nto a bottomless peat bog. The alder thickets grew
everywhere round dark, ice-bound pools of peat-stained water, and
we could nowhere see more than a few yards before us; and it was
hard to say how far we had gone from the upland edge of the swamp
when the ground began to rise from the fen, and grew harder among
better timber. But for the great frost, one would have needed a
boat in many places.

Then we came to a clearing, in which stood a house that was hardly
more than a cottage, and round it were huts and cattle sheds. And
this was where the king was--the house of Denewulf the herdsman,
the king's own thrall. There was a rough-wattled stockade round the
place, and quick-set fences within which to pen the cattle and
swine outside that, and all around were the thickets. None could
have known that such an island was here, for not even the house
overtopped the low trees; and though all the higher ground was
cleared, there were barely two acres above the watery level--a
long, narrow patch of land that lay southeast and northwest, with
its southerly end close to the banks of the river Tone. Men call
the place Athelney now, since the king and his nobles lay there. It
had no name until he came, but I think that it will bear ever
hereafter that which it earned thus.

Two shaggy grey sheepdogs came out to meet us, changing their angry
bark for welcome when they saw Ethelnoth; and a man came to the
door to see what roused them, and he had a hunting spear in his
hand. I took him for some thane, as he spoke to us in courtly wise;
but he was only Denewulf the herdsman himself.

"How fares the king?" asked Ethelnoth.

"His dark hour came on him after you went," Denewulf answered; "and
then the pain passed, and he slept well, and now has just wakened
wonderfully cheerful. I have not seen him so bright since he came
here; and he is looking eagerly for your return, seeming to expect
some news."

"It may be that our coming has been foretold him beforehand," said
Heregar. "Our king has warnings given him in his dreams at times."

Then from out of the house Alfred's voice hailed us:

"Surely that is the voice of my standard bearer.

"Come in quickly, Heregar, for all men know that hope comes with
you."

We went in; and it was a poor place enough for a king's lodging,
though it was warm and neat. Alfred sat over the fire in the middle
of the larger room of the two which the house had, and a strew of
chips and shreds of feath