. "I saw him
plainly as in life, and I thought he smiled on us."

But I had had no such sight, and it grieved me. Moreover, two of
the other three men whispered, and I thought one of them told of
the like vision. And I think, too, that the dog saw it, as the
innocent beasts will see things beyond our ken.

Soon the bishop judged that the time was come for mass, and he
called softly to me, bidding me serve, for I had often done so for
him in the old days when I was a boy and he was at Reedham, and I
knew well what to do.

Then was said a most solemn mass with that one aged priest, and us
few men present. And all was very quiet round us, for no wind
stirred the trees on the old rampart.

The bishop's voice ceased with the benediction, and the hush
deepened; but suddenly Leof and I looked in each other's faces. We
had heard a shout from no great distance, and the blood rushed
wildly through us.

Now the bishop rose from his knees, and I took the holy vessels, as
he gave them to me, putting them into their oaken chest in its
niche. And when that was done, he said:

"Now I will not bid you fly, my sons, for I think that somewhat has
bidden you bide with me. And I have seen the king, so that I know
the time is short. Take therefore the holy vessels and drown them
in the deep pool of the stream. I have used them for the last time,
but I would not have them profaned by the heathen in their
feasting."

I knew that this should be done as at Bosham, but already I heard
the shouts yet nearer, and I was loth to leave the church, and so
paused.

"I know your thoughts," said the bishop. "Yet go, as I bid you; it
is not far."

So I took the heavy, iron-bound chest on my shoulder and went
quickly, running as well as I might to the stream below the
rampart, where it curled deep and still under crumbling banks.
There I plunged my burden, hearing it sink and bubble into the
depths.

Then I went back, and reached the gap in the rampart that had been
the gate next the ford, and that was at the east end of the church,
so that the porch was far from me. And before I had gone halfway to
the church--over the western rampart spurred a score of horsemen,
dimly seen in the half moonlight that was now. And the leader of
them saw me, and rode straight at me, calling to me to hold, while
I drew my sword and ran to reach the door before he met me; and my
dog, which was at my heels, flew at the horse's throat.

But I must fail, and I w