m. The old gods have passed from me."

Little have I said of this, for one cannot speak of inmost
thoughts; but so it was. Yet I think that, had I been older, the
old faith would have died more slowly from my mind. So it was also
with Harek the scald, but I think that he was Christian in heart
before I had bent my mind to the matter in earnest. Long talks had
he with Denewulf, the wise herdsman, while I listened.

So holy Neot rejoiced greatly over us, bidding me seek baptism at
once.

"Nay, father," I said; "I fear it, knowing what it is. Let me bide
for a time till I am stronger in these deep things."

He tried to persuade me gently, but at last let me be, knowing that
I spoke in earnest and with all wish to seek it rightly.

So we left him on the day after we came, and went back to Athelney,
and Alfred was very silent all the way.

"What ails you, my king?" I asked him at last, fearing that his
pain, which had left him of late altogether, might return.

"I will tell you, cousin," he said. "Plainly has Neot shown me that
all these troubles have come from my own pride and self will when
first I was king. It is a long chain of happenings, of which you
would know nought were I to try to tell you. But so it has been,
and I weep therefor in my very heart."

Then said I:

"What is past is past, King Alfred, and best friend. Look on to the
days to come, for I think that there shall rise a new and happier
England before the winter comes again. There is no man whom I have
met in all the hosts in whose heart is not love and best thoughts
of you. Old days are forgotten as if they had never been, save that
you led and conquered in the great battles beyond the Thames."

He held out his hand to me, and took mine and gripped it, saying no
word, and riding on in silence for a mile and more. And after that
he was of good cheer again till we came to Exeter, and there I
stayed to see how fared my ships, for it was time they were in the
water again.

Well had my men and the Saxon wrights wrought at building. If all
went like this, King Alfred would have a fleet that could sweep the
seas from Dover to Orme's Head, and keep his land from new
plunderers at least.

In a week I came back to Athelney, and there was good cheer, and
all were in the best of heart, for things went well. Messengers
came and went across the winding paths from the southern hills, and
Ethered met me laughing, and said:

"The king has robbed you of yo