Part 12 (1/2)

I told him that I only needed a horse, and that then I should ride to London, where I had friends: and he asked me if I had money wherewith to buy one, for he had none, else would he gladly do so for me. And that reminded me of the bag which Halfden gave me, and I opened it.

It was full of treasure--gold ornaments, and chains wherein were set precious stones, and some gold coins and silver, and these were the least value of all. But little pleasure had I in them, for I knew too well how they came, and a thought came to me.

”Father,” I said, ”this comes from ruined towns on yonder sh.o.r.e--take it and build up Bosham again. Aye, take it.”

”Why, my son, here is treasure enough to build three villages like ours,” he said quietly; ”for timber houses cost but labour in this forest land, and there was naught else worth taking in the place.”

”But your people are the poorer,” I said; ”I pray you take it for their need, and for a new bell, moreover.”

And so I urged him till he took the greatest gold chain, saying that in honesty he could no more, for that would surely make Bosham wish for more burnings if they turned out as this.

”Keep the rest and buy a new s.h.i.+p,” he said, ”and forget not that always and every day your name will be remembered at the time of ma.s.s in Bosham; and that may help you in days to come.”

So he blessed me and departed, and I think that both of us were light at heart, save for parting. And I have never seen the good prior again, though his face and words I cannot forget.

Soon came one to lead me to the presence of the thane and his wife, and from them I found kindness more than I could have looked for.

We broke our fast together, and then the lady asked me if I would accept horse and gear for my journey from her, for she had heard from the prior that I had been s.h.i.+pwrecked, who had also told her all the story of our doings at Bosham.

Thanking her, I told her that though s.h.i.+pwrecked, I was yet rich, having a store of wealth with me; for I thought that it was in the minds of these kind people that I was in need.

”Be not proud,” she said ”bide with us for a while, and then take horse and go. We hold that you have deserved well of all of us.”

But I told her of my mother and sister at home, and how I would fain be back with them, so she pitied me the more, saying that now for their sakes she would hasten me.

”Aye, lad,” said the thane, ”we have sons of our own at court, and the lady would that someone would pack them home on a good horse--so she must not be denied.”

Thus they persuaded me, and when I tried to thank them, the thane laughed, and the lady said:

”Thank me not but in one way, and that is by asking your mother to help homeward some other lady's son when need is. And that is all I would wish.”

And the end of it was that I rode away from Chichester town on a good horse and with change of clothes in saddlebags, and those worthy people stood at the gate to give me good speed.

Yet that is not the end, for there are one or two who have ridden in like sort from Reedham since that day, and have borne home the like message; so that I know not where the ending of that kindly deed may be.

Past the old Chichester walls I went, and out on the long line of the Roman street that should take me to London. And as I went I sang, for the green beechen woods were wondrous fair to me after the long weeks of changing sea, and it seemed to me that all was going well, so that I put away for the time the grievous thought of my s.h.i.+pwreck, the one hard thing that I must face when I came home again.

There is nothing to tell of that ride; for well armed, and rich, and with a good horse, what should there be? And at last I came to London town, and rode straightway to the great house of my G.o.dfather, Ingild, that stood by London Bridge. Very strange it was to me to look out over the Pool as I crossed, and not to see our good s.h.i.+p in her wonted place, for this was the first time I had come to London except in her.

At the door of the courtyard, round which Ingild had his great storehouses and sheds for goods, I drew rein, and two serving men whom I knew well came out. Yet they knew me not, staring at my arms and waiting for my commands.

So I spoke to them by name, and they started and then laughed, saying that they must be forgiven for not knowing me in my arms, for surely I had changed greatly since two years ago, when I was last with them.

It was the same when Ingild himself came out, ample robed and portly; for he gazed long at my helmed face, and then cried:

”Why, here is a marvel! Wulfric, my son, you have grown from boy to man since last we met; and you come in helm and mail s.h.i.+rt and on horseback, instead of in blue homespun and fur cap, with an oar blister on either hand. How is this?”

Then he kissed me on both cheeks and led me in, running on thus till a good meal was before me, with a horn of his mighty ale; and then he let me be in peace for a little while.

Afterwards, as we sat alone together, I told him all that had befallen, even as I would have told my father, for in my mind Ingild, my G.o.dfather, came next to him and our king, and I loved him well.