fight. So there it is now, and beside it hangs the raven
flag of the largest ship, for he must needs go with the fishers across
to the holms, and bring me back the tale of how the last of the Danes
had perished.

And now what am I to say of the years since our hall was built again?
Long have they been, and not all happy, for many a time have I had to
bear the standard of Wessex against the Danes. Yet Stert fight won us
six years of peace, and after that the Earl Ceorle and I led our levies
and conquered at Wenbury. But that was Wulfhere's last fight, for of his
wounds he might not recover, though we bore him back and tended him
carefully for a month or more. So he lies in God's Acre at Cannington,
and is at rest.

Then came long years of fighting, and ever I bore the banner, and ever
Alswythe set me forth most lovingly, with brave words that should bide
with me till I came back to her. And all the time our hall was safe, for
beyond Parret the Danes came not again.

And to tell of all those fights were too long, or of how Wislac and
Aldhelm would ever fight beside me as of old, and at last Turkil in
Aldhelm's place, when that brave thane fell at Wilton, fighting for
Alfred the King.

Then were we in Athelney with Alfred, and it was the collier who found
us that place of safety. And thence we went at last to victory again,
and now once more the land has rest.

Yet Wislac is with us in Wulfhere's place, for his own land is in Danish
hands, and we know not what wars may be yet with them, though we have
stood by the king's side when the greatest victory of all was won, and
Guthrum the heathen became Athelstan the Christian, and peaceful
division of the land was made.

So I and Alswythe grow old here in Cannington, seeing our children grow
up around us. And Alfred the king has our eldest in his court, there
training him in all things well and wisely. And Turkil is thane of
Watchet, and our son-in-law, much loved by all, well and faithfully
tending all my shore as Wulfhere tended it in his time.

So to me and mine after storm has come peace, and with us and the land
all is well.

THE END.

i A representative assembly or court of judgment.

ii An outlaw for whose slaying there was a reward, or at
least no penalty.

iii A curved, one-edged sword or war knife.

iv The "Saga of Beowulf" was the great popular poem of
the Saxon races, and as well known to them as the legends of Robin Hood
to us. The principal episo