st and most
overbearing of princes. But when Neot found out that his pride and
wrath and strength were getting the mastery in his heart, he thrust
himself down there to overcome them. So he grows more saintlike
every day, and has wrought a wondrous change in the king himself.
He is the only man to whom Alfred will listen in reproof."

"That is likely," I said, not knowing aught of the holy bishops who
were the king's counsellors; "kings brook little of that sort. But
why does he wear yon strange dress?"

"He has taken vows on him, and is a hermit," the thane said; but I
did not know what he meant at the time.

It was some Saxon way, I supposed, and cared not to ask more.

So it came to pass that I met one of the two most wonderful men in
England, and I was to see the other on the morrow. Yet I had no
thought that I should care to stay in the land, for it seemed
certain from what Odda told me that peace would be made, and peace
was not my business nor that of my men.

So in a way I was sorry that the war was at an end, seeing that we
came for fighting and should have none.

Then came a thought to me that made me laugh at myself. I was glad,
after all, that we were not going sword foremost into Exeter town,
because of the Lady Thora, who was there. I suppose it would not
have been reasonable had I not had that much thought for the brave
maiden whom I had helped out of danger once.

Chapter VI. Alfred the King.

Odda the ealdorman and I rode gaily into the king's camp in the
bright August morning, with Harek and Kolgrim and Thord beside us,
and after us fifty of my men in their best array; which was saying
much, for Einar the jarl was generous, and we had spoiled Halfdan,
the king's son, moreover. So there was a shouting when we came to
the camp, and men ran together to stare at the vikings and their
king.

In the midst of the camp, which was strong enough, and looked out
on the old city, flew a banner whereon was a golden dragon--the
banner of Wessex. And it stood before a great pavilion, which was
the court for the time, and where we should find the king waiting
for us. There were several other tents joined to this great one, so
that into them the king might retire; and there was a wide space,
round which walked spearmen as sentries, between it and any other
tent.

Some Devon thanes met us, and our men dismounted at the same time
as we. Then Odda led us four to the door of the pavilion, and we
were u