nd ye
must know that I am called Waywearer, and that I wish increase of good
unto this house."

Then the cup went round and they drank late into the night, and when
they had drunk the voidee cup, Osberne led the newcomer to the
guest-chamber, and kissed him with good-night, but made no show of
knowing who he was.

Chapter XIII. Steelhead Gives Osberne the Sword Boardcleaver

When morning was, the guest came into the hall and found the household
there, and he spake to the goodwife and said: "Dame, I would have done
off this raiment which ye lent me last night and done on mine and left
thine lying there, but mine I might not find."

"Nor thou nor anyone else," she said, "shall find thy rags any more,
good guest, unless they come to life when thou risest from the dead on
the day of doom; for I have peaceably burned them in the garth this
hour ago. God help us if the stead of Wethermel cannot spare a yard or
two of homespun to a guest who cometh in stripped by the storm." The
guest nodded kindly to her; but Osberne said: "Which way ridest thou
this morning, guest, for I would fain lead thee a little way?" "I wend
south from thy door, fair master," said the newcomer; "but as to
riding, 't is Shanks' mare must be my way-beast, unless I go stealing
a horse."

"There is no need for that," said Osberne, "we can find thee a good
horse, and if thou bringest him not back, it will be no loss to us, as
the less hay-need we shall have through winter. Stephen, go thou and
see to it that the horses be ready saddled and bridled when we have
eaten a morsel." The guest laughed and looked to the carle-master, and
said: "How sayest thou, goodman, is the gift given?" The carle smiled
somewhat ruefully, and said: "The gift is given; and soothly it is for
the youngling to give since all will come to him, be it more or less."
"I will take it then," said the guest, "since good will goeth with it;
but look to it goodman, if I reward thee not therefor, for as ragged
as I came into thine house."

Now therewith they break their fast; and the last night's wind has
falled utterly, and the sky is blue and the sun bright, and it is warm
for that season. Then Osberne gives the sealed bundle to Waywearer,
and he took it and did it on to his saddle-bow, and he mounts, and
Osberne also, who is dight in his fair-hued raiment; and they set out
up the Dale, and ride swiftly, and are few-spoken together.

So they rode till they were past the last ho