ay more than I told her. Yet it may have been that the thane fought
well, unobserved, in that press, and there is perhaps little blame to
many who fly in a panic.

Now, that spoken of and passed over, she became more like her brave
self, and from that time on would speak cheerfully both to Wulfhere and
myself, as, the horses set in order again, we once more went on our
winding way, following our guide.

Glad was I when, just before sunset, we saw the woodland under which his
hut was set, and heard the vesper bell ringing far off from the village
church. Soon we were on hard ground again, and then I could show
Alswythe where I had played Grendel unwittingly, and point the way I had
wandered from Brent.

There we rested the horses, for we had yet two miles to go, and they
were weary with the long and heavy travelling of the fens. And Alswythe
would go into the hut, and there her maidens brought her food and wine,
and we stayed for half an hour.

Wulfhere and I looked out towards Bridgwater town, now seeming under the
very hills, in the last sunlight. Smoke rose from behind it, but that
was doubtless from Cannington; yet there were other clouds of smoke
rising against the sun, and as he looked at these the old warrior said
that he feared the worst, for surely the Danes were spreading over the
country and that need for them to keep together was gone.

"If we see not Bridgwater on fire by tomorrow," he said, "it will be a
wonder."

But we knew that we could bide here for this night safe as if no Danes
were nearer than the Scaw.

After that rest we rode on through the woodland path, down which they
had come to exorcise me, till we saw before us in the gray twilight the
church and houses of the village, pleasant with light from door and
window, and noise of barking dogs, as we crossed the open mark [viii].

Dudda the Collier led us to the largest house which stood on the little
central green round which the buildings clustered, and there the door
stood open, and a tall man with a small boy beside him looked out to see
what was disturbing the dogs. Behind them the firelight shone red on a
pleasant and large room where we could see men at supper.

And the light shone out on me, for the boy sprang out from his father's
side, shouting that it was "Grendel come back again", and running to me
to greet me.

So we found a welcome in that quiet place, and soon the good franklin's
wife came out, bustling and pitiful in her c