see that they took something
large from the saddle bow, and set it on the ground, and then they spoke
again.

"Have you a heavy anchor?" asked the king.

"A great one."

"Well, then, tie it to this sack and sink it tonight where tide will
never shift it. Then you may come to me and claim what reward you will."

"Freedom, and gold enough to buy a new boat---two new boats!" said my
father eagerly.

Hodulf laughed at that, and got on his horse again. I saw his tall form
lift itself against the dim sky as he did so.

"What is in the sack?" asked my father.

"That is not your concern," Hodulf answered sharply. "If you know not,
then you can tell no man, even in your sleep. Put off at once and sink it."

"It is in my mind," said my father, "that I had better not look in the
sack. Where shall I find you, lord, when the thing is in the sea? For as
yet I have not heard your name."

I think that Hodulf had forgotten that he would have to answer this
question, or else he thought that everyone knew him, for he did not
reply all at once.

"You may ask the king for your reward," he said, after a little thought,
"for this is his business. Now you know that it will be best for you to
be secret and sure. Not much worth will your chance of escape from
torture be if this becomes known. But you know also that the reward is
certain."

"The king!" cried my father, with a sort of gasp of surprise.

I could almost think that I saw him staring with mouth agape as would a
silly thrall; for so well had he taken the thrall's part that had I not
known who was speaking all the time, I had certainly had no doubt that
one was there.

"Come to Hodulf, the king, and pray for freedom and your gold as a boon
of his goodness, saying naught else, or making what tale you will of a
hard master, or justice, so that you speak naught of what you have done,
and that---and maybe more---shall be granted."

"You yourself will speak for me?"

"I am the king---and think not that the darkness will prevent my
knowing your face again," Hodulf replied.

There was a threat in the words, and with them he turned his horse and
rode away quickly northwards. I heard the hoofs of his men's horses
rattle on the road as they joined him, before he had gone far.

When the sounds died away altogether, and there was no fear of his
coming back suddenly on us, my father whistled and I joined him. He
almost started to find how near I was.

"You have heard all, th