“Trying to see where their cattle are,” said Kynan.  “They will not come up here.”

The man shook his head, but laughed.

“They are bold enough to shoot at us, however,” he said.

“You would do the same if you met a Mercian cattle lifter,” laughed Kynan.  “That is naught.”

Jefan rode in slowly, bidding us good morrow cheerfully as he came.  Kynan said that he supposed the owners of the kine were about.

“They, or some others who should be on the other side of the river,” answered his brother carelessly, as he dismounted.  “Send a picket down on the west side of the hill, and bid them be wary.  Let them eat their breakfast as they go, and send men to keep in touch with them.  I can see naught in this mist, and if we have to leave here we must know in time.  Come, let us get to our meal.”

Plainly enough I saw that there was more in the matter than Jefan would let his men know yet; but if I was anxious, I would no more show it than he.  So we sat down to the food his men had ready, and before we had half finished a man came and spoke to him quietly and went his way again.

“One of the western picket.  It seems that here we must stay for a while.”

So said Jefan, and laughed a short laugh.  But he did not look at his brother, nor did Kynan look at him.

“That is the worst of a raid,” said Kynan.  “It stirs up such a hornet’s nest round one’s ears.  However, we on the border are somewhat used to it.  We can take care of ourselves.”

We went on eating, and then a second man came; and Jefan told him to call in the pickets, after he had heard what was said.  Then he turned to me at last.

“Thane,” he said, “we seem to be beset here, but how and with what force we cannot yet tell.  I am sorry, for your sakes and the lady’s, that so it is.  I fear our raid has made trouble for you, by bringing Offa’s men on us in the hope we may be forced to return our booty.”

“Our fault, I fear, for keeping you here, prince,” said I.  “I think that of your kindness to us you have stayed longer near the river than you might have done at any other time.”

He smiled.

“That were to credit me with too much,” he said.  “Mostly the Mercians care little to follow us.  There lies our mistake.”

“Then it may be that Gymbert is after us,” said I, “and this has happened because he knows that we are here.  He is doing Quendritha’s bidding.”

“Not likely in the least,” said Kynan; “it is just a cattle affair.  It is my fault for suggesting a raid last evening.  I would go, though Jefan had no mind for it.”

“Wrong, brother.

“Do not listen to him, thanes.  I did but stay here because it was his turn to go.  One of us must needs bide in the camp.”

Then they both laughed, and I dare say would have gone on with their jest; but there came a cry from the gate, and they both leaped up.  It was the word that a man bearing a white scarf on a spear was coming.