thralls jumped into a willow tree
which overhung the stream, and cut down some of the stoutest boughs. The
others wove them with withes into a kind of litter, threw their own
upper garments thereon in their love, placed the poor wounded form as
tenderly upon it as a mother would have done, and bore him from the
field, ever and anon stopping to relieve some other poor wounded
sufferer, and to comfort him with the intelligence that similar aid was
at hand for all, as the various lights now appearing testified.

For themselves, they felt all other obligation fade before their duty to
their young lord. He was object of their solicitude.

So they bore him easily along, until they reached a stream; there they
paused and washed the heated brow, and allowed the parched lips to
imbibe, but only slightly, the pure fresh beverage, sweeter far than the
stimulant the good monk had poured down his throat on the field. Then
they arranged his dress--bound up his wounds, for the Benedictine was
an accomplished surgeon for the times; after which, having satisfied
himself that his patient was able to bear the transit, he departed, with
a cheerful benediction, to render the like aid to others.

So comforted was Elfric, and so relieved from pain, that he slept all
through the following hours, as they bore him along through woodland
paths; and he dreamt that he had met his father and was clasped lovingly
in his forgiving arms.

At daybreak they were six or seven miles from the camp, and they rested,
for the continued effort had wearied the bearers. They made a fire,
cooked their breakfast, and tried to persuade Elfric to eat, which he
did, sparingly.

Then they resumed their journey; they kept as much in the shade as
possible, for it was a bright day; rested again at noontide, with only
five or six miles before them; started when the heat was a little
overpast, and just after sunset came in sight of the halls of
Aescendune, from the opening in the forest whence Elfric had beheld them
that night when he first brought Prince Edwy home in company with his
brother Alfred.

The wounded youth raised himself up, looked with intense affection at
the home of his youth, and sank back contented on his couch, thinking
only of father and mother, brother and sister, and the sweet forgiveness
he felt sure awaited him. Poor boy!

It was almost dark when they reached the gate of the castle, and the
drawbridge was up. One of the bearers blew his horn