, who were well quartered among the townsfolk,
and helped to guard the bridge. And, as I have said, two ships were
being built there. So one day in the third week in March I rode
away with Kolgrim from Athelney, to see how all things were going
on there, meaning also to go to Heregar's place for a time, having
messages to give him from the king.

Harek was coming with me; but Alfred asked me to spare him for this
time.

"I have to learn somewhat from the scald," he said.

"Wizardry, my king?" I asked, laughing, for that was ever a jest at
the scald's expense after it was known how we found out that Alfred
was at Denewulf's house.

"Nay, but song," he answered. "Now I see not why I should not tell
you who put the thought into my mind; but I am going, as you did,
to spy out the Danish camp. And I will go as a gleeman, and be
welcome enough as a Saxon who has enough love of Danes to learn
some northern sagas for them!"

"My king," I cried, "this is too perilous altogether."

He looked quaintly at me.

"Go to, cousin; are you to have all the glory? If you went, why not
I? Maybe I too may find a chance of helping some fair maiden on the
way back."

Then I prayed him to do nothing rash, for that he was the one hope
of England.

"And maybe the one man in England who can do any good by going,
therefore," he answered. "And neither you nor I would ask any man
to do for us what we durst not do ourselves."

"You will be known, my king," I said.

Whereon he held out his hands, which were hard and horny now with
hard work, and he laughed as he did so.

"Look at those," he said, "and at my unkempt hair and beard! Verily
I may be like Alfred the king in some ways, but not in these. They
will pass me anywhere."

So I could not dissuade him, and ever as I tried to do so he waxed
more cheerful, and made sport of me, throwing my own doings in my
teeth, and laughing about Thora. So I was fain to get away from his
presence, lest I should grow angry at last. And when I was going he
said:

"Have no fear, cousin; I will not go unless I am well prepared."

So I went, and next day was back in Athelney, riding hard; for
Hubba's ships had been sighted from the Quantocks, and they were
heading for the Parret. What I looked for and feared was coming.

Then Alfred sent messengers to Odda, who had come to Taunton two
days before this. And he gathered every man from the fen, and we
went to Bridgwater, leaving our little force ther