Instantly one rose up and shouted, “We will have no traitors in our ranks.”

Then I knew what Matelgar’s sign meant, for this was a close friend of his.  On that, too, several others said the same, and one cried that I should be hounded 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 sword, and so give my enemies a hold on me.  Matelgar himself said nothing, as keeping up his part of friend bound by loyalty to accuse me against his will.

As for the other thanes, they talked, but all the outcry was against my being allowed to join, and at last Osric seemed to be overborne by them, for voices 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, and if he were doubted it would be ill.  And I could see, as Osric would also see, that the matter would be spread through the levy by those against me.

Now as I thought of the likelihood of one of Matelgar’s men spearing me during the heat of fight, I wondered if he feared the same of me, for I have often heard tales of the like.

Then Osric answered me, kindly enough, but decidedly: 

“Nay, Heregar, you hear that this must not be.  Outlaw is outlaw, and must count for naught.  I may not go against the word of the Moot, and inlaw 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 mail again, and tell any man that you bear messages from me; the watchword is ‘Wessex’ for the guards are set by now, and you will need it.”

As he spoke thus kindly Matelgar’s face grew black as night; but he dared say no word.  So I bowed to the sheriff and, linking up my mail, went sadly enough down the hall.  It was crowded at one place, and there some friendly hand patted me softly on the shoulder, though most shrank from me; but yet I would not turn to see who it was, that helped me.

Now I have often wondered that no inquiry was made about my arms, and how I came by them; but what I believe is, that even then men began to know that Matelgar and his friends had played me false, but that they would not, and Matelgar’s people dared not, say much.  As for Osric, his mind was full of greater troubles, and I suppose he never thought thereof.

I passed out into the street, but now it was falling dark, and few noticed me.  The men sat about along the house walls on settles, eating and drinking and singing.  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 the road to Cannington, struck out for Stert, that I might be near Alswythe, and wait for the possible coming of the Danes, and the battle in which I might join.

CHAPTER VIII.  THE FIRES OF STERT.