A Thane of Wessex

nd armour, and noisy enough, as I could hear. But every one of the townsfolk knew me, and by this time also knew what had befallen me, so that as I stood there it seemed not quite so easy

leper, alone and shunned by all, wi

sticks, who stayed to stare at me. I did not mind her, but of a sudden she dropped her bundle of wood, and I saw that it was

sted again. Truly would I carry it for

without a word of thanks, and I thought my story and face were b

you know me, so also must many others. But I

and here with the light of battle in his eyes and his hand clutched on

ut a guess, and asked her what I should do, seeing that she was

ce; but never a word should you have had from old Gun

id, "I have no rede of my own

l across your face, go down to Osric the Sheriff himself,

across, in such manner that little but my eyes could be seen; but th

truth, for I saw that I might

" answered the crone; "O

now yo

tell me that, I will say how I know that Osric will send you about

e on my valour; but there seemed something more in the old woma

all I go

did I not

it is

his country? Moreover, there is work for you to do which fighting will hinder for this turn -- go to, Heregar, I wil

ail tippet across my face, "if I must go down

t. "Heregar the king's thane -- the standard bearer -- shall bend to no humb

, but a sort of chill came over me as I heard her name the old heathen gods, and I thought

like are apt to prove unlucky; so I bid her good even, and went my way towards the town. After all, I thought, king's thane I was once, and may be again; and to bear

where I saw Osric the Sheriff's banner over a great house. Mostly the men scoffed at me for thinking that I shou

ed name and errand. Now, I could give neither, and was at a loss for a moment. Then I said that I was one of the bearers of the war arrow, and though th

at the highest seat was Osric, and next him, Matelgar. This assembly, and most of all that my enemy should

e shifted round in his chair to speak to me, but I was watching Matelgar, and saw his glance light on my sword hilt.

f, who was a small, wiry man, with a sour loo

Holms, sir," I said,

at mail off your face, man; they are not her

here came another even then, so the other thanes paid little attention after

ucked him by the sleeve, having made up his mind at last, and drawing him

nd I saw that there was to be no more concealment; so I droppe

I crave, Osric

looking up to see what this new freak of mine was. And

ho is here in obedience to that summons. And when I took it I was on my way out of the kingdom as I was bidden, but I turned back because of the need for a

thanes. But Matelgar looked black, and Osric made no answer, frowning,

ared not as yet, and then he cast his eye

heard I the like. Now I myself know not why a

he cried loudly, turning

shouted, "We will have n

ded out of the hall and town. Osric frowned when he heard that, and looked at me; but I stood with my arms folded, lest I should be tempted to lay hand on

oices in my favour were few heard, if many thought little harm of my request. But then the offer of the help of one man was, anyway, a little thing, a

spearing me during the heat of fight, I wondered if he fea

ed me, kindly eno

law you again by giving you a place. Go hence in peace, and take your way; yet we thank you for bearing the message to Matelgar. Link up your

, linking up my mail, went sadly enough down the hall. It was crowded at one place, and there some friendly hand pat

ven then men began to know that Matelgar and his friends had played me false, but that they would not, and Matelgar's p

ng. And I, coming to a dark place, sat down among a few and ate and drank as well for half an hour, and then passing the guards at the entrance to the town on t