left to Wulfhere, and me--an outlaw.

Then Wulfhere and I took counsel about flight, being troubled also about
the holy women in this place; for the heathen would not respect the
walls of a nunnery. But for them we thought Osric would surely care.

Now there came to us as we stood and talked, a housecarle in a green
cloak, and asked us if we had seen a warrior, wounded maybe, riding a
great white horse, which, he added, had been Edred the Thane's, who was
killed.

"Aye, that have I," said Wulfhere, "what of him?"

"Osric the Sheriff seeks him. Tell me quickly where I may find him."

"Is Osric back in the town?" asked Wulfhere in surprise.

"Aye, man, and half the levy with him. The Danes will go away now.
Enough are left to mind them."

Then Wulfhere stamped on the ground in rage, cursing the folly of every
man of the levy. And the housecarle stared at him as at one gone
suddenly mad; but I knew only too well that his worst fears were on the
way to be realized, and that soon there would be no force left on
Cannington Hill.

Suddenly he turned on the messenger and asked if he knew the name of the
man he sought.

"No; but men say that it was one Heregar--an outlawed thane. And some
say that it was one of the saints."

"Will Osric string him up, think you, if he can catch him, and it be
Heregar only, and no saint?"

The man stared again.

"Surely not," he said, "for he was sore cast down once, on the hill,
thinking him slain. But men had seen him remount and ride on, And Osric
bid me, and all of us who seek him, pray Heregar--if Heregar it be--
to come to him in all honour. Let me go and seek him."

Then Wulfhere turned to me and asked if I would go. And at that the man
made reverence to me, giving his message again.

Then I said "Is Matelgar the Thane with him?" and he answered that
Matelgar was slain before the stand was made.

Then I said I would go, if only to ask Osric for a guard to keep the
Lady Alswythe safe in her flight. And Wulfhere agreed, but doubtfully,
saying that nevertheless he would make ready the horses and provisions
for a journey, biding till I came back, or sent a messenger.

So I went with the housecarle, who led me again through the marketplace
to that same great house whence I had been sent forth overnight. All the
square was full of men, drinking deeply, some boasting of their deeds,
and some of deeds to be done yet. But many sat silent and gloomy, and
more cried out with pain