ever come.

So I stepped up to him and touched him, and he grinned at seeing a known
face, muttering to himself, "Grendel, the king's messenger."

And as I beckoned he willingly followed me towards my destination,
asking me of the fight, and what was on hand now so suddenly.

I told him shortly, finding that he had been drawn from his own
neighbourhood by curiosity, which must be satisfied before he went back.
And I told him that now the Danes were close on Bridgwater, and that I
must bear messages to Eanulf the Ealdorman. Would he earn a good reward
by getting me and some others across Sedgemoor by the paths along which
he had led me?

And at that he grinned, delighted, saying, "Aye, that will I, master,"
seeming to forget all else in prospect of gain.

So I bade him follow me closely, and soon we were back at the nunnery
gates.

They were open, and inside I could see the horses standing. Wulfhere was
waiting for me, looking anxious; but his brow cleared as he saw me, and
he asked for the news, saying that he feared I had fallen into the wrong
hands.

Then I told him I had, as I thought, no more to fear, showing him the
sheriff's ring and telling him of my errand.

"That is nigh as good as inlawed again," he said gladly. "Anyway, you
ride as the sheriff's man now."

Then his face clouded a little, and he added, "But Glastonbury is a far
cry, master, for the roads are none so direct."

Then I called the collier, and Wulfhere questioned him, and soon was
glad as I that I had met with him, saying that in an hour we should be
in safety. But he would that the prioress and her ladies would come
also, for he knew that Osric's fears would be only too true. Then must
we go and tell Alswythe of the journey she must make; and how to tell of
her father's death I knew not, nor did Wulfhere. And there we two men
were helpless, looking at one another in the courtyard, and burning with
impatience to get off.

"Let us go first, and tell her on the way" said he.

But I reminded him that we were here even now, and not on the far side
of the Quantocks, because she would by no means leave her father.

Now while we debated this, the old sister who was portress, opened the
wicket and asked us through it why these horses stood in the yard, and
what we armed men did there. And that decided me. I would ask for speech
with the prioress, and tell her the trouble.

That pleased Wulfhere: and I did so. Then the portress asked who