“Well, I am glad you confess it,” he answered, “for I was minded to turn and run when the first lights of the great camp showed through the trees.  Then the boy answered me, ’My king, why should I fear when you are with me?’ I was ashamed, and took Harek’s harp from him—­for he carried it—­and went forward boldly, singing the song of Gunnar in the snake pit.  And it seemed to me that Harek would have chosen that song as fitting my case; for, putting Danes for snakes, I was in a close place enough.  The warriors came out when they heard me; and I was well treated, and listened as I drank.  Many things I learned.”

Now I cannot believe that Alfred feared at all.  He was surely but anxious, and took that feeling for fear.  So think all his people.

“It seems that they thought I sang well,” he went on; “so they took me to Guthrum.  He indeed looked sharply at me once, and maybe twice; but I went on singing Harek’s songs, and paid no heed to him.  Presently he gave me a great horn of ale from his own table, and this gold bracelet that I wear also, and sent me away.  Then I went about the camp and heard the talk.  One man asked me if I had seen Alfred, and what he was like.  ‘Faith,’ said I, ’men say I am like him.’  Whereat they laughed long at me and at the king also.  Then heard I the truth about my own looks for once.  I had some trouble in getting away, but at last I seemed to wax hoarse, and so made as if I would go to Bridgwater, and left them, promising to come again.  Ay, and I will keep my promise,” he said; “but as Harek’s heathen songs say, it is the sword’s mass that I will sing to them.”

Then his eyes glowed, and he was silent, and I wondered at the courage and resource in the slight figure that was before me.

“All goes well, and the plan is good,” he went on directly.  “They look for some easily-beaten attack from this side of the Parret, and at the first sign thereof will leave Edington height for the level ground below, as they did when Hubba came.  Then when they turn, on Edington hill will be our levy suddenly—­a levy of which they have not dreamed.  And there will be the greatest fight that England has seen yet, and after that there will be a Saxon overlord of England against whom none will dare rise.”

“May it be so, my king,” I answered.

“It will be so,” he said.  “Here in this cottage have I had the word that tells me thereof; and you, Ranald, brought the sign that made the word sure to me.”

I minded it, and I knew that for all my life my ways were bound to the service of Alfred the king; for my fate was linked with his, as it seemed, from my first coming.

It was not long now before the day came that will never be forgotten; for word was brought in from every quarter that thanes and freemen and churls alike would not be behind when Alfred gave the word, and he sent back to bid them meet him at Ecgbryht’s Stone, beyond Selwood, on Whitsunday.  There is a great and strong camp there on a rocky hill that looks out far and wide, near the two great roads, British and Roman, that cross in the vale beneath; and to that all were to gather, for there would the Golden Dragon be set up.  Men call it White Sheet Castle.