It was a long and stormy passage between the mouth of the Scheldt and London.  The vessel in which Cuthbert had shipped was old and somewhat unseaworthy, and several times in the force of the gale all on board gave up hope for their lives.  At last, however, they reached the mouth of the Thames, and dropping up with the tide, reached London eight days after their embarcation.  The noble charger which the King of Saxony had presented to Cuthbert, had suffered greatly, and he feared at one time, that the poor animal would succumb to the effects of the tempest.  However, after entering into smooth water it recovered itself, and on landing near the Tower he found that it was able to support his weight.  Cnut and the archers were, like Cuthbert, delighted to have their feet again upon English soil; and although London did not now strike them with the same wonder which it would have done had they first visited it before starting on their journey—­for in many respects it was greatly behind some of the continental cities—­yet the feeling of home, and the pleasure of being able to understand the conversation of those around them, made the poor fellows almost beside themselves with joy.  Beyond the main political incidents, Cuthbert had heard little of what had passed in England since his departure; and putting up at a hostelry, he inquired of the host whether Sir Baldwin of B,thune was in London, or whether he was away on his estates.  The landlord did not know.  There were, he said, but few nobles at court, and London was never so dull as at present.  As Cuthbert did not wish his coming home to be known to John until he had learnt something of the position of affairs, he despatched Cnut to the Tower to inquire privately of some of the officials about the place whether Sir Baldwin was there.  Cnut soon returned with the news that he had not been at the court since his return from the Holy Land, and that he was living at his castle down in Dorsetshire.  After some hesitation, Cuthbert resolved to set out to see his friend, and after six days’ travel he arrived at the castle of the knight.

Sir Baldwin received him with immense joy.  He had not heard of him since they parted at Zara, and he feared that a fate similar to that which had befallen King Richard had overtaken Cuthbert, even if he were still alive.

“Have you seen aught of the king, our master?” the good knight inquired.

“Nothing,” Cuthbert said.  “I know no more than yourself.  Indeed, I hoped to have learnt something from you as to the king.”

“I was separated from him at Gortz, and while he was taken a prisoner to the archduke, I was allowed to pursue my way.  I had many difficulties and dangers, and was some weeks in finding my way back.  Nothing was known of the king when I returned.  Indeed, I was the first bearer of any definite news concerning him since the day when he sailed from Acre.  Three weeks ago, as you may have learnt, the news came