and that this was
the nearest road: and she was content, being very trustful in both her
protectors. But then she asked if that place should be reached before
dark, having little knowledge of places or distances.

Then I must needs tell how we were bound for that village where the
hermit was, and Turkil of whom I had told her, seeing that it was over
late to reach the town, but that there we hoped to come next day. And
she said she would fain see those two, "and maybe Grendel also," smiling
again a little to please me. And I knew how much that little jest cost
her to make, and loved her the more for her thought for me. Then she was
silent for a while.

Presently one of the men in the rear shouted, and there was a great
splashing and snorting of horses, and we looked round. One of the led
horses had gone off the path and was in a bog, and that had set the rest
rearing with fright.

So we had to halt, and Wulfhere gave his horse to Dudda to hold while he
went back. And that kept us for a while waiting, and then I could stand
beside Alswythe for a little.

"I have seen the last of my outlaw, they tell me," she said, wanting to
learn how things were with me.

Yet I was still that, if only for loss of lands and place. Though as
Osric's chosen messenger I had that last again for a little, because of
his need.

So I told her that that matter must be settled by the Moot, but that
Osric was my friend, and that while I bore his ring at least none might
call me "outlaw". And at that she was glad, and told me that if she saw
Leofwine the hermit she would tell him that his words were coming true.
Then she looked hard at me, and said that she had heard from her aunt
why Osric so trusted me, and that she was proud of Heregar. And I said
that I had but done the things that someone had to do, and which came in
my way, as it seemed to me, wherein I was fortunate.

At that she smiled at me, seeming to think more of the matter than that,
and so talked of other things. Yet she must needs at last come to that
which lay nearest her heart, and so asked me if I had seen her father fall.

And I was glad to say that I had not; adding that it was near Combwich
Hill, as I had heard, and close to where Osric the Sheriff fought.

So I think that all her life long she believed him to have fallen
fighting in the first line, where Osric was, with his face to the enemy;
for all men spoke well of the sheriff's valour that day, and none would
s