utlaw should not fight if he wills to do so.

"What say you, thanes?" he cried loudly, turning to those down the hall.

Instantly one rose up and shouted, "We will have no traitors in our ranks."

Then I knew what Matelgar's sign meant, for this was a close friend of
his. On that, too, several others said the same, and one cried that I
should be hounded out of the hall and town. Osric frowned when he heard
that, and looked at me; but I stood with my arms folded, lest I should
be tempted to lay hand on sword, and so give my enemies a hold on me.
Matelgar himself said nothing, as keeping up his part of friend bound by
loyalty to accuse me against his will.

As for the other thanes, they talked, but all the outcry was against my
being allowed to join, and at last Osric seemed to be overborne by them,
for voices in my favour were few heard, if many thought little harm of
my request. But then the offer of the help of one man was, anyway, a
little thing, and if he were doubted it would be ill. And I could see,
as Osric would also see, that the matter would be spread through the
levy by those against me.

Now as I thought of the likelihood of one of Matelgar's men spearing me
during the heat of fight, I wondered if he feared the same of me, for I
have often heard tales of the like.

Then Osric answered me, kindly enough, but decidedly:

"Nay, Heregar, you hear that this must not be. Outlaw is outlaw, and
must count for naught. I may not go against the word of the Moot, and
inlaw you again by giving you a place. Go hence in peace, and take your
way; yet we thank you for bearing the message to Matelgar. Link up your
mail again, and tell any man that you bear messages from me; the
watchword is 'Wessex' for the guards are set by now, and you will need it."

As he spoke thus kindly Matelgar's face grew black as night; but he
dared say no word. So I bowed to the sheriff and, linking up my mail,
went sadly enough down the hall. It was crowded at one place, and there
some friendly hand patted me softly on the shoulder, though most shrank
from me; but yet I would not turn to see who it was, that helped me.

Now I have often wondered that no inquiry was made about my arms, and
how I came by them; but what I believe is, that even then men began to
know that Matelgar and his friends had played me false, but that they
would not, and Matelgar's people dared not, say much. As for Osric, his
mind was full of greater troubles, and I su