nd his body is strong. He
can soon let my father know of his daughter's misfortune. You know that
my father is a powerful chief, though his tribe is not so strong in
numbers as the tribe of King Hudibras, or that--that fiend Gunrig. But
his young men and my brothers are very brave."

"Well, let it be as you say, for the present, my child, and you may
consider this cave your private chamber while you remain in my house.
But let me advise you to keep close when I am absent, and do not be
tempted to prove the strength of your disguise. It may not be as
perfect as you think, and your voice may betray you."

Having agreed upon this temporary plan, the Hebrew departed to make
preparations for a long journey, while Branwen busied herself in
arranging the apartment in which, for some time at least, she hoped to
remain in hiding.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

MOTHER AND SON.

We need scarcely say that the search for Branwen proved fruitless.
Gunrig and the hunters returned to town crestfallen at being unable to
discover the trail of a girl, and the chief went off in undiminished
wrath to his own home--which was distant about a day's journey on foot
from the capital of King Hudibras.

Even in those savage times warriors were not above taking counsel,
occasionally, with women. The king went to consult on the situation
with the queen, the princess, and Bladud; while Gunrig sought advice and
consolation from his mother. Of course neither of these men would for a
moment have admitted that he needed advice. They only condescended to
let their women-folk know what had occurred, and hear what they had to
say!

"Why, do you think, has the ungrateful child fled?" asked the king in
some indignation.

"I cannot imagine," answered the queen. "We have all been so kind to
her, and she was so fond of us and we of her. Besides, her visit was
not half over, and her father would not be pleased if she were to return
home so soon and so unexpectedly."

Of course Hafrydda knew the cause, but she maintained a discreet
silence.

"Return home!" echoed the king in contempt, "how can a little delicate
thing like her return home through miles and miles of forest swarming
with wild beasts and not a few wilder men? Impossible! My hunters must
go out again, every day, till she is found. I will lead them myself
since they seem to have lost the power of their craft."

"Is this `little delicate thing' as beautiful as my sister describes her
to