Then out of the wood came towards the hut a little procession, and when I saw it I knew that I, as Grendel, was to be exorcised.  But though I thought not of it, exorcism there had been already, and that of my evil spirit of yesterday, by the fearless hand of—­a little child.

There came first an old priest, fully vested, bearing a great service book in one hand, and in the other a crucifix, and reading as he went, but in Latin, so that I could not know what he read.  And on either side of him were two youths, also vested, one bearing a great candle that flared and guttered in the wind, and the other a bell, which now and then he rang when the old priest ceased reading between the verses.

After these came the villagers.  I saw the collier among the first, and his knees shook as he walked.  Then some of the men were armed with bills and short swords, and a few with bows.  All, I think, had staves.  After them came some women, and I saw one who wept, looking about her eagerly.

They did not see me, for the timber pile was next the kiln and a little behind it; so that before they got near I was shut out from view for a time.

While they were thus hidden from me, they stopped and began to chant again, priest and people in turn.  After that had gone on for a little time, Turkil woke and sat up, but I bade him in a whisper to be silent, and putting his finger in his mouth he obeyed, wide eyed.

Then the little bell gave a note or two, and the reading began, so near that I could hear the words, or seem to remember them as I know now what they were.

“Adjuro te maleficum Grendel vocatum diabolum—­”

So far had the priest got when they turned the corner of the house, and I stood up.  There came a shout from the men, and the exorcism went no further, for the old priest saw at once, as it seemed, that I was but a mortal.  Not so some of his train, for several turned to fly, sorely fearing that the wrestle between the powers spiritual had begun, and, as one might think, lacking faith in their own side, for they showed little.

But Grendel or no Grendel, there was one who thought not of her own safety.  That woman whom I had seen weeping gave a great cry and rushed at me, seizing my little comrade from my arms, for I had lifted him as I stood, and covering him with kisses, chided him and petted at the same time.

It was his mother, who hearing that her darling had wandered away from his playmates with the intention of “seeing Grendel” as he avowed, had dared to join the rest to learn what had been his end.

The old priest looked on this with something of a smile, and then turned to his people saying: 

“Doubtless the fiend has fled, or this warrior and the child had not been here.  Search, my children, and see if there be traces left of his presence, and I will speak to the stranger.”

They scattered about the place in groups, for they yet feared to be alone, and the priest came up to me, scanning my arms as he did so, to guess my rank.  My handsome sword and belt seemed to decide him, for though the armour and helm were plain, they were good enough for any thane who meant them for hard wear and not for show.