h the old warrior is right, and I am foolish to hide
here now I am known. Let me go and sit by him."

Then Odda led him to the upper end of the room, and every one rose
as he passed by. I drew myself nearer to the ealdorman's place, and
made room for him where only the table was between him and Thord,
for that bench was full.

So he put his hand on my shoulder and sat down, looking over to
Thord, and saying with a quiet smile:

"Thanks for that word in season, friend."

But the old warrior was somewhat ashamed, and did but shift in his
seat uneasily.

"Ay, ay," he growled; "I cannot keep my voice quiet."

Neot laughed, and then turned to me and held out his hand for the
king's letter, which I gave him.

He ran his eyes over the writing very quickly, and then said:

"Here is nothing private; shall I read aloud?"

But the thanes fell to talking quickly, and I nodded.

"Alfred the king to his cousin Ranald Vemundsson, greeting. Odda
the ealdorman of Devon, and one Godred, have spoken to me of
yourself--one telling of help given freely and without question of
reward or bargain made, and the other of certain plain words spoken
this morning. Now I would fain see you, and since the said Godred
seems to doubt if you will come to me, I ask it under my own hand
thus. For I have thanks to give both to you and your men, and also
would ask you somewhat which it is my hope that you will not refuse
me. Therefore, my cousin, I would ask you to come with our
ealdorman tomorrow and hear all I would say."

Then Neot said,

"That is all. I think you will not refuse so kindly an invitation.
The writing is the king's own, and here is his name at the end."

So he showed it me. The letter was better written than the name, as
it seemed to me.

"I will take your word for it," I said, laughing as I looked; "but
it is a kindly letter, and I will surely come."

"Ay; he has written to you as to an equal," Odda said.

"That is so. Now I would have the good king know that I am not
that; I am but a sea king. Maybe he thinks that I shall be a good
ally, and makes more of my power than should be. I told Godred the
thane as plainly as I could what I was, this morning."

"Why, then," said Neot, smiling, "Godred has told the king, no
doubt."

"I hope he has," I answered, "but I doubt it. Nevertheless it is
easy to tell the king myself when I see him."

After that we talked about other matters, and it became plain that
this Neot was