I was doubtful whether to go in at once and seek audience with the prioress, or wait until some fresh news came in; for now I began to have a hope that our men would sweep down the hill on the Danes and scatter them in turn, even as they had themselves been overborne.  So for half an hour I waited, pacing the road before the nunnery, while I bade the men see to my horse; but the place was very quiet, being on that side the town away from the fight, so that any coming thence would stay their flight when the shelter of the houses was reached.

At last came one, running at a steady pace, and I sprang to meet him, for it was Wulfhere.  His face was hard and set, his armour was covered with blood, and he had a bandage round his head instead of helmet; but he was not hurt much, as one might see by the way he came.

He grasped my hand without a word, and threw himself on the bank by the road side to get breath, and I stood by him, silent for a while.

“Heregar,” he said at last, “it is well for Bridgwater town, and these here in this nunnery, that you obeyed and fought not.”

“Wherefore?” I said.  “Must we fly?”

“I saw you rally the men on Cannington Hill, and that was the best thing done in all this evil day.”

“Then,” I asked, “do they yet stand?”

“Aye; for the Danes have drawn off, and our men bar the way here.”

I told him what I had hoped from a charge of our levy; but he shook his head and told me that, even had our men the skill to see their advantage, the Danes had formed up again on seeing that this might be, and had gone back in good order to their first post at Combwich.

“But our levy will not bide a second fight,” he said sadly.  “Already the men are making off home, in twos and threes, saying that the Danes will depart, and the like.  Tomorrow the way here will be open, for there will be no force left to Osric by the morning.  I have seen such things before.”

“Then must the Lady Alswythe fly,” I said:  “but where is Matelgar?”

“Struck down as he fled,” said Wulfhere grimly.  “I saw Osric and twenty of his men close round him and beat back the Danes for a moment:  but I could not win to them, and so came back to you as you rallied us.  That was well done,” he said again.

“I left when Osric came up.  Matelgar I saw not,” I said.

“Osric saw you, though,” answered Wulfhere, “and, moreover, knew you.  And I heard him cry out when he saw the white horse riderless; for the arrows were still flying, and he thought you slain, I think.”

Now I wondered if Osric would be wroth with me, thinking I had fought against his orders; but I had little time to think of myself, all my care being for Alswythe, who had lost home and father in one day; being left to Wulfhere, and me—­an outlaw.

Then Wulfhere and I took counsel about flight, being troubled also about the holy women in this place; for the heathen would not respect the walls of a nunnery.  But for them we thought Osric would surely care.