Little by little, and very reverently, we uncovered, and so took him from that strange resting, and the water welled into the place where he had lain.  And as we thought, his head had been smitten from his body, and it was that which we found first, wrapped in the cloak whose end had betrayed his hiding.  Yet had it not been for the token of the rainbow we had hardly thought to seek here, so near the water.

Men speak today of the finding of Ethelbert the saint by reason of the pillar of fire which shone from where he was hidden, and they tell the truth in a way, if they know not how that marvel came from the heaven before our eyes who saw it.  Let the tale be, for from the heaven the sign came in our need and it is near enough, so that it be not forgotten.  There is many a man who has seen the like, but not at such a time or as such a portent; and, again, for one man who has seen the bow in the clouds over against the moon are mayhap a thousand who may go through long lives and never set eyes thereon.  Whereby it happens that there are some who will not believe that such a thing can be.

Now we wondered how to bear back this precious burden, until we bethought ourselves of that cart which had been used before.  Erling and two of the reeve’s men went to seek it, and it stood untouched where we found it.  Moreover, those who fled from it in haste left the rough harness still hanging anywise from the shafts, and we were able, therefore, to set one of the horses in it without trouble.  Then we made a bed of our cloaks in the bottom, and thereon laid the body, covering it carefully; and so we went our way toward Fernlea, silently and slowly, but with hearts somewhat lightened, for we had done what we might.

But yet I have to tell somewhat strange of this journey, and how it came about I do not rightly know.  Nor will I answer for the truth of it all, for part of that I must set down I did not see for myself; only the priests told me, and they heard it from the men who did see.

This cart was old and crazy.  I think that Gymbert must have taken it from some deserted farm, whence it would not be missed.  It was open behind, and its wheels were bad.  Still it served us; and glad enough we were of it, for the road was rough, and heavy with the rain of the day.  It pained me to see the thing jolting and lurching as it went, knowing how little it befitted that which it was honoured in bearing.

Presently out of the roadside rose up a man, and joined us.

“Good sirs,” he said, “I am a blind man, and would fain be led to Fernlea.  May I go with you so far as the road you take lies in that direction?”

“Truly, my son,” said the eldest priest.  “But you are afoot late.”

“’Tis a priest speaks to me, as I hear,” said the man, doffing his cap in the direction of the voice and laughing gently.  “Is it so late, father?  Well, I have thought so, for there seem to be few men about.  Yet I slept alone in a shed last night, and know not for how long.  I think I have also slept some of today, for I am out of count of the hours.  There is neither dark nor light for me.”