d he said that, as
friend of his, none would question me, so that I should find all I
needed for my journey in the town. And when we came there--meeting
the sheriff's ill-armed levy on the way--we went to the house of a
great thane, and there were well and kindly received.

Yet once and again as I slept I dreamed and woke with the cry of
Rorik's men in my ears, and before me the bell seemed to flash
again as it crashed through the ship's side. And once I woke
thinking that the smell of burning was round me, and felt, half
awake, for the stone walls of the well chamber. But at last I slept
soundly and peacefully.

CHAPTER V. HOW WULFRIC, LODBROK, AND BEORN HUNTED.

When morning came it was great wonder and joy to me to wake and
find myself in England and free, for indeed I had begun to think of
my comradeship with the Danes as a sort of thralldom that I knew
not how to break. And now I longed to make my way back to Reedham
as soon as I might, for I had been many weeks away, though I have
said little of all that befell in that time beyond what was
needful. One thing saved me from grief that might have been, and
that was the knowledge that Ingild, the merchant, had not been told
to look for my coming, and that none at home would wonder if I were
long away, because of that plan of wintering our ship in the
Thames. And I knew that not one of my poor crew could have lived to
take news of the wreck.

That I must take back myself; and though I could not fairly be
blamed for loss of ship and crew, the thought of having to break
the tidings to those who would mourn for their lost ones was very
hard to me. But it must be done, and there was an end.

Now came to me, as I thought of these things, my friend the Prior
of Bosham, and he sat down beside me and asked how he could further
my plans. He himself must go to Selsea, there to see the bishop and
tell him all, not forgetting my part, as he said.

I told him that I only needed a horse, and that then I should ride
to London, where I had friends: and he asked me if I had money
wherewith to buy one, for he had none, else would he gladly do so
for me. And that reminded me of the bag which Halfden gave me, and
I opened it.

It was full of treasure--gold ornaments, and chains wherein were
set precious stones, and some gold coins and silver, and these were
the least value of all. But little pleasure had I in them, for I
knew too well how they came, and a thought came to m