t have minded that--for
honest men are always numerous enough to keep villains in order--but two
chiefs who have long been anxious to take possession of the land round
the Swamp have agreed to join with him, so that they form a formidable
body of warriors--too large to be treated with contempt."

"This is bad news, Gunrig. How does the king take it?"

"In his usual way. He does not believe in danger or mischief till it
has overtaken him, and it is almost too late for action. There is one
hope, however, that he will be induced to move in time. A young fellow
has come from the far East, who was a great friend of that long-legged
fellow Bladud, and he is bent on finding out where his friend has gone.
Of course the king is willing to let him have as many men as he wants,
though he sternly refuses to let Bladud return home; and I hope to
induce this youth--Dromas, they call him--to join me, so that we may
search together; for, of course, the search for the man may result in
finding the girl. My only objection is that if we do find Bladud, I
shall have to fight and kill him--unless the leprosy has happily killed
him already. So, now, I will away and see what can be done about this
hunt. My object in coming was to get my men, and to warn those left in
charge of the town to keep a keen look-out for Addedomar, for he is a
dangerous foe. Farewell, mother."

The woman was not addicted to the melting mood. She merely nodded as
her son went out.

In pursuance of this plan, a band of about two hundred warriors was
raised, armed, and provisioned for a long journey. Gunrig put himself
at the head of a hundred and fifty of these, and Dromas, being a skilled
warrior, was given command of the remaining fifty, with Captain Arkal,
who begged to be allowed to go as his lieutenant, and little Maikar as
one of his fighting men.

The orders were, that they should start off in the direction of the Hot
Swamp, searching the country as they went, making diligent inquiries at
the few villages they might pass, and questioning all travellers whom
they might chance to meet with by the way. If Branwen should be found,
she was to be sent back escorted by a detachment of a hundred men. If
the retreat of Bladud should be discovered, news of the fact was to be
sent to the king, and the prince was to be left there in peace with any
of the men who might volunteer to live with him. But on no account were
they or Bladud to return to Hudibras'