with joy at the feast!</div>
+<div class="line">Red runs the blood!</div>
+<div class="line">Fearful the carnage!</div>
+<div class="line">Guthrum the old hath destroyed the great one.</div>
+<div class="line">The black Raven with pointed beak</div>
+<div class="line">Hath subdued the Dragon of Wessex.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">On and on it went while the sharp-edged
+swords did their work. The Saxons made a
+brave but ineffectual resistance. On every side
+they fell. The tables were overturned in the
+strife, and mead and pigment mingled with the
+blood of those who such a short time before
+quaffed the cup so gayly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Through the struggling combatants, Wulfhere
+made his way somehow to the upper end of the
+hall where Egwina, Ethelfleda, Elswitha, the
+lady’s mother, Eadburga, the two youths and
+the little ones were huddled together, terrified
+at the sudden onslaught.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou must not stay here,” he cried to the
+Lady Elswitha. “It is no place for thee, or these
+others.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A thegn darted to them at this moment.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Retire,” he shouted. “Retire, Lady, to thy
+bower.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Retire!” exclaimed the lady, “and leave my
+lord’s hearthstone to the invader?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou must,” cried the thegn in anguish.
+“For the love of the Holy Mary, seek thy
+bower. We must answer to the king for thy
+safety.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without further remonstrance, the lady
+turned to flee with her children. It was none
+too soon. The Northmen pressed furiously
+toward that end of the hall. The few remaining
+Saxons threw themselves between the terrible
+Danes and their beloved lady.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Go, lads,” commanded the same thegn who
+had before spoken, pushing the youths who
+lingered towards the fleeing group; “ye can do
+naught here, and your duty lies there. Go!”
+and the boys obeyed him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">As quickly as possible the little party made
+its way into the bower and barricaded the
+entrance behind them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now what?” asked the lady of Wulfhere.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We must not stay here,” answered he.
+“After the slaughter comes the flame. The
+Dane will apply the torch as is his wont. Let
+us to the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king! Alack!” Elswitha cried in
+sudden terror. “Where is he? I fear, oh, I
+fear that he hath fallen into the hands of
+Guthrum.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Where went he?” asked Wulfhere.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To Malmesbury to determine the limits of
+some bocland. Were he living, he would have
+been here ere this. Oh, I fear, I fear!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Moaning, she drew her little ones to her
+while the others looked at her compassionately.
+At this moment a mighty shout rose from
+without the castle walls.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king! The king!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The clash of steel, the shouts and cries which
+now broke forth with renewed vigor, showed
+that the king had indeed come. Elswitha sprang
+to her feet, her face transfigured with joy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“God be praised!” she cried. “It is my
+lord. Now, my children, ye are in sooth safe.
+O thank God! Thank God!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But even as she spoke, the door fell inward
+with a crash, and the Northmen burst into the
+room. Wulfhere drew his seax, and threw
+himself in front of the women and children.
+The youths—Edward and the cup-bearer—ranged
+themselves beside him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Minstrel, sheathe thy sword,” cried the foremost
+of the Danes. “Arms and battle are not
+for thee. It is thine to sing the praises of
+warriors. Sheathe thy sword.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will, an it please thee, in thy body,”
+answered Wulfhere. He made a lunge, and the
+Dane fell pierced through the heart.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The others sprang toward him, but the youths
+received those in the fore on their swords. Then
+rose the voice of Guthrum, King of the Danes,
+and it rang through the hall:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whoso brings me the head of Alfred the
+King, him will I hold dearer than a brother,
+and great shall be his reward.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Northmen turned and ran back towards
+the hall, shouting as they did so:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Safe enow art thou, minstrel. Later will
+our swords drink of thy blood.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Elswitha started up frantically. “Come,” she
+cried. “Let us to Alfred. There only is safety.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art right. Let us be gone ere others
+of the pagans come,” said the bard. “Do ye,”
+to the youths, “lead, and let the women follow.
+I will bring up the rear.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The two boys went before. Elswitha and
+Eadburga came next with the three children.
+Egwina and Ethelfleda followed, while Wulfhere
+guarded the rear. Out into the night they
+went. The wind which had arisen, moaned and
+sobbed as though bewailing the strife. The din
+without the castle was fearful. The wailing of
+women and children mingled with the clash of
+swords and the cries of battle. Citizens ran to
+and fro, whither they knew not, seeking loved
+ones or refuge from the Danes. The darkness
+of the night was broken only by the torchlights
+which flitted hither and thither, or were suddenly
+extinguished as the bearers fell pierced by
+sword or arrow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Hesitating only for a moment, the boys turned
+in the direction of the sound of the conflict.
+They had gone but a short distance, when there
+was a great shout, and the Saxons—warriors,
+citizens, women and children—went flying
+past them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fly, men of Wessex,” they cried as they ran.
+“Fly, and save yourselves!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was impossible to stem the living current.
+The little party was obliged to turn and go with
+the surging, seething mass of humanity.</p>
+<p class="pnext">And now the torch was applied to finish the
+awful work. Soon the ruddy flames leaped high
+in the air, lighting up the sky with a lurid glare,
+and bathing the landscape in a crimson glow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A wail went up from the fleeing Saxons, for
+they knew that the light was from their dwellings,
+and that they were homeless. Full of anguish
+they redoubled their speed, and ran on,
+breathless and in terror, for the cries in the rear
+showed that the Northmen were still in pursuit;
+still slaying those who were unfortunate enough
+to fall into their hands.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In every direction ran the fugitives. It was
+cold, for it was midwinter; but though the chill
+wind pierced to the very marrow, the people
+thought only of life for themselves and dear
+ones, and heeded it not. The terror-stricken inhabitants
+of the villages into which they fled
+could afford them no asylum for they knew that
+but a few short hours must elapse ere they would
+suffer a like fate. So they, too, joined the fugitives
+and the crowd became a multitude.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At first our little band had no difficulty in
+keeping together, but as the numbers were increased,
+they pressed closer one to another, and
+called aloud frequently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was just the hour before the dawn, when
+the flames of the burning villages had died
+down and a thick darkness had settled over the
+earth, that a cry went up from those in front
+that the Danes were coming from that direction
+also. Panic-stricken, the throng knew not
+which way to turn. They became confused in
+the darkness and made a sudden dash in opposite
+directions, shouting and crying as they did
+so. The party was swept asunder by the rush.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina called frantically to Ethelfleda, but
+the noise was so great that she could scarcely
+hear the sound of her own voice. Carried
+onward by the crowd, she did not know where
+she was going, or if the Danes had really fallen
+upon them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At last morning dawned. With the rising of
+the sun—the distributor of God’s blessed light—the
+stricken people revived somewhat from their
+terrors which the darkness had augmented, and
+proceeded more quietly. Now, too, each began
+to search for his relatives. To the girl’s joy,
+her grandfather was soon found.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost know what became of the others?” he
+inquired.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, granther. The maiden was carried from
+my side when the shout went up that the Danes
+were coming. Alack! where can they be?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I wot not,” answered Wulfhere moodily.
+“I fear, child, that this is the end. None know
+whether Alfred be fallen or taken prisoner. If
+either be true naught is left for us but loss of
+life or slavery.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With the morning the people scattered into
+the different villages in search of rest and sustenance.
+Wulfhere and Egwina did likewise.
+As they were resting in the thatched cottage of
+a ceorl, there came through the village one riding
+hotly on a palfrey. He bore an arrow in
+one hand and a naked sword in the other.
+When he reached the centre of the hamlet he
+stopped and called in a loud voice:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What, ho, Saxons! Listen to the words
+of the king. Alfred would have aid against
+the Dane. Let every man that is not niddering,
+whether in a town or out of a town, leave
+his house and come.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Never before had the old national proclamation,
+which no Saxon capable of bearing arms
+had ever resisted, been published to such deaf
+ears. Wulfhere sprang up with a shout: “God
+be praised! The king lives!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But the mass of the people responded not
+but murmured among themselves that resistance
+was useless. If they submitted, they would be
+allowed to till the soil, and to live in their homes
+even as their brethren in Mercia and East
+Anglia were doing; while opposition meant
+death, loss of homes and loved ones.</p>
+<p class="pnext">So the message fell upon deaf ears, and the
+messenger swept on to other villages with the
+summons. Wulfhere’s shout met no answering
+one of gladness. The old man sat down amazed
+and despairing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What hath become of the spirit of the
+Saxons?” he asked fiercely. “Now shall we
+be conquered by the Dane, even as our forefathers
+conquered the Britons. The Saxons
+serfs? Out, I say! To what have the descendents
+of Woden fallen that they should
+submit without a blow to the pagan?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Friend,” spoke a ceorl near by, “have a
+care to thy words. The land hath been ravaged
+by the invader for years. No rest can be obtained
+either by resistance or by gifts and money.
+We are weary of strife. Serfdom and life are
+better than freedom and death. Marry, let us
+have peace!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come, Egwina,” and Wulfhere rose, his form
+dilated, his lip curled with scorn. “Theowes
+already be these men. I would be no more
+among them. Come!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Obediently the girl followed him. There
+were some mutterings from those who heard his
+words, but they were allowed to depart without
+molestation. They had not gone far from the
+village when they saw in the distance a party of
+Danes approaching on horseback. As the Danes
+caught sight of the man and the maiden, they
+spurred their horses and came up to the two on
+a run.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A scald and a scald maiden,” cried they in
+delight. “Now let song and dance be our portion.
+Weary are we of the fray. Let us have
+song.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">They flung themselves from their palfreys
+and surrounded the two. Egwina shrank close
+to her grandfather.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No song, even for thy life, girl,” commanded
+the old man sternly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Strike up, old scald! Is thy harp mute
+that thou dost not sweep it?” spoke the leader.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A song! A song in praise of Guthrum!
+Guthrum the bold!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Wulfhere folded his arms across his harp
+and remained silent.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Silent art thou?” demanded he who seemed
+to be the chief.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis fear that whitens his face and makes his
+tongue cleave to the roof of his mouth,” laughed
+a youth mockingly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Haco, take the harp,” commanded the jarl.
+“Do thou sing for us. Then will the old man
+be stirred to obey. He seems to forget that we
+war not against gleemen.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The youth stepped toward Wulfhere and
+reached out his hand for the instrument. Still
+silent, the bard drew his seax and cut the strings
+with one blow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What!” cried the chief in fury. “What
+doest thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No harp of mine shall sing in praise of
+Guthrum,” responded Wulfhere sternly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But thy tongue shall,” declared the other.
+“Sing, scald, else it shall be torn from the roof
+of thy mouth, and never shalt thou lift thy
+voice in praise of any other.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Rather than it should sing in praise of the
+Northmen I would tear it out myself,” declared
+the bard with energy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Bold art thou,” cried the leader, “or it may
+be that thou believest that we will be niggardly
+with our gifts. See! Hath the Saxon done so
+well?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He tore from his arms some massive gold
+bracelets which were held in great esteem by
+the Danes, and cast them at the ministrel’s feet.
+The gleeman thrust them aside contemptuously
+with his foot.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I scorn both your gifts and your threats,”
+he cried. “But listen! Ye shall hear a song.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Believing that he was really intimidated
+despite his words, the Danes stayed their hands
+and composed themselves to listen, well knowing
+that there was time enough to avenge the insult
+to their gifts. Then Wulfhere drew Egwina
+back from them a little and began:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“What shall the minstrel sing by the fireside?</div>
+<div class="line">What hero shall he laud to the young?</div>
+<div class="line">When the nights have grown cold and chill whistles the wind in the tree tops,</div>
+<div class="line">Close gather they to the fireside.</div>
+<div class="line">Then call they for the harper.</div>
+<div class="line">He sings, and he sings of the Northman.</div>
+<div class="line">Great was the feast of the raven</div>
+<div class="line">When Guthrum swept over the land.</div>
+<div class="line">Wild shrieked the kite and the eagle;</div>
+<div class="line">And hoarse croaked the toad that was horned</div>
+<div class="line">Up rose the Dragon of Wessex!</div>
+<div class="line">Up then rose the Deliverer!</div>
+<div class="line">Up rose Alfred the wise one!</div>
+<div class="line">Maker of ships and of laws!</div>
+<div class="line">Guthrum and Danes floe before him!</div>
+<div class="line">Guthrum the old and the aged!</div>
+<div class="line">Guthrum in fear of the great one!”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">With cries of fury the Danes set upon him.
+Wulfhere received the onslaught with a grim
+smile, and lunging at the nearest one, chanted
+on:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Fast flee the Norseman before him.</div>
+<div class="line">Stark fall they upon their bucklers!</div>
+<div class="line">Under the clash of the steel of Alfred.</div>
+<div class="line">Alfred, the great one! The wise one!</div>
+<div class="line">Maker of ships and of—”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">He fell, pierced through and through by their
+swords.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Grandfather!” shrieked Egwina, flinging
+herself down beside him. “Grandfather, speak
+to me!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And Wulfhere opening his eyes, smiled, and
+chanted in a loud voice: “Maker of ships and
+of laws!” and expired.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a cry of anguish the girl fell unconscious
+on the body.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vithe-wolves-concert">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id12">CHAPTER VI—THE WOLVES’ CONCERT</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">When Egwina recovered consciousness, two
+priests were bending over her. The Danes
+were gone, and only the pitying faces of the
+presbyters were in sight. Half dazed, she
+stared at them stupidly, and then, as her eyes
+fell upon the body of Wulfhere, the remembrance
+of what had happened returned with
+full force.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Granther! Oh, granther!” she sobbed.
+One of the priests leaned over her, and lifted
+her up gently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Daughter, be comforted. He is at rest. No
+longer is he beset by Dane or foe of any kind.
+Calm thy grief, and be with us while we give
+him Christian burial. Our time is short, and
+we know not how soon the pagans will return.
+That thou wert left alive is a mercy of God.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina controlled herself by a great effort.
+The priests, taking turns, dug a grave with
+Wulfhere’s seax. Then they approached the
+remains. With loving hands, the maiden herself
+re-arranged the garments of the dead man,
+taking the bag of valuables from his person.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Take this for the soul sceat,” she said, giving
+it into the hands of the priests.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, daughter, it is too much,” and the
+priests looked at each other, wondering at the
+amount. “Keep part for thine own use.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I want it not,” answered she, weeping softly.
+“Let it bring him as many prayers as it will,
+good fathers.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Reverently the body was laid within the excavation,
+and then Egwina brought his harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Bury it with him,” she said.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, daughter; it savors too much of
+heathenism,” said one much scandalized. “Do
+not the pagans so, and the bard was a Christian?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” said the girl through her tears.
+“True, good fathers, but granther loved it so.
+I could not bear that other than he should use
+it. And if it so be, as ye tell us, that we will
+sing praises in the heavenly land then will he
+have need of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The priests were touched, yet still they hesitated.
+It savored so much of the heathenish
+custom of the Danes they were loth to consent
+to the act; yet did they mislike to deprive the
+maiden of this small comfort.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“See,” said the girl showing them the mutilated
+strings. “When they would have taken
+it from him to use it in praise of Guthrum, he
+cut the strings rather than have it so defiled. If
+the harp be left, we wot not but that some of the
+Northmen may find it and use it. Grandfather
+could not rest if that were to happen. Always
+it hath been with him. It was his friend, his
+glee-beam. I know that he will be lonely
+without it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brother,” said one to the other, “what sayest
+thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do as the child wisheth,” replied the second
+one. “It will comfort her, and doth not bewray
+the church at such a time. Besides ’twere pity
+that the Northman should get the harp sith the
+bard hath given his life so nobly.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So, to Egwina’s relief, the harp was interred
+with the gleeman. Prayers were said over the
+grave, and then the priests turned to the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, daughter, respect hath been shown to
+the dead, and now is our duty to the living.
+Whither goest thou? Where are thy friends?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Alack!” returned she, bravely checking her
+tears, “I wot not. None but granther did I
+have.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But were ye not under some lord’s hand?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, ye know the custom of the wandering
+gleemen. From mead hall to mead hall did we go,
+and we have always done so. At Chippenham,
+we came to put ourselves under the hand of the
+king for fear of the Danes; but now—”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now,” said the elder priest, “thou art like
+others of people and priests. No friends, no
+home; thou hast nowhere to go. God help and
+comfort thee and us in our affliction.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We would best take her to the abbess Hilda
+at the priory,” said the second one.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; we will take her there, brother,
+though thou wottest that it may not be safe for
+the maiden. Even Christ’s altar is not safe
+from the defilement of these pagans. Methinks
+they are fiercer towards priests and monks, and
+ravage the churches and convents with greater
+fury than elsewhere, if that be possible where no
+mercy is shown to any. But eat and drink,
+child. Thou art weary.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">For Egwina suddenly felt spent and faint.
+A sense of forlornness that she was unable to
+control was taking possession of her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I feel no desire for food, holy father,” she
+said weakly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Natheless thou must eat, daughter. Keep
+up thy heart. Be not troubled or concerned for
+thyself. Thou art in God’s hands. Whatever
+he sends is for the best. Eat these.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He took from the pouch which he carried
+under his chasuble some barley cakes, and Egwina
+ate of them obediently. When she had
+finished they took up their staffs, and declared
+themselves ready to take her to the priory. Thus
+did they journey.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was late in the day when the priests joyously
+announced to the maiden that there was
+but little further to go.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then shalt thou find peace and rest for thy
+weariness, child,” said they comfortingly to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">But as they drew near to the building, their
+ears were greeted with cries and screams of
+terror.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Northmen!” ejaculated the priests with
+pale faces. “Stay thou here, daughter, while
+we see if aught can be done.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">They went forward, leaving Egwina in the
+copse. Time passed. The priests did not return,
+and finally, unable to endure the suspense
+longer, the girl crept forward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In an open glade of the forest stood the
+priory. Egwina’s terror-stricken eyes saw
+naught but the forms of the slaughtered nuns
+whose bodies lay everywhere in the courtyard,
+and even beyond it. In front of the gates were
+the corpses of her two late companions—the
+priests.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A party of the Northmen were busied in carrying
+out the treasures of the priory ere setting
+fire to the building. The girl gazed on the
+scene with horror. Was there no safety, no retreat
+from these barbarians anywhere? Her
+blood congealed in her veins. A numbness of despair
+crept over her. Forgetting that she might
+be heard, a gasping cry escaped her lips. Some
+of the Danes paused in their work to listen.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Heard ye not a sound?” asked one.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twas naught,” responded another impassively,
+as he placed some golden vessels on the
+ground. “Didst thou think that a nun had
+escaped? By Odin, no! Careful were we that
+not one should live to say mass.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Many masses have we sung under Guthrum,”
+laughed another. “But a short time and
+no priest, monk, or nun shall be left of all the
+English. Joyously doth the death cry of such
+fall upon my ear. No music is sweeter than the
+prayer that priest or nun utter at the point of
+the sword.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The conversation roused the girl from the
+stupor into which she was falling. With an
+effort she shook off the lethargy that was numbing
+her faculties, and stole away into the wold.
+When out of hearing of the Norsemen, she
+broke into a run, and did not stop until forced
+by sheer exhaustion to do so.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Deep into the wood had she penetrated. There
+was no sound save the sighing of the wind
+through the leafless boughs. Where should she
+go? What should she do? She knew not. On
+every side was the Dane. No safe shelter was
+to be found in hut or abbey, even if she had
+known where to go to find either. In the wold
+lurked the wild beasts, and the chill of the
+winter. Death was on every hand. If not from
+the Dane, then from cold or brute of the forest.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In agony of mind she buried her face in her
+hands and groaned aloud.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The sun set and the twilight threw among the
+trees long, dark shadows that caused the girl to
+cower in fear.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Blessed Heaven aid me,” was her agonized
+appeal, “for I know not what to do.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Even as she strove to find comfort in prayer
+there sounded upon the air the dismal howl of a
+wolf. It was answered by another and then
+another until the whole forest resounded with
+their yells.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina bounded to her feet, her heart beating
+wildly, her eyes dilated with terror. Now
+she could hear the soft pat, pat of their feet as
+they came closer, and soon the bushes round
+about seemed filled with a thousand gleaming
+eyes. With an energy born of despair, the girl
+began to climb the tree under which she had
+been crouching.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was an oak with low-spreading branches.
+Into these she clambered and ensconced herself
+on one of the boughs. It was not a moment too
+soon. Snarling and howling, emboldened by
+the shadow of the deepening twilight, a whole
+pack bounded into the space under the tree.
+The girl clung desperately to the bough, watching
+in terror the attempts of the animals to
+reach her, and shuddering at the glare of their
+ferocious eyes.</p>
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 21%; width: 57%" id="figure-11">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="She began striking the cymbals together." src="images/illus-086.jpg" width="75%"/>
+<div class="caption italics">
+SHE BEGAN STRIKING THE CYMBALS TOGETHER.</div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">One, bolder than the rest, made a great spring
+and narrowly escaped touching one of the lower
+branches.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina started with fear and the start jarred
+the cymbals that were attached to the chain worn
+across her shoulder and breast. The instruments
+gave forth a musical sound. Instantly
+the tumult below ceased. The wolves fell back
+and looked up inquiringly. Hope arose in the
+girl’s heart.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Passing one of her arms around the branch
+to keep herself from falling, she grasped the
+cymbals and began striking them together.
+The effect was magical. The animals settled
+themselves on their haunches to enjoy the music.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Never had she performed to so attentive an
+audience and never had she done so well. On
+and on she played until her arms ached, and
+she would fain have stopped but that at the least
+cessation of the music the wolves began their
+leaping and snarling again.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It grew darker and darker. The shadowy
+outlines of their bodies became indistinct and at
+last melted into the darkness, and only the fiery
+gleam of their eyes told the girl that they were
+still below.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Would she be obliged to pass the night thus?
+she asked herself. Could she hold out until
+morning, or would she become so wearied that
+she would finally lose her hold and fall into
+that savage pack? Resolutely she put such
+thoughts from her, for they took the courage
+out of her heart and sapped the strength of
+her body.</p>
+<p class="pnext">How long she played she did not know, but
+after what seemed to her a very long time she
+heard the winding of a horn drawing near.
+Presently through the woods came the flickering
+glow of torches.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a cry of gladness Egwina called loudly:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“For the love of Heaven, who ever ye be,
+succor me, I pray you.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What have we here?” shouted a voice in
+reply, and a man ran forward. “Where are ye
+that called?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Here, here!” cried the girl joyfully. “In
+the tree.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The wolves, as the music ceased, began howling
+again, and, as a party of men with dogs
+dashed among them, attacking them with clubs,
+the most of the pack took to their heels, while
+the remaining few ceased their yells and in
+sullen silence let the ceorls club them to death.
+As the last one was dispatched, the trembling
+girl descended from the tree. No sooner had
+she reached the ground than she fell into a
+passion of weeping.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There! there!” said one with gruff kindness.
+“Thou art safe now. The wolves cannot harm
+thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But nature had been too severely tried, and
+Egwina sobbed on. The ceorls, seeing that she
+could not control herself, wisely left her alone,
+and presently when her sobs had subsided she
+looked up.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis unmannerly, I wot,” she said sweetly,
+“but I could not keep back the tears. I thank
+ye all for your kindness. Had ye not come
+when ye did, I fear that I should not have held
+out much longer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fleest thou from the Dane?” asked one.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The girl nodded, her heart swelling at the
+thought of her grandfather, and then she told
+them of the attack on the palace at Chippenham
+and all that had followed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The men listened in silence until she had
+finished, and then one said, “Where is the king?
+What hath become of him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know not,” answered Egwina. “I trow
+that he liveth, for when granther and I rested in
+one of the villages, his messenger of war passed
+through. But the Saxons would not hearken to
+the summons.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sayest thou so?” exclaimed he who seemed
+to be the spokesman. “Sayest thou so? Then,
+are we in sore straits in sooth. Alfred is a wise
+king and would drive out the Dane if the
+Saxons would follow him. But what is the
+throne without men? Of himself he can do
+naught. Evil hath surely come on the land.
+But thou art cold, little one!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina was in truth very cold. She trembled
+in every limb for she was chilled to the
+marrow and faint from weakness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The ceorl wrapped her in his mantle and
+lifted her in his arms.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” he said with good-natured raillery
+as she remonstrated; “a Saxon maiden who
+can keep a whole pack of wolves enthralled by
+her music must be treated gently.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The others laughingly assented and thus was
+the girl borne to the ceorl’s home.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viithe-coming-of-a-stranger">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id13">CHAPTER VII—THE COMING OF A STRANGER</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The party of Saxons who had so opportunely
+come to the rescue of Egwina proved to be
+swineherds, returning from their day’s work in
+the forest. Deep into the woodland did they
+go. At last a light shone through the darkness,
+and towards it the ceorl who bore Egwina walked
+rapidly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With hearty farewells the others left him, and
+each wended his way to his own home, promising
+to meet betimes on the morrow. The light
+came from a rude cottage, and soon the swineherd
+reached it. He knocked loudly on the
+door. It was opened quickly, and the shrill
+voice of a woman exclaimed:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis time thou wert coming, Denewulf!
+For a long while hath thy supper been
+waiting. Cold is it as the home of the
+Northman. Complain not if it be not to thy
+taste.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, Adiva; I will not grumble,” returned
+the Saxon as he entered. “Full well do I know
+that the hour is later than its wont; but much
+hath happened to hinder me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Holy Cuthbert of blessed memory!” ejaculated
+the woman. “What have we here?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Denewulf unfolded the mantle from the girl
+as he answered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I have brought thee a daughter for thy loneliness,
+Adiva.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But where gottest thou her?” demanded the
+dame in astonishment. “I wot that I have not
+seen so fair a maiden in many a day.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Saxon laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Serve us the meat, good mother, and while
+we sup, I will tell thee all. Sit, maiden.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina sat down upon one of the rude
+benches, and looked about her. The good woman
+still muttering in her surprise, bestirred herself
+about the supper.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The cottage was low and mean. It was made
+of turf and sticks, and thatched with rushes.
+The furniture was of the simplest. A broad,
+low bench back in one corner was covered by a
+tick or sack filled with straw. A goat’s skin
+was thrown over it. This served for a bed. A
+loom and distaff were on one side, with great
+bunches of yarn beside them. The seats were
+but crude settles of wood. A square table was
+drawn up near the fire which blazed genially in
+the centre of the room. The dog immediately
+stretched himself before it. From the roof were
+suspended the sides and hams of meat—the
+bucon or bacon of the Anglo-Saxon—and numerous
+bunches of herbs. The walls and rafters
+were blackened by the smoke which escaped
+through a cover in the roof.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Through the doorway the maiden caught a
+glimpse of another room. These two were all
+that the cottage contained. The one they were
+in served as a bed-room, sitting-room, kitchen,
+and dining-room, all in one. Simple and homely
+as it was, there was an air of warmth and comfort
+in it that stole over her senses gratefully.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Soon the supper smoked on the table, and
+Adiva pressed her hospitably to sit up, and to partake
+of it. Broiled eels, swine meat, honey and barley
+cakes, and the inevitable mead, constituted
+the repast. Adiva served the meat on spits, and
+each cut for himself slices with his own knife
+into trenchers of wood. The mead was drunk
+from horns which were filled from a tankard.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The color came to the girl’s face as she ate
+and drank, and was warmed by the fire. There
+were no vessels filled with water for the fingers,
+nor napkins to dry them on, nor table-cloth on
+the table, such as were used in the halls of the
+nobles; but there was kindness and good-will,
+and a homely hospitality that made amends for
+what was lacking in accessories. Not a word
+would the dame allow them to say until hunger
+was appeased. Then she looked up and said:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, Denewulf, be thou the first to speak
+and tell how and where thou didst find the
+maiden. Then shall she tell what happened
+before.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well,” said Denewulf quaffing a huge
+draught of mead, “as I and the others were coming
+through the wold with our hounds, what should
+we hear but the sound of music. Wondering
+much, we wound not our horns but stopped to
+listen. It ceased, and the howling of wolves
+smote our ears. Beshrew me, if I thought not that
+the wiccas were holding a conclave in the forest.
+Again the music started, and the howls ceased.
+We wound our horns again for our own comfort,
+for we wotted not but that the Norns were weaving
+our fates—”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Out upon thee, Denewulf,” interrupted the
+dame. “Have done with thy heathenish talk,
+and tell thy tale more simply.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Saxon laughed, drank again from his
+horn, and resumed:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then heard we a cry for help. We ran
+forward with our hounds. May I be bewrayed,
+but there in a tree was this maiden, who was
+performing to a whole pack of wolves below.
+Scold an’ thou wilt, Adiva, but methought at
+first that it was Jamvid and her sons.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again the wife interrupted him, crossing herself
+devoutly as she spake.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wilt never forget thy foster mother’s superstitions,
+man? Marry, thou art more Dane than
+Saxon now! What would the priest say to thy
+heathenism?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be not wroth, Adiva,” laughed Denewulf.
+“Thou wottest that at heart I am as good a
+Christian as thyself. I trow the Dane would
+think so.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well-a-day, have done with thy witless
+talk and go on with thy tale,” cried the wife
+impatiently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whether she were Jamvid or no,” went on
+the swineherd, “we set upon the brutes with
+our clubs, and such as did not take to their
+heels are left out under the tree. Then the
+maiden descended, and we found that she was
+not the hag of the Iron Wood, but a Saxon girl
+fleeing from the Dane.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“From the Dane?” ejaculated the dame.
+“Poor lamb! would the Dane bother such as
+ye? Tell me of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus adjured, Egwina in turn told her story,
+beginning with the desire of herself and grandfather
+to place themselves under the protection
+of Alfred, and continuing until the time that
+Denewulf had found her in the tree playing to
+the wolves.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear heart!” burst from the motherly
+woman hurrying round to the girl. “I’ll warrant
+thou art tired and spent. To think of a
+girl going through all that! But thou art safe
+here.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why, will not the Danes come here?”
+queried Egwina in amaze.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“They cannot, child. None but Saxons can
+penetrate into these wolds and fens,” spoke up
+the swineherd quickly. “And not even Saxons
+if they be not accustomed to it. I and others
+of my kind can go through the fastnesses as
+easily as thou canst follow a path; because we
+wot of them, but the Northmen would become
+weary and wander aimlessly about, unwitting
+whither to go until they would perish in the
+forest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It glads my heart to hear it,” breathed
+the maiden. “I want no more to see them.
+They are so fearful! None do they spare,
+neither youth nor age. I would, oh, I would that
+the king were here. Then would he be safe
+from them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Denewulf and Adiva both laughed long and
+loud.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king!” cried the swineherd when he
+could check his merriment. “The king?
+Quotha! I should like well to see the king in
+the hut of a swineherd. I must tell that to
+the others to-morrow.” Again he gave vent to
+a peal of laughter.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Out upon thee, man! Seest thou not that
+thou dost tease the maiden?” chid the wife.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I wonder not at his mirth,” said the
+maiden gently. “’Twould be a rare sight, I wot,
+if the king would dwell here; yet I would that
+he were here. I like not to think of him slain
+or in the hands of the Dane. My grandfather
+said the land depended upon Alfred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It may be,” returned Denewulf. “Come
+Saxon or Dane, it matters not here. But I
+would also that the king were here, for I would
+see him. Never have I seen a king. Hast
+thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Once,” said Egwina, “when I was seven,
+grandfather and I were in Sherborne when King
+Ethelred passed through. Methought that he
+was handsome and noble in appearance, but
+granther said that I was too young to know
+much about it, that the atheling, Alfred, was
+handsomer by far and that the land would be
+better when he was king; not only for his
+talents, but also because our holy father, the
+pope, had crowned him king in Rome.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well! Drink hael to the king’s coming,”
+and the swineherd tossed off another horn of
+mead.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At this moment footsteps were heard outside,
+the hound arose from his place before the fire
+with a low growl. There came a loud knock at
+the door.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Who goes there?” cried the Saxon striding
+to the entrance, fitting an arrow to his bow as
+he did so.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A wanderer in search of food and shelter.
+Open as ye be Saxons.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king has come,” laughed Denewulf,
+turning round with a broad wink at them.
+“Your best mead, Adiva.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then throwing wide the door, he called
+heartily, for the Saxons were very hospitable:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enter, wanderer! Thou art welcome to
+such as we have. Enter and find rest for thy
+weariness, and food for thy hunger.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Into the room there came a man whose manner
+was so commanding and his form so stately
+that he might in truth be king. He was tall,
+and his long hair of ruddy auburn fell in ringlets
+from under his bonnet on his shoulders.
+When the firelight fell upon it, it shone like
+burnished gold. His eyes were blue, very
+bright and penetrating in their glance. His
+countenance fair and at present pale from fatigue.
+His brow was high, noble, and thoughtful.
+In short, his mien was so august, his port
+so noble that Adiva and Egwina both gazed
+upon him with awe.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Not so Denewulf. The simple-hearted Saxon
+found something in the stranger that answered
+to himself, for he smiled graciously upon him,
+and seated him near the fire.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sit here, stranger, and warm thyself while
+the wife prepares the meat for thee. Sorry am
+I that thou didst not come sooner, for the meat
+was hot, and it would have pleased us well to
+have had thy company.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The stranger smiled a sweet, grave smile as
+he answered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It matters not if the meat be cold. Trouble
+not thyself, good dame. He who hath fasted
+since yesterday will not find fault though the
+food lack heat.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear heart!” exclaimed the dame bustling
+about. “And hast thou taken nought since
+yesterday? Marry, but it must be piping hot
+for thee, man. Thou shalt have a good supper.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In a short time the stranger sat down to the
+table and partook of the repast. Egwina could
+not but notice the difference in his manner of
+eating and that of their hosts, who, kind people
+though they were, still lacked refinement. When
+the stranger’s hunger was appeased, Denewulf
+filled a horn from the tankard, and passing it to
+him, said:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drink hael, man! ’Twill warm thee, and
+chill blows the wind in the forest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wass hael,” responded the guest, courteously
+including Egwina and the wife in the health.
+“To ye both, good dame and gentle maiden, and
+to thee also, ceorl, for thy kindness,” and he
+quaffed the horn. When Denewulf would have
+replenished the cup, he shook his head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” he said. “I care not for more.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then,” said the swineherd, “tell of thyself,
+and how thou art alone in the weald. Didst
+lose thy way? I trow that thou didst, for
+few there be who dwell not among the fens
+that can find the way out when once within
+its depths.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is it so impenetrable?” inquired the stranger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“So much so,” replied the swineherd with a
+chuckle, “that if the whole Danish army were
+lost in its fastnesses, they would die before finding
+their way out; unless some Saxon were
+niddering enow to show it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then I would that the Danes were within
+its depths,” ejaculated the stranger with fervor.
+“Vain have been the efforts of the Saxons to
+resist them, and it would be a happy ending of
+the matter.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou fleest, then, from the Dane?” queried
+Adiva.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; they are ravaging the whole of Wessex.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Good stranger, knowest aught of the king?”
+cried Egwina. “I hope that he is safe.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I trow that he is,” returned the stranger,
+smiling sweetly at her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She was wishing that the king were here
+with us when thou didst knock at the door,”
+chuckled Denewulf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why fearest thou for the king? Dost
+know him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; but if the king be safe then is there
+hope for the land. Doth he not carry the hearts
+of the people with him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I trow not, maiden. Hadst thou seen him
+as I saw him last, thou wouldst know that he
+did not. Forsaken and alone, Alfred hath gone
+none knows whither.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh!” exclaimed the girl, the tears coming to
+her eyes, “sayest thou so? The king forsaken!
+How could they leave him, so noble, so good is
+he! Is not their allegiance his? Methinks
+that were I a man naught but death could make
+me unleal to the king. As it is, I am but a
+girl and can do naught but pray for him every
+day that he be kept safe, and that the people
+will rally around him again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do so, child! Thy pure prayers may accomplish
+that which the king hath not the
+power to do. If all Saxons were like thee the
+Dane would seek another land to ravage.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The maiden hath cause to pray for the
+king,” broke in the dame, who had remained
+silent as long as she could.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What cause hath she?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well—but what shall I call thee?” demanded
+Adiva.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Call me Wilfred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well, Wilfred, I will tell thee her tale, and
+then Denewulf shall tell thee how he found the
+child.” And the good dame related the maiden’s
+story. Then Denewulf told again of the wolves,
+and Egwina listened blushingly to their praises.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Of brave heart art thou, maiden,” said Wilfred
+with compassion in his look and voice.
+“Brave was thy grandfather in his death. ’Twas
+such that a Saxon might be proud of. ’Tis pity
+that the king knew not of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My grandfather would like best to know
+that the king were safe,” returned Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And what art thou called, child?” asked
+Adiva.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina, and I shall call thee ‘the fair’ also,”
+said the dame.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And I, Jamvid, mother of wolf sons,”
+laughed the swineherd; “for so I found her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And I, noble heart,” said Wilfred. “With
+maidens like thee to grow into wives and mothers,
+the land could survive the ravaging of a
+thousand Guthrums.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina flushed rosy red with pleasure.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then cried Denewulf, “Let us to bed, good
+people! With the breaking of morn must I to
+the forest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The men drew their coats around them and
+lay down by the fire on the floor, while the
+dame and the maiden reposed on the tick of
+straw.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viiiadiva-grows-angry">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id14">CHAPTER VIII—ADIVA GROWS ANGRY</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Life in the cottage was simple in the extreme.
+Each morning Denewulf looked after his nets
+and traps, and then repaired to the forest where
+he tended the swine. The stranger exerted
+himself in the chase and proved to be very proficient
+in woodcraft and the lore of the forest.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Adiva took Egwina at once into her heart,
+and taught her all the simple housewifely arts
+that she knew. The girl soon became an expert
+in the use of spindle and distaff, and busily did
+the shuttles fly through the long winter evenings.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Howsomever did I do without thee, child?”
+she would say as Egwina flitted about singing at
+her tasks. “Dark will be the day that thou
+dost leave me. I pray that it will never come.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">One day the girl was in the cottage busily
+spinning when Wilfred the stranger entered.
+He threw some fagots on the fire and sitting
+before it, drew from within the folds of his tunic
+a little book which he perused intently, as was
+his wont. The maiden observed him with interest.
+Presently he turned toward her with a
+smile.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why dost thou watch me so, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I was wondering what the book contained
+that thou dost read in it so much,” returned the
+maiden in some confusion.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It holds much that is full of solace,”
+answered he. “Tell me, Egwina, dost know
+how to read?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To read? No; why should I?” asked the
+girl in surprise. “Granther knew not how; nor
+does Denewulf, nor Adiva; nor any of the
+gentles. In truth, none I have ever known,
+save thee, have known how. Why should they?
+There was no need. Granther said that it was
+only for priests or monks. The gleemen need
+it not for singing or the harp. The ceorl needs
+it neither for ploughing, or for sowing, or for
+tending his herds. And how would it help the
+gentle in hunting or any of his pastimes?
+Weaving and embroidery for women, sports and
+war for men. There is no need of reading.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wilfred smiled and sighed as he answered:
+“As thou speakest so do most think. In
+truth, I misdoubt if there are not priests even
+of thy way of thinking. Few are they south
+of the Humber who can translate their daily
+prayers into English. Yet once in all Gaul
+could not be found the learning of our land.
+Alack! that Bede, Alucin, and Aldhelm were
+not now alive. Yet, perchance, it is better so.
+Mayhap they would not have flourished had
+they lived at this time. Dark, dark is the outlook.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He relapsed into a moody silence. Egwina
+timidly approached him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I meant not to offend thee, good Wilfred,”
+she spake, gently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, little one; thou hast not offended me.
+I thought not of thy words, but only of the decay
+of that learning for which we were once so
+famed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost thou think so much of learning?” inquired
+she. “Prithee show me the book, that
+I may see what it is that so charms thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She took the book, and looked at it intently
+before handing it back to him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I see naught in it,” she remarked, with a
+sigh; “that would hold me for hours as it doth
+thee. What is its spell? It sings not, neither
+does it speak, nor is it illuminated.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But it does speak, Egwina. Listen, and
+thou shalt hear something that it says: ‘Go
+now, ye brave! where the lofty way of a great
+example leads you. Why should you, inert, uncover
+your backs? The earth, when conquered,
+gives us the stars.’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Does it truly say that?” cried Egwina, in
+delight. “Show me, Wilfred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Wilfred placed his finger on the page, and
+said: “Art sure that thou understandest, little
+one?” The girl nodded her head sagely.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I cannot just tell it,” she said; “but it is
+like this: should the king do some noble thing
+his example would incite others to follow where
+he would lead.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True, maiden. Thou hast given the thought
+in mine own mind. Bright art thou, and methinks
+would prove an apt pupil. Wouldst like
+for me to teach thee to read, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost think that I could learn, Wilfred?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Of a surety. Long years had passed over
+my head ere I knew. Methinks that it was in
+my twelfth year that my mother called her children
+to her, and, showing a pretty book brightly
+illuminated, said: ‘Sons, that one of you who
+first learns to read in this book, he shall possess
+it.’ ‘Shall he really have it for his own,
+mother?’ I said. ‘For his very own,’ she answered,
+well pleased at the question. My brothers
+cared not for it, so full were they of the
+chase and sports, but I learned the verses contained
+therein, and she gave it me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is this it?” asked Egwina, with interest.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; it is at—” Wilfred checked himself,
+and then resumed. “So thou seest that thou
+canst learn if a dullard such as I could. Thou
+hast an apter mind than I. But thou must not
+care if it prove tedious?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will not care, and I will learn,” said Egwina,
+with determination. “It may be that I shall
+then know many things of which now I do not
+dream.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wilt, thou wilt!” cried Wilfred, in delight.
+“Forget not, dear child, that ‘The earth,
+when conquered, gives us the stars.’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will not forget,” said Egwina, thoughtfully.
+“How beautiful the idea! I shall never
+see the stars again that I will not think of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And so it came about that each evening thereafter
+the time was spent by Egwina and Denewulf
+also in learning to read. Adiva would
+have none of it for herself, and muttered grumblingly
+that it was nonsense, and of no use to any
+but priests.</p>
+<p class="pnext">When the lesson was over Egwina would sing
+for them, and the hut would ring with laughter
+and merriment. Wilfred, the stranger, listened
+eagerly to the songs, and soon proposed that the
+maiden should teach them to the others.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Alack! gladly would I do so, but what are
+they without a harp?” and Egwina looked
+sad.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Consternation seized on the little household
+the next morning after this remark was made
+to find the stranger gone. Denewulf and Egwina
+were loud in their lamentations at his departure.
+Adiva grumbled openly, but secretly
+missed him as well as they. On the third day
+thereafter he returned bearing a harp. The cottagers
+received him with acclamations of joy.
+He seemed touched by their greetings, but
+offered no explanation of his absence or where
+he had obtained the harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina wondered much at the instrument, for
+it was of the finest workmanship. She soon
+taught him all the songs that she knew, and
+already was he skilled in the use of the
+harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou dost well,” she said, “but I wish that
+thou couldst have heard granther. Thou
+shouldst have seen his sweep. There! that is
+something like,” as Wilfred, after some trials,
+executed it to suit her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">So the time passed until at last the Length
+month (March) came. One day Egwina went
+forth to see if she could find some sprout-kele
+for broth. Enticed by the beauty of
+the day, she stayed longer than she had intended,
+and hurried back to the house, for
+the dame was very busy. As she drew near
+the cottage she heard the voice of Adiva raised
+high in anger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drat the man! Never to turn the loaves
+when thou seest them burning. I’ll warrant
+that thou wilt be ready enow to eat them when
+they’re done.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I crave thy forgiveness, dame.” The tones
+of Wilfred were contrite and full of humility.
+“I thought not once of them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Couldst thou not smell them when they lay
+at thy very feet?” demanded the dame.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I noted naught,” returned the
+stranger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Good mother, be wroth with him no longer,”
+cried Egwina entering. “His mind is full of
+graver matters than woman’s work.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Graver matters!” echoed Adiva, who was
+evidently in a bad way. “Graver matters! I
+wot that they fall not heavily upon him at meal
+time. ’Tis pity that a body can’t leave the
+house for a minute without a wite’s letting the
+loaves burn.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou speakest truly,” said the stranger
+humbly. “He who eats should also work.
+That I have not done, but I will mend my ways,
+good dame.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There! it may be that I spake too quickly.”
+Adiva was somewhat mollified by his evident
+contrition. “After all, there’s no great harm
+done, and thou hast truly a good heart. I
+should have known better than to trouble
+thee. Thou hast brought us many a fine
+buck, and marry, that is man’s work more
+than this.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Natheless, I will be more careful another
+time,” said Wilfred, reseating himself, and all
+went as before.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Shortly after this, Egwina was much troubled
+about a strange dream that she had. In some
+confusion and much distress of mind, for, like
+every one of the time, she was superstitious, she
+unfolded it to Adiva.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Good mother, I fear I know not what, so
+queer a dream had I.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell it, child. Once I could unravel the
+meaning of night fancies, but it hath been long
+since I tried my skill. The young care more
+for such things. Denewulf looks with awe
+upon a Morthwytha, but he laughs to scorn a
+reader of dreams. But dear heart! Here do I
+let my tongue run on and thou hast not yet
+spoken thy dream. Say on, child.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I dreamed,” said Egwina, “that I was in a
+lofty hall. Around me were silken hangings,
+and the tables and chairs were carved with fine
+workmanship. Many were my thegns, and
+they served me from vessels of silver and gold.
+As I feasted many came and bowed down before
+me. All at once a great light, that shone glorious
+as the sun, burst from my body. The eyes
+of all men were uplifted toward it, and they
+were dazzled by its radiance.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Adiva raised her hands.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“May the blessed mother preserve us, child!
+What a wonderful dream.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Canst thou tell what it doth portend, Adiva?”
+questioned the maiden eagerly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, child, I dare not tell thee that which
+I think; but if thou wilt say naught before the
+stranger or Denewulf, thou and I will go to
+Gunnehilde. She is a Dane, Denewulf’s foster-mother,
+and a wicca.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I like not the fact that she be Dane,” and
+Egwina shrank back a little, for the Northmen
+held a painful place in her memory.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tut, child! She is more Saxon than Dane,
+though I tell not that to Denewulf. She came
+with her husband years ago when Egbert, the
+present king’s grandfather, was on the throne.
+No Christian is she, but a good woman, though
+she hath been a vala in her own country.
+Denewulf hath she reared from a lad. Her
+husband brought him home a Saxon boy of
+tender years, whose father fell fighting the
+Welsh and whose mother died soon after. She
+will tell thee all that thou wishest to know of
+things to come. I countenance not Denewulf
+when he speaks of her foretellings, for it is not
+wisdom to humor a man in aught that savors of
+heathenism. She reads the runes for me often,
+though he wots not of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If it be not wrong then, Adiva, and thou
+thinkest best I will go with thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then to-morrow will we go,” said the dame,
+and so it was planned.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ixwould-you-strike-your-king">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id15">CHAPTER IX—WOULD YOU STRIKE YOUR KING?</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Early the next day Adiva and Egwina
+started for the cottage of the foster-mother of
+Denewulf, Gunnehilde, the Danish woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was not without misgivings that Egwina
+accompanied the dame, but the latter laughed
+away her fears.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wicca is Gunnehilde in truth,” she said,
+“but pleasant spoken. Fair will be her greeting,
+and I wot that thou wilt like her.” So
+calming her fears, Egwina fell in with the mood
+of her companion, and a brisk walk soon brought
+them to the dwelling of the woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was built in the centre of a knoll in a
+glade of the forest, and seemed in appearance
+not unlike the rude huts occupied by the swineherds,
+except that it was more compact. The
+turf was not intersected with twigs, as were
+those of the Saxons, but placed compactly
+against a firm foundation of board. Adiva
+knocked on the door while Egwina devoutly
+crossed herself.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enter,” said a voice as the door was thrown
+open. “Enter, Adiva! Greetings to thee, and
+to the stranger, also, whom thou bringest with
+thee. With the rise of the sun knew I that
+thou wouldst come, and bring the maiden with
+thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again the maiden crossed herself. Adiva
+went into the dwelling without hesitation, and
+the girl followed, although with fear and
+trembling. But there was naught displeasing
+to the eye, nor anything that would inspire awe
+in the room. The woman who welcomed them
+was tall and commanding in appearance. Her
+hair was dark as the raven’s wing. Her brow
+was thoughtful, and her eyes, dark also, shone
+with the calm, steady light of a student. In her
+right hand she carried a wand, the seid-staff of
+Scandinavian superstition.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sit thee here, wife of Denewulf,” she said
+to the dame. “And thou, maiden, be seated
+upon this bench, where the light may fall upon
+thy brow. I would see where the Fylgia (tutelary
+divinity), whom Alfadur gave thee, leads
+thee. Thou hast come to consult the runes?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She made the statement more as a declaration
+than a question. Without waiting for a reply
+she went on:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I knew that ye would be here. When the
+sun rose I awoke and placed all things in readiness
+for ye.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gunnehilde,” spake Adiva, “the maiden
+hath had a dream. Thou wottest that it is
+somewhat in my ken to unravel such, but I
+feared to give what it seemed to me to portend.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dreams are oracles more potent than wicca
+can charm with wand or rune,” spake Gunnehilde.
+“Unfold it, and let me read the rede.
+Prophetic are the visions of the night.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Timidly Egwina told the dream. The Danish
+woman listened, leaning her head on her staff,
+her eyes never leaving the maiden’s face. When
+she had finished there was silence for a few moments,
+and then the wicca raised her head, and
+her eyes glowed strangely.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden, no runes have I graven for thee on
+the bark of elm, nor Scinlaeca (spirits of the
+departed) have I called from the graves of the
+dead; but easy is it to read thy rede. Listen!
+for Skulda hath passed into the soul of her
+servant, and fast doth thy fate run from her
+lips. Thy vision portendeth great honors to
+thee. None greater than thou shall live in the
+land. Retainers many shall be thine, with
+honor and riches also. After thee shall thy
+son come, and he shall be more glorious than
+thou. All men shall look up to him and bow
+before him for his greatness and wisdom.
+Dangers will be thine, many and dire; but the
+web of thy fate is spun. Heed well; speed
+well. And forget not the bode of the wicca.
+Thou shalt truly come to thy glory. Hail
+to thee! Hail to thee! Gunnehilde hath
+spoken.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She arose and bowed thrice before the trembling
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But what dost thou mean?” inquired the
+girl when she could command her voice. “What
+glory is it that shall be mine? I fear that I do
+not understand.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hast no further need of galdra or witchcraft.
+Bright is the woof of thy fate. The
+skein of thy life is interwoven with those who
+are great. No need is there for thee to consult
+the runes. Ask no more of the wicca. Glorious
+will be thy last hours.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina dared ask no more. Gunnehilde
+brought forth meat and drink and placed it
+before them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Eat and drink,” she said, “ere ye go back
+to your abode. Busy will ye be from this on,
+and ye shall both have need of your strength.
+Many they be who come to your dwelling.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear heart!” cried Adiva in some anxiety.
+“Howsomever I can manage with more, I cannot
+see!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Adiva, thou hast not asked me to read the
+runes for thee, but I have done so. Give
+greeting to Denewulf, and hail, thrice hail to
+the stranger whom ye have harbored.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me, good wicca,” said the dame, “who
+is he? Of gentle blood, I dare say, for he hath
+the port of such. Denewulf hath become
+wrapped up in him, and Egwina is no better.
+Tell me of him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The woman looked at the maiden with a
+curious, intent glance, and then said abruptly:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Through him will thy fate change. ’Tis for
+the weal of thy house, Adiva, that thou hast
+sheltered him. Ere the set of sun, shalt thou
+know who and what he is. Even now, do
+friends seek him in thine abode.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry!” ejaculated Adiva. “In my dwelling
+at this moment, sayest thou? Egwina,
+’twere best that we were going.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She rose as she spoke, and Gunnehilde rose
+also. An arch smile parted Egwina’s lips.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I thought that thou didst intend staying
+longer,” she said.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, child; ’tis high time we were going.
+Besides, if any there be at the cottage, I should
+be there to give them greeting.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The smile on Egwina’s face was reflected on
+Gunnehilde’s, but the Danish woman offered no
+remonstrance to their departure. The two were
+soon on their way back.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thinkest thou that there will in truth be
+guests at the cottage?” asked Egwina of the
+dame.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Did not Gunnehilde say so?” returned
+Adiva; “and is she not a wicca? I wot that it
+will be even as she hath said. Child, then
+thou canst not help but believe in thy rede. Was
+it not wonderful what she told thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; but—” Egwina looked a little troubled.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But what, child?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I did not understand clearly just what she
+meant. She seemed to mislike questions else I
+would have asked further.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She told thee all she would without questions,”
+returned the dame. “Often do I consult
+her, and always hath it been as she hath
+said. But Denewulf wots not of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me of her,” said Egwina. “Hath she
+always been a wicca? There seemed to me to
+be much of the noble about her, and she spake
+not as do the ceorls.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A vala was she in her own land,” returned
+Adiva. “A vala, honored by chiefs and revered
+by the nation, who foretold the future to
+heroes. Even the king of her land hath led
+her to the high seat in the hall where he wished
+to consult her. Now doth she read the runes
+and consult her galdra for the vulgar. But of
+all that e’er I met, Gunnehilde reads truest the
+wizard’s lore.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Soon they drew near the cabin of Denewulf.
+When within a short distance of the hut, the
+hum of voices floated out upon the air. The dame
+turned a triumphant look upon the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Did I not tell thee? True are the words of
+Gunnehilde. Now shall we know who the
+stranger be. ‘’Ere set of sun,’ she said, and
+that is not far distant. And guests many! I
+wonder who they are? Come, let us hasten!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She quickened her steps, and the maiden
+must perforce do the same. In haste, Adiva
+threw open the door, and paused at the sight
+which met her gaze.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A half dozen Saxons were grouped about the
+deal table in easy attitudes. Wilfred, the
+stranger, sate a little apart attentively observant
+of them. Denewulf was busily serving the
+guests with mead. By the costly fur-lined gonnas
+and the golden-hilted swords, Adiva knew
+them to be nobles.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“By my troth!” cried one of the youths
+merrily as the dame and the maiden entered,
+“I have not seen so fair a face in days.
+Mickle and sore would it repent me should I
+leave it without a kiss. A mancus, fair maiden,
+for such favor.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina drew back from the doorway.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fear not, little one,” spoke the deep voice of
+Wilfred. “Enter in peace. Niddering is he
+who speaketh so to a maiden. Fill not the ears
+of a child with such trifling,” he added sternly
+to the youth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And who be ye, good sir, that tells me what
+to do? Wot ye not that I am Ethelred of
+Mercia?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I care not who ye be,” answered Wilfred
+calmly. “Thy words are unmeet for a maiden’s
+ear. Therefore thou shalt say no more of
+them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Shalt not?” The youth was on his feet instantly,
+and flashed his sword from its scabbard.
+“Draw, man! I wish not to strike thee as thou
+sittest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Foolish boy, sheathe thy sword!” The
+stranger surveyed him with a deep intense look
+of power. “Thinkest thou that I would draw
+against thee? Thou didst merit the reproof;
+profit by it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was so much of command in his manner
+as he spake that the youth hesitated, not
+wishing to be thought deficient in courage by
+his comrades and yet unable to proceed against
+this calm stranger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Abide by his words, Ethelred,” cried one of
+the others. “Thou wert in truth too bold in
+thy speech, and hast thou not partaken of their
+hospitality? Out, man!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Sullenly the one called Ethelred sheathed his
+sword, resumed his seat, and soon the episode
+passed from the minds of the party. Egwina
+slipped into a seat on the other side of Wilfred.
+The dame joined the swineherd in the serving
+of mead, and preparing meat for the guests.
+Soon the hut rang with their glee.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How bear the people the rule of the
+Northmen?” asked Wilfred during a lull in
+the mirth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hardly,” spake one who was a man about
+his own age. “Those who lived near the coasts
+have crossed into Gaul or other countries for the
+succour which they obtained not in their own
+land. Others seek by submission to mitigate
+the ferocity of the pagans. Others still, seek to
+retain part of their property by the sacrifice of
+a portion. Others again, seek refuge and
+safety in the recesses of the forest. All groan
+under the rule of the oppressors, and none there
+be to oppose them sith the king is gone.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“None?” shouted the youth Ethelred, springing
+to his feet. “None, sayest thou? None!
+Nay; here is one!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And here is another,” and another Saxon
+flashed his sword in the air.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And another!” “And another!” shouted
+each and every one of the party, until all were
+on their feet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let us seek the king, and form an army!”
+shouted Ethelred. “Then, with him as leader,
+will the Northman make food for the raven.
+Drink hael to the death of the Dane.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">All drank. Another cried:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drink hael to the king!” “Drink hael to
+the king!” All drank but Wilfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, man! Drinkest thou not to the
+king?” cried Ethelred in wrath. “Drink to
+the king, else thou shalt answer to me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Wilfred touched not the mead.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drink,” shouted all together as their swords
+flashed in the air. “Drink or defend thyself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Even Denewulf and Adiva looked inquiringly
+at the stranger who stood so calmly in
+their midst, and still drank not to the king.
+Egwina crept close to his side, fearful of his
+safety.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drink,” cried the Saxons again, “drink,”
+and they made a dash at him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Back! Would ye strike your king?”</p>
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 21%; width: 57%" id="figure-12">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="Back! Would you strike your king?" src="images/illus-126.jpg" width="75%"/>
+<div class="caption italics">
+“BACK! WOULD YOU STRIKE YOUR KING?”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xegwina-goes-as-a-messenger">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id16">CHAPTER X—EGWINA GOES AS A MESSENGER</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">“The king!” The Saxons fell back, their
+swords still half-suspended, and looked at him
+incredulously. Denewulf stood aghast. Adiva
+sank on a bench near her, while Egwina’s face
+lighted up in joyful amazement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king!” cried the youth, Ethelred.
+“How wot we that thou art the king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Know ye the signet ring of the king?”
+The stranger drew a ring from his finger. It
+was of massive gold, the bezel being engraved
+with a dove within an olive wreath.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know it!” cried the one called Athelnoth.
+“Once the king’s gerefa came to me as I abode
+in mine house at Taunton with commands for a
+palfrey for his lord. He bore with him the
+royal signet ring, and this is it.” He knelt before
+the stranger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king! The king! It is in sooth the
+king!” The glad cry went up with a shout as
+the Saxons pressed round him. They knelt before
+him, kissing his hands in their joy. Alfred
+turned to Denewulf:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Old friend, hast thou naught to say? Well
+have ye done for your king when ye thought
+that he was but a poor wayfarer. Is he less
+welcome because he is a king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No!” cried Denewulf, recovering himself.
+“By all the saints, no! That thou hast honored
+my dwelling by thy presence when in Wessex
+there were many so much more worthy,
+gives pleasure to my heart.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But none more leal,” returned Alfred, gazing
+on him kindly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Denewulf pressed the king’s hand again and
+again, while over Adiva’s face came a curious
+look. It was a blending of triumph at the
+thought of having sheltered no less a personage
+than the king, awe at his presence, and fear of
+the sharp words which she had more than once
+addressed to him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lord,” she cried, “thou wilt not hold
+against a poor woman the sharpness of her
+tongue, wilt thou? Thou wottest how pointed it
+becomes when the temper is overwrought. And
+to think that I asked thee to mind the loaves.
+Ah, me!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The king laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fear naught, dame. I should have heeded
+the bread. That was the task assigned me, and
+he who would do well in great things must look
+after the little ones.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True; but thou must have had much upon
+thy mind, and then to be pestered with woman’s
+work.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“As thou thyself said, ‘Cares of state burthened
+not my mind at mealtime,’” laughed
+Alfred. “Nay, nay,” as Adiva grew red in her
+confusion, “heed not the sport, good dame.
+Kind hast thou shown thyself, and thy king
+holds thee in tender affection.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The good woman swelled with pride. Just
+then one of the Saxons cried: “The sun is setting!
+Come! let us away, and proclaim that
+we have found the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Adiva started, and turned to Egwina. “Child,”
+she whispered, “did not the wicca say that we
+should know who he was ’ere set of sun? And
+it is the king! Well-a-day! I knew that he
+was gentle. But listen!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No,” the king was saying, “go not yet,
+dear friends. There is much that I would say,
+and if these kind people will bear with us, I
+would that ye should remain the night. Much
+discourse would I have with ye.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Use my poor hut as thou wilt,” said Denewulf,
+heartily. “It is thine, my king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred smiled at him a smile full of sweetness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then, by thy good pleasure, they stay.
+Come join us, friend Denewulf, and help us by
+thy counsel, for thou art ready of wit and wise
+in the lore of the forest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So saying, the king sat down by the fire, and
+the others sat with him. When Egwina would
+have withdrawn, he hindered her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Stay, little one, at thy accustomed place.
+Am I not still thy friend?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus adjured, the maiden sat by his side as
+was her wont, while the king turned to the
+Saxons.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Ye have said that the people murmur at the
+oppression of the Danes,” he said. “Think ye
+that they would rise against them?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“When the people know of thy whereabouts,”
+returned the oldest of the group, whom the
+others called Athelnoth, “naught can prevent
+them from rising. Oft have they wondered what
+had become of thee, and some mourned thee as
+dead. It will glad their hearts to know that
+thou art alive.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yet they came not at my summons,” mused
+the king. “And I must hide, perforce, lest any,
+knowing of my whereabouts, should bewray me
+to Guthrum.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Think not too hardly of them, my lord and
+king,” cried Athelnoth eagerly. “Fruitless
+seemed the task of resistance. Their brethren
+in Mercia and East Anglia dwelt among the
+Northmen in seeming peace. Now they see that
+‘Death is preferable to the shame of servitude.’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I think not less of them,” said the noble
+Alfred, “but only how best to relieve them of
+their bondage. I think it not wise that ye
+should spread broadcast the news that I live
+and meditate an uprising, lest it reach the ears
+of the Dane. Everything depends upon secrecy
+and the suddenness of attack.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What then shall we do?” queried Athelnoth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have any of ye aught to suggest?” Alfred
+glanced at the group around him. “Ethelred,
+thou art quick to think, what sayest thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelred had remained silent since the king
+had declared himself, and beyond the greeting
+given to him had said nothing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught, my lord,” he now replied. “Why
+shouldst thou heed the words of him who hath
+twice this day drawn sword on his king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, boy! ’Twas but the hot-headiness
+of youth. That thou art leal to the king was
+shown when thou wouldst have slain him who
+refused to drink to him. I trust thee, Ethelred.
+Thy quickness in a few short years will be replaced
+by maturity of judgment. The one precedes
+the other. Think not ere the down on
+thy chin hath given place to one of manlier
+fashion that thou wilt have the wisdom of a
+sage. Sit up, man, and help us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then,” said the youth, mollified, “I would
+advise, my lord and king, that the people be not
+yet told of thy whereabouts. Tell only those
+ealdormen and others whom thou mayest need
+who can be trusted. In this way can we know
+those who are leal, and if aught can be done.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well and wisely hast thou spoken,” declared
+the king. “If the Saxons will rally round my
+standard as of yore, the Dragon will sweep the
+Raven from the land. But there should be
+some place of meeting—some spot to become
+ready.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My king,” spoke Denewulf, “if I may be
+so bold as to suggest something. Not far from
+here, at the meeting of the Thone and the
+Parret, there lies an island surrounded by
+morasses. A whole army might lie concealed
+in its fens and none be the wiser.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Denewulf, thou, too, art wise, and hast
+spoken well. To-morrow will we wend to this
+island, and see it for ourselves.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Long into the night did the little band confer.
+Bright and early the next morning the whole
+party traversed the woods until they came to the
+island spoken of by Denewulf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">On the eastern boundary of the forest, on
+rising ground, was the isle, surrounded by
+dangerous marshes formed by the little rivers,
+Thone and Parret. The marshes were not fordable,
+but Denewulf brought from the rushes a
+little coracle, capable of bearing four, and soon
+the entire party stood on the island itself and
+examined it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It contained about two acres covered with vast
+brakes of alder bush filled with deer and other
+game.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The marshes are fordable only in summer,
+my king,” said Denewulf, “and then only by
+those who know the secret.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis an ideal place for a fortress,” returned
+Alfred, his keen eye taking in every detail.
+“Athelney will I call it. See, Denewulf, here
+will I build my fort. Then when the spring
+hath set in truly, will we sally forth.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus planning, the party returned to the
+cottage, and then with hearty farewells the
+Saxons started off to tell the glad news to those
+who were trustworthy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">During the days of waiting, matters at the
+hut went on as before. The lessons were resumed,
+and, though Adiva did not soon recover
+from her awe in the presence of the king,
+Egwina regarded him with a loving reverence.</p>
+<p class="pnext">One day he laid down the manual which he
+was conning with a sigh.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is it, my king?” asked Egwina.
+“What is it troubles thee? Dost think that the
+Saxons tarry too long in their coming?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, child. I thought not of them, but of
+my family. Long hath it been since I have
+seen them, and I fain would know how they
+fare.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Lady Elswitha was with granther and
+me at Chippenham,” remarked Egwina. “She
+was borne from us by the press of the throng
+during the night. She and the maiden whom
+they call Ethelfleda, and Edward the youth.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina, sayest thou so?” cried the king in
+surprise. “Why, child, thou hast never spoken
+of this before!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have I not?” and the maiden was surprised
+in turn. “When we left the palace we were with
+the lady and her children.” Then she proceeded
+to give an account of the matter, closing with,
+“Oft have I wondered what became of them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I can tell thee that,” answered the king.
+“When morning dawned, as I searched for them,
+fearing that they might have been slain by the
+Dane, a bode came running with the tidings
+that they had taken refuge in the house of a
+ceorl in one of the villages. Quickly did I
+hasten to them, and then sent them into Somersetshire
+where they could dwell in safety. ’Twas
+not well for me to be with them, for thus would
+they be exposed to danger. Once only have I
+heard from them. That was by chance when I
+obtained the harp. I would send them some
+bode, but that I know not if the Saxons who
+come can be trusted, and Denewulf must be here.
+None know the secrets of the forest as he.”
+He sighed again.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My king,” Egwina spake timidly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, child.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why not send me? Much have I learned
+of the forest since I have been here, and can
+thread my way through its mazes in safety. In
+burghs I am still safe, for gleemen and gleemaidens
+are welcomed everywhere. Let me go
+to them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou, little one?” Alfred laid down his book
+in surprise. “Child, I could not send thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou canst trust me. Thou wottest that life
+itself should be given ere I would bewray thee,”
+spoke the girl earnestly. “Prithee let me be
+thy bode, my king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, thou art leal and true. I will send
+thee as thou wishest. Take this jewel; among
+Saxons it will pass thee without question from
+any if they be true to the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He gave her a jewel of gold as he spake.
+It was elaborately carved, and bore the inscription
+on one side, “Alfred had me made.”
+Egwina took it reverently, and placed it in the
+folds of her tunic.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have no fear, my king,” she said. “I shall
+reach them in safety.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With many misgivings on the part of the
+king, Egwina set forth on her journey.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the Saxons were gathering at the
+cottage, and Alfred began to prepare Athelney
+for them. Spaces were cleared, and huts soon
+dotted the surface of the island. Under the
+eye of the king men raised strong fortifications,
+for these were to be made so that no Norseman
+could penetrate through them. Nerved by the
+hope of regaining liberty, the people worked
+cheerfully, spurred on by the example of their
+chief. Trusty messengers were sent to others
+of their countrymen, and each new accentuation
+of their numbers was hailed with acclamations,
+and the Saxons thus coming were greeted as
+brothers.</p>
+<p class="pnext">And while axes rung merrily in the woods,
+the people were not idle without. The smiths
+welded new and strong weapons; or, leaving
+those at home which they had, erected new
+forges on the island, and there, with no fear of
+the Dane, applied themselves to the task of supplying
+arms for the army.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Northmen were conscious of something
+going on, but believing the king dead or his
+whereabouts unknown, connected not the stir
+among the people with him. While the hides
+were tanned for shields, and the iron melted for
+the swords, Adiva brought Gunnehilde to her
+dwelling, and there the two women spun a standard
+of pure white on which shone the golden
+dragon of Wessex. Many a spell did Adiva
+bid the wicca weave within its web that should
+bring victory to the royal Alfred. The Danish
+woman foreseeing the advantages that would
+accrue to her foster child, Denewulf, should the
+Saxon be victorious, read her runes and wove
+her spells as the dame wished.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Now it was drawing near Easter which fell
+upon the twenty-fifth day of March of that year,
+and Alfred, in order to facilitate access to the
+island, ordered a communication to be made
+with the land by means of a bridge, the entrance
+of which he secured by a fort.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Food was procured by hunting and fishing,
+and sallies forth upon the Danes who grew
+troubled as the inroads of this new foe became
+more frequent.</p>
+<p class="pnext">And the king uneasily awaited the return of
+Egwina.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xisome-danish-tales">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id17">CHAPTER XI—SOME DANISH TALES</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The knowledge that Egwina had gained of
+forest lore during her residence in the cottage
+of Denewulf, now stood her well in hand.
+With it she was enabled to thread her way
+through the intricate mazes of the great wood.
+At last, emerging from its eastern border,
+with brave heart the intrepid girl struck
+boldly into Wessex, now overrun by the
+Danes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Stopping at the houses of ceorl and thegn
+alike for shelter and refreshment, she gave her
+merriest smile and sang her gayest songs. But
+the Saxons were in no mood for festivity.
+Willingly they succored her, and listened to
+her songs; but grave were their faces and
+heavy their hearts, for the rule of the invader
+bore heavily upon them. Everywhere the
+maiden heard the wail of the oppressed people:
+“Oh, that King Alfred were here!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Often and often was she tempted to tell them
+the glad news that Alfred lived and was even
+then endeavoring to gather those to his standard
+who were willing to peril life for liberty.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Restraining her ardor, however, for she knew
+not whom to trust, with a heart burthened by
+the sorrows of the people, she went on her way.</p>
+<p class="pnext">One day, it was drawing near the evening
+and Egwina was trying to find some place of
+shelter for the night, she was overtaken by a
+Danish man and a young woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whither away, maiden?” queried the man,
+as they came up with her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am a gleemaiden seeking shelter for the
+night,” returned Egwina boldly. “Who are
+ye, and whither do ye wend your way?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sigurd the skald am I,” answered the man,
+“and this is Gyda, my daughter, who is a seid
+woman. A gleemaiden, thou sayest, in search
+of shelter? Then hie with us to the dwelling
+of Hakon the jarl who hath a feast to-night.
+Much glee will there be, for Gyda doth tell
+each and every one his fate.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What would a Saxon gleemaiden in the
+halls of Hakon the jarl?” cried Egwina, knowing
+not how to be rid of her companions.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It will be music to his heart,” answered the
+skald. “Little doth he reck whether thou beest
+Saxon or Dane so that thou dost make merry.
+Join us, for sibbe are all gleemen and maidens
+whether they be skalds of the Norseman, bards
+of the Welsh, or scops or gleemen of the Saxon.
+But thou art alone, girl? Why travelest thou
+so?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is naught else to do,” answered she.
+Then, continuing after a slight pause, “My
+grandfather and I for many years wandered the
+length and breadth of the land. Now doth he
+lie dead, and alone do I follow the harp.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy grandfather! Alack! He was old
+then?” Sigurd declared rather than questioned.
+“’Tis pity that Hela the death goddess comes
+to us all. Methinks the Æsir should have bestowed
+the apples of Iduna upon man that he
+might eat and be young again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Iduna? The apples?” Egwina looked bewildered.
+“Be not wroth, good Sigurd, but I
+understand not what thou meanest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast not heard of Iduna?” asked the skald
+in surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is she not a Saxon?” sneered Gyda, the seid
+woman, speaking for the first time. “And are
+not the Saxons Christians? She hath been too
+busy with mass and priest to have heard of
+Iduna.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then shall she be enlightened,” cried Sigurd,
+while Egwina looked hastily away from the
+coal-black eyes of the seid woman. Their gaze
+filled her with a sort of nameless terror. Inviting
+she was not in aspect, as was Gunnehilde in
+the forest, and involuntarily the girl crossed
+herself. The woman’s eyes glittered as she saw
+the action, but she made no comment.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Iduna,” went on the skald, “lived in Asgard,
+the city of the Æsir. To her care was
+given the apples of youth, which gave strength
+again to the body, and color and light to face
+and eyes. She kept them in a casket and
+never were they renewed. When the Æsir had
+need of them, she drew forth from the case the
+apples which were small as peas until her hands
+touched them. Others took the place of those
+taken out, so that the casket was never empty.
+Always was it filled, and none knew whence
+they came.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But Thyassi Jötun looked with covetous eyes
+upon the apples of Iduna, and sought how to get
+them. Once Odin, together with Loki the evil
+one, and Hoenir, went from Asgard over the
+mountains to an uninhabited land, and it was
+not easy for them to get food to eat. When they
+came down into a valley they saw a herd of oxen,
+took one of them and prepared it for the fire.
+When they thought it was cooked they took it
+off, but it was not cooked. A second time, after
+waiting a little, they took it off, and it was not
+cooked. They considered what might be the
+cause of this. Then they heard a voice from the
+tree above them which said that he who sat
+there caused this. They looked up, and a large
+eagle sat there. The eagle said:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“‘If thou wilt give me my fill of the ox, it
+shall be cooked.’</p>
+<p class="pnext">“They assented. The bird came slowly down
+from the tree, sat on the hearth, and at once ate
+up the four shoulder pieces of the ox. Loki
+got angry, took a large pole, and with all his
+strength struck the eagle. At the blow the
+eagle flew into the air. The pole adhered to its
+body, and the hands of Loki to one end of it.
+The eagle flew so that Loki’s feet touched
+the rocks, the stone heaps, and the trees. He
+thought his hands would be torn from his
+shoulders.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He shouted eagerly, asking the bird to spare
+him, but it answered that he would never get
+loose unless he promised to make Iduna leave
+Asgard with her apples. Loki promised this,
+got loose, and went home.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“At the appointed time, the evil one enticed
+Iduna to go to a wood out of Asgard, by saying
+that he had found some apples which she would
+prefer to her own, and asked her to take her
+apples with her to compare them. Iduna went
+with him willingly, for he was one of the Æsir.
+As she left the walls of Asgard behind, a fear
+seized upon her, and she would have returned,
+for now it came to her that Bragi, her husband,
+the wise and the eloquent, had told her never to
+leave the city. Even as the fear seized upon
+her, Thyassi Jötun came in eagle’s shape,
+took Iduna, and flew away to his abode in
+Jötunheim.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Æsir were much grieved at the disappearance
+of Iduna, and soon became gray-haired
+and old for the apples of youth had gone from
+them. Hela the death goddess came from
+Niflheim, and abode among them also. Then
+did the Æsir grieve more for the apples of
+Iduna. They held a Thing (the parliament of
+the Norsemen is so called), and asked each
+other for news of her. Then was it made
+known that she was last with Loki. Odin, the
+fierce one, ordered Loki before him, and declared
+that if he did not return Iduna, he should be
+put to death or torture.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then did the evil one fear, and consented to
+bring Iduna from Jötunheim if Freyga would
+lend him the hawk skin which she owned.
+When he got it, he flew north to Jötunheim,
+and one day came to Thyassi Jötun who was sea-fishing.
+Iduna was at home alone. At first,
+she had been glad when her bond maidens were
+always smiling; but soon she discovered that
+they had no souls, and could not sympathize
+with her in her sorrow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Often did Thyassi Jötun try to get the apples,
+but when he would touch them they disappeared,
+and he could not. Angrily had he threatened
+Iduna if she gave him not them, and now, full
+of wrath at her refusal, he had gone sea-fishing.
+So Loki found her alone.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He changed her into a nut, held her in
+his claws, and flew away as fast as he could.
+But Thyassi Jötun in the form of an eagle pursued
+them. The Æsir saw the hawk flying
+with the nut and the eagle pursuing, and
+they went to the Asgard wall, and carried
+thither bundles of plane shavings. When the
+hawk flew into the burgh, it came down at the
+wall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Æsir set fire to the shavings, but the
+eagle could not stop when it lost the hawk, and
+the fire caught its feathers and stopped it. The
+Æsir were near, and slew Thyassi Jötun which
+was a very famous deed. So did they have again
+the apples of youth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“For my own part, I would that men might
+partake of them, for I like not to get old.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis a pretty tale,” remarked the maiden
+who had listened with interest.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thinkest thou so?” cried the skald, much
+pleased. “Once such tales were heritage of
+Saxon as well as Dane; but now have they
+turned aside from the old gods, and taken up
+with mass and rood until their strength has
+waned, and no longer have they courage in the
+strife. Truly, to the followers of Odin doth the
+victory come.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It hath not been so always,” cried Egwina,
+stung out of caution. “I trow that King Alfred
+hath borne the victory often from thee. What
+he hath done, that will he do again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden, what knowest thou of the king?
+Bracelets the most massive, many gifts, and a
+place on the high seat would Guthrum give thee
+for tidings of Alfred. Speak!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught, naught,” answering the girl, realizing
+her mistake. “I speak only a Saxon’s
+hope. Is it unseemly that we should wish our
+king victorious in place of thine?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; ’tis natural,” returned Sigurd. “But
+methought that thou didst speak as if thou wert
+ware of the king’s doings.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would that I were,” answered the maiden
+with fervor. “What should a simple maiden
+wot of the king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Speaketh she the truth?” demanded Sigurd
+of his daughter.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“In seeming, but not in deed,” returned the
+seid woman. “Be patient, my father. This
+night in the hall of Hakon the jarl will Gyda
+perform the seid. Then shalt thou know all
+that lieth in the maiden’s heart.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sainted mother be with me!” murmured the
+girl under her breath.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Knowest thou the fate songs, maiden?”
+asked Gyda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I am a Christian,” answered the
+maiden simply.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then will I teach thee,” remarked Gyda.
+“If thou hast a good voice thou couldst he useful
+to me in singing the spell songs; for few
+they be that know them. Listen, and thou
+shalt hear one now.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; rather let me hear more of thy tales,”
+and Egwina looked appealingly at the skald.
+“Well dost thou tell them, and I wonder not
+that thou art welcome where there is glee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou shalt hear them then,” cried Sigurd,
+flattered by her words. “Later, daughter,
+canst thou use her for thy art. Now let her
+listen to mine, for I have need to refresh my
+memory. Wise is she in the lore of our craft;
+for a daughter of a skald, and a skald maiden
+is she. Then knowest thou, maiden, how
+Skadi, the daughter of Thyassi Jötun, came to
+Asgard to avenge her father?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; I know but the tales of my own people,”
+said Egwina, rejoiced that she was not
+obliged to listen to the spell songs of the seid
+woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Listen then! All Asgard rejoiced at the
+death of Thyassi Jötun, when Skadi, his daughter,
+took helmet and brynja (shield), and a complete
+war dress, and came to Asgard to avenge
+her father. The Æsir offered her reconciliation
+and a weregeld, but first that she might
+choose from among them a husband. Then
+was the heart of Skadi made glad, for a live
+husband is better than a dead father; so she
+consented to the reconciliation.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The Æsir could not agree among themselves
+as to which one she should take, so they made
+Skadi choose from among them, not seeing more
+than the feet. They stood behind a large curtain,
+and only their feet could be seen below it.
+Now Skadi wished very much to have Baldur,
+the beautiful, for a husband, so she looked very
+carefully at the feet, and chose the most beautiful
+pair, saying, ‘This one I choose. Few
+things can be ugly in Baldur.’</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But it was not Baldur at all, but Njord, the
+old one, whom she had chosen. Then did the
+Æsir laugh and exult. Skadi was angry, but
+she was fain to abide by her choice, for she
+alone had done the choosing.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina laughed, interested in spite of her fears.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Methinks I would rather choose by the
+countenance than the feet,” she cried merrily.
+“Men’s looks reflect their deeds, and a clear eye
+doth oft show a kind heart as well as a brave
+one.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True, child. Much wisdom is there in thy
+speech. Remember well thy words, and when
+Skulda doth mingle another’s golden thread
+with thine, look well to face and heart as well
+as strength of arm, and well-shaped feet.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Already is the web of her fate woven,” declared
+the seid woman. “Skulda hath already
+interwoven with hers the warp and woof of
+greatness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How dost thou know?” cried Egwina.
+“Thou canst not know such things. I believe
+it not. Little care I for my fate until I
+come to it, and I wot that my life depends
+not on thy tongue roots.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The ghost of a smile flitted over the face of
+the woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thus didst thou not speak when the vala
+unraveled for thee thy dream. To-night thou
+shalt know more of thy future, and we shall know
+more of thee. Thy design and what of import
+that is which thou dost carry in thy bosom.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Involuntarily the maiden’s hand went to the
+bosom of her tunic, for there did she carry the
+jewel that the king had given her. A light
+flashed into Gyda’s eyes, and again did the
+maiden cross herself.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Here are we come at last to the dwelling of
+Hakon the jarl,” said Sigurd, turning into the
+courtyard of a large wooden dwelling which
+had belonged to a Saxon thegn. “Here do we
+dwell for the night.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will pass on,” said Egwina, trying to
+speak calmly. “I see in yon distance the
+house of a ceorl. Happier far will I be to
+abide with mine own people. I thank ye both
+for sweet and gracious entertainment, and bid
+ye God-speed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So saying, she started onward, but the seid
+woman was by her side instantly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Too gracious hath been thy company,
+maiden,” she cried with glittering eyes, “for
+us now to be deprived of it. Besides, hath not
+my father entertained thee with tales of our people?
+Now them must listen to the spell songs
+of Gyda.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Prithee insist not upon it,” entreated the
+girl. “I would go onward.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be with us for the night, maiden,” spoke
+Sigurd. “Naught of harm shall befall thee if
+thy intent be good. Darkness hath begun to
+settle over the earth, and it is not meet for
+maiden to be out alone. Thou art of my craft,
+and Sigurd will ask of thee only thy songs and
+glee. Unless it so be that thou hast some
+mission to perform and must be on thy way, I
+entreat thee to stay with us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So much against her wish, Egwina was forced
+to enter the dwelling of Hakon the jarl.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiithe-magic-sleep">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id18">CHAPTER XII—THE MAGIC SLEEP</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The great mead hall was crowded with Danes,
+feasting and drinking, and on the high seat sat
+Hakon the jarl. Merrily did they greet the
+skald and the maiden, but the seid woman they
+welcomed with words of respect. Hakon himself
+came from his high seat, took her by the
+hand, and led her to the place which had been
+prepared for her, and asked her to run her eyes
+over the household and over himself that he
+might know the fates of them all.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then did they set before her porridge made
+with goat’s milk, and a dish made of the hearts
+of all kinds of animals. She had a spoon of
+brass, and a knife of brass, and whatever she
+called for the same was brought to her. All
+feasted. Egwina ate and drank but little for
+she was afraid. Anxiously she felt of the jewel
+to see if it were safe, and uneasily did she await
+coming events.</p>
+<p class="pnext">After the feast Hakon the jarl called for the
+skalds, and many there were who sang of his
+deeds and his bounty. When all had sung,
+the jarl cried:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Methinks I see a skald maiden who hath
+not yet sung? Norse doth she look but Saxon
+is her dress.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Right art thou, O Hakon,” cried Sigurd.
+“Keen as the eagle’s are the eyes of Odin’s son
+that see afar off. The maiden is fair enow
+for Norse, but is a Saxon. A skald maiden is
+she, and I misdoubt not knoweth well many
+songs.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would hear thy harp,” said the jarl, and
+Egwina stood forth and sang a quaint little
+Norse song that her grandsire had taught her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Good, good,” cried the jarl delighted.
+“Sweet is thy harp, fair maid, but not so sweet
+as the voice that accompanies it. Come nearer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina advanced hesitatingly toward the
+high seat.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wondrously wrought is thy harp. Where
+would skald maiden get so beautiful a one? It
+might be gift from royal hand.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is the gift of a king,” came from the
+seid woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Hakon looked at the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is true, O jarl,” she said in answer to
+the look. “’Tis the custom of the Saxon thus
+to reward those who make glee for them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis custom in all lands,” said Hakon with
+a smile, taking from his neck a chain of gold.
+“Take this, maiden; as thou playest on the
+harp of a king, it is fitting that thou shouldst
+receive royal gifts. ’Tis a chain of gold that
+hath never known alloy. Behold, from its
+centre hangs an amulet that ever faithful
+guards the wishes of the wearer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My thanks I give thee, Hakon,” murmured
+the girl as the jarl threw the chain over her
+shoulders.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I’d hear thy harp again,” said he, “but sing
+of Saxon and Dane. Canst give us a song of
+victory of Dane over Saxon?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then the heart of the maiden swelled within
+her as she thought of that dear grandfather who
+had given his life because he would not so
+sing, and her soul grew strong and she spake
+boldly:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am a Saxon, Jarl Hakon, and niddering
+would I be to sing of my country’s shame.
+Willing am I to make glee for thee if aught in
+my harp or voice doth please thee. Many are
+the skalds that can sing for thee thy countrymen’s
+victories. Gracious hath been thy gift;
+gracious thy present to the skald maiden;
+but take it back and ask not this thing of
+her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Keep thy bauble,” and the jarl thrust it
+back upon her. “Would that our maidens
+would prove so true to their land. Sing not so,
+maiden, if thou dost not wish, but something
+Saxon. One that is true to his own land never
+bewrays another.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Danes watched the affair in surprise.
+Jarl Hakon was an austere man, and never had
+he been known before to countenance the least
+crossing of his wishes. Egwina thanked him
+gratefully, and then, as he desired, swept the
+strings and sang. She chose the song of The
+Phœnix, a subject very popular with the Saxon
+poets; the mystic life, death, and resurrection of
+the fabled bird.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Her thoughts flew to the little hut in the
+woods where the king of the Saxons lay concealed.
+Should he, like the phœnix, rise above
+the funeral pyre of the dead hopes of his people,
+and again rule the land as king? A
+quaver crept into her voice, and then, as she
+recalled his words, “The earth, when conquered,
+give us the stars,” hope swelled her bosom. No
+matter the difficulties, the dangers that beset his
+path, Alfred would reign again. God’s chosen
+king was he, anointed by the holy pope himself.
+Her voice burst into the triumphant refrain as
+the assurance came home to her.<a class="footnote-reference pginternal" href="#id3" id="id2"><sup>1</sup></a></p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Lo, from the airy web,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Blooming and brightsome,</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Young and exulting, the</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Phoenix breaks forth.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Round him the birds troop</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Singing and hailing;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Wings of all glories</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Engarland the king.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Hymning and hailing,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Through forest and sun-air,</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">Hymning and hailing</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And speaking him ‘king.’</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Hymning and hailing,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And filling the sun-air</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">With music and glory</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And praise of the king.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">Silence fell upon the retainers as they listened.
+The seid woman’s eyes glittered strangely.</p>
+<p class="pnext">”Well hast thou done, child,” and Hakon
+took from his arm a massive bracelet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hast already given me sufficient,” said
+Egwina, modestly refusing the gift.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tut! Refuse naught that is offered thee.
+Not always wilt thou find me so generous. I
+liked the spirit of thy song.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twas filled with thought of the king,”
+came from the seid woman. “Nourish not a
+viper, Jarl Hakon. Seek from the maiden the
+whereabouts of the king whom ye seek. Uncertain
+is the tenure of the Northman unless the
+Dragon of Wessex be put down. Ask of the
+maiden the whereabouts of King Alfred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The jarl turned to Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is this true that thou dost know where thy
+king is?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gracious wert thou, O jarl, when thou didst
+say that I sing not against my country! Gracious
+be in this also. I could not sing the shame
+of my country, Hakon; neither can I bewray
+my king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Hakon knitted his brows, and became
+thoughtful.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou needst not to ask aught of the girl,”
+spoke Gyda again. “Hath the seid woman
+power to tell thee that which thou wishest?
+Quotha! Let the incantation be prepared.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It shall be as thou sayest,” said the jarl,
+rousing himself. Then did he order some young
+men to bring a large flat stone which was placed
+upon four posts set in the centre of the room before
+the high seat.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Upon the platform the volva took her place.
+Women formed a circle round it, and sang the
+fate song. When these were finished, the seid
+woman began to mutter and gesticulate violently
+as the revelations came to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I see thee, Jarl Hakon,” she cried.</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“On the broad heath thy bow strings twang,</div>
+<div class="line">While high in air the arrows sang;</div>
+<div class="line">Thy iron shiner brings to flight</div>
+<div class="line">The warder of great Odin’s shrine,</div>
+<div class="line">Thou, the long haired son of Odin’s line,</div>
+<div class="line">Raises the voice which gives the cheer,</div>
+<div class="line">First in the track of wolf or bear.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">She writhed upon the stone ghastly pale, and
+burst forth again.</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“In battle storm ye seek no lee,</div>
+<div class="line">With skulking head and bending knee,</div>
+<div class="line">Behind the hollow shield.</div>
+<div class="line">With eye and hand ye fend the head,</div>
+<div class="line">Courage and skill stand in the stead</div>
+<div class="line">Of panzer, helm and shield</div>
+<div class="line">In Hild’s bloody field.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“Tell me, Gyda, that of which ye spake,”
+said the jarl. “Tell me of the Saxon King
+Alfred. Lives he yet?”</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Westward doth the gray wolf run,</div>
+<div class="line">Westward toward the setting sun;</div>
+<div class="line">Follow fast and seek ye him</div>
+<div class="line">In the forest dank and dim.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“Then he doth live!” and the jarl turned to
+his followers. “Heed well the words of the
+volva. Heed well and fasten them upon your
+hearts, for to-morrow do we seek for the Saxon
+king.” He threw a gold ring on the high seid
+platform, and said, “Knowest the maiden
+aught of the hiding place of the king?”</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Well knows the maiden</div>
+<div class="line">Where Alfred lies hidden.</div>
+<div class="line">By that in her bosom</div>
+<div class="line">Is she forth on his bidding.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">Hakon started towards the maiden, who nervously
+clasped her harp to her breast. At this
+moment the voice of the vala rose high in a
+shriek and the jarl ran back to hear the frenzied
+utterances. Egwina felt her hand touched, and
+a voice whispered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Start not, maiden, nor tremble. I am Ethelred,
+the youth who beheld thee in the forest
+with King Alfred. Be of good courage. Thou
+hast one friend here.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina turned her head for the moment, and
+when she did she beheld near her the form of
+what appeared to be a young Dane. He looked
+towards her and smiled slightly, and then did she
+see that it was indeed the Saxon youth. Now
+hope infused into her heart, and, with better
+courage, she listened to the ravings of the seid
+woman.</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“’Ware, ’ware of the forest, Jarl Hakon,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">The dragon steals forth from his lair,</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">He tears thee and thy people asunder,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And leaves ye as food for the bear.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Then take from the vala a warning;</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">Seek not the Saxon’s great king;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">The forces of Wessex are gathering,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">The dragon of Wessex will spring.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">She ceased, and no more came from her lips.
+In vain did the jarl throw gifts upon the platform.
+Whatever the power of the volva, it had
+left her, and she lay motionless on the stone.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Finding that it was useless to inquire further,
+the jarl turned to the hall and called loudly for
+four cups of mead.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The cup of vows do I drink,” he said. “To
+Odin, who giveth the victory; to Frey and
+Nïord, for a good year and peace, and to Bragi.
+I vow by these drinks that I have drunk to the
+Æsir that I will do some great deed that shall
+be worthy the song of the skald. And that deed
+shall be the hunting of Alfred. If it so be that
+Odin hath sent the choosers of the slain to bear
+me to Valhalla, then welcome will be the warrior’s
+death. Who pledges with me the Valkyrie?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I!” “I!” shouted the Northmen, leaping to
+their feet, each lifting a horn of mead to his lips.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To Hela, who will mourn in Niflheim, that
+she is robbed of her prey!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again they drank.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To-morrow will we set forth to seek the
+Dragon in his lair, the king in his hole. The
+Raven hath driven the Dragon from his throne.
+Shall he not tear him in pieces? Who goes with
+me to hunt King Alfred?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again the hoarse shouts of the retainers filled
+the hall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whether she will or no, the maiden shall
+lead us,” cried the jarl. “Sweet will her songs
+come to us as, wearied by the march, we tarry
+for rest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Egwina was silent, a resolve growing in
+her heart that, though death might be her portion,
+or, worse yet, the severest torture, she
+would not lead these men to Alfred’s hiding
+place.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The seid woman came down from the platform
+and glided through the Danes, who, now
+that they had pledged themselves to Odin, began
+to hold high revelry, to the side of the
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Within thy breast there rests a jewel,” she
+said, in a low tone, to the girl. “It is wondrously
+wrought, and Gyda wants it. Give it
+to her and she will help thee to escape from
+Hakon.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I cannot. It is the—” began the girl, and
+paused.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; the king’s. I know, maiden, the word
+that thou wouldst speak. Well do the runes
+read for Alfred the king. Let me but have his
+jewel and thou shalt go free.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Egwina shook her head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wondrous will be thy fate, maiden. Dost
+wish to know it? Gyda will tell thee, and will
+help thee on that mission on which thou art
+bent.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why dost thou wish for the jewel of Alfred
+the king? Saxon thou art not. Why dost
+thou wish it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It bringeth good fortune to him who carries
+it. Wisdom and all the magic of galdra will
+be mine if but I possess the jewel of Alfred.
+Long, long ago, the runes told me that but one
+thing I lacked, and then all things would unfold
+to my view. That was something belonging
+to a Saxon king of the line of Cerdic who
+should be driven from his throne by my people.
+Give it me, maiden. All thy fate will I unfold,
+and more. I will compel Guthrum to extend
+his frith (peace) over thee so that thou mayest
+find those whom thou seekest in safety.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No;” said Egwina boldly. “Let me know
+of my fate only as it comes to me. I will not
+aid thee in thy wicked art. Naught of King
+Alfred’s should be used in so base a cause; and
+not this jewel while I hold it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have a care, girl,” hissed the woman. “If
+thou wilt not give it me, then will I obtain it
+by guile. Think not that Gyda hath no
+art.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will seek Hakon the jarl. He will take
+me under his hand,” and Egwina rose to her
+feet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do so,” sneered the other. “His frith will
+he give thee, if thou wilt but lead him to the
+king’s hiding place. Choose ye.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The maiden hesitated. It was even as the
+witch woman said. Helplessly she looked for
+Ethelred. He had disappeared from the hall.
+In despair she sank back upon her seat, and
+leaned her head upon her harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Look at me, thou Saxon maid,” commanded
+the wicca.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Almost without knowing what she did,
+Egwina looked at the woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Heed, maiden, my words. Listen to the
+song of the witch woman, Gyda. Heed the
+words which she sings to thee, and sleep,
+maiden, sleep.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She made some passes over the maiden’s head
+singing a low crooning song as she did so.
+Vainly Egwina made the sign of the cross. In
+vain did she strive to hold the sapphire ring
+which Ethelfleda had given her before her
+vision. The crooning song repeated its rhythmical
+measures in her ears. The eyes of the seid
+woman blazed. Living sparks seemed to leap
+from them to the eyes of the girl. They burned
+into her brain. She felt her senses reeling,
+going.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Faintly the voice of one of the Northmen
+sounded in her ear:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gyda, the seid woman, hath caused the
+maiden to fall into the magic sleep.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Faint and far off as a whisper they reached
+her, and sounded in her ears, “The magic
+sleep,” and she knew no more.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiiivictory-sits-with-the-saxons">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id19">CHAPTER XIII—VICTORY SITS WITH THE SAXONS</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">When Egwina awoke from her sleep, the sun
+was shining, and she did not know where she
+was. She was lying on a tick of straw which
+seemed to be moving under her. To her amazement,
+on sitting up, she found that she was in a
+rude cart with two Danish women and some
+children. As the memory of the events of the
+night before rushed upon her mind, she felt for
+the jewel of the king. It was gone. A torrent
+of bitterness gashed into her soul.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Where is Gyda?” she demanded of the
+women fiercely.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She went with Sigurd the skald we know
+not whither,” answered one of them. “To thee,
+maiden, she bade us say that as she had obtained
+the jewel, she had kept her word, and sent thee
+from the hand of Hakon Jarl, so that thou
+mightst not have to lead him to thy king. Also
+she bade us say to thee that naught else of thine
+adornment was touched save the jewel only.
+Behold the chain which the jarl gave thee; the
+bracelet, and thy other ornaments are untouched.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me where we are and whither we go?”
+cried the girl eagerly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We go into Devonshire to join Hubba, who
+hath wintered in Demetia, and now cometh into
+the land of the Saxon from the west. It draws
+near the time for the feast of the spring. Then
+will the Northman sweep over the whole of the
+land, and finish that which he hath so well begun.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina groaned. And none was there to
+warn the king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“See,” she said to the women taking from
+her throat the chain which the jarl had given
+her; “here is this, and the bracelet also. Both
+are of much value. Ye shall have them if ye
+will let me go from ye unmolested.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The women shook their heads, and the one
+who had done the speaking spake again:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We durst not let thee from us. Of that did
+the seid woman bid us beware. Neither doth it
+lie in our power so to do, for the Northmen are
+on every hand. See for thyself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked, and her heart sank as she beheld
+the long line of horsemen and men on foot
+before and behind. Many carts were there filled
+with women and children, and the supplies of the
+Danes. Everything gave evidence of preparations
+for a long march. Burying her face in her
+hands, Egwina resigned herself to the inevitable.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The march was long and of several days’
+duration. At last they came to the extreme
+western part of Devonshire. Here they were
+greeted by another large party of Norsemen
+under the renowned Hubba, one of the sons of
+Ragnar Lodbrock. The Saxons fled in terror
+at their approach. Some few, taking their wives
+and children with them, repaired to the castle of
+Kynwith.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Danes followed after these last rapidly,
+and, seeing that the castle was impregnable,
+would not risk an attack upon it, but sat down
+before it in a camp, hoping thus to make the
+Saxons surrender either from famine or want of
+water; for there was no spring near the castle.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Vainly did Egwina seek to join the Saxons in
+the castle. Her every movement was watched,
+and she was forced to abandon the idea. Listlessly
+she mingled with them, listening apathetically
+to their songs. Often did they try to force
+her to join in their mirth and gladden their
+hearts by music, but she looked at them with
+unsmiling face and would not sing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus the days passed. The pagans waiting
+only for the surrender of the castle which they
+thought must come soon through the dire necessity
+of the Christians.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Early one morning, just as the first faint
+streaks of dawn were tinting the sky, Egwina
+was awakened from slumber by the shouts of
+men and the clash of steel. In alarm, the
+Danes sprang to their arms, but the Saxons had
+surprised them too completely for anything but
+a furious resistance. From the first they cut
+down the Northmen in great numbers, for they
+were filled with the inspiration of despair, deeming
+death inevitable and preferring to fall in battle
+rather than by starvation.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The trembling maiden prayed fervently in
+her tent for the success of her people. While
+she was thus engaged, the flap was pushed rudely
+aside, and two men entered. They seized her
+before she was aware of their intention, and
+dashed out of the tent and into the thick of the
+fray where Hubba their king was.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Take this for thy shield, Hubba,” cried one,
+thrusting the maiden before the Danish king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If, then, thou art slain it must be through
+the body of the girl. They will not slay one
+of their own maidens.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Hubba haughtily put the girl aside, making
+the sign of Thor as he did so.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Am I not strong in mine own strength? Why
+should I use a living buckler when mine own is
+better? Sköfnung (the name of his charmed
+sword) hath already drunk the blood of many
+who cannot find relief from its life stein. Besides,
+stand I not under the magical banner
+woven by my sisters in a single day? I need no
+maid for protection.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Proudly he turned from them and hastened
+again into the conflict. But the Norsemen stood
+looking at the magical standard, and suddenly
+they cried out, “Behold the raven lieth motionless!
+No longer doth he flap his wings in
+token of victory. We are doomed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A wail of anguish went up from the ranks as
+they beheld the motionless raven. Above it
+came the voice of Hubba:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If die we must, then die as sons of Odin
+should. The one-eyed one prepareth the feast
+of Shaehrimnir the boar. Fast floweth the mead
+from the goat. Welcome awaits us in Valhalla.
+Welcome and good cheer! But take with ye
+many of the Saxon warriors. Thus doth the
+Alfadur bid ye.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Roused to further exertions, the Danes raised
+their war chant and rallied round the fatal
+standard. Those who had brought Egwina to
+the combat now left her standing, and joined
+the others.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The bewildered girl stood, not knowing what
+to do or which way to turn. Everywhere Saxon
+and Dane mingled together in battle. The
+Norse women and children had withdrawn to
+one side. The women screamed or shouted encouragingly
+to husbands or fathers, or chanted
+the battle songs of their land. In the midst of
+the contest, the skalds’ voices could be heard
+reciting the deeds of heroes and inciting the
+Norsemen to greater achievements.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The girl stood an unwilling, fascinated spectator,
+with no thought of danger to self. Bravely
+and fiercely fought the Dane. Bravely and
+fiercely fought the Saxon. True sons of Wodan
+they, and to the fighting blood of the old Norse
+heroes was added the lofty exaltation of striking
+for home and country.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Suddenly one of the Danish women caught
+sight of Egwina standing there in the midst of
+the battle. With a cry of fury she dashed
+toward her, and seizing her by the hair began
+dragging her back to where the women and
+children were.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina cried out at the assault, and strove to
+tear herself from the grasp of the woman. At
+her cry, some of the Saxons turned. One, a
+youth, left the others and bounded toward
+the two.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Unhand the girl,” he commanded.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” cried the woman; “she shall serve
+as an offering to Odin. The battle goeth against
+us, and the fierce one demandeth a victim.
+Away!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The youth grasped the woman by the wrists.
+“Release thy hold,” he shouted; “or, by St.
+Peter of blessed memory, I will forget that thou
+art a woman.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Forget it, then! Strike if thou durst! Strike,
+and upon thy head fall the curse of Odin.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I care not for Odin’s curses,” cried the
+Saxon, “but I war not with women. Unhand
+the girl!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The woman only tightened her grip the more
+on the long beautiful hair of Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is but one way, maiden.” The youth
+let go one of the woman’s wrists to draw his
+seax. The woman thought that he meant to
+cut off her hands. Egwina was of the same
+opinion, and suffering though she was, exclaimed,
+“For the love of Heaven, maim not
+the woman!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was a grim smile on the youth’s face.
+He raised the seax and the stroke fell. With
+a scream the woman let the bright hair of the
+maiden fall, and fled to the others.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, didst thou hurt her?” cried Egwina, as
+the young man assisted her to her feet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No;” and he held up two fair locks of her
+hair. “I meant only to sever thy hair from
+thy head.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou didst not intend to cut off her
+hands?” cried Egwina, relieved.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Am I not a Christian? Do Christians treat
+others so?” demanded the youth. “Come, let
+us to the Saxons, for the battle is ended.”</p>
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 21%; width: 57%" id="figure-13">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="He raised the seax and the blow fell." src="images/illus-174.jpg" width="75%"/>
+<div class="caption italics">
+HE RAISED THE SEAX AND THE BLOW FELL.</div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">It was true. Elated by their triumph, the
+Saxons pursued the flying Danes, and great
+was the slaughter. Great also was the booty
+they obtained from the camp, and, among other
+things, the magical banner of Hubba, under
+which the chief lay dead.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now,” said the youth to Egwina, “the
+slaughter is done. Great will be the joy of
+Alfred when he hears of this day’s prowess. A
+bode am I to thee from the king. Mickle and
+sore doth he repent having let thee go from his
+sight as bode for him to his family. He bids
+me, with others, to accompany thee on thy
+journey, and bring thee back in safety to him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, hast thou seen him?” cried Egwina.
+“Heavy was my heart that I could not warn him
+of Hakon’s intended search. Heavy did it lie in
+my breast when I knew that Hubba was to
+come from the west to overrun the land. I
+feared that the king’s hopes were vain.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“That was the reason, maiden, that I left
+thee in the house of Hakon the jarl,” said Ethelred.
+“Niddering did it seem to leave thee, a
+girl, in the hands of the foe, unwitting what
+might befall thee. But in the king lieth all
+our hopes. ’Twere better that thou shouldst
+perish than that the king be not warned.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou didst right,” declared the girl, warmly.
+“What am I to be thought of in comparison
+with the king? Better, oh, better a thousand
+such as I should perish than Alfred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art a true Saxon, and so I deemed
+thee,” cried the youth. “Would that thegn
+and coerl were filled with thy spirit, and the
+Dane would no longer uprear his raven standard
+in the land. But to tell thee all: Hakon
+went forth with a goodly company. Alfred,
+who had been joined by numbers of the Saxons,
+sallied forth, took the jarl by surprise, and the
+bones of him and all his company lie whitening
+on the field.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost thou not remember what the seid
+woman said?” asked Egwina in awe-struck
+tones:</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“‘’Ware, ’ware of the forest, Jarl Hakon,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">The dragon steals forth from his lair;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">He tears thee and thy people asunder,</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And leaves ye as food for the bear.’</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“Dost thou suppose, Ethelred, that the vala
+doth really see what the future holds?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I wot not. There are many things that I
+understand not, but this do I know, that ’tis a
+heathenish practice, and little use have the
+good priests for it,” and he crossed himself
+piously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True; but oft have I wondered whence
+came the power that seemed to belong to them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Think not of it,” answered the youth,
+hastily. “Whatever of power they may have,
+’tis of evil. Concern not thyself with such
+pagan doings, for unseemly doth it become a
+Christian. Come, let us to the castle. Bode
+must be sent to the king to tell him of this
+victory. Then thou, and I, and others will
+wend us to the depths of Somerset, where the
+king’s family abide, and then back to Athelney.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And Egwina accompanied him to the castle.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiva-pleasant-surprise">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id20">CHAPTER XIV—A PLEASANT SURPRISE</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Somersetshire was the only county that had
+remained true to Alfred. Throughout all Devonshire
+the news of the victory of the Saxons at
+the castle of Kynwith brought great rejoicing.
+While everywhere the Saxons were open in their
+manifestations of delight, it was not deemed wise
+to precipitate matters by letting them know that
+the king was preparing to issue forth from his
+hiding place. Somerset alone was considered
+worthy to be trusted, and here the secret was told,
+and many left their homes to go to Athelney.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the heart of Somerset, at the abode of the
+thegn, Oswald, a trusted and tried retainer of the
+king, the family of Alfred was hidden. With
+light heart did Egwina now go on the journey,
+for it was shared by Saxons true to the king,
+and hope had made glad their hearts.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost know the family of the king?” inquired
+Ethelred of the maiden as they neared
+the dwelling of the thegn.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I have met the lady Elswitha, and I saw her
+mother and children the night of the attack
+on Chippenham,” answered Egwina. “Hast
+thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay;” replied the youth. “My father was
+of the royal family of Mercia, and, when the
+pagans overran the country, perished by the
+sword. With him I should have attended the
+great Witan at Winchester this Easter, and thus
+have seen the king, and mayhap his family also.
+Tell me of the lady Elswitha.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She is fair and beautiful. Right worthy is
+she to be the noble Alfred’s wife, for bravely did
+she bear herself on the night of the assault.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Often have I seen Eadburga, her mother,”
+remarked Ethelred, “and her father also, Athelred
+the Large, for they were of Mercia. Elswitha
+I have not seen, for she married the king—he
+was the atheling then—before I was old enough
+to remember. Much have I heard of the present
+atheling and his sister. Marry, I would like
+well to meet with them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught do I know of the atheling or his
+sister,” said Egwina. “There were only some
+young children with the lady and her mother.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And was there no youth of my age, nor
+maiden, near them?” queried Ethelred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” returned Egwina. “There were a
+youth and a maiden there that night, but not
+the atheling nor his sister. The lad was younger
+than thou, and the maiden older than I. It could
+not be they. Besides, I met this youth and
+maiden in Andred’s weald some time ago. See
+the ring that the maiden gave me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She extended her hand with the sapphire
+upon it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou art sure that it was not the atheling’s
+sister?” asked Ethelred as he examined
+the gem.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“So sure am I, sir youth, that I will give
+thee this chain of gold that Hakon, the jarl,
+gave me if they be the same. Then, by this
+amulet, thou canst have all thy desires.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry! if there be aught in the charm, I
+would that they be the same,” returned the
+youth, falling in with her merry humor. “But
+hath it given thee thy wish yet, maiden?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well-a-day! I wot not what it hath granted,
+but this I know: I wished myself well away
+from the dwelling of Hakon, jarl. That came
+about. I wished that the king be warned, and
+that also happened. Then did I wish that I
+could reach the lady Elswitha, and yon turrets
+tell me that that also is about to come to pass.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelred laughed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Almost dost thou make me wish that I could
+obtain the chain.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly would I give it thee if only the maid
+of the forest and the atheling’s sister were the
+same,” returned the girl. “Oft have I wished
+to see them again. Oft have I wondered if the
+invader hath despoiled them of home, or where
+they be.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Over the girl’s bright face came a cloud, for
+well did she know of the devastating work of
+the ravagers.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Here we are!” cried the youth. “Now,
+maiden, thou art the bode from the king. Seek
+thou the lady first. We will tarry without
+until she bids us enter.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina advanced through the courtyard,
+and then somewhat timidly to the portals. In
+answer to her knock, a warder opened the door
+and asked her in.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would see the lady Elswitha,” spake she.
+“I bear to her a message from the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“From the king? From Alfred?” ejaculated
+the warder. He ran from the room without
+bidding her welcome. Egwina smiled at his
+evident delight, and seated herself near the
+entrance. She had scarcely done so when the
+lady Elswitha hastily entered. As soon as her
+eyes fell upon the girl she gave an exclamation
+of joy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is it thou, little one? Glad am I to see
+thee safe. Oft have I wondered about thee and
+thy father—the good harper—who so bravely
+tried to lead us to King Alfred. Is he safe also?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, lady,” returned the maiden, touched
+to the quick by the gracious thoughtfulness of
+the lady, who could forget her own anxiety in
+care for the welfare of others. “Nay; he fell
+by the hand of the Dane. Anon will I tell
+thee of it, but now do I bear thee a message
+from the king. He is safe. Followers are
+rallying around him. Victory hath already
+crowned the Saxons against Hubba, and ere the
+bringing home of the summer the king hopes
+again to rule over Wessex.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The lady clasped her hands. Her lips
+moved as if in prayer. Then, impelled by a
+gracious impulse, she stooped and kissed the
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sweeter than softest music is thy message to
+my heart. I rejoice in my lord’s safety, and
+that his people are coming to his call. Now
+can I wait further news until thou hast refreshed
+thyself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, lady; I am not aweary, and it glads my
+heart to tell thee of the king,” spoke the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then, as Elswitha drew her to her side, she
+told of the cottage in the woods, the occupations
+of the king, and everything of her journey
+hither. Many exclamations of joy, and pity,
+and terror did the kind lady utter as she listened
+to the story.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thy companions—the noble Saxons
+who brought thee thither? Where are they?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“They await without thy bidding.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“They must be welcomed,” cried the lady,
+warmly. “Sit thee here, child, until my
+return.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She hurried forth and heartily greeted the
+Saxons, bidding them come into the hall.
+Then she summoned Oswald the thegn, and
+bade him make a feast for the good news that
+was brought, and for the refreshment of those
+who had brought it. Into the hall came the
+three young children, two girls and the youngest,
+a boy: Ethelgiva, Ethelswitha and Ethelwerd,
+by name.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, my children,” cried the lady, embracing
+them. “Good news have I for ye from
+your father. Haste to the bower chamber of
+your grandmother Eadburga! Bid her to come
+to the hall at once and all the household also,
+that I may tell them the joyful tidings.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The children ran quickly out. Egwina cast
+a hasty glance at the youth Ethelred. He wore
+a slightly disappointed look on his face, for he
+had heard so much of the atheling that he had
+supposed him older than this boy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At this moment, the door was thrown open
+and into the hall there stepped a youth somewhat
+younger than himself—a falcon on his
+wrist, hounds at his heels.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Edward, my son!” Elswitha rose excitedly.
+“Give good welcome to these friends who hath
+glad news of thy father.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Edward! Egwina looked up in amazement.
+It was the youth whom she had seen in the
+forest. The recognition was mutual.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis the gleemaiden!” exclaimed the lad,
+advancing toward her. “Truly, maiden, thou
+dost appear to be the good Flygia of our family,
+as the witch-wife would say. Thrice hast thou
+brought to us succor. Once in the forest; again
+on the night of the attack of the Danes didst
+thou and thy father strive to save us from their
+fury; now thou art a fair bode from my father.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He took her hand gently, and Egwina grew
+rosy in confusion, more overwhelmed by his
+simple words than those of the others, because
+of her surprise at finding him the atheling.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Elswitha’s mother, Eadburga, now entered and
+with her Ethelfleda, the maid of the forest.
+Egwina was not astonished at beholding her.
+Nothing, it seemed, could surprise her now.
+Not even did she see the quizzical smile with
+which Ethelred regarded her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda took charge of her impetuously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou kept the ring?” she asked, after
+she had thanked and caressed the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; though once I came near losing it,”
+returned Egwina, showing it to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Losing it? Tell me, and tell all that hath
+befallen thee since the people pressed us
+asunder,” urged Ethelfleda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My daughter,” spoke Alfred’s wife, “let
+the maiden with the others refresh herself.
+Then shall all tell of themselves.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And so it was arranged. Elswitha would
+suffer nothing more to be said until they were
+rested. Then the maiden recounted all that
+had happened from the time she met them in
+the forest until the present.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Beautiful is the chain which the Danish
+jarl gave thee,” said Ethelfleda, examining it.
+“Curiously wrought, and of pure gold. I wot
+that it be charmed, as many of their ornaments
+are.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; the amulet, the jarl claimed, brought
+to the wearer the realization of every wish—”
+began Egwina, and then paused in some dismay,
+remembering Ethelred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It belongeth no longer to her,” laughed the
+youth, joining them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Doth it not? How does that come?” asked
+Ethelfleda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She said that she would give it me were
+the youth and the maiden of the forest the same
+as the atheling and his sister,” said Ethelred,
+merrily. “So ye see that it is hers only by my
+will.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And it is thy will, is it not?” insinuated
+Alfred’s son, gently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, brother,” spoke Ethelfleda, who was
+of sterner mold than the atheling, “if the
+maiden hath promised it, the word should be
+kept.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And that right gladly,” said Egwina.
+“Little did I reck when I spake that ye were
+the same, but it delights me to have met with
+you again. Take the chain, Ethelred, and may
+it bring to pass thy every wish.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, Egwina;” and the youth returned it.
+”I did but sport with thee. I wish not thy
+chain, though I thank thee for thy good wishes.“</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But I gave thee my word,” said the maiden.
+“I like not to break it. Prithee take it, Ethelred.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Ethelred shook his head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“This is the solution,” and Ethelfleda took
+up the chain. “Thou, Egwina, shall have the
+chain, and Ethelred the amulet which gives him
+his desires.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wise art thou, Ethelfleda. Worthy to be
+thy father’s daughter!” said Ethelred, taking
+the amulet. “I take it with thy well wishes,
+Egwina, and from thee, Ethelfleda, that I may
+realize a wish that hath lately sprung up in
+my heart.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou pleased, Egwina?” asked Ethelfleda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes,” answered she. “And I would that
+the amulet may bring him his wish. I am glad
+that he hath taken it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But not I,” remarked Edward, detaching
+an amulet from his own chain. “Bare is it
+without an ornament. Take this in its place,
+Egwina. No charm hath it but the well wishes
+of the donor.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He clasped the amulet on the chain, and
+threw it over her shoulders.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina’s eyes shone.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I cared not for the amulet of Hakon jarl,”
+she said, “but this will I prize because thou,
+the king’s son, hath given it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Ye must to your rest now, people,” called
+Elswitha, coming up to them. “To-morrow will
+we set forth to join the king in the forest. So
+hie ye to rest, for we must start early enough
+to end the journey by nightfall.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With merry good-nights the group separated,
+Ethelfleda carrying Egwina with her to her own
+bower.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvthe-beggar-of-athelney">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id21">CHAPTER XV—THE BEGGAR OF ATHELNEY</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Joyfully did Alfred greet them on their
+arrival at Athelney.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well hast thou done, little one,” he said to
+Egwina. “Never will Alfred forget how leal
+thou hast been to him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But the jewel, my king? I grieve that I
+have lost it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis nought,” reassured the king. “A
+trifle like that can be replaced. And thou
+wouldst not, for thy life’s sake, give it of thine
+own free will. Loyalty and honor hast thou
+shown—two of the brightest virtues in friendship’s
+crown.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Glowing with pleasure, Egwina hastened to
+greet Denewulf and Adiva, who were overjoyed
+at her return. A cottage had been built on
+Athelney for Alfred, and to this he now repaired
+with his family. Ethelfleda would not be
+separated from Egwina, so the gleemaiden also
+went with them, much to the sorrow of the swineherd
+and his wife, who made her promise to return
+to them for a part of each day.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The island had been well intrenched and
+numbers had flocked to it. So many were there
+that the scant resources of the place were soon
+exhausted, and so dire was the necessity of the
+king that he was forced to forage for provisions.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Now, too, did he begin a series of skirmishes;
+attacking the enemy without ceasing, wherever
+he found any parties or camps accessible to his
+attempts. Whether his object was achieved, or
+did he meet with repulsion, he retired with a
+celerity that baffled pursuit to his unknown
+asylum. The Northmen became terror-stricken
+at the ravages which this secret foe was making
+upon them, and finally came to believe, with the
+superstition of the age, that the attacks were of
+a supernatural character.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Gradually the king extended his assaults,
+harassing the Danes with hostility in a distant
+quarter as well as those near. By day and
+by night, at dawn, in the evening twilight, from
+woods and marshes, he was ever rushing on the
+Northmen with all the advantages of selection
+and surprise. But still the provisions grew less,
+and the king was sore put for supplies.</p>
+<p class="pnext">One day, while it was yet so cold that it was
+frozen, the king’s people had gone out to get
+provender, fish or fowl or whatsoever they
+should happen upon, while Alfred himself remained
+in the cottage. The king was discouraged.
+Despite the successful issue of his forays
+against the Norsemen, they still remained in such
+numbers that it seemed an impossible task to
+ever rid the land of them. At last he took from
+his bosom the little manual which he always carried
+with him, and began reading one of the
+Psalms of David for comfort.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A knock at the door brought Ethelfleda and
+Egwina from an adjoining room.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Open, my daughter,” said the king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But it may not be one of thy followers,” said
+the girl, dubiously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Open; keep not one without who may need
+shelter from the wind. Piercing is the blast.
+Open unto him whomever it may be.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda opened the door not widely, as was
+the wont of the Saxons, for she feared that one
+might be without who sought the king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Bread, maiden! Give me bread to eat for
+Christ His sake,” pleaded a man who stood there.
+He was poorly clad and he shivered in the chill
+breath of the March wind.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enter, in His name,” cried the king, heartily.
+“Enter and warm thyself by the fire.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Murmuring blessings, the man crept close to
+the fire and huddled over the blaze.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Food for him,” commanded the king to
+Ethelfleda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, my king,” remonstrated Egwina, speaking
+in a low tone, “there is but one small loaf of
+bread which is all the food that there is left.
+Wilt thou that it be set before the man, and
+thereby leave thee naught to strengthen thee for
+the sally to-night?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Give it anyway, little one,” bade the king.
+“We have eaten to-day; it may be that he
+hath not. The poor man looks as if he
+needed it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thereupon he returned to his reading, while
+the maidens served the beggar. Hungrily did
+he eat. Soon the last morsel of bread disappeared
+before the voracious appetite. Then he
+arose, gathered the folds of his mantle more
+closely around him, and turned to the girls.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Ye have heard the words of the master,” he
+said. “‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the
+least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto
+me.’ I thank ye, maidens, for your kindness.
+Most of all do I thank him who hath ministered
+to me from his own necessity.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He turned to the king as he spake, but Alfred
+had fallen asleep over his book. An expression
+almost of adoration passed over the beggar’s
+face. Over the sleeping form then did he
+make the sign of the cross while the girls
+watched him in something like awe.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Whoe’er thou art,” he murmured, “Christ is
+with thee. For that mercy which thou hast
+meted to another from thy dire want, may it be
+returned fourfold. Art thou brought low from
+high estate? Be comforted. Low though the
+heavy clouds hang, above the sun is shining.
+Forsaken it may be that thou art now, but to
+thy call shall rally hundreds.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He bent before the sleeping form of Alfred,
+and pressed his lips to the king’s hand. Then
+drawing his bonnet over his head went slowly
+from them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Almost,” said Ethelfleda to Egwina, “could
+I believe that some saint hath visited us. Glad
+am I that my father bade me give him the
+food.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He is some holy man,” returned Egwina in
+a low tone. “But how he spake of the king?
+And how he loves him!” She touched the
+king’s hand reverently. “How they all love
+him, Ethelfleda!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And worthy is he of their love,” returned
+the daughter, gently kissing his forehead. “My
+noble father! I care not, Egwina, that he be
+king; but that he is wise, and tender, and so
+good. When he speaks, his words are unlying
+always, and men know that his word requires no
+oath to bind him. My heart bounds with pride
+when they call him ‘The Truth Teller.’ There
+have been many kings before him, but none so
+great as my father.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I wonder not at thy love,” said the gleemaiden.
+“Well doth he merit it. And Ethelfleda,
+as thou dost feel, so do all his people.
+Pride in his wisdom, and love for his tenderness,
+even to the beggar that hath left us. It hath
+given me new hope, for it is said that a poor
+man’s wish is better than the gift of a rich
+man.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Into my heart, too, hath crept new hope,”
+said Ethelfleda. “Methinks that soon the days
+will really become brighter.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">At this moment Alfred awoke, and started to
+his feet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Methought that a poor man but now asked
+for food,” he said.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“One hath been here,” answered Ethelfleda.
+“We fed him, and he is gone. Dost thou not
+remember, dear father, that there was not food
+enou’ left for all but thou didst bid us bring it
+to him? He hath partaken of it, blessed thee,
+and gone.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He blessed me?” The king’s eyes grew
+dim. “’Tis strange! And then my dream!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Didst thou dream, my lord and son?” said
+Eadburga, entering the room. “I, too, have
+just dreamed. Speak, and let us hear thine,
+son.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I dreamed,” said Alfred, “that St. Cuthbert
+of Lindisfarne stood beside me. He spake and
+told me he had been my guest. He said that
+God had seen my affliction and those of my
+people which were now about to end. In token
+whereof Edward will return with the Saxons
+with a great take of fish.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sayest thou so?” cried Eadburga, much
+agitated. “Why that is mine own dream.
+Was any one here at all?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There was a beggar,” declared the girls in
+the same breath. “He blessed the king when he
+left, and made the sign of the cross over him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“That was the reason that I did dream that it
+was St. Cuthbert,” said Alfred, who nevertheless
+was much impressed by the dream.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy difficulties are fast nearing an end,”
+said the aged lady impressively. “I think,
+son, that this has been sent thee for comfort to
+thy heart, and cheer to thy drooping spirits.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And comfort hath it brought,” said the
+king heartily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would that Edward would come with the
+others,” cried Ethelfleda. “I would like to see
+if he bringeth a great take of fish.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Look not always for a sign, daughter,” reproved
+Alfred. “Well hath the vision served,
+if it but raise our courage. ’Twas induced by
+the blessing of the poor man. I would that he
+had remained with us, for it is chill and raw
+without. I wot that he was some holy man.
+Whatever he be, little doth he reck how he
+hath blessed us in return for the poor food
+which we gave.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But still do I wish for Edward’s return,”
+declared Ethelfleda in a low tone to Egwina.
+“Supper will there not be unless the fish
+be taken. I am hungry. Art thou not, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not since I have seen that poor man eat,”
+replied the maiden. “He ate as if naught had
+passed his lips for days.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Just then came the tramp of many feet from
+without.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Open, father,” cried the voice of Edward.
+“Open and see what I have brought thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda flew to the door before Alfred
+could move, and threw it open.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Welcome, welcome, Edward! What dost
+thou bring? Oh, father, see the fish!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enough to feed an army,” and he laughed
+as the Saxons tried to bring them in, for it was
+truly a great take. “Blessed be St. Wilfrid, who
+taught the Saxons to fish! He must have
+been with us to-day.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, son; a greater than Wilfrid was with
+thee,” said Alfred solemnly, a joyous light shining
+in his eyes. “Wonderful hath been thy
+catch, and wonderful, too, hath been our experience.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let us have a feast,” cried the practical
+Ethelfleda; “hungry must ye be, good people,
+and hungry am I also. Art thou not now,
+Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Since there is so much,” answered she, “I
+wot that I am.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And dost thou not feel hunger save when
+there is plenty?” laughed Ethelfleda. “Strange,
+Egwina! Would that my appetite would accommodate
+itself to the supply. But marry! the
+less there is, the more do I wish.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis the heart of Egwina that molds her appetite,”
+commented Edward. “At the morning
+meal I could but notice how she broke off the
+larger part of her bread, and gave it to Ethelwerd
+and Elswitha. The meat did go in the
+same manner.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Didst thou?” Ethelfleda looked up from
+the fish she was preparing in amaze. “Thou
+shouldst have eaten thy portion. Each had
+the same.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True; but the little ones wished for more,”
+said the girl simply. “And I need not much.
+Then, too, Edward gave me part of his.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twas naught,” said the youth hastily.
+“Thou wouldst retain nothing for thyself if
+thou were not watched. Besides, I am a man,
+and stronger than thou.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A man?” teased his sister. “A man,
+yet thou hast not yet naught but down
+upon thy chin; nor art thou of age to wear
+buckler.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yet in truth a man,” said Alfred, laying
+his hand kindly upon his son’s head. “A man
+such as I wish to see, my son. Tender to the
+weak, and gentle to the helpless.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Edward’s face flushed at the praise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come, Ethelred,” he called, to hide his confusion,
+to the young man who stood by the fire.
+“Come help us to prepare the fish.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly,” returned Ethelred. “I have been
+warming by the fire, for chill hath the wind
+proved, else I had been with ye ere now.
+Marry! glad will I be when the Lenat (March)
+month hath passed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus busily and merrily, despite hardships
+and dangers, did they prepare the fish, and with
+hearts knit more closely together for these same
+hardships, the king and his retainers sat down
+to supper. As merry and gleeful were they as
+when in other days they had gathered round
+the festive board in royal hall with wassail and
+song, so now sat the Saxon king and his people
+in the rude cabin.</p>
+<p class="pnext">After the meal, Egwina sang, for to-night
+hope had entered into their hearts, and their
+hunger was satisfied as it had not been for days.
+Early the next morning, the king crossed to
+the mainland. But twice wound he his horn,
+when from the alders and forest there came
+many men.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king! The king!” they cried. “We
+rally to his standard!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Here is the king,” came the reply, and thus
+five hundred more men were added to Alfred’s
+number.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviin-the-camp-of-the-enemy">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id22">CHAPTER XVI—IN THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Easter had passed, and the first faint breath
+of spring was in the air. Rapidly the numbers
+in Athelney increased. The whole people had
+by this time been apprised of the king’s plan,
+and were making preparations to join him in
+the final blow. Guthrum with his Danes grew
+aware of the unusual stir and activity among
+them, but found it impossible to discover its
+cause.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Still Alfred knew not the strength of the
+enemy. Guthrum had removed from Chippenham,
+and was now encamped at Westbury.
+Into the king’s mind there came a bold idea.
+Calling Egwina to him, he said with his winning
+smile, “Little one, darest thou to accompany
+me on a journey?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly, my king,” was the response.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will not hide from thee, Egwina, that it
+may be fraught with peril both to thee and
+to myself. But it will advantage me to take it,
+though little do I reck of the outcome. Thou
+needst not go unless thou wilt. I will not think
+the less of thee if thou dost not choose to go.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It matters not, my king, whither, or into
+what it doth lead. If thou dost desire me with
+thee, then will I go.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou leal little one! I knew that I could
+trust to thy courage. Listen to my plan,
+Egwina, and then shalt thou say if thou wilt.
+Thou and I will go as minstrels into the camp
+of Guthrum, and I shall see for myself his forces
+and supplies. Now, what sayest thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But before she could answer, Ethelfleda, who
+had joined them, broke in with, “My father,
+take me with thee. Did I not sing to thy
+harp? I am thy daughter, and it is more
+fitting that I should share thy danger than
+Egwina.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art too proud in thy port for a gleemaiden,”
+returned the king. “Far too proud
+for my purpose. Thou couldst not be one in
+seeming. Egwina hath always been one, and
+so will give more of the appearance of truth to
+the affair? Thou seest, my daughter, that it
+were better for Egwina to go?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I see,” answered Ethelfleda slowly. “But, oh,
+my father! Mickle sorrow doth it give me that
+I have done naught for thee in thine affliction!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hast done much,” and the king
+soothed her tenderly. “Much! Thou hast
+cheered and comforted me by thy presence and
+brightness, and that is much, for I wot how thou
+hast chafed at the inactivity, my lion-hearted
+daughter. This also do I promise thee: the
+beacon that bringth all the Saxons together
+thou shalt light with thine own hands.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, may I?” cried Ethelfleda, delightedly.
+“Then, Egwina, no longer do I grudge thee
+thy place, but wish all good to befortune thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wilt thou go, Egwina, now that thou
+knowest what thou will have to encounter? If
+it should so be that there are any in the camp of
+the Dane who know me, then I wot not what
+will become of thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Think not of me,” returned the girl
+earnestly. “Is not the gleemaiden wont to endure
+trials? Think not on me, but reflect on
+thyself. How shalt thou act, my king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“As a gleeman. With harp and song shall
+we delight them; then with tricks of mimicry,
+and knives and balls, will I excite their mirth.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But thou hast also a proud bearing,” and
+the girl looked anxious.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not more so than thy grandsire,” said Elswitha
+with a smile. “He did deport himself
+full of pride.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And the gifts,” went on the maiden. “Canst
+thou receive them humbly and gratefully from
+the gift stool?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Never fear, little one. Alfred hath been
+forced to pillage for food itself lately, and his
+pride hath been brought very low.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So the king disguised himself as a minstrel,
+and with Egwina, the gleemaiden, set forth
+for the camp of the Dane. After they had
+emerged from the forest, they began singing and
+playing as they wended their way through the
+villages. The people flocked after them, and
+many were the invitations extended to tarry at
+some hall, but the supposed minstrel and his
+daughter refused them, and kept steadily on
+their way to the Danish camp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was a well fortified place, and, as they
+approached, the keen eyes of the king noted
+how impregnable its walls were.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Should we ever succeed in freeing the land
+from the invaders,” he said thoughtfully, “the
+lesson will not have been in vain. Behold
+those walls, Egwina! How staunch and firm
+they be! If God so pleases to bestow peace
+upon us for a time, fortresses shall be reared,
+ships made, and the coasts defended; so
+that never again shall Norseman or foe of any
+kind ravage the country.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">They came to the gates, and there paused,
+singing their sweetest melodies. The warders
+listened and opened to them. Minstrels were
+held in such esteem that Saxon and Dane
+alike looked upon them as non-combatants,
+and admitted them freely to the halls of either
+side. So it happened that the king and the
+maiden were soon amusing the warriors within
+the camp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">They roared with merriment at the tricks
+of the minstrel, and listened entranced to the
+singing of Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To Guthrum! To Guthrum they must go!”
+cried one of the crowd which surrounded them.
+“’Twill warm the heart of the king to hear
+them!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So to the abode of Guthrum were they taken.
+The king sat on his high seat at meat when
+the warden spake to him:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A Saxon minstrel is without, good king.
+The strings he touches with a master’s hand;
+and as he plays the maiden with him sings to
+his harp tales of heroes and brave deeds. Fair
+is she, and rarely well doth she sing. In sooth,
+the tricks the gleeman gives are good also.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then let them enter,” said the king.
+“Heavy lieth the heart of Guthrum in his
+breast for darkness hath settled over him, and
+he feareth evil to come.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Enter, minstrel. My lord’s heart is heavy,
+ease it with thy art,” and the warder conducted
+them into the hall where Guthrum sat with
+his jarls.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Strike thy harp, skald,” said Guthrum, “and
+choose some lay that will lighten the shadow
+which the death goddess, Hela, hath thrown over
+my soul. For to-night, Guthrum sitteth in
+darkness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred gazed in compassion on the noble countenance
+and broad forehead of the Dane before
+him. A wish to ease the burthen which evidently
+oppressed him by infusing into his soul
+some of that comfort which never failed, filled
+him. Striking his harp with a strong twang of
+the strings after the fashion of harpers, he
+exclaimed loudly, “Hwaet!” (what). The
+clamour of the surrounding voices was hushed
+instantly and he began to sing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tis a Christian hymn, skald. Hast not
+something gayer? Some song of the deeds of
+thy heroes or ours? Once were Saxon and Dane
+brothers from the same Alfadur, but now hath
+the Saxon forsaken his gods.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brothers they be still under the All-father,”
+returned Alfred. “Brothers, Guthrum, in
+stronger bonds than those of yore. And brother’s
+hand should not be lifted against brother.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy harp,” said Guthrum impatiently. “’Tis
+music I crave, not thy words.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again did the king sing, and this time accompanied
+by the maiden. Guthrum raised his
+hand.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wait, skald. Wondrous is thy skill on the
+harp, and delectably also doth the maiden wield
+the cymbals. I would that my daughter should
+hear ye.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He motioned to some of his servitors, who left
+the hall, and soon returned bearing a chair in
+which was seated the form of a girl. She was
+very pale, but her dark eyes were bright, and
+her countenance, though wan, showed traces of
+beauty.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What aileth thy daughter, O king?” came
+from Alfred pityingly as he looked on the white
+face of the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Her knee is swollen, and vain hath been all
+leech’s care,” returned Guthrum. “It hath
+been long since she hath stood. It pricks me
+to the heart thus for Hilda to be so sore
+afflicted.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Her knee?” The Saxon king drew near the
+maiden. “Wheaten flour boiled in milk and
+applied while warm hath been known to work
+wonders for such misease. Knowest thou not
+that Cuthbert was so cured?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Cuthbert? No, I know naught of him.
+Was he afflicted as I?” spoke the Danish girl
+eagerly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“In the very self-same manner, maiden.
+Listen and, if thou wishest, I will tell thee how
+the good saint was cured.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But thy harp,” interposed Guthrum.
+“Work no charm, sir skald, but give us of
+thy skill.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, my father,” spake the maiden Hilda.
+“He worketh no charm, and I would hear of
+this Cuthbert. Speak on, skald.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred looked at Guthrum, and the latter
+bowed in assent to his daughter’s wish.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Cuthbert,” began the minstrel, “was a noble
+youth destined for a holy man. He had alway
+been straight and handsome, but all at once—</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“The youth now bent beneath a sudden pain<a class="footnote-reference pginternal" href="#id5" id="id4"><sup>2</sup></a></div>
+<div class="line">And led his languid footsteps with a pine.</div>
+<div class="line">When on a day as in the air he placed</div>
+<div class="line">His weary limbs, and meek yet mourning lay,</div>
+<div class="line">A horseman clothed in snowy garments came,</div>
+<div class="line">And graceful as a courser:—He saluted</div>
+<div class="line">The youth reclined, who offered his obeisance.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line">“My prompt attentions should be gladly paid</div>
+<div class="line">To you if grievous pains did not withhold me;</div>
+<div class="line">See how my knee is swelled—no leech’s care</div>
+<div class="line">Through a long lapse of time has soothed the evil.”</div>
+<div class="line">Straight leaped the stranger from his horse and stroked</div>
+<div class="line">The part diseased, thus counselling:</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line">“The flour</div>
+<div class="line">Of wheat and milk boil quickly on a fire,</div>
+<div class="line">And spread the mixture warm upon the tumor.”</div>
+<div class="line">Remounting then he took the road he came;</div>
+<div class="line">And Cuthbert used his medicine, and found</div>
+<div class="line">That his physicians from th’ exalted throne</div>
+<div class="line">Of the Supreme had come, and eased his pain,</div>
+<div class="line">As with the fish’s gall he once restored</div>
+<div class="line">The light to poor Tobias.”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“That is like me,” said the Danish girl. “Oh,
+I wonder if that would avail my poor limb?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twill harm thee not to try it, and may it
+bring thee cure as it did Cuthbert.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And ever will I hold thee in grateful memory
+should it do so,” said Hilda. “Take this
+charm, minstrel, and if it cures as thou dost
+say, bring that to Hilda, and from this land’s
+demesne shalt thou receive a jarl’s share. Ay,
+with vill upon it, too.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred hesitated.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“From this land’s demesne?” he repeated.
+“Then dost thou own the land?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not yet; but Alfred hath fled from our
+power, and soon will my father complete that
+which he hath so well begun. Fear not, minstrel!
+Thou shalt have thy share.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But—” began Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The king doth wax impatient,” spake Egwina,
+quickly. “Should we not again soothe
+his brow with melody?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou speakest well,” said Hilda. “I, too,
+would hear thy harp. Take the charm, minstrel,
+and bring it me should it fall out as
+thou hast said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She extended the charm which Alfred took.
+Again the king and the maiden sang, and yet
+again. Guthrum rose from his seat and with his
+own hands bestowed gifts upon them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wondrous is thy skill, and that of the
+maiden also,” he said to Alfred. “Yet methinks
+that thou art not as are other skalds.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Eager and willing am I to accept thy
+princely favors, O King, even as other skalds
+are,” returned the minstrel. “Kingly are thy
+gifts, Guthrum, as doth become thee. Why
+sayest thou that I am not as the others?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Keen doth flash thine eye, and ever and
+anon thy glance doth penetrate as if to read my
+soul. An enemy would I say thou wert, but
+that thou hast looked with compassion upon
+mine afflicted one. And, minstrel, if thy cure
+doth work, add to what my child hath granted
+any boon that thou dost wish, and it shall be
+thine.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will remind thee of thy promise, my
+lord,” and Alfred drew his gonna about him.
+“Long will the harper remember thy gifts, for
+generous have they been, and again may he
+seek thy favor.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He turned to leave, when there came a commotion
+from the lower end of the hall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gyda, the seid woman hath come,” came
+the cry, and into the room the witch woman
+ran.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Guthrum! I would speak with Guthrum,
+the old,” she cried. “This night have I been
+warned that the enemy is within the camp.
+The Dragon hath come forth from his lair.
+He is within thy walls, Guthrum! Seize him,
+lest he devour thee!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My king, we must fly,” whispered Egwina,
+with pale face. “I fear the wicca, for she hath
+marvelous power.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” said Alfred. “Tremble not, little one.
+Be not afraid. There is One higher than wicca,
+in whose hands we are. Let us meet the danger
+as Saxons.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He turned and stood as if to hear what the
+seid woman said, and the trembling maiden
+drew close to his side.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is it that thou sayest, Gyda?” called
+Guthrum the king. “That an enemy is in
+our midst? Where is he that we may seize
+him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yon skald and the maiden are not what
+they seem,” called the woman loudly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The skald! The skald! Where is the
+skald?” demanded an hundred voices at once.
+Alfred advanced into the centre of the hall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Who calls the skald?” he asked. “Wish
+ye more of harp and song that ye cannot let a
+man and his daughter pass?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come hither, minstrel,” commanded Guthrum
+as the tumult ceased suddenly at the sound
+of the voice of the harper. “And thou, Gyda!
+Come thou also, and make thine accusal.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred looked fixedly at the woman. She
+quailed under his glance.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lord,” he said to the Dane boldly, “if
+I seem not to be what I am, ’tis not the fault
+of the minstrel. In token of the truth of my
+words thou shalt find in the breast of the seid
+woman a jewel of gold. Look! if it be not
+there, do to the harper as thou wilt.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a cry of rage the seid woman clasped
+her hands to her bosom.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The runes were wrong,” she gasped. “O
+my lord, take not from me the jewel. Again
+will I read the rede. Let the skald go, for I
+have wronged him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou hast the jewel even as he hath
+said?” queried Guthrum, looking from one to
+the other in perplexity.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, my lord.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then,” said the Dane, turning to the minstrel
+who stood so calmly waiting his pleasure,
+“thou art a galdra smith (a wizard) as well as
+harper?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” returned Alfred. “No charm do I
+work save that of a good conscience. Some
+little lore of leech craft have I, but that be all.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou art truly a harper?” Guthrum
+knew not what to do, yet was loth to let him
+go.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou not heard for thyself? Be thou
+my judge.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” said Guthrum. “What sayest thou,
+Gyda?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lord, let the incantation be prepared for
+the seid woman; for this night hath her art
+misled her,” returned Gyda, who sought to divert
+all minds from the jewel.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let the incantation be prepared,” commanded
+the king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Go,” whispered the Danish woman, and
+Alfred turned and without undue haste made
+his way unchidden from the hall.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviithe-winning-of-a-buckler">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id23">CHAPTER XVII—THE WINNING OF A BUCKLER</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The time at last was ripe to strike the final
+blow. By his visit into Guthrum’s camp,
+Alfred had learned the numbers, disposition
+and discipline of the Danes. After satisfying
+himself as to the chances of a sudden attack, he
+had returned to Athelney and sent messengers
+to the thegns and ealdormen of neighboring
+shires, giving them a tryst for the second week
+in May.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egbert’s stone, twenty-six miles east of Selwood,
+was the place of the tryst. The signal for
+the gathering of the forces was to be a beacon
+light kindled on the top of Stourton’s hill, where
+Alfred’s Tower now stands. The light would
+be hidden from the Danes by the range of Wiltshire
+hills, while it would be visible to the low
+country towards the Bristol Channel and to the
+south as far as Dorsetshire.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The time had finally come for the decisive
+blow to fall, so Ethelfleda and Egwina, whom
+the former had generously consented should
+accompany her, set forth, with Edward and
+Ethelred for protection, to light the beacon.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Prithee, Ethelfleda, let me carry the coals,”
+said Ethelred. “Thou has carried them a long
+way already, and I fear that thou wilt be tired.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; there is naught to tire me,” said
+Ethelfleda. “Besides, I wish to carry the
+embers, Ethelred. I like not to have other
+hands than mine touch them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How strong thou art in thy purpose, Ethelfleda,”
+said the young man with admiration.
+“Naught deters thee from thy enterprises after
+thou hast entered upon them. Art thou never
+discouraged?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sometimes,” confessed the maiden. “Yet,
+Ethelred, when once a purpose hath formed
+itself within my mind, I cannot loosen my hold
+upon it. Discouragements and doubts may
+crowd thick and fast upon me; but, I know
+not why, my purpose doth shine bright and
+clear through them all, and towards it I needs
+must wend my way.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would that it were so with me,” retorted
+the young man. “But ofttimes doth happenings
+turn me from my purpose. Would that I
+had thy perseverance.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis a virtue that can be cultivated,” said
+the girl gayly as she looked at the embers which
+she carried in an earthen vessel. “Here we
+are, Ethelred, and for thy pleasant words thou
+shalt hold the embers until I need them.” She
+gave the vessel into his hands, and sank down
+before the great heap of brushwood which had
+been gathered for the beacon.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Almost,” said she solemnly, “do I feel like
+offering a sacrifice on this fire that all may end
+as my father doth desire.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It would not please him, sister, to have
+aught rendered that savored of heathenism,”
+said Edward. “Here are some fine twigs for
+the starting.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda took them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, Ethelred, the coals,” she called. They
+were given her in silence, and the girl carefully
+fanned the embers until the fine stuff ignited.
+Then she arose and the four stood and watched
+the flames as they caught twig after twig creeping
+up, up, until finally the whole pile became
+a blazing mass which leaped and crackled, darting
+tongues of flame higher and higher until
+the surrounding wood was ruddy in the glare.
+The figures of the four were silhouetted against
+the light in bold relief, and so, standing out
+against the background of those dark ages, have
+the pictures of those four come down to us.</p>
+<p class="pnext">On the morrow Ethelfleda’s own hands buckled
+the sword round Ethelred’s waist, while Edward
+chafed that he must remain.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But another year and I too should go,” he
+said, appealing to Egwina for sympathy. “O Egwina,
+dost thou not think that my father would
+let me go? A little year! What is it that it
+should make a difference?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Alfred turned a deaf ear to their pleadings,
+and Edward was forced to the inactivity of
+a non-combatant. The forces left with high
+hopes. Listlessly the lad wandered about, unable
+to occupy himself. At last he sought Egwina’s
+side.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I cannot content myself here,” he said,
+“while yonder the battle may rage. ’Tis custom
+for women and maidens to follow from afar, why
+not for youths also? Wilt thou go with me,
+Egwina, to watch the issue of the fray?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly, Edward,” answered Egwina rising,
+“if thou wilt promise that thou wilt not rush
+into it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am not old enough,” said the youth
+scornfully. “O Egwina, it breaketh my heart
+that I am not yet able to strike for my country,
+but I will bide my time.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So the two set forth and followed after the
+army. Alfred had gathered his forces first at
+Egbert’s stone where the whole army had
+collected. The Saxons received him with acclamations
+of joy. Moving swiftly, Alfred
+then fell upon the pagans at Ethandune. They
+were taken completely by surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The chief fault of the Saxons hitherto had
+been that they fought in an uncompact manner,
+and the Danes could overwhelm them by surrounding
+a part at a time. This Alfred had
+tried to overcome by direction and drill until
+now they fell upon the Danes an organized,
+skilled force. Furiously did the Northmen receive
+the assault. The discharge of the Saxon
+arrows was succeeded by the attack of the
+lances, and soon it became a personal conflict of
+swords. The Danes resisted with their customary
+intrepidity, but their efforts though furious were
+unavailing. Closer and closer to the combatants
+crept Edward and Egwina. The boy’s eyes
+were dilated with excitement. He trembled
+but not with fear. Suddenly Alfred’s own
+standard of the golden dragon upon a white
+ground, which Adiva and Gunnehilde had
+woven, tottered and fell. The standard-bearer
+was struck down with his death blow.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The standard! the king’s own standard is
+down!” screamed Edward, wildly. “It must
+not be!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Edward! Edward!” shrieked Egwina, but
+the boy heard not, or if he heard, he did not
+heed. Over the intervening space he flew;
+snatched a sword from a dead body as he went,
+and then right to the front he ran, and hoisted
+the standard on high. The flying figure of the
+lad as he appeared amongst them thrilled the
+superstitious Saxons with awe. Alfred saw his
+son as he dashed into the thick of the fray, and
+as he noted with what bravery he bore himself,
+a smile of pride lighted up his face.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, the boy bears himself as if he
+were St. Neot come to lead us to victory!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A Saxon near heard the word St. Neot, and
+saw the king gazing in the direction of the
+boy. Instantly he sent up the cry that St.
+Neot was in the midst of them. Through the
+Saxon lines it ran and raised their spirits to
+fever heat. Mad with enthusiasm, their resolute
+attack was everywhere irresistible, and the
+Northmen gave way. Their bodies strewed the
+plain. Of those that remained living, many
+fled in different directions, and the rest took
+refuge with Guthrum in the neighboring fortifications.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred was master of the field. By one
+decisive blow he had broken the force of the
+Danish invasion. The fleeing Northmen were
+pursued and slaughtered. Then the king sat
+down before the fortress, calmly awaiting the
+surrender that must follow. After fourteen
+days, Guthrum, oppressed by want, cold and
+despair, sent overtures of peace, which the king,
+being filled with pity, accepted.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The pagans promised to leave the kingdom,
+after giving hostages to Alfred and receiving
+none, which thing had never been done before.
+Guthrum, being moved by the noble conduct of
+the king, signified his intention of embracing
+Christianity, much to the good Alfred’s delight.
+Seven weeks afterward, Guthrum, accompanied
+by thirty of his jarls, were baptized at a place
+called Aller, near Athelney, and there King
+Alfred received him as his son by adoption.</p>
+<p class="pnext">After eight days, during which time the
+Danes wore, in accordance with the custom of
+the times, the Chrismal—a white linen cloth
+put on the head when the rite of baptism was
+performed; the eighth day what was known as
+the Chrism-loosing, or removal of the cloths,
+took place at Wedmore, into which royal vill
+Alfred now repaired with his family and
+Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Here, too, did he receive Guthrum, or Athelstan,
+as we shall now have to call him, for that
+was the name he received from the king at his
+baptism.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At Alfred’s invitation, Athelstan brought his
+family and abode with him for twelve days.
+And behold! the maiden Hilda walked straight
+and fair. Seeing this, the king approached her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Did the wheat flour, boiled in milk, applied
+hot, work thy cure?” he asked.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It did, my lord,” returned the maiden.
+“How knowest thou of it? It was told me by
+a skald who sang for us with his daughter.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">From the folds of his gonna Alfred drew the
+charm which she had given him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Behold, maiden, thy charm. Now do I
+crave the fulfilment of thy promise.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Was it thou?” cried she, in surprise. “My
+father said that the skald was not what he
+seemed, but naught could he learn from the
+seid women concerning him. But alack! No
+longer have I power to give vill or jarl’s proportion
+of land.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“None do I crave, Hilda, so that thou art
+healed,” answered Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Didst thou not say that thou wert what
+thou seemest?” queried Athelstan.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I but said that if I were not that
+which I seemed, it was not the fault of the
+minstrel,” answered Alfred. “Dost thou not
+remember?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I remember, Alfred, and nobly has thou
+borne thyself both as foe and friend. Easy is
+it to forgive the deceptions upon me for out of
+that grew the pity for the misfortune of another.
+Though she were the daughter of thy foe, thou
+didst generously give her cure for misease.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wouldst have done the same, Athelstan,”
+returned the king. “At once did I feel
+that there was that in thee which spake a kindred
+to me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And this is thy son?” Athelstan turned to
+Edward who stood near. “To him, King
+Alfred, as much as to thy prowess I truly believe
+the victory belongs. What a noble charge he
+made as unhelmed he rushed into the fray!
+Young though is he for battle.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred smiled proudly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Without permission did he join us,” he said.
+“Young the boy is. ’Twill not be until next
+year that he will be old enow for buckler. But
+for his bravery, he shall not need to wait his
+year. Edward hath taught me that a king’s son
+matureth sooner than others. Which remindeth
+me, my son, that thou hast not yet received thy
+guerdon. This night repair thee to the priest
+and make confession of thy sins, watching the
+night through with prayer. On the morrow
+thou shalt then be declared a legitimate miles.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Overcome with joy at this news, Edward
+hastened to tell it to Ethelfleda and Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Never again will I tease thee, Edward, about
+thy age,” said Ethelfleda. “Thou art truly a
+man in heart if not in years.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina joined in the commendation of his
+valor.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The night having been passed in accordance
+with the custom, in prayer and watching, the
+next morning in the presence of a great concourse
+of people, Edward heard mass. Then,
+having put on a purple robe girded by a belt set
+with gems to which was attached a golden
+sheath for his sword, the gift of his father, the
+youth repaired again to the church and offered
+his sword upon the altar.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The priest read from the Gospel, and, taking
+the sword, blessed it and placed it on the youth’s
+neck with his benediction. The sacrament was
+administered to him, and then Edward arose, a
+full-fledged Saxon warrior.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To my country do I consecrate this weapon,”
+said he solemnly. “May God judge me if it
+be lifted other than in her service.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“May He help you to keep that vow, my son,”
+said Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">And the years have proven how nobly the
+boy fulfilled his oath.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xviiipeace">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id24">CHAPTER XVIII—PEACE</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">By the treaty of peace between Alfred and
+Athelstan drawn up by the witanagemot or
+the Saxon parliament which convened at Wedmore
+after the baptism of the Danes, the
+boundaries of the two kingdoms were defined.
+A line beginning at the mouth of the Thames,
+and running along the river Lea to its source,
+and turning at Bedford to the right along the
+Ouse as far as Watling street was to make the
+division. The part which was north of the line
+being the Danish kingdom and called Danelagh,
+while all south of the line was the kingdom of
+the Saxons. According to this arrangement a
+large portion of Mercia fell to Alfred’s share.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The treaty comprehended various rules for
+the conduct of commerce, and courts were instituted
+for the trial of disputes and crimes;
+although in their own kingdom the Danes were
+to be governed by their own laws.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Athelstan was to remain king of the Danes
+but to Alfred tribute was to be paid as over lord.
+As soon as peace had been concluded, Alfred
+turned his attention to the internal affairs of his
+kingdom. The lessons of the invasion had not
+been lost, and he proceeded at once to put the
+country into a complete state of defence. Old
+fortifications were repaired and new ones raised
+in suitable localities. Flocks and herds again
+grazed in the pastures, herds of swine roamed in
+the woods, fields were cultivated, houses rebuilt,
+and the country entered upon an era of unprecedented
+prosperity.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The fleet was brought into a state of great
+efficiency, and it was Alfred who at this time
+laid the foundation for England’s future supremacy
+on the seas. The land had been infested
+by robbers, but the king cleared the land
+of these by stringent laws which forced them
+either to leave the country or become peaceful
+and law-abiding citizens.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The laws were not neglected, and the indefatigable
+king revised the code, striking out those
+which availed not for the time, and adding
+others; the whole approved by his witan. He
+exerted the utmost care that justice should be
+administered to all impartially. He encouraged
+commerce, and took a lively interest in geographical
+discovery.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The king’s heart had been grieved at the
+depth of the popular ignorance, and to the mitigation
+of this dark feature of his country did he
+also direct his attention. It had been his testimony
+that south of the Thames not even the
+priests understood the ritual of the church, or
+the meaning of the prayers which they repeated.
+It was one of his strongest and most cherished
+desires that every free-born youth should qualify
+himself to read English correctly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In order to accomplish this, he rebuilt the
+monasteries which had been cast down in the
+late wars, and which were the great centres of
+education in those days, and established schools.
+For the furtherance of the same object, he invited
+to his court learned men from all quarters, and
+with their assistance, completed a number of
+works for the diffusion of knowledge throughout
+the kingdom.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Among these men from Gaul were Grimbald
+and John. Grimbald was a venerable man and
+a good singer; adorned with every kind of ecclesiastical
+discipline and good morals, and most
+learned in holy Scriptures. John, priest and
+monk also, was of most energetic talents, learned
+in all kinds of literary science, and skilled in
+many other arts. Asser of Wales also came.
+From Mercia did he call Werefrith bishop of
+Worcester, a man well versed in Scripture; and
+Plegmund, archbishop of the church of Canterbury.
+Ethelstan and Werewulf, priests and
+chaplains, Mercians by birth and erudite.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Through these men was the mind of the king
+enlarged, and great work accomplished among
+the youth. Elswitha, Ethelgiva, and Ethelwerd,
+the younger children, were consigned to the
+schools of learning where with the children of
+almost all the nobility of the country, and many
+also who were not noble, they pursued their
+studies. Books both in Latin and in Saxon
+were they taught. They learned to write, and
+became studious and clever in the liberal arts.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelfleda, Edward, and Egwina were not
+suffered to pass their time in idleness or without
+gain. Well had Egwina profited by the lessons
+taught her in the cottage of Denewulf, and her
+apt and ready mind soon placed her beside
+Edward and Ethelfleda, who had already received
+much instruction. When not engaged in
+study, the maidens spent much time with the
+needle or distaff; while Edward hunted or
+trained hawks. Thus did the days pass until
+two years had gone by.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Fair had Egwina been in her childhood, but
+the maiden of sixteen was wondrously beautiful.
+In sweet unconsciousness of her charm she
+performed her tasks with light heart for
+pleasant were the days to her. But one shadow
+darkened the horizon.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ethelred had conducted himself with so much
+prowess, and shown himself endowed with
+so much of executive ability that Alfred had
+made him ealdorman of Mercia. Also had the
+king consented to the marriage of Ethelfleda to
+him, and for this event preparations were now
+being made.</p>
+<p class="pnext">For this cause was Egwina sad. She rejoiced
+in the happiness of the two, yet did it grieve
+her sore to lose the companionship of her friend.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It shall not be for long, Egwina,” comforted
+Ethelfleda. “When I am Lady of the Mercians
+thou shalt come, and be my companion as thou
+hast been.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So, amongst innumerable multitudes of both
+sexes, the marriage was celebrated with great
+rejoicing. As was the custom, the feasting continued
+both by day and by night for many days.
+Wearied by so much mirth and festivity, and
+overcome by a feeling of sadness which she
+could not control, Egwina stole away from the
+guests, and glided out beneath the trees to
+a knoll. The moon shone in all her splendor.
+The long, deep shadows of the breathless forest
+which lay beyond, checkered the silvery whiteness
+of open sward and intervening glade.
+Pensively the maiden gazed at the moon, and
+then she sighed involuntarily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why sighest thou, daughter of Wulfhere?”
+asked a voice near.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina turned with a start. Before her
+on the knoll stood Gyda, the seid woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is it thou, Gyda? Long hath it been since
+last I saw thee. Then the land was torn with
+tumult and warfare; now doth it prosper,
+and peace abideth everywhere.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True, maiden; happy have been the days.
+Pleasant have been my days. Pleasant, most
+pleasant, have been thine. Then wherefore
+dost thou sigh? Is it because thou art alone?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, Gyda,” said the maiden gently. “’Tis
+only that I mourn the loss of my friend. Otherwise
+I would not have it to be, for Ethelfleda
+is happy. She believes that naught can change
+us; but thou wottest, Gyda, that now new
+duties will claim her attention, and it cannot
+be with us as it hath been. Unworthy is it in
+me to grieve, but yet, methinks I shall be the
+better for it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina,” said Gyda abruptly, “art thou
+happy here? Dost thou not often grieve for
+the old life and the free? Think of thy father,
+and of thy grandfather. Ay! and I have
+heard his father, and his father’s father were
+gleemen; yet thou stayest here, and there
+is peace in the land. Much gold and many
+gifts couldst thou bring to thyself by thy
+harp and song. Art content to be at the
+call of one lord even though that lord is the
+king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I do not grieve for the old life, Gyda,” said
+the maiden, simply. “Pleasant was it with granther.
+Yet methinks I am happier here than
+I should be wandering from lord to lord; from
+mead hall to mead hall. And the king and his
+family love me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou wouldst not leave them?” queried
+the wicca.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; why should I? Useful am I to
+Elswitha, and now that she no longer will
+have Ethelfleda, I shall be more so. No, Gyda;
+I would not leave them. ’Twould grieve me
+much.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sorry am I to hear it,” and Gyda’s tone
+was low. “Child, little didst thou reck that
+thou didst make me long to have thee with me
+when last I saw thee. The runes speak not
+well for Gyda. They grow dim when she
+would read what Skulda hath in store for her.
+Calamity overshadows me, and a curious longing
+hath fallen upon my heart to have thee,
+who art pure and innocent, with me. Methinks
+I should be the better for it. Canst thou not,
+child, give me thyself for a time only? Alfred
+hath much. Why should he begrudge me thee
+who have none sibbe to me? Wilt thou come to
+dwell with me? Much of gold have I, maiden,
+and many gems of rare value which have been
+showered upon me. These, all these shall be
+thine.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gyda, I know not,” answered Egwina much
+distressed and full of pity for the woman’s
+loneliness. “I will talk with the king and the
+lady Elswitha, and let thee know anon. But if
+I go with thee, Gyda, ’tis not for gifts or gold,
+but for thy loneliness. I will see thee again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thinkest thou that Alfred will let thee go
+from him?” cried Gyda. “I trow not! I trow
+not! Thou art born for greatness, and it is much
+to ask of thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She drew her mantle over her head, and
+turned to go.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Natheless, Gyda, wait for a little and I will
+speak with him,” urged Egwina, laying her
+hand upon the woman’s shoulder.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wait I will, maiden. Till the dawn I will
+wait. Again will I read the runes, and see if
+thou wilt come. Dark and clouded have they
+been of late, and seid and galdra have availed
+me naught; but once more will I try. Fount,
+and tree and scin-laeca, shall all be consulted.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She glided away, and was lost in the darkness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Strange, strange woman,” said the girl
+musingly, with a shudder. “I pity her, and
+yet my heart revolts from dwelling with her;
+but still will I ask the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina, art thou here?” Edward came to
+her side at this moment. “Vainly have I
+sought thee through hull and bower, and only
+caught sight of thee but now. Why didst thou
+leave the mirth?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I was awearied, Edward, but now will I return
+with thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Soon will we re-enter, Egwina. Ethelfleda
+wishes thee to sing the same song which she
+heard thee sing when first thou didst sing for
+her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“That will I do gladly,” and Egwina turned.
+“’Tis but a short time that Ethelfleda remaineth
+with us, and gladly will I do aught that
+she asketh.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; go not yet, Egwina. How fine the
+night is! Dost thou remember how chill and
+drear was the awful night that the Northmen
+fell upon us at Chippenham? How fair thou
+didst look that night when, child though thou
+wert, thou didst stand up in the hall and sing.
+Fair thou wert, Egwina, but not so fair as now.
+Thou mindest me of a fawn with thy shyness
+and grace. Tell me, hast thou kept the charm
+I gave thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, Edward.” Egwina drew the chain
+from under the folds of her tunic. “See! The
+amulet is as thou didst fasten it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The Saxon clasped the amulet with the hand
+that held it in his own.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina, this night wilt thou exchange with
+me the true-lofa?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Edward, what meanest thou?” The maiden
+looked up at him in startled amazement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art duller than thy wont, Egwina, if
+thou knowest not,” smiled Edward. “I mean
+our betrothal. Always have I intended to wed
+thee, if thou wert willing, when proper time
+should come. What then so fitting as that we
+plight our troth now when all rejoice in the
+happiness of Ethelred and Ethelfleda?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, Edward,” faltered Egwina, “thou art
+the atheling, and I but a gleemaiden. Thou
+wilt be the cyning (king) one day, and then
+thou wilt know that such as I am not fit to be
+the Lady of the Saxons.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No other will I choose, if thou be not my
+mate,” returned Edward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But thy father, Edward; and thou art yet
+too young.” Egwina was troubled.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will go to my father now, Egwina. If he
+says that we are too young, then will I wait his
+pleasure. He will sanction our troth and bless
+it. And why should he not? He loves thee
+now as a daughter. Wilt thou not give me thy
+true-lofa, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wait until thou hast seen thy father,”
+whispered the maiden. “I fear his displeasure.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou foolish little one! Hath he not been
+kind to thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Always and always,” declared she with fervor.
+“But I am not noble. Naught of gentle
+blood have I either on the spear side or the
+spindle side. I fear, Edward, that the king
+will be displeased with me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, I trow not! Stay thou here, and I
+will seek him, and soon shall thy fears be
+quieted. Remain here, Egwina, for I will soon
+return.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He hastened back into the house with eager
+footsteps, and the agitated girl sank down upon
+the sward. Soon she heard voices, and wishing
+not to meet any one for a while, she withdrew
+into the shadows of the trees. It was Alfred
+himself and his wife, Elswitha.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear lord,” the lady was saying, “hast
+noted how fair the maiden Egwina groweth?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; but not before these last few days. I
+fear, Elswitha, that soon she, too, will leave us
+for some other’s abode.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lord, Edward looks upon the maiden
+with loving eyes.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sayest thou so?” cried Alfred. “Why, the
+boy is but young! Art thou not mistaken?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, a mother’s heart doth not deceive
+her, Alfred. Thou wert but eighteen thyself
+when we were wed. Thy son is almost the same
+age now as thou wert then.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sayest thou so?” Alfred seemed to be
+startled. “Why, ’tis but the other day that he
+received sword and buckler!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Swiftly doth the time fly,” returned Elswitha.
+“I know that which I tell thee is true,
+and it hath grieved me, Alfred, for Egwina is
+not noble.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” assented the king; “she comes not
+of noble blood.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina covered her face with her hands.
+Was it not as she had thought it would be?
+Now these dear people, who had done so much for
+her, who had been so kind, would be displeased.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred and the lady passed on. Egwina
+sobbed aloud in her loneliness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden,” came a low whisper.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked up to see the form of Gyda
+again beside her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I have heard all. All that the youth said
+to thee, and what the king and his wife said
+also. Seest thou not that they wish thee not?
+Come! Gyda will cherish thee as her own.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked at her hopelessly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What shall I do, Gyda?” she cried. “I
+could not bear that they should be cold to me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou needst not bear it, child. Come
+with me. I promise thee that thou shalt not
+regret it. Come! Edward must not find thee
+here when he returns. Come!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She held out her hand. Scarcely knowing
+what she was doing, Egwina put her own within
+it, and the two glided noiselessly into the woods.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xixdark-days">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id25">CHAPTER XIX—DARK DAYS</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Away into the forest they went, the seid
+woman keeping fast hold of Egwina’s hand, and
+speaking not. Once the maiden thought she heard
+the voice of Edward calling, “Egwina! Egwina!”
+She half paused but Gyda hurried her on. At
+last the wicca stopped before a small, low cottage
+quite outside the demesne of the royal vill. In
+answer to her knock, the door was thrown open
+and they entered the hut. The inmates, a wite
+and his wife, seemed to know the seid woman,
+and accepted the presence of Egwina without
+question.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Gyda did not pause to converse with them,
+but half carried the drooping form of the girl
+into an adjoining room which was evidently used
+by her as a bower chamber.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There, child, lie down,” she said, not unkindly.
+“Spent art thou with thy exertions,
+and grief maketh heavy thy heart. Rest,
+while I prepare thee hot drink.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The maiden sank on the bed, and gave way to
+her woe. Soon the wicca returned with a horn
+full of steaming liquid.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Drink!” she commanded, and the maiden
+drank obediently. “’Tis a potion that will lull
+thee to dreamless repose, and woe will sit lightly
+on thy pillow.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The eyes of the maiden waxed heavy as the
+drug took effect, and soon she sank into a deep
+sleep. The seid woman bent over her, noting
+her fairness exultantly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now shalt thou be to me as mine own
+child,” she murmured. “Happy shalt thou be,
+for I will love thee. Always shalt thou be by
+my side, and even though the king himself
+should claim thee, thou shalt not leave me.
+Sleep, my pretty one! None shall take thee
+now from Gyda.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Morning dawned. Egwina awoke from her
+heavy slumber, and gazed about her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How came I here?” she murmured as she
+arose. “Methinks it be strange to me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou up, Egwina?” asked the seid
+woman, entering the room at this moment. At
+sight of her the memory of all that had happened
+came back to Egwina with a shock.
+“That is well,” continued Gyda. “Breakfast
+we eat, and then wend we on our journey.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Where go we?” asked the maiden, turning
+from her that she might not see her emotion.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To Gunnehilde’s in the forest of Selwood,”
+answered Gyda pretending not to notice Egwina’s
+grief. “Afterward to Athelney, where
+Alfred gathered his forces together. There,
+mayhap, I will acquire new virtue. The Saxon
+King is my Flygia. Thou dost not mind returning
+thither, dost thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay,” answered the girl sadly; “it matters
+not where we wayfare.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Be not cast down, child,” said the woman
+gently. “Some dark threads are woven into
+the woof of each life. All cannot be golden.
+Thou art young and soon will thy trouble fall
+from thee even as the shadow halting between
+the light and the darkness passes away into the
+night. Sorrow sits not long with the young.
+Come, let us eat.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina partook mechanically of the food set
+before her, and then prepared to follow Gyda on
+her journey. They proceeded silently, for the
+heart of the maiden was heavy, and Gyda, too,
+seemed weighed down by some care. At last
+the seid woman aroused herself, and turned to
+the girl:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let us beguile the journey by talk, my
+child. Wouldst thou that I should read thy
+rede for thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, Gyda; I care no more for rede or
+rune. Dark are the shadows which they cast,
+and I would fain be free from their witchery.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yet, natheless, give me thy palm. Believe
+as thou wilt. Belief cometh not at the bidding;
+neither doth it depart. Thou believest not; I
+believe. Yield, then, thy palm for my pleasure.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Reluctantly the maiden permitted the woman
+to scan the lines of her hand. Gyda’s troubled
+look returned as she examined them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dark, dark spreads the near future,” she
+cried. “Bright is the ending, but, oh, child!
+thy trouble hath but begun. Would I had left
+thee with Alfred. It is not yet too late. Come,
+let us retrace our steps. Thus only canst thou
+avoid the danger.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina shook her head. “No, Gyda; I
+wish not to return. If danger or trouble come,
+I will ask for strength to meet it. Let us
+on.” She withdrew her palm from Gyda’s and
+started onward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But thy life endeth in glory,” said Gyda,
+comfortingly more to herself than to Egwina.
+“It endeth in great glory. What doth it matter
+after all if we go not back? What hath
+been woven, hath been woven!” She lapsed
+into silence which was broken by her presently:
+“Child, wouldst thou not do something
+for me?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Willingly, Gyda, if I can.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou canst if thou wilt.” The woman’s
+tone was low, and her manner almost supplicating.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is it, Gyda?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Call me no longer Gyda, but mother. Once
+I had a child, and she would have been like
+unto thee had she lived, but Hela took her from
+me. Wilt thou, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will try,” and the girl turned to her in
+sudden pity, moved by the yearning in the
+woman’s voice, and laid her hand gently upon
+her arm.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wilt?” exclaimed Gyda, joyously. “I
+will be so good to thee, child. Thou shalt not
+regret it. Now sing to me, my daughter!
+Sing for thy mother. Often had Gyda heard
+the echo of thy sweet voice in her heart.
+Sing, my pretty one; ’twill cheer both thee and
+me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Bravely subduing her own feelings, Egwina
+sang the songs the woman asked for, and thus
+alternately singing and talking, the journey to
+the hut of Gunnehilde was at last accomplished.
+Gyda bade the maiden remain without the
+hut, for she feared that the vala would recognize
+her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Stay thou here until my return, my child.
+Move not from the log where thou sittest, for
+thou mightest stray too far into the forest. I go
+to consult the vala.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina sat down as the woman bade her. It
+was some little time ere Gyda returned. When
+she did so she seemed deeply stirred and somewhat
+upset.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Move quickly,” she cried. “Let us to
+Athelney. It may be that there Gyda will regain
+that power which now comes not at her
+bidding.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina followed after her. A brisk walk
+soon brought them to the island, but lo! a great
+change had taken place. Instead of the fortifications
+and rude huts which Alfred had erected
+during his time of need, there rose the stately
+walls of a monastery. With a cry of despair,
+the wicca dropped upon the ground.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is it?” cried Egwina, coming to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, child, I am undone! Seest thou not
+yon walls? They have taken the charm from
+the place. Curses be upon them! No galdra
+or seid can flourish in the shadows of such
+walls.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She moaned in her despair; then from her
+bosom drew the jewel of Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Evil hast thou brought to me instead of
+good,” she exclaimed. “Yet did not the volva
+tell me by the fount when the scin-laeca rose
+from the grave that jewel of Saxon I must have
+to complete my knowledge? One of the line
+of Cerdic, and from Cerdic came Alfred. Why,
+then, do I falter? Why grow the runes dark
+before me? Gunnehilde hath said that a loss
+was coming, and death. Death? No, I defy
+it! Hela shall not yet have her prey; I will
+try the charm despite mone (monk) and
+priest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She arose and started across the bridge from
+the mainland.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come,” she called to the maiden, who lingered,
+half terrified by her manner. Then she
+turned, and almost ran on the bridge. She had
+but reached the middle of it, when her foot
+slipped and she fell. As she did so, the jewel
+dropped from her hand into the water below.
+With a moan of anguish the woman lay prone
+upon the bridge. Egwina hurried to her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art ill?” she asked. “Let me help thee
+up.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Gyda rose hopelessly. “Fate must be met,”
+she said, with despairing calmness. “I have
+had my moan; now will Gyda accept that which
+Skulda hath spun for her.” She turned to go
+back to the mainland.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But wilt thou not go to the island?” asked
+the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; ’tis useless. Home now do we wend
+our way. If Gunnehilde readeth the runes
+aright it will not be for long.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In melancholy silence, with no beguiling of
+the journey by song or talk, the two wended
+their way to the woman’s home which was in
+Berkshire. The life of Egwina now became
+very different from what it had been. Life at
+Alfred’s vill had been full of duties and pleasures.
+Here the seid woman’s time was filled by
+consultations of bark and fountain, and by exercises
+of her art into which she tried to get the
+girl to join. Egwina’s soul sickened with loathing
+at sight or sound of magic, and she resisted
+all efforts to get her assistance in the
+rites.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Vainly she strove to lead the woman from
+the subject, and, remembering what the abbot
+had told of the good priest Aldhelm and his
+singing, tried by singing Christian hymns to
+inculcate a longing to hear of the Christian’s
+God. But Gyda would have none of them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sing them not,” she said. “Much doth thy
+voice please me, but sing not if they be all that
+thou canst sing. Galdra doth not flourish where
+such songs are sung.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">And Egwina ceased singing entirely. As the
+woman grew more feeble, she practiced her rites
+more and more until the house seemed peopled
+by demons who waited only a summons to step
+forth. Her temper, too, became very uncertain.
+She loaded Egwina with caresses, and railed at
+her alternately. Although she grew thin and
+pale under this treatment, Egwina bore patiently
+with her, for she knew that death was
+fast approaching.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Give me thine arm,” said Gyda one day to
+Egwina. “Hela will sit with me soon, and I
+would fain prepare for her coming.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Leaning heavily upon Egwina’s shoulder, she
+went into her room.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Leave me,” she commanded. “I will call
+thee when I need thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus adjured, the maiden left her with some
+uneasiness, for Gyda seemed much weaker.
+Long she remained waiting, and hearing no
+sound became uneasy, and softly entered the
+room. Gyda sat before a large box on the floor
+fingering lovingly the coins and gems which it
+contained. So intent was she that she did not
+hear the girl enter. Egwina started to leave
+the room as quietly as she had entered it, but in
+so doing she made a noise which caused the
+woman to look up. With an exclamation of
+rage she sprang to her feet with unwonted vigor,
+her eyes flaming with anger.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How durst thou spy upon me?” she cried
+in fury. “How durst thou, girl? Thinkest
+thou to get the gold now? But thou shalt not.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, nay, Gyda,” began Egwina, soothingly,
+advancing toward her. “I did but come
+to see why thou wert so still.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me not that thou didst not spy upon
+me. Thou didst!” and the enraged woman
+struck her violently with her staff.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The blow was so sudden and severe that
+Egwina fell heavily to the floor. Instantly the
+woman’s anger fled when she saw what she had
+done, and she tottered to the girl, her strength
+leaving her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Forgive me, my pretty one! I meant it not.
+Gyda meant not to harm thee.” But the maiden
+had fainted.</p>
+<p class="pnext">As soon as she saw this the woman dragged
+herself back to her treasure, and restored it to
+its hiding place. Then again she approached
+the girl and hung over her prostrate form,
+moaning, and strove feebly to revive her. Presently
+Egwina recovered consciousness. Gyda
+caressed her tenderly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My child! My child! I have been cruel
+to thee. Canst forgive me? Not much longer
+shalt thou need to bear with Gyda, for
+Hela even now breatheth cold upon my
+brow.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I forgive thee, Gyda,” said Egwina weakly.
+“Thou didst not mean to hurt me. Thou
+wotted not what thou wert doing.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, no; I wotted not. Say, I forgive thee,
+mother. Give me thy hand and say it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina stretched forth her hand and took
+the woman’s gently.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I forgive thee, mother,” she said softly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With an effort the maiden raised herself, bent
+over the woman and kissed her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now lie beside me. Art weak, Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, mother.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Mayhap Hela will bear thee to Niflheim
+also,” and a triumphant expression flitted across
+Gyda’s face. “It would glad my heart to have
+thee with me there. Shouldst like to die,
+Egwina?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I mind it not, Gyda. Heaven is bright and
+beautiful, and granther would be there. Dear
+granther! We were so happy together! Would
+I were with him!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wouldst rather be with him in thy heaven
+than with me in Niflheim?” asked the woman,
+jealously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Mind it not, Gyda. He is mine own granther,
+and he loves me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“So do I love thee. It groweth dark, Egwina.
+Lie closer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina crept close to Gyda, and the woman
+drew her within her arms.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Shall I not help thee to thy couch, Gyda?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou canst not, child. What doth it matter
+where we meet Hela?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then there fell a silence. Weakened by
+the trying days that had preceded, the blow
+seemed to have robbed the girl of all energy,
+and soon she fell into a deep sleep.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Suddenly she awakened. The light streamed
+faintly into the room. Stiff from long lying,
+she tried to move, but only did so with much
+difficulty. Raising herself on one arm, she
+turned toward the figure at her side. Noting
+how perfectly still Gyda lay, she bent over her
+and looked into her face. She was dead.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a scream of horror, Egwina sprang up.
+At this instant a man and woman, attracted by
+her cry, entered the room. Egwina took a step
+toward the woman, then clasping her hands to
+her head, she reeled and fell an unconscious
+heap on the floor.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis a pity that the jade waxeth sick at this
+time,” a voice broke rudely upon Egwina’s ear
+one morning as she awoke with the clear light
+of reason in her eyes. “Here we but get done
+wailing for the mother, when the daughter must
+be sick also.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Was she her daughter?” came a man’s
+voice. “I knew not that Gyda had a daughter,
+sibbe though we be.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do not the neighbors say so?” asked the
+first voice. “How should she be here if not
+her daughter? But now ’tis burthensome for
+the minx to be sick.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well, see how she doeth. We cannot treat
+her ill, though but for her, all of Gyda’s
+treasure would befortune us. Much hath
+she hidden somewhere, and when the girl
+becometh better, mayhap she will tell us where
+it be.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not she,” grumbled the other. Still grumbling
+the woman approached the bed where Egwina
+lay.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How art thou this morning?” she asked.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have I been ill?” The clear eyes of Egwina
+looked at the woman in amazement.
+“Who art thou and why am I here?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Who am I? Why Githa, the wife of Sweyn,
+own cousin to thy mother. Who else should I
+be?” asked the woman, who was of surly countenance.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But I wot not thy meaning. I have no
+mother; nor have I had sith a child. Nor have
+I ever heard of any of that name sibbe to us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Odin hear her!” ejaculated the woman.
+“Dost thou hear that, Sweyn?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What?” asked the man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The girl doth deny her kith and kin.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well, sith she doth, let her deny,” returned
+the man lazily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But seest thou not, blockhead, that ’tis to
+keep us from the money,” cried the woman
+angrily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The man sprang to his feet and entered the
+room where they were. Egwina regarded the
+pair with wonder.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou not Gyda’s daughter?” demanded
+the man of her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gyda’s? No. Why should ye think me the
+seid woman’s daughter?” asked Egwina in
+amazement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou not lived here with her always,
+and then sayest thou that thou art not her
+daughter?” the woman exclaimed fiercely.
+“How now, maiden?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; but I am not her daughter,” reiterated
+Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then how camest thou here? The neighbors
+say that thou wert here for weeks, and that
+Gyda called thee daughter. Thou didst call her
+mother!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True; but it was to please her that I called
+her thus. Her own child died, and she yearned
+for love as age crept upon her. Hence she took
+me to dwell with her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And so thou art not Gyda’s daughter?”
+cried the woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina shook her head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then thou hast no claim to gold or gem
+that may be found?” said the woman quickly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“None,” said Egwina briefly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell us where she kept them hidden,” cried
+the man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know not,” replied the maiden. “I only
+know that the day she died,” and a strong
+shudder shook her frame at the remembrance,
+“I came upon her as she did count some gold
+from a box. Did ye not see it when ye came
+into the room?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Was it the room where we found ye together?”
+asked the man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou has not seen aught but that?”
+queried he.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught but that,” replied the girl, wearily.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then what doest thou here?” The woman
+looked so fierce that the maiden trembled.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wife, she cannot go now. If she be not
+Gyda’s child, we care not if she stay until
+she be well. We will have it all,” spoke the
+man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea; I will go as soon as I am able,” cried
+Egwina. “Prithee let me stay until then.
+’Twill be but a little longer!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Reluctantly the woman consented.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxaelfrics-revenge">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id26">CHAPTER XX—ÆLFRIC’S REVENGE</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Egwina’s recovery was rapid. She saw that
+as she grew stronger, the impatience of Sweyn
+and Githa to have her gone increased. With
+her by, they feared to hunt for the treasure
+which Gyda had left. So one day Egwina
+thanked them for their kindness in caring for
+her, and again set forth to wend her way from
+mead hall to mead hall to gain good will by her
+singing. No longer had she harp with which
+to accompany herself, and sadly did the girl
+miss the loved instrument. Her voice had lost
+none of its sweetness and power, and her exceeding
+fairness procured for her a ready hearing;
+and so, in safety and peace, for the stringent
+laws of Alfred were such that gold bracelets
+might hang on the high road unmolested, she
+wandered from burgh to burgh.</p>
+<p class="pnext">One day she found herself on the road to
+Winchester. Memories of when last she had
+seen the place crowded thick upon her. Here
+upon this very log had she tarried to rest with
+her grandfather. Here was where she first
+met Ethelfleda and Edward. A sob of loneliness
+broke from her lips as she thought of them.
+How long ago it all seemed! Had she ever
+been a member of the king’s family? What
+would they say if they should know that again
+she wandered homeless over the land? Bright
+and happy had been the days when with her
+grandfather they had sauntered leisurely from
+place to place. Now she was alone. A throb
+of self-pity filled her heart.</p>
+<p class="pnext">She paused before entering the town. The
+king might be here even now, and Edward!
+Should she go on? Then an overwhelming
+desire to look once more upon their faces, herself
+unseen, possessed her. For this once she
+would see them if the king were at his royal vill.
+With this determination the maiden entered the
+city. But the king had not yet come to Winchester,
+so somewhat disappointed, Egwina turned
+her steps toward the manor of a thegn, and, as
+was her wont, joined in the glee of the feast.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Bed and entertainment for a day and a night
+could be had by the meanest wayfarer, so without
+comment, the maiden took her place among
+the singers and harpers. Her beauty and
+the sweetness of her voice soon attracted the attention
+of Oswald the thegn, and brought from
+him a request for more.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brother,” said the maiden addressing a
+harper, “lend me thy harp. Once did I have
+one of mine own, but ’tis gone. The song is the
+better for the accompaniment.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I need the harp for song of mine own,” answered
+the harper churlishly. “Sith thou
+hast the ear of Oswald, why needst thou the
+harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Fearing a refusal from the other gleemen,
+Egwina asked not another, but sang without the
+instrument, and great was the approval of
+Oswald.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou shall remain as gleemaiden under my
+mund (protection),” he said, “and bounteous
+shall be thy gifts.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Prithee, sir,” said Egwina for she wished
+not to remain where Alfred and Edward might
+come at any time, “ask me not to abide with
+thee; for I wish not to stay in Winchester.
+This night will I make glee for thee as much as
+thou wishest, but to-morrow must I wend my
+way hence.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Have it thine own way, girl,” said the
+thegn good naturedly, “though I wish thou
+wouldst stay. Playest thou the harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, good thegn.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hast none of thy own, I see. Edwy,
+lend thy harp to the maiden. I would hear if
+she hath skill.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a sulky look on his face the harper
+whom Egwina had asked for his harp handed it
+to her. Thanking him, the maiden swept the
+strings of the instrument and played with such
+rare skill that even the gleemen were forced to
+acknowledge her power. The thegn at last
+declared himself satisfied, and, after making
+her promise that she would abide in the manor
+till after the next night, Egwina retired to the
+chamber assigned her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The great mead hall was deserted the next
+morning when the maiden, hardly knowing how
+to occupy herself until the evening, strayed into
+it. On one of the benches where sat the gleemen
+and harpers there lay the harp of Edwy.
+The maiden took it up with delight. Not since
+she had left the palace of Alfred had she
+touched a harp until the night before.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The instrument seemed like a friend to her.
+Tenderly she touched it; then, carried away by
+fond memories, let her fingers stray idly over
+the strings, musing on the time when she had
+taught the king to play.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hast improved, maiden, since last I
+heard thee,” said a voice in her ear.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina turned with a start. Ælfric the
+juggler stood beside her. At first the maiden
+could not recall his name or who he was,
+when Ælfric, seeing her bewilderment, said:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou canst not gainsay thy knowledge of
+me, girl. Wot ye not that thou and thy father
+didst make me into a theow?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou truly the juggler?” asked Egwina,
+shrinking back from the fierce look of the
+man’s face.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am in truth he. Where is thy father!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dead,” came from the maiden, faintly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Art thou alone?” a malignant look came
+into the man’s eyes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina nodded. “And thou?” she asked.
+“Art thou still a wite? I hope not. I would
+have tried to get granther to return and pay
+the were for thee, but that the Danes oppressed
+so that there was no thought save for safety
+from them.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I needed not your aid,” came from Ælfric.
+“A freed-man do I stand before thee with help
+of none save Ælfric. But what dost thou with
+Edwy’s harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I did but try it;” and Egwina laid it down.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou none of thine own that thou must
+try those of others?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; I have none;” and Egwina sighed.
+”Truly, Ælfric, thou hast had thy desire, and
+ill hath been our fortune. Dead lieth granther,
+and alone do I wander without kith or
+kin. Soon I hope to find some lord to take me
+for his gleemaiden.“</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why stayest thou not here?” questioned
+Ælfric.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I wish not to be in Winchester,” returned
+Egwina. “Tell me, Ælfric, thou dost not
+regard me now with hatred, dost thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A cruel light shone in the man’s eyes; but
+he answered:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; if ye have both suffered, it is sufficient.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without saying more he left the hall, and
+Egwina saw him not while she was at the
+hall.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The next morning, laden with many gifts
+bestowed by the bounty of Oswald the thegn,
+the maiden started forth, resolved to speedily
+seek the protection of some lord.</p>
+<p class="pnext">She had gone but a little way from the
+manor, when she heard her name called, and
+looking back she beheld a bond-woman running
+toward her. In her hand was Edwy’s harp.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“This also hath my lord sent thee,” she cried,
+her breath coming quickly from the exertion of
+running.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But the instrument belongeth to the
+harper!” cried Egwina in amazement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He hath another for Edwy. Take and
+question not the bounty of the thegn.” The
+woman thrust the instrument into the girl’s
+hands before she could prevent her, and was gone.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina stood for a little while regarding the
+harp with surprise and some disquietude.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I would that the thegn had not done this,”
+she mused. “I like not to take the harp of a gleeman.
+I wot not what manner of lord he may
+be who takes from one to bestow on another. I
+know not what to do.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She pondered the matter for a time, then
+throwing the ribbon of the harp over her
+shoulder went on her way. It was evening when
+she entered the courtyard of a manor, and proceeded
+to the mead hall. Waiting until all had
+sung or contributed their portion to the glee, the
+maiden began a song. In the midst of it there
+came the noise of horses’ hoofs from without,
+and a voice vociferously demanded admission.
+The wassail and glee were suspended while every
+one looked curiously at the men who entered.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The group consisted of several Saxons; among
+them, Oswald the thegn, Ælfric the juggler,
+Edwy the gleeman, and others.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now what seek ye, friend Oswald, that so
+unmannerly ye do enter our castle?” cried the
+thegn of the manor.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yon maiden,” said Oswald pointing at Egwina.
+“Last night, and the night before, she
+sang in my hall at the glee. Laden with gifts
+did I send her forth, but that did not suffice.
+With covetous eyes she looked upon the harp
+of Edwy the gleeman, and that hath she
+taken with her. We come that we may take
+her to the reeve that the doom may be pronounced
+upon her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“That girl?” The thegn and the retainers
+looked at the maiden in surprise. “She looks
+not as if she would do so base a thing.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And neither would I!” spake Egwina, recovering
+from the consternation into which
+Oswald’s speech had thrown her. “Good Oswald,
+didst thou not send thine bond-woman to
+me with this harp as additional gift after I had
+left thine abode?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, no! Why should Oswald take that
+which belongeth to another to give thee? Hath
+he not wealth enow of his own?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But didst thou not send the woman to me?”
+faltered the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A likely story,” cried Ælfric the juggler.
+“Is it the custom for a lord to run after a gleemaiden
+with his gifts? I trow not!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A loud guffaw from the Saxons in the hall
+greeted this remark. Poor Egwina was covered
+with confusion.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But truly my lord,” said she, addressing
+Oswald, “a woman did bring it and give it me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden,” said Oswald sorrowfully, “add
+not to theft the vice of lying. Of both sins the
+Scripture doth warn us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But I speak the truth,” cried Egwina, clasping
+her hands. “I speak the truth, my lord, as
+I live by bread.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A look of compassion overspread over the
+thegn’s face.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fair art thou, maiden! Too fair to utter
+such words. Evil hath been thy surroundings
+if so innocent looking a maiden shouldst so
+perjure herself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To think that the jade would say that my
+lord would give away the harp of his gleeman,”
+spoke Edwy. “Saw ye not, Ælfric, with what
+longing eyes she gazed upon it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I saw,” answered Ælfric. “Nought remaineth
+but to take her to the gerefa. Let him
+pronounce doom upon her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was so much of malignity in his tone
+that Egwina looked at him, and seeing with
+what cruel triumph he gazed upon her, knew in
+her inmost soul that it was Ælfric who had
+caused this thing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In silence, she suffered herself to be carried
+back to the manor of Oswald to await the morning
+when she would be taken to the gerefa for
+trial.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxithe-trial-of-egwina">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id27">CHAPTER XXI—THE TRIAL OF EGWINA</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Before the ealdorman of the shire, and the
+gerefa or reeve, was Egwina taken. It was the
+folk moot of the shire. The bishop should
+have been present, but he was attending the
+king at Windshore. Many were in attendance,
+and the maiden shrank from the curious eyes
+fixed upon her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“In the Lord,” said Edwy the gleeman, as
+he took the oath, “I accuse not the maiden
+neither for hate, nor art, nor unjust avarice, nor
+do I know anything more true, but so my mind
+said to me, and I myself tell for truth, that this
+maiden, called Egwina the Fair, is the thief of
+my harp.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art sure of this, Edwy?” asked the
+gerefa, Beornwulf, won by the sweet face of the
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Marry, am I not on my oath?” blustered
+the man. “Not only do I ween that the maiden
+took the harp, but I wot it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Declare then thy charge,” said Beornwulf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The maiden did enter the hall but three
+days since at sunset,” deposed Edwy. “She
+sang and well did she please my Lord Oswald.
+That ye may know that naught but love of justice,
+and the restoration of mine own property
+doth animate me, I will say that she sang well.
+Then did my lord call for more, and the maiden
+asked for my harp, but, being unwilling that the
+sunbeam of the gleeman should go from my
+hands, I loaned it not. My Lord Oswald then
+commanded that the maiden have the harp, and
+it was given her. She gave it me again. The
+next night she sang again at the glee. In the
+morning she went her way. Lo! when I would
+have accompanied my song with the instrument
+it was gone. We followed after the maiden, and
+found it with her. I have said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He sat down. The statement was clear and
+direct. Egwina looked at the gerefa, and saw
+that he was impressed by the recital. Friendless
+and alone in the crowd she sat with none
+to believe in her innocence.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ælfric next took the oath, and deposed that
+the morning thereafter, the first night of which
+the harper spake, he had entered the hall.
+There sat the maiden, and in her hands was
+the harp of Edwy which she did finger with
+lingering touch. He had joined in the pursuit
+of the girl, and when they found her, behold
+the harp was in her hands. When he had
+made an end of speaking, he raised his right
+hand solemnly and said: “In the name of
+the almighty God! As I here stand in true witness,
+unbidden and unbought; so oversaw I it
+with mine eyes, and overheard it with mine
+ears what I have said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The maiden raised her head and looked the
+fellow straight in the eye. Ælfric quailed at
+that clear gaze, and in some confusion took his
+seat. Oswald the thegn then took the oath, and
+swore to the truth of what the other two had
+said, adding, that though he compassionated the
+maiden, he felt that he must deliver her to the
+doom of the land.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden,” the gerefa turned to Egwina and
+his face was full of honest sorrow, “it mislikes
+me to believe that this is as these have sworn.
+Take now thine oath, and if thou canst say
+aught in rebuttal of what these have said,
+speak.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The maiden stood up, and proud was her port
+as she took the oath, and cried earnestly: “In
+the name of the Lord! I am innocent both in
+word and deed of this thing of which the gleeman
+accuses me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child,” said the gerefa, “perjure not thy
+soul. Thou art on oath.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I know that I am on oath,” said the maiden
+in a clear, steady voice. “I say again, my lord
+gerefa, I am innocent of this charge. ’Tis true,
+as Edwy hath said, that I did ask him for the
+harp. Sweeter is the voice of the singer with
+its music. It is the wish of all our craft to
+please, thus would I have enhanced my chance
+to delight others. True is it also, that Ælfric
+found me alone in the hall trying the instrument.
+It lay on the seat of the gleeman, and
+it harmed none that I did try it. Then, my
+lord, and the truth do I speak as I tell thee,
+when I left the thegn’s manor laden with generous
+gifts, there came one running after me, a
+bond-woman carrying the harp. ‘This also hath
+my lord sent thee,’ she cried. Wondering much
+that a lord should send as gift the property of
+another, I took it not, but spake of the matter.
+‘Question not the gifts of my lord but take
+them,’ she said, thrusting it upon me. Before
+I could say aught else, she ran from me, and I
+was forced to proceed with the harp, wondering.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Strange is thy tale, maiden.” The gerefa
+spoke doubtingly. “Never, I ween, hath a lord
+been known to take from one to bestow on
+another. Strange, strange thy tale!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yet methinks that there is the sound of truth
+in the maiden’s words,” spoke the ealdorman.
+“Prithee, my Lord Oswald, have thy bond-women
+brought that they may be spoken with,
+and we shall see how truly the maid doth speak.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked at him gratefully. It was the
+first word that she had heard that evinced
+anything like faith in her innocence. A silence
+fell upon the people as the thegn sent for his
+bond-women, and as they waited their appearance
+some were there who, won by the beauty of
+the maiden, openly expressed a belief in her
+innocence. At last the gesiths of Oswald returned,
+and with them came the bond-women.
+Motioning them forward, the gerefa said to
+Egwina, “Maiden, as these pass before thee, say
+which was the one who gave thee the harp.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked at the women as they passed.
+Finally, at the end of the line, there came one
+whom she regarded attentively.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“This, my lord gerefa,” spake she, “is the
+one who gave it me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The reeve called the woman to him and administered
+the oath.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“State, woman,” said he, “when and where
+thou didst give the harp to the maiden.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The woman looked at him in surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dread lord, I wot not thy meaning.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Didst thou not follow after the maiden, and
+give her a harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I know not what thou meanest,” declared
+the woman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Knowest thou not the maiden? Tell if thou
+hast even spoken with her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I saw the maiden in the hall of Oswald the
+thegn,” deposed she. “For two nights and a
+day did she abide therein, and when there was
+wassail she sang for the glee. On the morning
+of the third day did she bid us good-by and
+wended her way hence; whither, my lord, I wot
+not. Neither wot I more of her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost thou know aught of the harp, and how
+the maid came by it?” demanded the ealdorman,
+moved by the look of despair on the maiden’s
+face. “Take the instrument, and look at it.
+Declarest thou, woman, that thou hast never beheld
+it before?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The woman took up the harp and looked at it
+closely.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Many and oft are the times that I have seen
+it,” she said, with an appearance of candor. “It
+is that of Edwy the gleeman.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How knowest thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Once he did ask that I clean it for him.
+Here, my lord, is where by accident I scratched
+the wood when I had holpen him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou gavest it not to the maid?” The
+ealdorman was plainly disappointed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, my lord,” declared the woman positively.
+“Why should I give to the girl Edwy’s harp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The gerefa turned to Egwina who, with pale
+face, listened to the woman’s denial.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou hearest what the woman hath deposed.
+Is there aught else that thou hast to say before
+thy doom be pronounced upon thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina was troubled. “I know not what to
+say,” she said, despairingly. “The truth have
+I declared to thee, my lord—the truth, and
+naught but the truth. This is she who gave
+me the harp. Why she should gainsay the fact,
+I know not. But as my soul liveth, I declare
+to thee that I am innocent of this charge which
+hath been brought against me. It hath been
+borne in upon my mind that malice hath been
+at work, and that Ælfric hath arranged the
+matter; that for vengeance sake he hath testified
+falsely, and wrought this evil.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Maiden, no longer can we listen to thee.
+Receive the doom as thou knowest it to be,”
+commanded the gerefa.</p>
+<p class="pnext">But the ealdorman cried, “Brother, are we
+not to administer justice? While still there
+is a doubt, suffer the girl to benefit by it. Let
+her declare cause why Ælfric should wish to
+wreak vengeance upon her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why should we listen?” returned the reeve,
+impatiently. “Hath she not been given a fair
+trial? One artifice—that of the woman—hath
+failed. Shall we try another? Marry,
+no!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yet, still let us listen,” requested the ealdorman.
+“Maiden,” without waiting for the assent
+of the reeve he turned to Egwina, “thou hast
+not before seen Ælfric the freed-man. Why,
+then, should this be his vengeance upon thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, my lord, but I have seen him before!”
+cried Egwina, hope springing once more in her
+breast. Rapidly she recounted the circumstances.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It may be as thou sayest,” mused the ealdorman.
+“Brother, let us search into the matter
+as the maiden hath told.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No;” the gerefa was full of impatience.
+“’Tis but a wile of the jade. Besides, hath
+it not been clearly shown that she hath stolen
+the harp? Arise, maiden, and hear thy doom.
+Too long now hast thou detained us. It hath
+been proved by witnesses, both unbought and
+unlying, that thou didst take from the manor
+of Oswald the thegn the harp of Edwy the
+gleeman. More hath also been shown. Not
+only didst thou steal the harp, but thou wert
+found with it in thy possession. Hear, then,
+the doom.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, my lord, I am innocent—innocent,”
+interrupted Egwina, wildly. “By the Powers
+of Heaven, I swear to thee that I am innocent.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Girl, darest thou to blaspheme?” cried the
+gerefa, recoiling from her. “Darest thou to
+call upon the Powers of Heaven?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Aye!” cried Egwina, springing to her feet.
+“And not only upon the Powers alone, but upon
+Him who ruleth over all as well. Sir Gerefa, a
+greater than thou shall be my judge. I commit
+my soul to God to attest its innocence. Sir,
+I demand the ordeal.”</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiithe-ordeal">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id28">CHAPTER XXII—THE ORDEAL</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The effect on the people was electrical. A
+murmur went up that the maiden was innocent
+else she durst not appeal to the Supreme Judge.
+Ælfric the juggler turned pale. The tendency
+toward belief in the girl’s innocence grew into
+a certainty in the heart of the ealdorman, and
+even the gerefa seemed somewhat softened.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, child,” he said, compassionately, “wottest
+thou what thou askest?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea, I know,” answered Egwina, firmly.
+“By fire or by water as ye may choose, my lord
+gerefa and my lord ealdorman, and with God be
+the judgment.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“With God be the judgment,” repeated the
+gerefa solemnly. “But with thee lieth the
+choice.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do ye two choose,” said the maiden, “that
+ye may be satisfied with the trial. It will please
+me the better to have it so decided.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then, brother,” said the gerefa, addressing
+the ealdorman, “what sayest thou to the ordeal
+by water?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If it suit the maiden, I will not gainsay the
+choice,” returned the ealdorman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then, maiden, thou shalt to the bishop, who
+will return to Winchester this day. There wilt
+thou purify thyself by just preparation for the
+rite. Let bread and salt, water and herbs only
+be thy portion. Three days shalt thou tarry at
+the abode of the bishop; then, purified and
+absolved, the ordeal will be given thee. In the
+presence of witnesses, twelve for thee, and twelve
+against thee, shalt thou enter the church with
+the priest. Into boiling water shalt thou plunge
+thine arm to the elbow, and from the water shalt
+thou take a stone heated hot. And may God,
+the Supreme Ruler, who on the last great day
+shall judge the quick and the dead, be thy judge.
+May He, in His infinite mercy, prove thee innocent
+as thou sayest, for dire and dread is the
+punishment that will o’erwhelm thee shouldst
+thou be guilty.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The assembly dispersed. With erect bearing,
+as of one conscious of rectitude, the maiden
+walked with the ealdorman and the gerefa.
+With pale face, Ælfric would have hurried
+away with Edwy but that Beornwulf interposed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My Lord Oswald,” he said, addressing the
+thegn, “see that these men are present during
+the ordeal. Be thou there also and thy bond-woman
+who hath testified.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Aye; I will be there,” answered the thegn.
+“If it shall be proven that I have wronged the
+maiden, twice will I pay the were.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Await the result, and then shape thy action,”
+said Beornwulf, shortly, and continued on his
+way with the maiden and the ealdorman.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In answer to the knock at the portals of the
+bishop’s house, the warder declared that the
+bishop had returned but was at mass.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then leave we the maiden here,” said the
+ealdorman, “and seek him at the minster.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not yet hath the maiden been proven
+innocent of the charge,” said the gerefa cautiously.
+“I would afford no opportunity for
+escape lest justice be defeated. Should she
+flee from us, thou and I, brother, must pay the
+were.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Are there not bolts and bars?” queried the
+other. “Let us leave the girl here, and seek
+the bishop.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was so decided, and Egwina found herself
+alone in a room with the door barred awaiting
+the return of the bishop. Overwrought by the
+events which had transpired so rapidly, and the
+excitement thereof, the wearied girl sank down
+upon one of the carved settles and gave way to
+tears. Violently at first she wept, but gradually
+the sobs grew quieter and less frequent until at
+last they ceased entirely, and, worn out by
+fatigue, the maiden slept.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She sleeps not as the guilty sleeps,” said the
+voice of the ealdorman, as Egwina awoke. “It
+speaks in the maiden’s favor that she hath
+sought the aid of the church. Mickle do I
+mislike to see so fair a hand scarred and seamed
+by the ordeal.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” answered a voice, which sounded
+sweeter than the softest music in Egwina’s ear,
+for well did she know it. “True; but better for
+the hand to be scarred than that the soul be
+seared with the blackness of falsehood and
+theft. Time may bring obliteration to the scars
+of the skin; to the soul never, save through
+the blood of Him who alone can purify.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina turned and looked the speaker full in
+the face.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well hast thou spoken, Denewulf,” she said.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina! is it truly thou?” and the bishop,
+for he was none other than Denewulf, the swineherd,
+whom the king had appointed to this position,
+seized the maiden’s hands. “Dear child,
+is it thus that I see thee at last?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is thus, Denewulf,” answered Egwina,
+sadly. “Where is Adiva? I knew not that
+thou wert the bishop.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Unworthy am I of so great an estate,” said
+Denewulf, humbly, “but the king hath thought
+otherwise. Adiva is well and with me. Much
+will she rejoice to see thee, my child, for little
+have we known of thee for some time. How
+comes it that thou art not with the king, but lie
+in my hands, accused of theft and subjected to
+the ordeal?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis a long story,” said Egwina. “Take me
+to Adiva, dear Denewulf, and then will I tell
+thee of all that hath befallen me, and why I am
+with thee to be shriven for the ordeal.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lord bishop, is the maiden known to
+thee?” exclaimed the ealdorman, in surprise.
+“Belongeth she to the king?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She doth,” answered Denewulf, sternly. “If
+harm doth come to her, greatly will ye have to
+answer to the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Truly, my lord, we knew not that the girl
+was of the king’s household,” cried the ealdorman,
+with humility. “Yet, unknowing the
+fact, have I believed her guiltless of the theft.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” said Egwina, smiling at him, gratefully.
+“He alone hath shown even a faint belief
+in mine innocence.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now we will go to Adiva,” said Denewulf,
+“and then, child, thou must begin to prepare
+for the ordeal. Since thou hast demanded it,
+God alone can judge thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To His hands gladly do I commend the
+matter,” answered Egwina. “Man’s judgment
+is fallible, God’s infallible.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then in thy hands do I leave the maiden,”
+said the ealdorman, withdrawing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Adiva greeted her with joy, but became saddened
+as she told her story.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Must thy pretty arm be plunged into the
+water?” she cried, indignantly. “Denewulf, be
+thou bishop and permit it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She hath appealed to God,” answered Denewulf.
+“Not even the king could prevent the
+ordeal from taking place now, though I will lay
+the matter before him if Egwina so wills.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, do not so,” cried Egwina. “Do ye
+not see, good friends, I wish not Edward to
+know where I am. The king would be displeased
+with me for calling upon him. He likes
+not that Edward looks on me with—” She faltered,
+blushing.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“With favor,” supplemented Adiva. “Dear
+heart, little one, how could he help it? I
+knew not that the king would turn from thee
+because thou wert not gentle. I own that somewhat
+hath he grieved me in this, but alack!
+even Alfred, wise and good as he is, hath, mayhap,
+too much pride.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, nay, Adiva,” chid Egwina. “Say
+naught against the king. Kind and tender
+to me always hath he been. Seest thou not
+that Edward may be chosen of the witan to be
+cyning some day?—and great will he be, too
+great for the husband of a simple girl such
+as I.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Adiva shook her head, and began caressing
+her, when Denewulf interrupted.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not longer must we talk, Adiva. The
+maiden must begin to prepare for the ordeal.
+Let her come triumphant from that, and thou
+wilt have time to talk enow.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Must she?” Adiva began to weep.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Grieve not, dear Adiva,” comforted Egwina.
+“I fear naught. Why should I? Am I not
+innocent? I am ready, Denewulf.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Thus did she enter upon her preparation for
+the trial. Three days were consumed in making
+ready. She ate only bread and salt and herbs,
+and drank but water; spending much time in
+prayer.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was the night before the ordeal was to take
+place that Egwina was awakened by a dim light
+in the little room which was kept for such as
+demanded the trial by fire or water. A touch
+fell softly on her arm, and some one began rubbing
+it from the elbow down. Wondering much,
+the maiden sat up on her couch and, behold!
+Adiva was gently stroking her right arm.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Adiva, what doest thou to my arm?” questioned
+the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, my pretty one, ask me not. No harm,
+I’ll warrant thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is that with which thou anointest it?”
+demanded the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why shouldst thou wish to know?” cried
+the good dame. “’Tis but a salve that I had
+made for thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But why dost thou use it on my arm?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Child, ’tis to save thy arm. See, it hardens
+the skin, and thus it feels not the boiling water,
+and thou mayest take up the heated stone with
+impunity.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina snatched her arm from the dame in
+horror.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Interferest thou with the judgment of
+God?” she cried. “How can I prove that I
+took not the harp if I hardened the hand and
+the arm to the water? Away, Adiva! Else I
+shall believe thee in league with the evil one to
+perjure my soul.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Abashed by the girl’s vehemence, the dame
+left the room, and the maiden carefully removed
+every vestige of the unguent from her arm.
+Little did she reck that thus Adiva had
+anointed the member each night.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The next morning, the day of the ordeal,
+Egwina laid upon the altar her offering, and received
+the holy sacrament. Then before the
+gerefa, Beornwulf, and the ealdorman she again
+took the oath of innocence. From the accusers,
+Oswald the thegn, Ælfric, Edwy, and others to
+the number of twelve were chosen for those
+against her. The ealdorman and eleven others
+stood for her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">These had fasted for twenty-four hours. On
+either side of the church they stood, and Denewulf
+sprinkled them with the holy water, of
+which they also drank. Presenting the Scriptures
+to each to kiss, the bishop signed every
+one with the sign of the cross. The fire which
+was built directly under the altar sparkled
+and burned brightly. The huge kettle swinging
+over it was full of water which bubbled and
+boiled briskly. In the embers of the fire lay
+the stone which, heated hot, was to be dropped
+into the water from which the maiden was to
+snatch it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">From either side advanced a man: Oswald
+the thegn and the ealdorman. They went to
+the kettle, and, agreeing that the water boiled
+furiously, with measured steps returned to their
+places at the sides of the church.</p>
+<p class="pnext">All bowed their heads in prayer. As the last
+collect was said, Egwina entered with the
+bishop. She was very pale, but she walked
+firmly, and her eyes shone with a rapt, intent
+gaze as if communing with invisible beings
+In her hand she carried a small cross which she
+kissed ever and anon, and alway did her lips
+move in prayer.</p>
+<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="margin-left: 21%; width: 57%" id="figure-14">
+<img style="display: block; margin-left: 12%; width: 75%" alt="She withdrew the stone from the boiling water." src="images/illus-286.jpg" width="75%"/>
+<div class="caption italics">
+SHE WITHDREW THE STONE FROM THE BOILING WATER.</div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">Slowly the bishop and the accused approached
+the altar. They paused as they reached the
+iron kettle. All heads were bowed, and each
+continued to pray a prayer that the truth might
+be known, as the bishop with tongs lifted the
+stone and dropped it into the water.</p>
+<p class="pnext">There was a hissing, seething sound. The
+water bubbled and moved tumultuously as it
+received the stone. At a sign from the bishop,
+with an inaudible prayer, Egwina plunged her
+bared arm into the water and lifted therefrom
+the stone.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A look of intense amazement flitted across
+her face as she did so. Her lips parted as if
+about to speak, but the bishop made the sign of
+the cross and she remained silent. Still in dead
+silence, Denewulf, his own hands covered by a
+cloth removed from her hand the stone which
+he threw again into the embers. Solemnly he
+bandaged the arm and sealed it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“To God belongeth the judgment,” he said
+in grave tones, and withdrew from the church
+with the maiden. The people filed out after them.</p>
+<p class="pnext">For three days was the arm to remain bound
+up, and if it showed foul on the third day guilt
+was assumed; if clear, without suppuration,
+then would she be innocent.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It pains me not, Adiva,” said the maiden
+doubtfully in answer to the solicitous inquiries
+of the dame. “I know not why but no smart of
+burn have I felt at all.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why shouldst thou?” demanded the dame.
+“Art thou not one of God’s own lambs? Rest
+thee contented, dear heart, that He meant thee
+not to suffer.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the presence of the ealdorman, the gerefa
+Beornwulf, Oswald the thegn, Edwy, Ælfric,
+and all others present at the ordeal, the bandage
+was removed from the girl’s arm. Clear and
+white as alabaster, with no mark of scald or burn
+upon it, shone the beautiful member.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A cry went up from those who saw it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A miracle! A miracle!” they shouted.
+“One of God’s own virgins is the maiden!”</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxiiithe-dread-decree">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id29">CHAPTER XXIII—THE DREAD DECREE</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">“The maid is innocent,” cried Denewulf the
+bishop. “By God’s own judgment is she so
+pronounced. What then of her accusers? Those
+who have perjured themselves, and by testifying
+falsely risked their soul’s salvation in so doing?
+Step forth, ye that have so spoken, and give
+cause why ye have done this thing!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then did Oswald the thegn step forth.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I sware to thee, my lord bishop, that unwitting
+did I wrong the maiden. I spake only
+that which I knew when I deposed. The harp
+was gone. It was found with the maid. Marry,
+as I judged so would ye have judged likewise.
+Name the were, and it shall be paid! I have
+said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And well, Oswald, unwitting and unknowing
+didst thou wrong the maiden. As thou wilt
+willingly make amends thou hast atoned thy
+fault. More thou canst not do. But the others.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">His brow darkened ominously as Edwy the
+gleeman came forward. The ealdorman and
+gerefa looked hard on the man; now, since
+Heaven itself had shown the innocence of Egwina,
+they were convinced that guile had been
+employed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My lords,” cried the gleeman who was
+plainly agitated, “I take oath by all the saints
+that I did depose only that which I knew. The
+harp was mine. ’Twas gone. We found the
+same with the maid. How else could I depose?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How camest thou to think the maiden had
+taken it?” demanded the ealdorman, sharply.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twas Ælfric who spake to me of the maiden’s
+toying with it in the hall. But the night
+before she did ask me for it. My lords, it looked
+ill for the girl, ye must allow.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Speaks he the truth, think ye?” inquired
+the ealdorman of the bishop and the gerefa.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Leave him to me,” said the bishop. “He
+shall not be shriven until he declareth the truth.
+The other two, methinks, are the real culprits.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A hue and cry was now raised that Ælfric
+was escaping, and many left the assembly to go
+in pursuit. The juggler was soon overtaken
+and borne again to the bishop. Oswald had
+brought the bond-woman forward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The two stood defiantly before the tribunal.
+Ælfric had given the woman a quick, warning
+glance under which she quailed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What sayest thou?” asked Denewulf of the
+woman. “Why didst thou deny giving the
+harp to the maiden?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I gave it not,” answered she sullenly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Woman, God hath judged the maiden innocent.
+Then thou and this man are guilty. It
+must be so. Tell, then, why thou didst the
+thing.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">No answer came from the woman’s lips. The
+bishop turned to the gerefa and ealdorman.
+“Brothers, do ye question her. Stubborn and
+hard of heart hath she proven herself. Seek
+ye to soften her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">No amount of questions, threats or persuasion
+would induce the woman to answer
+further than that she gave not the harp to the
+maiden. Presently, hoping to gain more by it,
+they turned to Ælfric. The man’s eyes were
+shining with a triumphant light as he saw that
+the woman was obdurate.</p>
+<p class="pnext">To all questions he answered nothing. In an
+insolent attitude he listened, but replied not.
+At last the bishop said, with some impatience:
+“Fully am I convinced of the guilt of these
+two. By his attempt at flight hath Ælfric shown
+his crime. Brothers, in this matter the man
+and the woman have sinned against heaven.
+Let, then, the church give the punishment. To
+the ordeal shall both be condemned. The woman
+to trial by water and stone even as the
+maiden; the man, the ordeal by fire.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The gerefa and ealdorman willingly gave
+consent, as they were convinced that Ælfric
+and the woman were truly the offenders.</p>
+<p class="pnext">To the bishop’s house were they taken, there
+to make the needful preparation. The allotted
+number of days passed. Solitary and alone as
+the woman had been kept during this period,
+she had had time for reflection. Traces of
+a mental struggle between obduracy and despair
+showed in her countenance as she was brought
+forth to make her offering, and to receive the
+sacrament before taking the ordeal.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Of Christ’s body spiritually dost thou eat,”
+said the bishop as he administered the bread.
+“Pure and sinless was He. If thou art innocent,
+eat with impunity of the holy loaf, and
+drink of the wine which by His blessing is His
+blood spiritually. Eat and drink, woman! If
+innocent, fear naught; if guilty, woe, woe to
+thy soul.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The woman trembled, and her face, already
+pale, grew ghastly white. She stretched forth
+her hand for the holy morsel, and then with a
+great cry fell at the bishop’s feet.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I dare not,” she cried, “for my soul’s sake,
+I dare not partake of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then, daughter, assoil thy soul of its taint
+by full confession.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will, I will,” sobbed the woman, breaking
+down completely. “I did give the harp to the
+maiden even as she hath declared. All was as
+she hath already told. I ran after her and gave
+it into her hands, stating that my Lord Oswald
+had sent it as gift.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But why, daughter, shouldst thou so perjure
+thy soul?” asked the bishop.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, my lord, judge me not too hardly. I
+have a child, and mickle doth it grieve me that
+she should be a slave. Ælfric would give me
+the money to buy my child and then she would
+be free—free, my lord bishop! Little dost
+thou reck of a mother’s heart if thou wottest
+not the temptation such offer would be to me.
+What knew I of the maiden? She was naught
+to me, and my child is my life.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Grievous hath been thy sin, woman, but
+great also thy temptation,” said Denewulf, with
+compassion. “Hardened thou art not, or the
+holy supper would not have so affected thee. Out
+of her sorrow at thy lot feel, daughter, the full
+blessings of the Church. Thy child, and thou
+also, shall be freed from her bounty. Not because
+of thy sin, but because the Church hath
+compassion on thine affliction doth she redeem
+thee. Arise, daughter, and go in peace. Even
+as the Holy One, whose priest I am, spake to
+the erring woman, so say I to thee: ‘Go, and
+sin no more!’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With prayers and tears and ejaculations of
+gratitude, the woman arose, and left the minster.
+The bishop approached Ælfric.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wilt thou partake of the holy bread and
+wine, or wilt thou, as the woman hath done,
+assoil thy soul’s guilt by confession?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Ælfric’s lip curled.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught fear I, sir priest. On with thy
+ordeal! What have I to confess?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Heardst thou not what the woman confessed?”
+asked the bishop. “That thou hadst
+enticed her into this deed by the offer of money
+to buy the freedom of her child. Man, man!
+Partakest thou of the Eucharist and purgest
+not thy soul by confession?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught have I to confess,” reiterated the
+man, doggedly. “Falsely hath the woman
+sworn to thee, as thou wilt see.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With horror in his face at the temerity of the
+juggler, Denewulf administered the sacrament.
+Ælfric partook of it, and then, as before, twelve
+men were chosen from each side of those for
+and against him. Nine feet of the length of
+the foot of the accused were measured from the
+fire where the iron lay heating. For this distance
+was the iron to be carried. Just before
+the last collect the bishop lifted the iron to the
+staples, and then after the prayer he led in the
+accused.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With firm step the man advanced, and
+grasped the iron steadfastly with both hands.
+He walked the required distance, carrying the
+iron steadily, then flung it on the floor with an
+oath.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The bishop and the honest Saxons ranged on
+either side of the church started back in horror.
+Tremblingly, fearful of seeing the man struck
+down for his impiety, the bishop approached
+the wretch and bound up his hands, putting the
+seal of the church upon them. After the required
+three days the bandages were removed,
+and foully mattered were the burns.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Guilty art thou,” said the bishop with sorrow
+to the juggler. “Evil wouldst thou have
+wrought upon another, and evil hast thou
+brought upon thyself. Son, didst thou not
+remember that the Lord hath said, ‘Vengeance
+is mine, I will repay’? Then wherefore shouldst
+thou try to wreak upon the maiden that for
+which only thine own actions were responsible?
+See, the judgment of God hath fallen
+upon thee! Guilty art thou shown to be.
+Purged must thy soul be of its dire sin. Go
+forth from this day without thy weapons; and
+travel barefoot to the graves of the four saints:
+St. Edwin, St. Guthlac, St. Oswald, and St.
+Neot. No shelter must thou have at night.
+Thou must fast, and watch, and pray both day
+and night, and willingly weary thyself. Iron
+shall not come to thy hair nor to thy nails. No
+warm bath shalt thou affect, nor soft bed; flesh
+shalt thou not eat nor shalt thou partake of
+drink which can intoxicate. Inside of a church
+thou shalt not go, because of the oath which
+thou didst utter at the trial of God’s holy ordeal,
+but thou shalt seek the tombs of these saints
+and there confess thy sins and pray for intercession.
+When thou hast finished thy penance,
+and severe it is, son, for greatly hast thou sinned,
+shriven and absolved from guilt, thou canst
+return and again mingle amongst thy fellows.
+Arise and go, and may God in His infinite
+mercy be with thee in thy wanderings.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With heads bowed the assembly listened to
+the dire punishment meted out to the wretch.
+Such was the power of the Church over the
+people that not once did it enter the head of
+Ælfric to disobey her command.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With dark looks and unrepentant mien he sat
+down in the midst of them and removed his
+shoes and leather hose. Then forth from the
+church did he wend his way to begin his pilgrimage.</p>
+<p class="pnext">And never again did Egwina behold him.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxivadiva-takes-matters-into-her-hands">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id30">CHAPTER XXIV—ADIVA TAKES MATTERS INTO HER HANDS</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">For a short time after this the days of
+Egwina were peaceful. Adiva petted and coddled
+her as only good motherly women can do,
+and the maiden felt that at last she had found
+a haven of rest, for weary was she of wandering.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Never again shalt thou leave us, little one,”
+declared Adiva, one day, as she and the maiden
+employed themselves as in the olden days with
+shuttle and distaff. “Never again! Thou
+shouldst not have left us at all, for thou didst
+first belong to us. Did not Denewulf find
+thee in the forest? Now thou shalt remain
+always.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But the king?” said Egwina, bending low
+over her work. “Doth he not visit thee,
+Adiva—he or some of his family?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well-a-day, yes,” answered Adiva. “What
+of it, child? Couldst thou not stay out of the
+way until they had departed? ’Tis not as in
+the forest. Then there was but the two rooms.
+Wottest thou not that the manor of the bishop
+hath more?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina laughed with something of her old
+brightness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There!” cried the good woman, delightedly,
+“gladness doth it bring to my heart to hear
+thee laugh like that! Laugh an’ thou wilt, even
+though it be at my foolish pride. ’Tis something
+better to be the wife of a bishop than of a
+swineherd, is it not?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But still he is the same, Adiva, swineherd
+or bishop,” said the maiden. “What doth it
+matter what he doeth? ’Tis the man whom
+thou hast wed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou art young,” remarked Adiva, with an
+upward lift of the head. “Wisdom thou wilt
+acquire as thou growest older. Denewulf was
+good enow as a husband when a swineherd, but
+few were the mancuses and pence that came our
+way. Now doth he wear the bishop’s stole and
+all bow down to him. Well-a-day, child! It
+doth make a difference. But thou hast not yet
+said that them wouldst stay with me. To tell
+the truth,” she lowered her voice, “there are
+times when lonely I be in spite of greatness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If it will please thee, then will it please me,”
+answered the maiden. “Weary am I of wandering,
+and fain would I dwell where friends abide,
+if it so be that I may not see the king nor Edward.
+It hath seemed to me of late, Adiva,
+that in some way I should show my gratitude
+to God for His mercy to me. Some service
+would I render Him for His judgment. Why,
+Adiva, when I think that there was not even a
+scar, I wonder what I have done that so great
+a favor should be shown me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Trouble not thy head about it,” said the
+dame, hastily. “Oft have I heard that such
+things were past finding out. Why, Denewulf,
+bishop though he be, wottest not the why of
+many things!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The maiden is right,” said Denewulf, entering
+at this moment. “I, too, Egwina, have
+thought of the miracle, for such it was, and it
+hath seemed to me that thou wert spared that
+thou mightest give Him thy service. To chaste
+and holy Mary thy life should belong. Thou
+seekest repose, my child; find it in the cloister.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The cloister!” Adiva threw up her arms
+in dismay. “Yon pretty child? Denewulf,
+what aileth thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Naught,” answered the bishop, promptly.
+“Naught but desire for the best for Egwina.
+Wonderfully hath she been favored. It can be
+for naught else than that she should devote her
+life to the service of Heaven.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Denewulf, hast thou gone daft?” demanded
+Adiva, with some asperity. “Egwina a nun?
+I trow not!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, Adiva,” said the gentle voice of Egwina,
+“why have I been so favored? Not even
+a scar, as thou knowest, nor mark of any kind.
+I felt that God would show mine innocence, but
+so marked was His favor that it hath troubled
+me to know the cause. It may be that for this
+service was I thus favored.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And dost thou think of becoming a nun?”
+cried the dame, in consternation.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If Denewulf thinketh best, and that for
+this cause was the miracle performed, I will so
+do,” answered the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It hath weighed upon my mind,” said the
+bishop, “and it doth seem to me, Egwina, that
+it hath been intended by that sign that thou
+shouldst become the bride of the church.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Out upon such nonsense!” exclaimed the
+dame, with energy. “No miracle was there
+save only what I, with the help of thy foster-mother,
+Gunnehilde, worked.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Adiva!” exclaimed both Egwina and the
+bishop in a breath. “What meanest thou?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I mean,” said the dame, “that I was not
+willing to have thy pretty arm seared, so I sent
+to Gunnehilde, and she concocted me a lotion.
+Every night did I bathe hand and arm. The
+last night, child, the salve which thou didst
+find me using was but the final touch. Already
+the lotion had done its work, and thou mightest
+have carried red-hot iron thy nine feet and
+back, and no scar would there have been. Out
+upon it for a miracle!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Woman! thou hast profaned the judgment
+of the Supreme One,” said her husband, sternly,
+while Egwina sank back overcome.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Profaned? Not at all,” answered the dame,
+defiantly. “Did it not bring the guilty to punishment?
+The woman confessed, and the juggler
+is even now upon his pilgrimage. Egwina
+was shown innocent—as she was. How, then,
+have I profaned the judgment?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou must do penance,” said Denewulf.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Penance?” retorted Adiva. “Not I. What
+good doth it do me to be a bishop’s wife if I am
+to do penance as an ordinary body? Keep thy
+penance for such as need them, Denewulf.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But mine innocence?” cried poor Egwina.
+“Happy have I been to think that God did
+stoop to so favor me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, more than ever, do I think that thou
+shouldst enter the cloister,” said the bishop.
+“’Tis true that the guilty were brought to punishment
+and thy innocence proven; but what
+if the ealdorman, the gerefa, and the people
+knew of this. Thinkest thou that they would
+think it just? Either, my child, thou must
+again take the ordeal or thou must retire to the
+cloister. I see naught else to be done,” and he
+left the room.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou to the nunnery?” cried the dame, indignantly.
+“Well-a-day! We shall see, my
+lord bishop. Neither ordeal nor cloister shall
+there be for my pretty one!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, Adiva, I see that it must be as he
+saith,” said Egwina. “Naught is left for me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is there not, child? Again did I ask
+Gunnehilde of thy dream. Greatness is to be
+thy portion, and thou shalt not spoil the web
+woven for thee by this thing. A nunnery for
+thee, who art destined for the bride of Edward?
+I trow not! Before that shall happen, Edward
+himself shall be sent for, and then we shall
+see.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, dear Adiva, thou must not do that,”
+cried Egwina, distressed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If thou dost not as I tell thee,” said Adiva,
+with determination written on her brow, “both
+the king and Edward will I send for.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will! I will!” cried Egwina, hastily.
+“Whatever thou dost say that will I do, if only,
+dear friend, thou wilt not send for them. Gladly
+would I look upon their faces unknown of them,
+but I durst not speak with the king. I could
+not bear for him to look on me with coldness.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We will wait for a few days,” said Adiva,
+“and see whether Denewulf still thinketh the
+same. If he doth, then will I tell thee what to
+do. If I can o’ersuade him from such thing,
+then thou shalt remain with me, and naught
+will there be to do.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">But Denewulf could not be persuaded from
+his idea. The honest Saxon desired only to do
+justice, and to his upright sense of honor this
+ordeal had been a failure. Only could his conscience
+be satisfied by a repetition of the ordeal
+or a retirement to the cloister.</p>
+<p class="pnext">On the other hand, Egwina, actuated by the
+same delicate sense of honor, was overwhelmed
+with fear lest Adiva should send for Alfred and
+Edward as she had threatened. Finding that
+Egwina inclined more and more to Denewulf’s
+way of thinking, and that Denewulf was obdurate,
+the good dame took matters into her
+own hands.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come!” said she to Egwina one day.
+“Thou shalt go with me this morning to see
+Gunnehilde. Rememberest thou that time we
+went through the forest to have her read thy
+rede for thee? Again will we go.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But not for reading of rune or rede,”
+pleaded the maiden. “Sick at heart doth it
+make me, for it bringeth Gyda to my mind.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No rune shall she read thee, child, though
+I would that thou wouldst let her. Then would
+she show thee that thou art destined to sit beside
+Edward.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Speak not so, Adiva,” said the maiden.
+“Henceforth I renounce all faith in seid and
+galdra. Of peril they do not warn; neither
+keep they from sin. I will seek no more to
+pierce that veil by which an all-wise Father
+hides the future from our gaze. It bringeth
+naught but evil.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well, well, do as thou wishest,” grumbled
+the dame. “For my part, I find that it harms
+me not to be guided by Gunnehilde, and rare is
+she as a compounder of herbs. Here we are,
+child. Thou seest that we have brought the
+vala with us, for Denewulf, though he believeth
+not in her craft, wisheth her near him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Gunnehilde greeted them with warmth. To
+Egwina she accorded a respect and deference
+that confused the maiden, who could not but
+see what thoughts were in her mind.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come ye to consult the runes?” she asked,
+“or upon the matter of which thou spakest,
+Adiva?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Upon the matter,” returned Adiva. “Egwina
+will have naught more to do with runes
+or rede. Therefore haste we to the other
+affair.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She hath no need,” replied the vala.
+“Skulda hath woven the web and golden is its
+woof. Fear not, maiden, Verdandi striveth
+to weave dark threads among the gold, but
+already do they begin to brighten. Speed thou
+on thy way. Skulda holdeth the shuttle.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina answered not. The remembrance of
+Gyda was still too strong upon her for her to
+listen without a shudder to the woman’s
+prophecies. Gunnehilde saw the repugnance
+in her face, and turned to the bishop’s wife.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The cart is ready at thy bidding, Adiva.
+Whenever thou shalt say, then shall Beorn take
+the maiden to my brother’s, Anlaf the black.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What dost thou mean?” cried Egwina.
+“Where do I go? Adiva, what is it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My child, thou didst promise thou wouldst
+do as I bade thee should Denewulf remain obdurate
+in his purpose to have thee enter a convent.
+Thou wottest how set he is in his design.
+Without thy consent thou canst not, of course,
+be made to enter one, but I fear that he will
+o’ersuade thee. Therefore I deem it best that
+thou shouldst retire for a little while into East
+Anglia where Anlaf the black, brother to
+Gunnehilde, abides. There shalt thou stay
+until such time as Denewulf will have given
+over his design. Then thou canst return to
+me, and never shalt thou leave me until Edward
+takes thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Adiva,” said the maiden, distressed, “it cannot
+be. It will never be as thou seemeth to
+think. Dwell not on such hopes for they are
+vain. I feel with Denewulf that it is meet and
+fitting that I should retire into a nunnery.
+Oppose me no longer, Adiva. It is best.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is not best,” cried the dame. “If it so
+be that Edward doth not wed with thee, yet
+still thou shalt not be hidden in the cloister.
+Thou wilt go with the man to Anlaf’s, wilt thou
+not? Thou must, Egwina, else I will send for
+the king and lay the whole matter before him.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wottest that I will do as thou sayest,
+Adiva, when thou dost make such threat. To
+please thee, then, and to keep thee from sending
+for the king, I will go into East Anglia and for
+a time give up the thought of the cloister.
+Anon I will take it up.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So Egwina found herself bundled into a cart
+and on the way to East Anglia to the house of
+Anlaf the black.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxvhilda-again">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id31">CHAPTER XXV—HILDA AGAIN</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">The brother of Gunnehilde, Anlaf the black,
+had been one of the servitors of Guthrum.
+The king had parceled out among those of his
+retainers who had chosen to remain with him
+the lands and manors of East Anglia. Many
+of the wild and courageous spirits, rebelling at
+the restraints of a peaceful life, had retired
+from the coasts of Britain, seeking other fields
+of adventure and prowess. To these also the
+fact that Guthrum and many of his jarls had
+embraced Christianity proved galling, and so
+many were the manors and broad the fields
+assigned to those who remained. The Saxon
+inhabitants either submitted to their rule, and
+became subjects of the Danish king, or else
+retired into Wessex or southern Mercia.</p>
+<p class="pnext">To Thetford, the capital and largest city of
+East Anglia, was Egwina taken. Large and
+extensive forests surrounded the town. Just
+in the edge of the woods was an open glade in
+which was the house where dwelt Anlaf the
+black. In the near distance could be seen the
+royal vill of Guthrum or Athelstan.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The family consisted of but two members.
+Anlaf himself and his wife. They received
+the maiden with hospitality and reverence, for
+Egwina found that even here the greatness
+predicted for her by Gunnehilde had its effect.
+The wife of Anlaf would not permit her to
+assist her in her household duties, and the
+maiden soon found that, deprived of all employment,
+time began to hang heavily upon her
+hands.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Chafing at her idleness, she began to wander
+in the woodland near the house, observing the
+caution that had been given her of not straying
+too far away for fear of the wolves or bears
+with which the forest was filled. One afternoon,
+she had walked somewhat farther than
+usual, and, feeling the need of rest, flung herself
+down upon the sward under the spreading
+branches of an oak tree. She had lain so but
+a short while when she heard voices.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Out from among the trees there came the
+figures of two persons: a young man, very fair,
+and to all appearances a Saxon, and a girl, a
+Dane. Egwina sat up and surveyed the two
+with some curiosity which was reciprocated by
+the man and the girl, for they stopped and
+looked at her with surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come, Siegbert,” said the Danish girl,
+“let us advance and see who the maiden is.”
+She started forward as she spoke, and the
+young man, called Siegbert, supported her form
+carefully.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina rose, and awaited their coming, rejoicing
+in the fact that she was at last going to
+meet with some young folk near her own age.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why, it is the skald maiden!” exclaimed
+the Danish girl, as she drew near to the Saxon
+maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hilda, daughter of Guthrum!” exclaimed
+Egwina in turn.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; it is Hilda. What dost thou here?”
+cried the king’s daughter. “I thought that
+thou wert skald maiden to King Alfred? Thou
+wert with him when he entered the camp at
+Westbury.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True,” answered Egwina, briefly. “Gleemaidens
+as well as gleemen are in many places.
+To-day they serve one lord; to-morrow they
+chant the praises of another.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Sit we down,” commanded the Danish girl
+imperiously. “Much doth it tire me to stand,
+and I would talk with thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The young man spread a mantle upon the
+sward, and Hilda sank down upon it. Egwina
+resumed her seat, looking at the Saxon attendant
+as she did so. Well worthy of attention
+was he.</p>
+<p class="pnext">He carried himself nobly; his form was
+strong, muscular, and symmetrically developed.
+His face was marvelously beautiful, but the
+eyes caught and held the gaze. Deep blue
+were they, and full of unfathomable sorrow,
+yet full also of that strength which is self-conscious
+of power. His bearing toward the Danish
+maiden was tender in the extreme.</p>
+<p class="pnext">He bore her pettishness and imperiousness
+not as a slave, but indulgently as one bears the
+caprices of a loved child. Again and again
+Egwina found her glance wandering to his face,
+and she caught herself listening to his voice as
+he spoke to Hilda, with a strange throb of the
+heart.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Lean against me, Hilda,” he was saying.
+“Then thou wilt not be so tired.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is better,” admitted Hilda, leaning contentedly
+against his broad chest. “Now tell
+me, maiden. Art thou wandering through
+Danelagh, or what dost thou here?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; I wander no more,” answered Egwina.
+“Here in East Anglia do I abide for a
+time only. I wot not when I shall go hence,
+but methinks it will not be long. Hast thou
+trouble again with thy knee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; didst thou not know that thy King
+Alfred did cure me? No longer do I suffer
+from my knee, but hot and sharp is the pain
+here,” and she laid her hand on her breast.
+“I would that I knew more of that Cuthbert of
+whom the king told me. And he was afflicted
+even as I with the lameness of the knee.
+Prithee, maiden, dost thou know aught of
+him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Only that he was an holy and an austere
+man; the bishop of Lindisfarne,” replied Egwina.
+“Many miracles have been wrought by
+his tomb, and many did he perform himself.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, that I might visit his tomb!” exclaimed
+the Danish girl, fervently. “I wish not to die
+yet. I am so young, so young!” She burst
+into a passion of weeping.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert drew her to him, and gently stroked
+her hair.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But are there no leeches, no remedies?”
+cried Egwina, her heart full of sympathy for
+the girl.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Everything hath been tried,” said Siegbert,
+and again Egwina felt that strange throbbing
+of the heart as he spake. “Everything; but
+Hilda thinketh that nothing will cure her save
+a visit to the tomb of Cuthbert.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then why doth she not go?” asked Egwina.
+“Could she not be taken there?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, maiden.” The Saxon’s voice was grave.
+“When the Danes spread over the country,
+destroying the monasteries, Cuthbert’s remains
+were taken up and carried away by the monks
+when they fled. Now, none know where they
+be.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I feel sure that King Alfred will know,”
+cried Egwina. “He hath rebuilt the monasteries,
+and oh! I know that he will know.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thinkest thou so?” cried Hilda with eagerness.
+“I will tell my father and he will send
+to the king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She sat up, and seemed much better and
+stronger for the hope that was infused into
+her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hadst thou not better return now, Hilda?”
+asked Siegbert. “Thou hast stayed out long
+enow for one day.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, I would talk more with the maiden,”
+returned Hilda. “So soon as I return will I
+get my father to send bode to King Alfred to
+ask of him where lie the bones of Cuthbert.
+Maiden, believest thou in runes of the volva?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina shook her head.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The runes tell me of speedy death,” said
+Hilda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But, Hilda, thou wert baptized with thy
+father,” chid Egwina. “Thou canst not now
+believe in runes, or any of the seid of the
+volva.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do not the Saxons?” inquired Hilda. “I
+have heard that even they who hold belief in
+Christianity consult the Morthwyrtha by fount
+and elm and scin-laeca.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina winced, but answered bravely: “Too
+true, Hilda. Many of our people do so
+deal with such pagan ideas, but it is forbidden
+by priest and our most holy religion. I
+have heard it said that some worship still the
+old gods, despite word of king or monk.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But why forsook they the olden gods?”
+cried the Danish girl. “I like not the Saxon
+God. In what is He better than Odin? Whom
+can ye give us in place of our beautiful Baldur
+the glorious? ‘Worship the Saxon God,’ is the
+command that hath gone forth from my father,
+and the people obey because he hath said;
+but still do they cling to Odin, and Thor, and
+Baldur. Once as we worship, so did ye. Why
+did ye change?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hast thou not heard how the good Pope
+Gregory sent the priests to Britain?” asked
+Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No; tell me,” and Hilda, leaned back comfortably
+against Siegbert. “If I am to worship
+in this new religion I wish to know of it; but
+little do I care for aught of it save Cuthbert.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wottest thou not that often men of our island
+have been sold as serfs into other countries?”
+asked Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes; as it hath been with ye in that respect,
+so hath it been with us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Well, at one time in the city of Rome there
+were some men from our island to be sold as
+serfs. While they stood in the market place,
+Pope Gregory of blessed memory was passing
+by. He was a simple priest then, but afterward
+became pope. Being attracted by the exceeding
+fairness of the men, he stopped.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“‘From what country come ye?’ he asked.
+They replied that they were ‘Angles.’ ‘Angles!
+Ye should be angels! Are ye Christians,’ said the
+holy man, ‘or heathens?’ ‘Certainly not Christians,’
+said they, ‘for no one hath opened our
+ears.’ Then the holy man, lifting up his eyes,
+replied, ‘What man, when there are stones at
+hand, layeth a foundation with reeds?’ They
+answered, ‘No man of prudence.’ ‘Ye have
+well said,’ said he, and straightway did he take
+them to his own house and instruct them in the
+divine oracles, and arrange with them that he
+should go into their country to carry the holy
+religion.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“When the people heard of it they made a
+great outcry, for he was a holy man, much noted
+for good works and well-beloved. So the pope
+would not let him go, and it became his hope
+that some day the gospel should be taken into
+our land. When he became pope, he at once
+sent St. Augustine, a holy man, with a multitude
+of priests, and thus did they change our
+forefathers into Christians.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What said they?” inquired the Danish girl.
+“How could they turn them from the old gods?
+Methinks that I should like to know what was
+said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear Hilda,” and Egwina looked distressed,
+“I would that there was some one that thou
+couldst question aside from me. I know so
+little; I only know that I believe. I would that
+King Alfred were here! He could tell thee all
+that thou askest.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But dost thou not know somewhat of what
+passed between them?” asked the girl impatiently.
+“Methinks that were my people to
+change so, I would know wherefore it was done.
+Bethink thee! Dost thou not remember something
+of it?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Methinks,” said the Saxon maid, musingly,
+“that I have heard that which passed between
+them, but, Hilda, I cannot tell thee what it was.
+It hath been custom so long for our people to be
+Christian that they no longer question the whyfore.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I can tell thee, Hilda,” spake Siegbert, in
+his deep musical voice. “The king and his
+thegns were debating the old and the new religions
+in the witan, when a thegn arose and said:
+‘Thou dost remember, it may be, O king, that
+which sometimes happens in winter, when
+thou art seated at table with gesiths and thegns.
+Thy fire is lighted and thy hall warmed, and
+without is rain and snow and storm. Then
+comes a swallow flying across the hall. He enters
+by one door and leaves by another. The
+brief moment while he is within is pleasant to
+him; he feels not rain nor cheerless winter
+weather; but the moment is brief—the bird
+flies away in the twinkling of an eye, and he
+passes from winter to winter. Such, methinks,
+is the life of man on earth, compared with the
+uncertain time beyond. It appears for a while,
+but what is the time which comes after—the time
+which was before? We know not. If, then,
+this new doctrine may teach us somewhat of
+greater certainty, it were well that we should
+regard it.’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why, Siegbert,” exclaimed Hilda, “I knew
+not that thou didst know aught of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dost thou forget that once I was in a monastery?”
+asked Siegbert.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“True, I did forget. How comes it that
+thou hast not told me before?” questioned
+Hilda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Never have I heard thee speak as thou hast
+spoken to-day,” answered the young man.
+“Willingly would I have told thee of it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis true,” declared the Danish girl, after a
+short interval of silence, during which time she
+seemed to be thinking. “We are like the
+swallow. Here for such a brief time and then
+out into the shadow of death. Whither? We
+know not; unless, indeed, it be true that Hela,
+the death goddess, awaits us in Niflheim. Oh,
+would that I were not woman! Would that
+I were warrior; that Odin, Alfadur, might
+send the Valkyrie to wing me to Valhalla,
+where all is bright and beautiful. I wish not
+to go to Hela!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou shalt not.” Siegbert spoke soothingly
+and with so much of positiveness that
+Hilda forgot her tears and raised her head
+inquiringly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What meanest thou, Siegbert?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou shalt not go to that dread abode, for
+none such exists,” said the young man. “Let
+me tell thee, Hilda, of the beautiful heaven of
+the Christian faith.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With solemn sweetness he told of the heavenly
+city, where there is no night, where pain
+nor death enters not, and of the gentle Christ
+so pitiful of weakness and suffering. Egwina
+listened entranced. The young man’s earnestness
+impressed her, and she felt her own imperfections
+as she had never done before.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am tired,” said Hilda, at length. “Take
+me home, Siegbert, and there thou shalt tell me
+more of this Christ of thine. He is like Baldur
+in his beauty and goodness. If thy heaven is
+as thou sayest, then methinks I wish it, for one
+need not be warrior to enter it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Lifting her up carefully in his arms, Siegbert
+turned to go, but Hilda stopped him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come to me to-morrow, maiden,” said she
+to Egwina. “Wilt thou not? Siegbert shall
+come to fetch thee if thou wilt. I would hear
+thee sing again. Wondrous skill hadst thou
+with the harp.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I have none now,” responded Egwina,
+slowly, “but I will come an’ thou wishest it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I do wish it. I have harp of mine own
+which thou canst use. Then I will send Siegbert
+for thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She sank back in the strong arms of the
+Saxon, who strode off as if the burden he bore
+were naught for his strength. Egwina stood for
+a long time on the knoll where they had left
+her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why doth my heart beat at sound of his
+voice or look of his eye?” she mused. “Something
+doth draw me to him. I would, oh, I
+would that he were sibbe to me. Never before
+have I so longed for one to be near to me as I
+do him. Oh, would that he were of my kith!
+But God doeth all things well, and it may be
+that I am bereft of kin that I may the more
+readily give myself to the service of Heaven.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With an involuntary sigh, she turned her
+steps in the direction of the abode of Anlaf.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxvithe-eclipse">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id32">CHAPTER XXVI—THE ECLIPSE</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Egwina awaited the coming of the next day
+with impatience. She could not define the feeling
+that possessed her. She would not go to
+the forest lest Siegbert might come, and she
+sought to pass the time until his arrival as best
+she might. It was not until the sun had risen
+high in the heavens that the young man came.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Fair day to thee, maiden,” he said in his
+grave voice. “Wilt thou come now to Hilda,
+daughter of Guthrum?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly, Siegbert,” and Egwina hastily
+donned coverchief and neckcloth. “How seemeth
+she to-day?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brighter; but it is the brightness that precedes
+dissolution,” answered Siegbert, seriously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then dost thou think that she will not get
+well?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“She will not. She can not,” returned the
+Saxon. “Misease hath entered upon her vitals
+so thoroughly that naught can cure her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hath her father sent to Alfred to know
+where Cuthbert lies?” asked Egwina, anxiously.
+“Mickle have been the miracles that have been
+wrought at his tomb, and could she but reach
+the place it might be that she, too, would be
+favored.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay; Hilda could not reach it unless it
+were very near. I think the end not far off.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In silence did they proceed to the vill of
+Guthrum. It had been the property of the
+kings of the royal family of Anglia, and was a
+low, rambling structure built in the usual style
+of the Saxons. As they entered its portals,
+Egwina could not but notice the difference between
+the court of the Danish king and that of
+King Alfred.</p>
+<p class="pnext">At Alfred’s court there was an air of quietness,
+of moderation, and of learning. Under
+the trees, in the rooms, and everywhere about
+the palace might be seen men of erudition, with
+book or tablet in hand, engaged either in absorbing
+the wisdom of the ancients or imparting
+it to others. Smiths and artisans were
+occupied in work of their various crafts, while
+the army, one-half of which the king kept ever
+by him, could be seen as they were being drilled
+in the tactics of war. Everything betokened
+an alert monarch trying to educate his people
+in all that goes to make civilization and refinement.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Here Danes lolled listlessly about—some under
+the trees playing quoits, or clustered together
+about some skalds listening eagerly to recitals
+of heroes or battles, or to the harp and song,
+things of which they never seemed to weary;
+others still were throwing spears or shooting
+arrows at a mark, while many feasted and drank
+in the great mead hall. If the Saxons were
+hearty eaters and drinkers and believers in good
+cheer, insisting upon their four meals a day
+from ealdorman to ceorl, the Danes surpassed
+them. Nothing here evidenced that superior
+intelligence which was the animus and life of
+the Saxon king.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina, without being able to define it, felt
+the difference. Siegbert hurried her through the
+courtyard and the mead hall, where Guthrum
+sat with his jarls, and into the bower chamber
+of Hilda. The Danish maiden reclined languidly
+on a couch. Her face was paler than it
+had been the day before, and dark rings encircled
+her eyes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am glad that ye have come,” she cried.
+“I feared that ye had stopped by the way
+to talk. I wot that, being Saxons, ye would
+have much to say, but I hoped that ye would
+not.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nor did we,” soothed Egwina, gently.
+“Tell me, Hilda, how fares it with thee to-day?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am better,” answered the girl, brightly.
+“Much better! My father hath sent a bode to
+the Saxon king to learn of St. Cuthbert’s tomb,
+and as soon as he returns I shall be taken there.
+Then shall I be well again. How good it would
+seem never to have pain here again!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She laid her hand on her breast and the
+muscles of her face twitched.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Here is my harp,” she continued, after a
+moment, handing the instrument to Egwina.
+“Sing me one of thy songs. Dost remember
+what thou and the king did sing when ye came
+to the camp?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea,” answered Egwina, briefly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then sing the same songs as ye did then.
+I like the Saxon king and fain would I be reminded
+of him. Gentle was he to me, though
+I were the daughter of his foe who had driven
+him from his throne. In his palace nobly did
+he demean himself towards my father, and bestowed
+upon him twelve manors and many
+presents. Stay,” as Egwina swept the strings
+of the harp, “knowest thou the king’s favorite
+songs?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yea, they are the Christian hymns,” replied
+Egwina, promptly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then sing those, and afterward shalt thou
+sing the others.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Again the maiden swept the strings, saying
+as she did so: “Methinks the king liketh this
+hymn the best of any. ’Tis a hymn of thanksgiving
+on the creation.</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Befits it well that man should raise</div>
+<div class="line">To Heaven the song of thanks and praise,</div>
+<div class="line">For all the gifts a bounteous God</div>
+<div class="line">From age to age hath still bestowed.</div>
+<div class="line">The kindly seasons’ tempered reign,</div>
+<div class="line">The plenteous store, the rich domain</div>
+<div class="line">Of this mid earth’s extended plain,</div>
+<div class="line">All that His creatures’ wants could crave,</div>
+<div class="line">His boundless pow’r and mercy gave.</div>
+<div class="line">Noblest of yon bright train that sparkles high,</div>
+<div class="line">Beneath the vaulted sky,</div>
+<div class="line">The sun by day, the silver’d moon by night,</div>
+<div class="line">Twin fires of Heav’n, dispense for man their useful light.</div>
+<div class="line">Where’er on earth his lot be sped,</div>
+<div class="line">For man the clouds their richness shed,</div>
+<div class="line">In gentle dews descend, or op’ning pour</div>
+<div class="line">Wide o’er the land their fertilizing shower.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line">“Not such the doom</div>
+<div class="line">Our sorrowing fathers heard of old,</div>
+<div class="line">The doom that in dread accents told</div>
+<div class="line">Of Heaven’s avenging might, and woe, and wrath to come.</div>
+<div class="line">‘Lo! I have set thee on earth’s stubborn soil</div>
+<div class="line">With grief and stern necessity to strive;</div>
+<div class="line">To wear thy days in unavailing toil,</div>
+<div class="line">The ceaseless sport of tort’ring friends to live.</div>
+<div class="line">Thence to thy dust to turn, the worm’s repast,</div>
+<div class="line">And dwell where penal flames thro’ endless ages last.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line">“‘Thrice holy He,</div>
+<div class="line">The Spirit Son of Deity!</div>
+<div class="line">He called from nothing into birth</div>
+<div class="line">Each fair production of the teeming earth;</div>
+<div class="line">He bids the faithful and the just aspire</div>
+<div class="line">To join in endless bliss Heaven’s angel choir.</div>
+<div class="line">His love bestows on human kind</div>
+<div class="line">Each varied excellence of mind.</div>
+<div class="line">To some His Spirit-gift affords</div>
+<div class="line">The power and mastery of words.</div>
+<div class="line">So may the wiser sons of earth proclaim,</div>
+<div class="line">In speech and measured song, the glories of His name.’”</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<p class="pfirst">“Doth the king like that?” asked the girl,
+wistfully.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, Hilda. Doth it not please thee?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It is like the king,” said Hilda. “Lofty
+and grand! Far beyond the simple ken of a
+maiden’s knowledge, even as the king is beyond
+a maiden’s understanding. Siegbert, what is
+the little song that thou dost sing?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and
+to the Holy Ghost,” chanted Siegbert. “As it
+was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.
+World without end. Amen. Amen.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina joined in, and Hilda looked at them
+wonderingly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Do ye know that as ye were singing, methought
+that ye looked alike,” said she. “Hast
+thou a brother, maiden?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No,” answered Egwina, sadly. “None of
+kith and kin have I. Oft hath it saddened my
+heart, and it hath brought mickle grief to me
+that I had none.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hadst thou never one?” began Siegbert,
+when Hilda interrupted him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I weary of the harp and even of song, Siegbert.
+Prithee carry me into the courtyard, and
+let me be in the sunshine.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert lifted her up. Egwina stood, not
+knowing what to do.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Come thou also,” said Hilda. “I weary not
+of thy presence. The music doth tire me, but
+thy talk doth not.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Out under the trees they went, Siegbert bolstering
+up Hilda with pillows.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“How bright is the sun!” said she. “How
+good its warmth feels!” She lay for a few moments
+basking in its rays. Then throwing out
+her hands, exclaimed with sudden energy:
+“O sun! Thou bright star of day! If the
+Saxon God be the Supreme One and Odin not
+the All-Powerful, darken thy rays I entreat.
+Turn day into night, that I may know truth,
+truth. It shall be a sign, and my life shall be
+the offering.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A silence fell upon Egwina and Siegbert and
+those of the jarls who were near enough to hear
+the words. Involuntarily all glanced at the sun.
+Brightly it shone as ever. A scornful laugh
+broke from Hilda’s lips.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What is your Saxon God?” she cried.
+“Powerless is He, or the sun would darken.
+What! hath He not so much power as that?
+Out upon Him!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Behold!” exclaimed Siegbert, abruptly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">All eyes were turned toward the sky. An
+undeniable shadow was stealing over the sun.
+A hush fell upon them. Almost breathless,
+Hilda watched the bright orb. The breeze
+rustled the leaves in the tree-tops with a soft,
+murmuring sound, as if uneasy at the phenomenon.
+Deeper grew the shadow, for over
+the sun’s bright disc spread a darkening
+cloud.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The loud laughter of Dane and the song of
+skald were hushed. Knowing naught of the
+cause, the jarls rushed forth from the mead hall
+with Guthrum at their head. Awed and panic-stricken,
+many threw themselves on the ground
+in paroxysms of terror.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods!”
+cried Guthrum in fear. “Dim groweth the
+sun! Soon will the stars fall, and time shall
+be no more!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">With hoarse cries the Danes repeated, “Ragnarok!
+Ragnarok!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the distance the cocks crew, and the birds
+chirped in the tree-branches as they nested to
+rest. Egwina and Siegbert drew close to Hilda.
+She had sprung to her feet and, tense and rigid,
+stood regarding the sun with awe. Darker
+grew the sky, until an intense darkness, black
+as starless night, spread over the earth. Only
+for a few moments did the phenomenon last, and
+then the shadow began to lighten. The cloud
+passed, and again the sun shone forth bright and
+beautiful.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Then only did the rigidity of the form of the
+maiden relax.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I am answered!” she cried, with a dazzling
+smile as she turned to them. “Gloriously hath
+the Supreme One honored me! Heed well, ye
+jarls, what Hilda saith: The Saxon God is Supreme.
+I know it.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">She half turned to her father, who sprang forward.
+Before he could reach her, with an upflinging
+of her arms toward that orb which had
+so wondrously answered her, Hilda fell prone
+upon the sward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">When they reached her she was dead.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxviisiegberts-story">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id33">CHAPTER XXVII—SIEGBERT’S STORY</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">It was seven days since the death chant had
+arisen in the house of Guthrum for Hilda.</p>
+<p class="pnext">A melancholy had settled upon the spirits of
+Egwina. Unable to content herself, she wandered
+from wood to house and back again to
+wood. Usually bright and cheerful, the girl
+felt herself weighed down by a heavy depression
+born of loneliness, and she dwelt morbidly
+upon the happy days in the king’s household.
+A conviction that this was the manner in which
+she was to be convinced that she was set apart
+for the cloister was fast stealing over her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">One morning, after a sleepless night, she
+arose from her couch with the determination to
+return to Denewulf, and tell him that she was
+ready to devote herself to the life of a nun. After
+all, it was not so dreadful a thing. Alfred’s
+second daughter, Ethelgiva, was so set apart, and
+if she could give up the pomp and majesty of a
+king’s court for such a holy life, why should
+she rebel, who was only a simple gleemaiden?</p>
+<p class="pnext">Should Adiva send for the king, she would
+tell him that it was her wish and he would respect
+it. Thus reasoned Egwina. Having
+reached this determination, the maiden sought
+Anlaf to ask him to take her into Berkshire that
+day, but the Dane responded that it could not
+be done until the morrow. So Egwina started
+off for her accustomed retreat on the knoll.</p>
+<p class="pnext">To her surprise, she found Siegbert there.
+She had not seen him since the day of Hilda’s
+death, and now hastened to greet him, feeling
+again that strange pleasure in being near him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Siegbert, glad am I to behold thee once
+more, for to-morrow I go to Berkshire, and I
+feared that I should see thee not again.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I wished to see thee also,” replied the
+young man, “because I, too, go away.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou goest? Whither?” cried Egwina in
+surprise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou wottest, maiden, dost thou not, that I
+am or have been a serf in the house of Guthrum?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, I know,” answered she.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Since I was but ten years old,” continued
+the Saxon, “have I been serf to Guthrum.
+Twelve long years in bondage to the Dane!
+Now I have my freedom at last.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But how cometh it that now thou hast it
+after all these years?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I will tell thee, maiden. When I was but
+a lad of ten, and Guthrum brought me to his
+house as bondsman, Hilda was but five years
+old. I had had a little sister in mine own
+home, younger still than Hilda. The baby girl
+eased the pain and homesickness in my bereaved
+heart, and Hilda would have none but me attend
+her. So as she grew, grew also the bond
+between us, until it was not as bondsman, but
+as brother, that I ministered to her. Long ago
+could I have had my freedom, for I saved the
+money until there was enow, but Hilda clung
+to me, and for her sake, because none cared for
+her as I did, I stayed. Guthrum knew of it—knew
+that I forebore to take my freedom when
+I could because of Hilda. He loved her, and
+that I was gentle with her did gladden his
+heart. Yesterday in the presence of witnesses
+he called me and made me free!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And now, Siegbert, what doest thou?”
+asked Egwina.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No man will I own as lord save the Saxon
+king,” answered Siegbert. “Gladly would I
+live where I could partake of his wisdom and
+learning. Oh!” he cried with more passion
+than Egwina had as yet seen him exhibit, “Oh,
+that I could be learned!—learned as those
+men with whom I have heard that he surrounds
+himself! But what could I give in return?
+He has no daughter requiring my care, and
+there is naught else that I can do!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Why not go to Alfred, and tell him of thy
+desire?” said Egwina simply. “He is wise and
+good, Siegbert. Thou wottest not how good
+unless thou hast partaken of his bounty. It
+grieveth his heart that learning is not more
+sought after by the youth. Many are there
+who care for naught but the chase and hunt.
+Canst thou hunt, Siegbert?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“None better,” answered the young man,
+briefly. “Expert are the Danes with bow and
+arrow. They teach the youths to excel in such
+weapons; leaping, running, wrestling, even as
+with the Saxons, are sports in which they delight,
+but naught of wisdom’s lore teach they.
+For one short year only was the cup of knowledge
+presented to my lips. Fain would I have
+partaken longer of the draught, but that it was
+rudely dashed from my lips, and now, ere I
+again partake of it, do I set forth to find if any
+there be who know aught of my grandfather or
+sister. I wot not if they be dead or living. I
+was taken from them so long ago.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Tell me of it, Siegbert,” urged Egwina,
+seating herself near him. “From what place
+wert thou taken?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It was from a monastery,” said Siegbert,
+“where I was placed, because the abbot had
+taken a fancy to my voice and face. ‘He shall
+be another Cynewulf,’ he said, and so ’suaded my
+grandfather to give me to them. I, too, maiden,
+was the son of a gleeman who was the son of a
+gleeman, and song was my heritage even as it
+is thine. The good abbot taught me to read
+and to know of other things, that I might not
+be like the animal, who wots of naught but
+grass and drink. One morning—well do I remember
+the day—a bode ran breathlessly to the
+monastery to tell us that the Northmen were
+advancing upon us. The battle of Kesteven
+had been fought, and victory sat upon the helmet
+of the Dane. Terror and consternation
+reigned in the monastery, for as the destroyer
+had done to other convents, so would he do to
+ours. No mercy would be shown to priest or
+monk. The abbot alone was calm. Calling all
+together, he sent into the fens the younger brothers,
+who could support life, together with the
+sacred relics of the monastery—the most holy
+body of St. Guthlac, the jewels, documents, and
+precious gifts presented to the abbey. The aged
+and infirm monks with the young children, in
+fact all those whom he considered unable to endure
+the hardships of the fens, did he retain with
+him, hoping that the savage breasts of the Danes
+might be filled with pity for so much helplessness.
+But alack! even as, robed in the vestments,
+we stood at mass, the Danes burst in
+upon us. Never, maiden, shall I forget that
+sight! Often now, in the dark watches of the
+night, doth it come before my vision—the good
+abbot, stricken down at the very altar; the
+priests and monks, with their heads cloven into
+by the terrible battle-ax of the Danes. By the
+sub-prior did I stand. The pagans swept to us,
+and one, with a swift blow of his ax, laid the
+holy father dead at my feet. Wotting not
+what I did, I taunted him scornfully because
+he slew me not, but stood regarding me with
+weapon uplifted. I bade him put me to death
+by the side of the holy father, for I loved him;
+but the Dane seized me, stripped me of my
+robe, and then threw upon me a Danish tunic.
+Then bearing me with him, he strode from the
+edifice, crying that I was too fair to be slain.
+So,” and Siegbert’s lip curled in scorn, “where
+holiness and goodness availed not, mere beauty
+of feature saved my life. The others who were
+not slain outright were seized and tortured to
+tell where the treasures of the monastery were
+held. Incensed at being thwarted of their
+gains, the Danes slew all the remainder save
+only myself. I, too, would have been slain but
+that Sidroc the younger, who had saved me,
+bade me keep from the way of Hubba and the
+other jarls, and keep only with his own retainers.
+Then they passed on to Medeshamstede,
+to continue the work of destruction. The army
+then moved toward Huntingdon.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The two jarls Sidroc were appointed to guard
+the rear and the baggage over the rivers. As
+they were passing the Neu, after the rest of the
+army, two cars laden with wealth and property,
+with all the cattle drawing them, were overturned
+at the left of a bridge into a whirlpool.
+While all the attendants of the younger Sidroc
+were employed in recovering what was possible
+of the loss, I stole away unperceived and ran
+into the nearest wood. All night I walked. I
+was footsore and weary, but I was upheld by the
+hope of seeing again the monastery and getting
+away from the Dane. The wolves molested me
+not. They, too, seemed filled with fear of the
+dread pagan, and remained hidden in their
+lairs. At dawn I reached the monastery. It
+was still burning. The younger brothers who
+had fled to the fens had returned and were fighting
+the flames. They took me and did comfort
+me. But woe and well-a-day! we were again
+compelled to fly by news of the approach of the
+Northmen. I wot not how it happened, but I
+strayed from or was left behind the rest in the
+fens. For two days I wandered in the marshes,
+unwitting where to go. Then did a Dane find me
+and bring me to Guthrum, who, won by my fair
+looks, took me into his household. So that
+again did comeliness bring me succor.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina had drawn closer and closer to the
+young man during the recital. Her eyes were
+shining, her lips parted, and she hung upon
+his words with an intentness almost painful.
+As Siegbert paused, she laid her hand upon his
+and asked: “Siegbert, was that monastery of
+which thou speakest Croyland?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes,” he answered.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“What was the name of thy father?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Athelwulf, the son of Wulfhere.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou didst speak of a little sister!
+Wittest thou her name?” Egwina was greatly
+agitated. Siegbert, too, was regarding her with
+intense eagerness.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My little sister’s name was Egwina,” cried
+he, full of suppressed excitement. “Look,
+maiden!” He tore from his chest his tunic,
+and pointed to his breast, where in old
+Saxon letters was punctured the name “Egwina.”
+“My grandfather did that just before
+I went to the convent. As he did so he
+said: ‘Boy, thy father and mother both are
+dead. Save thee and me, no kith hath the
+little one. Keep that name in thy heart,
+and live for none other until mayhap thou
+dost resign her into another’s keeping.’ And
+I sware to him an oath that it should be as he
+said.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Brother!” cried Egwina, half beside herself
+with joy. “I am that Egwina! I am thy
+sister.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My sister?” The young man stared at
+her for a moment, and then exclaimed: “I
+feel it! I know it!” and he embraced her
+rapturously.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“We thought thee dead!” cried Egwina,
+through her tears. “We knew not that
+thou wert spared by the Danes. Granther
+grieved for thee always. My brother! my
+brother!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou art Egwina, my own little sister!”
+Siegbert touched her gently, a glad light shining
+in his grave, beautiful eyes. “Said not
+Hilda that we looked alike! I thought that
+thou and our grandsire likewise were slain,
+because I knew the Northmen had overrun the
+country. I thought never to see thee again,
+sister.” He lingered lovingly over the last
+word, as though it were sweet to him. “Now is
+my search ended before it hath begun. But
+tell me of my grandfather and of thyself.
+How it hath fared with thee these many
+years.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina told him of their wanderings, and
+of Wulfhere’s death. Siegbert’s eyes flashed
+proudly at the manner of it.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I grieve not for him,” he said. “Glorious
+was his end! So may I die—with front
+to foe in defense of my country! Say on,
+sister.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina told all. The life in the forest at the
+cottage of Denewulf; Athelney, the palace and
+Edward’s love; of Gyda and the ordeal, and
+finally how she came to be there at Anlaf’s.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert turned to her, an anxious expression
+on his face.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Not now, Egwina, wilt thou seek the cloister,
+wilt thou? Thy brother cannot give thee
+up, now that he hath found thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Dear brother, never will I leave thee unless
+thou sendest me from thee,” said Egwina, kissing
+him. “We will go to the king, and thou
+shalt enter his service, and learn of his wisdom.
+I have eaten of the king’s bread, and for my
+sake, will he aid thee. And not only for my
+sake, but because thou art a Saxon.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, my sister. We will go not to the
+king. Sometime in the future mayhap, when
+Edward hath taken another to himself, but not
+now. We will go to London, an’ it please thee,
+sister. There thou and I shall dwell together,
+and hard will it go with us, if thy brother
+doth not gain thegn’s rank for thy sweet sake.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“If it pleaseth thee, then doth it please me,”
+answered Egwina. “So that we be near each
+other.”</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxviiian-unexpected-guest">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id34">CHAPTER XXVIII—AN UNEXPECTED GUEST</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">To London, or, as it was then known, Lundenbrige,
+the old British name, the brother and
+sister went. London, with its narrow, winding
+streets and low dwellings. London, which has
+grown from the rudiments of a municipal constitution
+which Alfred planted to the metropolis
+of to-day. London, which owes to the same
+king not only its municipality, but also the defenses
+which rendered it impregnable to the
+later attacks of the Danes.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Close by the bridge which had spanned the
+Thames from Roman times immemorial, at the
+meeting-places of the roads in that district
+known as East Cheap, the two found a cottage
+and there did they dwell. Already possessed
+of some knowledge of the craft of goldsmith,
+Siegbert allied himself with foreign workmen
+and cultivated the craft assiduously, soon becoming
+an expert. Egwina attended to the
+duties of the little household and happily the
+time glided by. All that she had learned of
+books at the court of the king did she impart to
+Siegbert, so that in giving to him of her learning
+she but impressed it the more firmly upon
+her own mind.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Two years passed thus, and if Egwina’s heart
+ever turned with longing toward that far-off
+time when, beloved and honored, she dwelt an
+inmate of the king’s household, or if the image
+of Edward rose before her, none knew of it save
+herself.</p>
+<p class="pnext">It was spring. Egwina drew back the linen
+blind that did duty in place of glass, which was
+in use only by the nobles or churches, and
+leaned out. The air came soft and fresh against
+her face. A song thrush on a budding tree
+near the window trilled forth his merry lay,
+and the maiden listened with light heart.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Hail to thee, maiden,” said a townsman who
+was passing, saluting her. “Heardest thou the
+news?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nay, I have heard naught,” answered the
+maiden, returning the salutation. “What hath
+happened?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“King Alfred and Edward the atheling have
+come against the city, and Dane and Saxon
+alike have acknowledged him as overlord. Now
+hath he brought a great army of workmen and
+prepareth to rebuild the wall with which the
+Roman once encompassed the city. Fortifications
+and manors also doth he purpose erecting.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Is the king himself in the burgh?” questioned
+the maiden, faint with joy.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“He himself is here,” replied the citizen.
+“Royal doings shall we have amongst us, for
+the king’s son-in-law, Ethelred, the ealdorman
+of Mercia, and the lady Ethelfleda, his wife,
+are with him. A goodly company, I trow! I’ll
+warrant that there will be rare doings amongst
+us,” and he passed on.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Here! In the same place! Egwina sank
+back on a seat almost overcome. Those dear
+people whom she had not seen for so long!
+Unknown to them she would gaze upon their
+faces again. And Siegbert! He, too, should
+see them. Together would they watch for
+them, and he should know them at least by
+sight. Full of excitement, she awaited the return
+of Siegbert with impatience.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou shalt see them if thou wilt, my sister,”
+said Siegbert, kissing her. “I, too, would see
+the king, and what manner of man the atheling
+be. Of excellent taste since he hath fancied
+thee, Egwina. ’Tis pity ’twere displeasing to
+the king. Thou art fit mate for any, be he
+atheling or what not.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“At least my life hath not been preserved
+twice on account of beauty,” retorted the girl,
+saucily, flushing rosy red at his praise.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert smiled at her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Wottest thou not that Hilda said that we
+looked alike?” he asked. “Stoodst thou in my
+place before Dane, I trow that there could be
+found no Norseman, howe’er fierce, that could
+find it in his heart to slay thee. List! What
+was that? Methought that I heard a groan.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Both listened, and plainly there came to
+their ears the sound of some one moaning as if
+in pain.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Some one hath been hurt, or o’ertaken by
+misease,” exclaimed Siegbert, rising. “I will
+see if it be near. It so sounded.” He opened
+the door. Prone upon the entrance lay the
+figure of a man.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now, who art thou, and what aileth thee,
+that thou dost utter moan?” asked Siegbert as
+he bent over the prostrate form.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let me enter in pity’s name,” spoke the
+man, feebly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Without more ado the Saxon lifted him in
+his arms and bore him into the cottage. Egwina
+hastened forward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Bear him to thy bed, Siegbert,” she said.
+“The poor man is ill.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The man whose form Siegbert was supporting
+turned his head and looked at her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Little one, is it thou?” he said.</p>
+<p class="pnext">With a cry, Egwina sprang toward him, and
+fell upon her knees before him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My king! my king!” she cried, covering
+his hands with kisses.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Alfred tried to raise her, but the effort was
+too much for him, and he became unconscious.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Oh, Siegbert, ’tis the king, the king!” cried
+Egwina as Siegbert laid him on a couch.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Yes, my sister; but now aid me to bring
+him from his swound, and then will I go for a
+leech.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">In response to their restoratives the king soon
+showed signs of returning consciousness. Egwina
+explained rapidly to Siegbert as they ministered
+to him. “’Tis the same misease which
+hath afflicted the king since he was a young
+man. ’Twas at his wedding feast, I have heard
+them say, when first it seized upon him. The
+merriment was at its height when he was taken
+with it. Some there were, and are yet, who
+thought that wicca craft had been wrought
+upon him; but go, my brother, for the leech.
+See! he openeth his eyes.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert left hastily, and soon returned with
+the physician, who examined the king carefully.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It needeth blood-letting,” said he, sagely,
+“but unlucky is the day, and mickle would be
+the result should I use the vein knife.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">The king smiled faintly.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No blood dost thou need to let, good leech,”
+he said. “The affliction is one to which time
+hath accustomed me, and naught do I need now
+but repose, since the sharpness of the attack
+hath passed.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then,” said the leech, unwilling to let slip
+an opportunity to press his service upon the
+king, “I will leave thee this decoction, and to-morrow
+will we see about the blood-letting.
+Then, too, shalt thou be removed to abode more
+befitting thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">To all of his entreaties the next day to allow
+him to remove him to his own dwelling, Alfred
+turned a deaf ear; nor would he permit Siegbert
+to inform his own family of his whereabouts.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Twill be but a few days until the misease
+will have left me,” he said. “Until then I will
+stay with thee, little one, if thou wilt let me.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Gladly, my king,” returned the maiden,
+with shining eyes. “If thou canst abide in
+our poor dwelling, thou art as welcome as the
+sunbeam.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Tenderly did Alfred smile at her.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina,” said he gently, when the leech
+had gone, “tell me of this young man. Art
+thou wed to him, and is that why thou wouldst
+not exchange the true-lofa with Edward?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No, no,” answered Egwina. “This is my
+brother, my king.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thy brother?” and Alfred looked his surprise.
+“I knew not that thou hadst a brother,
+little one.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Nor did I know until but a short time
+since,” returned Egwina. Briefly she recounted
+the incidents which led to their finding each
+other.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It was the providence of God that brought
+ye to each other,” said the king, piously. “Grievously
+have we mourned for thee, little one. We
+knew not why thou shouldst have left us. Now
+that I have found thee, thou shalt not leave us
+again. Thy brother shall be of us also. Tell
+me of thyself,” and he turned abruptly to
+Siegbert.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Siegbert told his story, with which we are
+already familiar.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thoughtful is thy brow, and thine eye glows
+with the light of a scholar,” declared the king,
+regarding the young man with interest. “Thou
+dost please me well, Siegbert, and agreeable to
+me will be the task of training thy mind. In
+a few days we will go together to the palace.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked at Siegbert with a distressed
+face. Siegbert spoke boldly, resigning without
+a pang the enticing prospect opened up before
+him, for the sake of that dear sister: “My
+lord king, prithee do not press us. Thy graciousness
+warmeth the heart, but we are not
+of gentle blood, and unbecoming to us would be
+the ways of the court.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“And thou carest naught for wisdom and
+learning?” cried Alfred, regarding him with
+surprise. “Hath my ken of men failed me
+now?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">A light flashed into Siegbert’s eyes, but, loyal
+to his sister, he opened his lips to deny the desire
+that possessed him when the king said, smilingly:
+“There seemeth a paradox. Thy words belie
+thy looks, friend Siegbert. Gainsay it not that
+thou dost long for learning.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I do not gainsay it, my lord,” answered the
+young man in a low voice.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Then why dost thou not wish to come to the
+palace? Ah!” catching sight of the downcast
+face of Egwina. “Come, little one, thou shalt
+answer. Is it Edward?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina bowed in silent assent.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Egwina, tell me truly,” and Alfred’s voice
+was grave. “Lovest thou not my son? He told
+me that thou didst, and that thou didst withhold
+from him thy true-lofa because thou didst
+fear that I would be displeased with thee.
+Gladly did I approve thee, for thou wert near
+and dear to me already as mine own child.
+When he sought thee, lo! thou couldst not be
+found. Vainly have we searched for traces
+of thee, but none could be found. Edward
+hath grieved without ceasing over thy loss. Tell
+me why thou didst leave, for in that doth lie the
+reason of thy wish not to return. Hath Edward
+been mistaken? Dost thou not love him?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina looked at him with troubled eyes.
+Siegbert would have spoken, but she stopped
+him.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My brother, I will tell him all,” she said in
+earnest tones. “I do love Edward, my king. I
+knew not that he did love me until the night I
+left him. I stood awaiting his coming after he
+would have seen thee, when I heard footsteps
+approaching. Wishing not to meet other than
+Edward at the moment, I retired into the shadow
+of the trees. It was thou, my king, and the
+lady Elswitha. She was telling thee that she
+feared that Edward did look upon me with
+loving eye. Thou wert surprised, and when the
+lady said that it had grieved her that I was not
+gentle, thou didst say, ‘True, she comes not of
+noble blood.’ I could bear no more, my king.
+I feared thy displeasure, and so, as Gyda the
+seid woman was there and wished me to go with
+her, I left all and followed after her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Thou foolish little one!” The king’s voice
+was very tender. “And thou didst not hear the
+rest of our talk? I said, ‘True, she is not
+of noble blood, but what do we reck of the blood
+when the mind is noble? Glad am I that our
+son hath chosen so wisely.’”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My king!” gasped the girl. “Saidst thou
+that?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The very same. Now will ye go with me,
+my children?” Alfred had risen. He held
+out his hands to them with his most winning
+smile. With an inarticulate cry Egwina sprang
+to him, and Siegbert’s eyes were wet as he kissed
+the hand of Britain’s gentle king.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xxixbringing-the-summer-home">
+<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref pginternal" href="#id35">CHAPTER XXIX—BRINGING THE SUMMER HOME</a></h2>
+<p class="pfirst">Never to be forgotten was the day on which
+Alfred brought Egwina and Siegbert to his
+palace. Not a cloud marred the blue of the
+sky or dimmed the brightness of the sun. All
+nature seemed to have donned her fairest garb.
+Cowslips dotted every mead. Birds trilled
+joyously from every bush. The patient oxen,
+each with a nosegay betwixt his horns, bore to
+every village and town tall birch trees, around
+which the swains and maidens frolicked; for it
+was the first of May, and ealdorman and thegn
+and ceorl joined together in the glad bringing
+home of the Summer.</p>
+<p class="pnext">In the morning from every village went two
+troops of horse. Tall youths and men assembled
+as though they would go forth to a mighty
+battle. One troop was under a captain named
+“Winter,” arrayed in fur and wadded garments,
+and armed with a winter spear, who
+arrogantly rode to and fro, showering made
+snow-balls as if he would fain prolong the cold.
+The other troop was commanded by a captain
+clad in green boughs, leaves, flowers, and other
+summer raiment. Then the two factions engaged
+in a tilt, typical of the struggle between
+life and death, wherein Summer hath the
+mastery. Winter and his companions scatter
+ashes and sparks about them. The other company
+defend themselves with birchen boughs
+and young lime twigs; finally the multitude
+award the victory to Summer, and he is crowned
+with flowers.</p>
+<p class="pnext">All the lads and lassies had set out soon after
+midnight, with horns and other music, to
+neighboring woods, breaking boughs off the
+trees and decking themselves with wreaths and
+posies. Homeward then they turned, and at
+sunrise set these bushes in the doors and windows
+of their houses. Feasting and games
+followed, and joyous was the day.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Bright the mead and green the woodland
+that stretched from the palace, and merrily resounded
+horns and song upon the air. As they
+neared the manor, Egwina’s step grew slower,
+and she trembled. Alfred drew her close to his
+side, and bade her lean upon him for support.
+From one of a group of merry-makers a young
+man detached himself, and came toward them
+with light, quick steps. It was Edward.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“My father,” he cried, “glad am I that thou
+hast returned. Somewhat of uneasiness did we
+feel that thou didst not come sooner, but now—”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He stopped short, catching sight of Egwina for
+the first time. Over his face flashed immediately
+incredulity, surprise, and delight in quick succession.
+So great was his amazement that he
+spoke not, but looked at the maiden as though
+he were afraid a word would dissolve the vision.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Son, hast thou no word of welcome for thy
+bride?” Alfred spoke cheerily. “A laggard
+will she think thee if thou dost not greet her.
+Thy father hath brought thee thy bride.
+Shall he woo her for thee also?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">He stooped and kissed the maiden’s brow,
+and then, leading her to Edward, joined their
+hands together, saying:</p>
+<p class="pnext">“I have brought thee home thy summer,
+Edward. Take her, and forever keep that
+summer in thy heart. I cannot express all her
+merit. Prudent and modest is she, and none
+excelleth her in purity. She lives now for thee—thee
+alone. Hence she loves naught else but
+thee. Let her waste not for thy love, and suffer
+naught to come between thee. As thou dealest
+with her, so may God deal with thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“So may God deal with me,” repeated Edward,
+solemnly. “Welcome, my bride, and
+thrice welcome! Never more shall we be parted.
+We two will live with but one heart and one
+purpose.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Welcome also thy bride’s brother,” and
+the king brought Siegbert forward. “Hast
+thou room in thy heart for another brother?
+Marry! once I thought him loth to let thee
+have Egwina, and hard did I plead for
+thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“But now?” and Edward greeted Siegbert in
+his frank, winning way.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Now that I have seen thee, I am content,”
+answered Siegbert.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It doth surprise me to behold in thee a
+brother to Egwina,” said Edward, his hand still
+clasping that of Siegbert. “I wotted not that
+she possessed any that were sibbe to her.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“’Tis a long story,” and Alfred drew Siegbert
+away with him and turned toward the palace.
+“While we greet the Lady Elswitha, do
+thou tell him it, Egwina. Join us anon in the
+hall, Edward.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Edward held out his hands to the maiden.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Let us wander under the trees,” he said.
+“Henceforth and forever hand-in-hand.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">So under the trees they sauntered, pouring
+forth their joy at again being with each other.
+When the first rapture was over, Edward said:
+“Tell me, Egwina, why thou didst leave me
+that night, and how thou didst find thy brother?
+Vainly did I seek for thee; vainly sought in
+hillock and dale for trace of thee, but naught
+was there to be found anywhere.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina began where he left her, and told him
+all her story. When she reached the ordeal, he
+seized her hand and tore her sleeve and bracelet
+from her arm.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“No scar or burn in truth is there!” he cried.
+“Oh, blessings on the vala who mixed for Adiva
+the potion! Blessings also upon Adiva! As
+for Denewulf—how dared he let thee suffer such
+a trial?”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Egwina laid her hand gently upon his.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“It was not Denewulf, Edward. I demanded
+it, for none were there who believed in my innocence.
+God alone could show it, for man had
+forsaken me. Grieve not over it, because of it
+was I led to Anlaf’s, where I found Siegbert,
+my brother. Through him was it that thy
+father did enter our dwelling, and thus, at last,
+was I brought to thee.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Truly, it was God’s providence,” answered
+Edward. “Yet doth my heart beat, and a mist
+comes before mine eyes at thy hardships. Tell
+on, brave heart; I will be calm.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“There is but little else to tell,” answered
+she, and continued her narrative.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Edward, Edward,” called some merry voices
+as a group of youths and maidens came trooping
+toward them, “come and join us.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Catching sight of Egwina, they stopped in
+surprise, and then called joyously: “’Tis
+Egwina! Egwina hath come to us again!”
+They gathered round her, welcoming her
+warmly. Edward took from a maiden near him
+a garland of cowslips, daisies, and primroses,
+and kneeling before Egwina said: “Thus do I
+crown thee my Summer and queen of my heart.”</p>
+<p class="pnext">“They have exchanged the true-lofa!” went
+up the merry shout. “Edward hath chosen
+his mate! Lord and lady of the Summer are
+they!”</p>
+<p class="pnext">Bursting into a gay song, they joined hands
+and circled joyously round the loving pair.</p>
+<blockquote><div>
+<div class="line-block outermost">
+<div class="line">“Merry is the throstle’s song</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And blithe the mead doth bloom;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">For we have brought the Summer home</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">From Winter’s dreary tomb.</div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">“Merry is the song of youth</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">And blithely do we sing;</div>
+</div>
+<div class="line">For each hath brought his Summer fair</div>
+<div class="inner line-block">
+<div class="line">To join our mystic ring.”</div>
+</div>
+</div>
+</div></blockquote>
+<div class="footnotes level-3 section smaller" id="id6">
+<h3 class="level-3 pfirst section-title title">Footnotes</h3>
+<table class="docutils footnote-group" frame="void" rules="none">
+<colgroup><col class="label"/><col/></colgroup>
+<tbody valign="top">
+<tr class="footnote" id="id3">
+<td class="label"><a class="fn-backref pginternal" href="#id2">[1]</a></td><td><p class="first last pfirst">Bulwer Lytton’s versification. By some this poem is
+placed in the tenth century. Morley puts it in the eighth.</p>
+</td></tr>
+<tr class="footnote" id="id5">
+<td class="label"><a class="fn-backref pginternal" href="#id4">[2]</a></td><td><p class="first last pfirst">Bede’s Life of St. Cuthbert.</p>
+</td></tr>
+</tbody>
+</table>
+</div>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<p class="pfirst"><span class="bold x-large">Best Books For Boys And Girls</span></p>
+<p class="pnext">A series of books for young
+people that contains the latest
+and best works of the most popular
+writers for boys and girls. The
+stories are not only told in an interesting
+and charming manner, but
+most of them contain something in
+the way of information or instruction,
+and all are of a good moral tone. For this reason they
+prove doubly good reading; for, while the child is
+pleasantly employing his time, he is also improving his
+mind and developing his character. Nowhere can
+better books be found to put into the hands of young
+people. They are profusely and handsomely illustrated
+by the best artists and are well printed on good paper
+with exceedingly handsome and durable bindings.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Sold by the leading booksellers everywhere, or sent
+prepaid on receipt of price.</p>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost smaller">
+<div class="line"><em class="italics">Cloth, each, $1.25</em></div>
+<div class="line"> </div>
+<div class="line"><em class="italics">The Penn Publishing Company</em></div>
+<div class="line"><em class="italics">923 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA</em></div>
+</div>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold xx-large">STORIES FOR GIRLS</span></div>
+</div>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">The Ferry Maid of the Chattahoochee</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Annie M. Barnes. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">An heroic little Georgia girl, in her father’s extremity, takes
+charge of his ferry, and through many vicissitudes and several
+impending calamities, succeeds in carrying out her purpose of
+supporting her invalid parent and his family. The heroine’s
+cheerfulness and hearty good humor, combined with an unflinching
+zeal in her determination to accomplish her work,
+make a character which cannot fail to appeal to young people.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">A Maid of the First Century</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Lucy Foster Madison. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">A little maid of Palestine goes in search of her father, who
+for political reasons, has been taken as a slave to Rome. She
+is shipwrecked in the Mediterranean, but is rescued by a
+passing vessel bound for Britain. Eventually an opportunity is
+afforded her for going to Rome, where, after many trying and
+exciting experiences, she and her father are united and his
+liberty is restored to him.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">My Lady Barefoot</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Mrs. Evelyn Raymond. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">A beautifully told story of the trials of a little backwoods girl
+who lives in a secluded place with an eccentric uncle, until his
+death. The privations she undergoes during his life-time, her
+search for other relatives, her rather uncongenial abode with
+them, her return to her early home to acquire her uncle’s
+estate, and thus to enjoy a useful and happy life, form a most
+interesting narrative of a girl whose ruggedness and simplicity
+of character must appeal to the admiration of all readers.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Dorothy Day</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Julie M. Lippmann. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">This is a most interesting story of a bright and spirited young
+girl whose widowed mother re-marries. The impulsive girl
+chafes under the new relationship, being unwilling to share
+with another the bounteous love of her mother which she had
+learned to claim wholly for her own. By the exercise of great
+tact and kindness, the obdurate Dorothy is at last won over,
+and becomes a most estimable girl.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Miss Wildfire</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Julie M. Lippmann. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">The story of a governess’ attempt to win the love and confidence
+of her ward, who, owing to a lack of early restraint, is
+inclined to be somewhat of a hoyden. The development of
+the girl’s character and her eventual victory over her turbulent
+disposition combine to form a story of unusual merit and
+one which will hold its reader’s eager attention throughout.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A story of girls for girls that teaches a moral without
+labeling or tagging it at the end.”—<em class="italics">Western Christian
+Advocate</em>, Cincinnati, Ohio.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">An Odd Little Lass</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Jessie E. Wright. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">This is a story of the regeneration of a little street waif. She
+begins life in a lowly court of a large city. Her adventures
+are numerous, and often quite exciting. After a time she
+is transplanted to the country, where after many thrilling
+experiences she eventually grows into a useful and lovable
+young woman. The story is pleasantly told, and abounds
+in interesting incident.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“The story is an intensely interesting one, and abounds in
+pleasing and unique situations.”—<em class="italics">Religious Telescope</em>, Dayton,
+Ohio.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Two Wyoming Girls</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Mrs. Carrie L. Marshall. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">Two girls, thrown upon their own resources, are obliged to
+“prove up” their homestead claim. This would be no very
+serious matter were it not for the persecution of an unscrupulous
+neighbor, who wishes to appropriate the property to
+his own use. The girls endure many privations, have a number
+of thrilling adventures, but finally secure their claim and
+are generally well rewarded for their courage and perseverance.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">The Girl Ranchers</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Mrs. Carrie L. Marshall. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">A story of life on a sheep ranch in Montana. The dangers
+and difficulties incident to such a life are vividly pictured, and
+the interest in the story is enhanced by the fact that the ranch
+is managed almost entirely by two young girls. By their
+energy and pluck, coupled with courage, kindness, and unselfishness
+they succeed in disarming the animosity of the
+neighboring cattle ranchers, and their enterprise eventually
+results successfully.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">An Every-Day Heroine</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Mary A. Denison. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">The heroine is not an impossible character but only a pure,
+winsome, earnest girl, who at fourteen years of age is suddenly
+bereft of fortune and father and becomes the chief support
+of a semi-invalid mother. While there are many touching
+scenes, the story as a whole is bright and cheerful and moves
+forward with a naturalness and ease that carries its readers
+along and makes them reluctant to put down the book
+until the end is reached.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Her College Days</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Mrs. Clarke Johnson. Illustrated by Ida Waugh.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">This is a most interesting and healthful tale of a girl’s life in a
+New England college. The trustful and unbounded love of
+the heroine for her mother and the mutual and self-sacrificing
+devotion of the mother to the daughter are so beautifully interwoven
+with the varied occurrences and exciting incidents of
+college life as to leave a most wholesome impression upon
+the mind and heart of the reader.</p>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<div class="center line-block noindent outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold xx-large">STORIES FOR BOYS</span></div>
+</div>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Uncrowning a King</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. Illustrated by J. Steeple Davis.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">A tale of the Indian war waged by King Philip in 1675. The
+adventures of the young hero during that eventful period, his
+efforts in behalf of the attacked towns, his capture by the
+Indians, and his subsequent release through the efforts of
+King Philip himself, with a vivid account of the tragic death
+of that renowned Indian chieftain, form a most interesting and
+instructive story of the early days of the colonies.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">The Young Gold Seekers</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. Illustrated by F. A. Carter.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">A thrilling account of the experiences of two boys during a
+trip to the gold fields of Alaska. The hardships that they
+endure, the disappointments they suffer, the courage and
+perseverance that they manifest in the face of seemingly
+insurmountable obstacles, and their eventual success in their
+undertaking, are all most graphically portrayed.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">True to His Trust</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. Illustrated by J. Steeple Davis.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">The hero of this story will win his way at once into the heart
+of every one, and his pluck and perseverance will carry the
+sympathy of every reader through his many adventures, struggles,
+and singular experiences. Like all of the author’s works,
+the incidents teach in the most convincing manner that true
+manliness and sturdy integrity are the only principles through
+which happiness and success in life are possible.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Comrades True</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. Illustrated.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">In following the career of two friends from youth to manhood,
+the author weaves a narrative of intense interest. This
+story is more realistic than is usual, as the two heroes pass
+through the calamitous forest fires in Northern Minnesota and
+barely escape with their lives. They have other thrilling adventures
+and experiences in which the characteristics of each
+are finely portrayed.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“Among juveniles there is not one of greater interest, or
+more wholesome influence than ‘Comrades True.’”—<em class="italics">Sentinel</em>,
+Milwaukee, Wis.</p>
+<div class="left line-block outermost">
+<div class="line"><span class="bold x-large">Among the Esquimaux</span></div>
+<div class="line"><span class="bold medium">By Edward S. Ellis, A. M. Illustrated.</span></div>
+</div>
+<p class="pfirst">The scenes of this story are laid in the Arctic region, the central
+characters being two sturdy boys whose adventurous spirit
+often leads them into dangerous positions. They visit Greenland;
+go on a hunting expedition, have a number of stirring
+adventures, but ultimately reach home safe and sound.</p>
+<p class="pnext">“A capital and instructive book for boys.”—<em class="italics">Post</em>, Boston,
+Mass.</p>
+<hr class="docutils"/>
+<div class="topic">
+<p class="level-2 pfirst title topic-title topic-title first">Transcriber’s Note</p>
+<p class="pfirst">Spelling and punctuation inaccuracies were silently corrected.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Archaic and variable spelling is preserved.</p>
+<p class="pnext">The author’s punctuation style is preserved.</p>
+<p class="pnext">Hyphenation has been made consistent.</p>
+</div>
+<div class="vspace" style="height: 5em">
+</div>
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 37405 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
author	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-03-03 05:16:59 -0800
committer	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-03-03 05:16:59 -0800
commit	489c8f89a49f41302747e63df77a1380621890b6 (patch)
tree	f7e2e57044d4f21f04303a463a32cd62881ddc16 /37405-h/37405-h.htm
parent	e86c790d989bae4b4814b7b5b4f02a91b61ed99a (diff)