n from across the water and woodland to the church of
God.

Soon came the boats from Halfden's ship and picked up those who yet
clung to what they might of the wreck, and then ship and Danes
passed from Bosham haven, leaving the silent tower and burning
village to mark where they had been.

Then the prior sighed, and turning away, said:

"Let us go to Chichester and find shelter. Night comes soon, and
rest."

Sadly enough we went, though not for long: for when we came into
the roadway from the forest land, the prior put his heavy thoughts
aside, and spoke cheerfully to me.

"What is done is done; and but for you, my son, things would have
been worse. And their greed for the bell has made them spare the
church itself. Surely you must have fallen from the clouds to help
us--borne hither from the East Anglian land whose tongue bewrays
you."

"I marvel that you trusted me," I said.

"I trusted your face, my son, and when one is in a hard case the
first help is ever the best. Yet now I would fain know somewhat of
my good comrade."

Now I think that to any but this monk, with his friendly smile and
way of quiet authority, I should have been ashamed to own my part
with the Danes. But a few hours of companionship in danger knit
closer than many a long day of idleness together, and he seemed to
me as a near friend. Moreover, he had trusted me without question;
so I told him all my tale and he listened patiently.

"Now I am glad that I cursed not your friend's ship--for I forgot
her," he said, smiling.

At that I was glad, for how he would hold my being with the heathen
I somewhat doubted, and I told him so.

"Why, my son, I know not that you had much choice. And as for
fighting against outlanders--let me heft that axe of yours."

He took it, and it fell into his hands in a way that told me that
he, too, had been a stark fighting man at some time.

"Take it away, my son, take it away!" he cried, thrusting it back
on me; "I am not the man to blame you. And I know that much good
has come to us from your being with them. And from your talk about
martyrs I know that you have done no honour to their gods."

I said truly that the question had never come into my mind. For,
save as oath or war cry, the names of Thor and Odin were not heard.
They sacrificed on going to sea, and on return; and meanwhile cared
naught, so far as I knew, for none had questioned my faith.

He said it was well, and so talking we went on. An