g at her, while
the colour came brightly into her face as she wrought. The jarl
smiled also, turning away presently as some new shouting came up
from the fort gateway, where men welcomed those who bore back the
spoils from the slain.

Then Thora had finished, and I put my arm round her and kissed her
once.

"My lady," I said, "it was worth the wound that you should tend
it."

And so she looked up at me frankly, and we knew well what had grown
up between us since the day when we had ridden together into
Wareham streets.

Chapter XII. Edington Fight.

Now after this we held the great Dowsborough fort on Quantocks for
a few days, looking out over the land that should see the greatest
deeds of Alfred, the wise king, from Glastonbury in the east to the
wide stretches of the great wood, Selwood Forest, beyond the
Stanmoor fens; and there, in the clear air, and with plenty of good
provender from the smiling Taunton vale behind us, we grew strong
again.

The Danes marched on Bridgwater, and the garrison must needs leave
the place and retreat to the heights at Petherton, and there hide.
I was grieved that my good ship was in Danish hands, but at least I
knew that they would not harm her; and such was our faith in Alfred
the king, that I believed that I should have her back. Old Thord
came up to us when his charge was thus lost.

"Maybe they will finish painting her, and we shall be able to
launch her, when we go back, without more trouble," he said. "Two
of Hubba's ships, moreover, are worth having."

Then the king rode up to us, and told us that we had done well, and
that the great plan yet held. Already he had messengers out
throughout all the southern counties, and already men were
gathering through the land and filling the towns that the Danes
were leaving.

"When I know that the Danes have their eyes fixed on Quantock side
again, I shall strike," he said.

So began again the life in Athelney and at Stanmoor fort; but now
the Devon men gathered openly on our hills, and every day the
Danish force grew also. When the last fight came, there would be an
end to either one side or the other, and Guthrum knew it.

Once in that time I rode with Alfred, and saw Neot again; and if it
were but for a few hours that we might stay with him, he found time
to speak with me, asking if I had learned aught of his faith as
yet.

"I have been in Athelney," I answered, "and I saw what might the
holy Name has at Chippenha