was well I asked to see him.

Presently he came to me. I had to slip into the bushes and lie quiet
till I knew who it was, and when I came out he smiled gravely at me,
shaking his head, yet as one not displeased altogether.

"Well managed, master," he said, still smiling, "but I knew not that you
had so strong a rope to draw you hither."

Then I told him the trouble I was like to bring on Alswythe if he told
her all that passed at Brent; letting him have his own thoughts about my
reason for coming to Matelgar's hall, which were wrong enough, though
natural at first sight, maybe.

He promised to be most wary, and I was content. Then I asked him how I
should join the levy.

"Master," he said, very gravely, "this is like to be a matter of which
we have not seen the end. Yon Danes are up channel, and, as I believe,
lying at anchor by the Holms. It will not be their way, if, having gone
so far up, they sack not every town on their way back-unless they are
beaten off on their first landing. Now the country is raised against
them, sure enough; but our levy is a weak crowd when it is first raised,
and they are tried warriors, every one. Now they may go on up tide to
the higher towns, or else they will be back here, like a kite on a
chicken, before men think, and Bridgwater town will see a great fight,
and maybe a burning, before tomorrow."

Then I said that the levy would beat them off easily enough; but the old
warrior shook his head.

"I was at Charnmouth," he said, "when King Ethelwulf himself led the
charge. And our men fought well; but it was like charging a wall
bristling with spears. Again and again our men charged, but the Danes
stood in a great ring which never broke, although it wavered once or
twice, until we were wearied out, and then they swung into line and
swept us off the field. Until we learn to fight as they fight, we are
weaker."

Then I began to fear for Alswythe, and asked him what guard was left for
the hall, and again he shook his head.

"Myself, and five others--not the strongest--and a dozen women, and
three boys, thralls."

I knew not what to say to this; but the wise old man had already thought
of a plan in case of danger. And in this, he said, I could advise him,
for he was a stranger.

"Horses enough are left," he told me, "and if the Danes come to
Bridgwater, and are not beaten off, I shall mount the Lady Alswythe and
the women, and take them to a safer place. But whither?"

I told