r to
raise it again. So I turned and laid hold of it, for she was but six
paces from me, saying:

"Let me help you, Mother, to get it hoisted again. Truly would I carry
it for you for a while, but I must bide here."

"That must you, Heregar the outlaw," said the old woman coolly, without
a word of thanks, and I thought my story and face were better known than
I deemed. Therefore I must make the best of it.

"Well, Mother," said I, "you know me, and if you know me, so also must
many others. But I want to join the levy, and fight if need be."

"Thereby knew I you to be Heregar," said she; "for none but he must
stand here with the light of battle in his eyes and his hand clutched on
his sword hilt and not go down to the Cross yonder, as the summons is."

Then I marvelled at the old dame's wisdom, though maybe it was but a
guess, and asked her what I should do, seeing that she was wise, and the
words of such as she are often to be hearkened to.

"It is a wise man," she answered, "who will take advice; but never a
word should you have had from old Gundred, save you had helped her, as a
true man should."

"Truly, Mother Gundred," I said, "I have no rede of my own, and am
minded to take yours."

"Then, fool," she said curtly, "link up that tippet of mail across your
face, go down to Osric the Sheriff himself, beg to be allowed to fight,
and see what he will tell you."

I had forgotten that I could hook the hanging chain mail of my helmet
across, in such manner that little but my eyes could be seen; but then
that was never done but in battle--and I had never seen that yet.

"Thanks, Mother," said I, with truth, for I saw that I might do this.
"This is help indeed."

"Not so fast, young sir," answered the crone; "Osric will not have you."

"How know you that?"

"How does an old woman of ninety years know many things? When you tell
me that, I will say how I know that Osric will send you about your
business; and that will be the best day's work he ever did."

Now I was nearly angry at that, for it seemed to set light store on my
valour; but there seemed something more in the old woman's tone than her
taunting words would convey, so I said plainly:

"Then shall I go to him?"

"Aye, fool, did I not tell you so?"

"But if it is no good?"

"Is it no good for a man who is accused of disloyalty to have witness
that he wished, at least, to spend his life for his country? Moreover,
there is work for you to do which