Baldwin, and to ascertain what steps were being taken for the discovery of the prison in which King Richard was confined, and for his release therefrom; and also to establish himself in his new dignity as Earl of Evesham.  Therefore, bidding adieu to the duke and duchess, he started north.  The duke furnished him with letters of introduction to the princes through whose countries he would travel; and again crossing the Rhine, he journeyed through the territories of the Dukes of Cleves and Brabant, and reached the mouth of Scheldt without interruption.  There taking ship, he sailed for London.

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 embarkation.  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 Bethune 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 learned something of the position of affairs, he dispatched 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.