Wulf the Saxon: A Story of the Norman Conquest

by G. A. Henty

  CHAPTER II.

  COUNTRY LIFE.

  Far from being depressed, Wulf felt his spirits rise as he rodeaway on his banishment from court, for instead of feeling it adisgrace he regarded it as a step forward in life. Earl Haroldcould certainly, had he been so inclined, have smoothed down theangry prelate, and could have retained him at court; but by the wayhe had spoken, Wulf was convinced that the earl let him go becausehe thought that it was good for him to be away. For four years hehad been under tutelage, first at Waltham, and then at the court.In the last position his life had indeed been a pleasant one, foras one of Harold's pages he had mixed with all the noble youths ofthe court, and had had a place at every festive gathering. Still,he had been but a page, and treated as a boy. Now he was to goforth, and to learn his duties as his father's successor.

  Harold's steward, who had since the thane's death acted as theearl's agent in the management of the estate, would instruct himdoubtless in his civil duties, while the soldier who rode behindhim would teach him how to lead men in battle, and how to make thefighting force of the estate efficient. Beyond these duties histime would be his own. He would have responsibilities, but theywould be the responsibilities of a thane towards his tenants, andnot of a page towards his master. He was going away a boy, but ifit pleased Harold that he should remain away for two years he wouldreturn a thane. A young one, indeed, but one who had learned theduties of his station, and who, if needs be, could take his placein the field of battle at the head of his followers. For, evenputting aside the Normans, from whom the earl seemed to think thegreatest danger would come, there was never any long cessation offighting in England.

  There were the Welsh, who were always turbulent; the Danes ofNorthumbria, who were still a distinct people, although throughoutthe rest of England their identity was fast being merged into thatof the Saxons. There were the Norsemen, still ready to take everyopportunity of interfering in the affairs of England, or, if noneoffered, to plunder and harry the coast. There were the earls ofMercia, who bore no great love to the house of Godwin, and whoresented the ascendency of the West Saxons. Lastly, there wasHarold's brother Tostig, a fiery and turbulent noble, now Earl ofNorthumbria, who was jealous of Harold, ever ready to join in plots,and in close alliance with Norway already; he had several timeswithstood the royal authority, and would assuredly again become afomenter of trouble should he see a favourable opportunity. At theking's death, if not before, that opportunity would be sure topresent itself. Harold would be certainly chosen king by the peopleof London and by the West Saxons, but almost as certainly would hisclaim be disputed by the earls of Mercia on one hand, and by Tostigand the Danes on the other. Wulf was sure, therefore, that the workspent in preparing his tenants to take the field when called uponto do so, would not be wasted.

  Full of these thoughts he rode for some miles from Westminsterwithout addressing himself to the two men behind him; then, bethinkinghim that these were trusted followers of the earl, and had beenspecially told off by him to accompany and stay with him, he calledthem up to his side. Wulf had donned a riding suit instead of courtattire, which, in deference to the king's partiality for the Normans,was, even among the staunchest opposers of the foreigners, acompromise between Saxon and Norman fashions. He now wore a tunicof a bright green cloth, girded in at the waist and reaching onlyto the knee. Over this was worn a garment closely resembling theRoman toga, though somewhat less ample. The folds in front fellbelow the waist, but it was looped up at each shoulder by a brooch,leaving the arms bare. His legs were clad in tightly-fitting trousers,and his feet in somewhat high shoes. On his head he wore a cap inshape closely resembling the Phrygian bonnet. He was armed with adagger, and a short sword, which hung by a leather strap, two orthree inches long, from his belt. The outer garment had a hood whichcould in bad weather be drawn over the head.

  The man who was the bearer of Harold's orders to the steward worea civilian dress, not unlike that of Wulf's. He occupied the positionof a confidential scribe to Harold. The other wore the garb of asoldier. He was clothed from head to foot in a tight fitting leathersuit, upon which were sewn iron rings overlapping each other, andstrongly resembling in appearance the chain-armour of later days.His casque, with a curtain of leather similarly covered and affordinga protection to the neck, cheeks, and throat, hung from his saddle-bow,and he wore a cap with a long projecting peak, while a cloak wasthrown over his shoulders and fell almost to his feet.

  "I am afraid you will find it but dull time with me, Leof," Wulfsaid as they came up abreast of him, "for the earl says that he hascharged you to remain with me at Steyning."

  "I shall not be sorry for that," the soldier said bluntly, "for Ishall be right glad to be away from these Normans who fill everyplace at court and swagger there as if Englishmen were but dirtunder their feet. Moreover, I love not London nor its ways, andshall be glad to be down again among honest country folk, though Iwould still rather be following my lord the earl in the field."

  "And you, Master Gurth, will your stay down at Steyning be a longone?"

  "No, indeed. I have but to bear my master's wishes and instructionsto the steward, and to stay for a few days to see that they arecarried out according to his desires. I am not like Leof, for Iprefer life in London, where one meets with learned monks and others,can obtain sometimes the use of a choice manuscript, and can hearthe news from beyond the seas, whereas in the country there isnought to talk about save beeves and sheep. I like the journey wellenough, though I would that the animal I bestrode were more gentlein his paces. He has for the last half-hour been fretting on therein to place himself by the side of yours. Horses are well enoughfor nobles and fighting men, but for a peaceful scrivener likemyself a chair makes a far more comfortable seat."

  The soldier gave a contemptuous grunt, and Wulf laughed. "It iswell that we have not all the same tastes, but for my part a seatin a chair tires me more than one in a saddle, and I am never morehappy than when galloping briskly along," and he shook the reins,a signal which the horse had been expecting for a considerable time,and at once responded to by breaking into a canter.

  "Stay you, I pray, Master Wulf," the scrivener cried in greattribulation as his horse followed the example of its companion."Even if the animal does not break my neck he will jolt the lifeout of me. I pray you curb him in if you would not see me prone inthe dust; and if I am disabled, who is to carry the earl's messageto the steward?"

  Wulf reined in his horse. "Pardon me, good Gurth. I had forgottenthat you are not accustomed to journey on horseback. I was scarceconscious, indeed, that I touched my horse, but he is used to travelmore rapidly, and was so eager to be off at the slightest hint thatI was willing that he should do so. We will try and journey soberlyfor the rest of the distance."

  Osgod was overtaken, plodding steadily along the road, fifteen milesfrom town. Leof took him up on his horse, and they reached Guildfordjust as the sun was setting. The inn, which stood in the principalstreet of the town, was a low building built with a massive frameworkfilled in with bricks. The ground-floor was occupied by a singleroom. At one end was the great fireplace where, over a pile ofblazing logs, were hung many cauldrons and pots. Round the room rana raised bench some six feet wide on which the guests disposedthemselves for sleep at night; rough tables and benches occupiedthe rest of the room. Some twenty or thirty travellers were seatedat these. Few were eating, but the greater portion had horns ofbeer or mead before them. As Wulf and his companions entered, aftergiving over their horses to one of the helpers, the host, seeingby his attire that he was of condition above the ordinary, cameforward and led him to the end of the room nearest the fire, wherethe floor was raised a foot and a half above the general level,forming a sort of dais where travellers of distinction could taketheir meals apart from the rest of the guests. Leof was now spokesman.

  "We will have supper, and of your best, master host, for we haveridden from London. We are in the service of Earl Harold, and areriding with this young thane, Wulf of Steyning."

>   The name of Earl Harold was sufficient to gain for them the bestattentions of their host, and in twenty minutes supper was served,consisting of trout broiled over the fire, swine's flesh, and astew of fowls and smoked bacon flavoured with herbs. Wulf took thehead of the table, and the other three sat a short distance belowhim. The dishes were handed round, and each with his dagger cut offhis portion and ate it on his wooden platter with the assistanceof dagger and fingers only, for the utility of forks was at thattime a matter undreamt of. After the meal was over, the host broughta ewer of water with a napkin, and each dipped his fingers into thewater, an operation necessary even for the most dainty feeder.Presently a glee singer came in, and for an hour amused the guestswith songs, for the most part of a patriotic character.

  Wulf was then conducted by the host to a small chamber upstairs,where there was the luxury of a bed stuffed with straw. The restof the travellers, including Wulf's companions, merely wrappedthemselves in their cloaks and lay down on the raised bench whichran round the room.

  On the afternoon of the third day the party arrived at Steyning.It was four years since Wulf had been at home, and he gave a shoutof pleasure as his eye fell on the long low house with its backgroundof trees, and touching his horse with his heel he left his companionsbehind and galloped towards the door. An old servitor came out.

  "Why, Cedric, do you not know me? I am Wulf, whom you first taughtto play single-stick and to draw a bow."

  "Why, surely it is my young master," Cedric said, taking the handthat Wulf held out to him and placing it to his lips; "this is aglad day indeed for us all. We have longed sorely for a sight ofyou, for though I say nought against Master Egbert the steward, whois well liked by all, it is not the same as having our lord withus. You have come to stay, I trust."

  "For a time at any rate, Cedric. Earl Harold wishes me to learn myduties as a thane and to fit myself to lead my people in the fieldif it be necessary."

  "I trust that it never will be so," Cedric said, "but as we foughtunder your father so will we all be ready to fight under you shouldit be needful. The men of Steyning were never backward when therewas fighting to be done, and in my young days there was no lack ofthat, though we have had quiet times since King Edward came to thethrone."

  The house was not built for the purpose of resistance, for, unlikethe Normans, the Saxons did not deem it necessary to convert theirhouses into castles. It was, however, massively framed, the windowson the ground-floor were barred, the door was strong and solid, andafter nightfall none could come in or go out without the knowledgeand consent of the master. Wulf's companions came up just as thesteward himself appeared at the door. He knew both Gurth and Leof,having himself been in the service of Harold before being deputedby him to manage the estates of Steyning during the earl's guardianshipof its thane.

  "The earl sends his greetings to you, Egbert," Gurth said, "and hehas sent us hither with the young thane, who, as the letter I bringfrom the earl will inform you, has come down to take up his positionas lord here, and to learn from you all things connected with hisestate."

  "Welcome to Steyning, thane," the steward said, doffing his cap;"it is well that you should be here. I have done my best to carryout the earl's commands to keep all things in readiness for yourcoming, and to be just and fair to the tenants, seeing that theypay their dues, and yet not pressing too hardly upon them if thingsgo not well with them; but it is always best that the master shouldbe in his own place, and right willingly do I give over my authorityto you."

  "The authority has been in good hands, I know well," Wulf said,"and right heartily do I thank you for having so well filled myplace; but I would not take up my thaneship as yet I am but a boy,and have to learn my duties from you, and shall account myself butas your pupil. I know something of the ways of court, but nothingat all of those of the country, and it will be long before I am fitto take the control of things into my own hands."

  They had by this time entered the great hall which formed the commonroom of the establishment. Its arrangement was similar to that ofthe room at the inn, with its raised dais for the master, his family,and guests, while the rest of the room was devoted to the retainersand servants. The cooking, however, was carried on in a room apart.There were two fireplaces, one upon the dais and the other in thebody of the hall. On the walls hung trophies of the chase and armsof all sorts. The wooden roof was supported by massive beams, andwith the exception of the trophies on the walls there was no attemptat decoration of any kind. During the residence of the family atthe house, however, the hangings of tapestry, the work of generationsof dames of Steyning, their daughters and maids, hung upon the wallsround the dais.

  The news quickly spread of the arrival of the young thane, and ascore of men and eight or ten women and maids flocked into the hallto welcome him, and as he stood on the dais each in turn came forwardto kiss his hand and salute him.

  "I think my first order must be," he said to the steward, "that acask of your best ale be broached."

  "That shall be done at once," Egbert replied; "there is never alack of drink here, but the best is none too good for the occasion.And who is this youth with you?" he went on when he had given thenecessary orders, pointing to Osgod, who was standing somewhat shylyapart.

  "He is my friend, and is going to be my body attendant and squire,"Wulf said. "He, like myself, knows nothing as yet of his duties,but that he will be faithful and trusty I know full well, and theearl himself said that I did wisely to bring him with me."

  "I will myself instruct him in his duties," Egbert said, "whichindeed are not hard to learn by one of willing mind. He will standbehind you at table, will hand you your cup and take your orders.In the old times it would have been his duty to see that you werenot struck down by a traitorous blow while you drank, but thosedays are passed. When in the field he will carry your helmet tillyou need to put it on; will keep close to you in the fight and guardyou with his shield from arrows, and with his sword from attacksfrom behind; he will carry your banner, and see that as long as hehas strength to hold it, it floats fairly out as a rallying pointfor your men. In the field indeed his duties are numerous, but athome in peace, beyond seeing that your arms are bright and clean,and that your orders are carried out properly, he will have butlittle to do. It is well that you brought him with you, for otherwiseyou would have had to choose one of the sons of your tenants, andthe choice would have been a difficult one, for each would havedesired the honour, and whichever you chose there would have beensore jealousy among the others."

  The next day there was a great gathering in the hall. The whole ofthe tenants attended, and took the oath to be Wulf's men, as theyhad been those of his father, to obey his orders, and to follow himin the field with the due number of men according to the size oftheir holdings; while Wulf on his part swore to protect them fromall wrong and oppression, to be a just master, calling upon themonly for such service as he was entitled to demand, and exactingno feus or payments beyond those customary. A bullock had beenkilled, and after the ceremony was over all present sat down to abanquet at which much ale was drunk and feasting went on tillnightfall.

  The next morning Wulf, accompanied by Leof and Egbert, rode roundthe estate, choosing among the sons of the tenants thirty stoutyoung men willing to enrol themselves as house-carls, receiving aregular rate of pay, and ready at all times to give service underarms, and to remain in the field as long as they might be required,whereas the general levy could only be kept under arms for a limitedtime. He had already gone into the matter with Leof, who pointedout that, as at present he had no wish to keep up any show or tohave a body of armed men in the house, it would suffice if the menwere exercised every day for a month, and after that merely practisedwith sword and battle-axe for two or three hours once a week. Onthese terms he had no difficulty in obtaining considerably morethan the number he asked for, and finally fifty men were enrolled.

  For those carls helmets were bought and coats of ringed armour made,and for a month they exercised daily. Of man
oeuvring there waslittle indeed. The Saxons and Danes alike fought in line, with butroom enough between them to swing their battle-axes. Each carrieda spear as well as an axe, and when repelling the assault of anenemy closed up so that their shields well-nigh touched each other.Their exercise was generally either to engage in combats betweenchosen pairs, or, dividing into two parties, to fight line againstline with blunted poles for spears and with stout cudgels for axes.Leof in these combats acted as judge, decided which side had gainedthe victory, praised the skilful, and chided the careless andsluggish. He gave lessons in the use of the sword and battle-axeto Wulf and Osgod, sometimes pitting them against each other,sometimes fighting himself against Wulf, and teaching Osgod how toassist his master by covering him with his shield.

  Sometimes he would order three or four of the men to shoot withblunted arrows at Wulf, whom he taught to catch them on his shieldor to sever the shafts with a blow of his sword, while Osgod standingby helped to cover him when two or three arrows flew at him together.This was a daily exercise, and even after the month's regular workwas over some of the men came up every day to shoot, until Wulf hadattained such coolness and skill that he could in the great majorityof cases cut the shafts in two with his sword.

  But the whole day was by no means given up to warlike exercises.Wulf rode out with the steward inspecting the houses and farms,learning what there was to be learned of the rude processes ofagriculture, investigating the complaints of the depredationscommitted by errant herds of swine or by neighbours' cattle andsheep, seeing what was required in the repairs of farmhouses, andlearning from Egbert to discriminate between those who were unableto pay their dues owing to misfortune, illness, or murrain amongthe animals, and those whose losses were due to their own sloth orcarelessness. Upon these visits, too, the arms of the tenants wereinspected to ascertain that they could properly fulfil their serviceif summoned to take the field.

  The lands embraced by Wulf's feof were of considerable extent,reaching down to the sea, where they were some eight miles broad,and running back twelve miles beyond Steyning. Several small hamletslay within it, and in case of war he could summon more than threehundred men to his banner. Several of the neighbouring thanes rodein as soon as they heard that Wulf had returned to fill his father'splace at Steyning, and these visits were duly returned. But accustomedas Wulf had been to the orderliness of the court of the asceticKing Edward the rude manners and nightly revelry of these roughthanes by no means pleased him, so that he was glad when the visitswere over, and he could remain quietly at home, where he was notwithout frequent guests.

  The most regular of his visitors was the prior of the monastery atBramber, which had been founded by the piety of one of Wulf'sancestors. The prior had, though Wulf was ignorant of it, receiveda letter from Earl Harold asking him to befriend Wulf, to encouragehim to keep up the studies he had followed at Waltham, and to seethat he did not fall into the drinking habit so common among theSaxons. The priest was well fitted for the mission. He was by nomeans a strict disciplinarian, but the monastery had the reputationof being one of the best managed in Sussex, and among the monkswere many of good blood. He was passionately fond of art, andencouraged its exercise among the monks, so that the illuminatedmissals of Bramber were highly prized, and added largely to therevenues of the monastery.

  The prior had been one of the monks at Waltham, and owed his elevationto the influence of Earl Harold with the late thane of Steyning.He was well taught in all the learning of the day, and having beenfor a time at Westminster, knew more of court life than the majorityof the priors of isolated monasteries, and could suit his conversationto his hearer. Harold had said in his letter, "The lad has goodparts. He is somewhat full of mischief, and has got into a scrapehere by a quarrel with a Norman page, and by failing somewhat inthe respect due to William of London, who took his compatriot'spart with too much zeal. But Wulf is shrewd, and benefited greatlyby his stay at Waltham, and both for the lad's own sake and for myfriendship with the good thane, his father, I would fain that hegrew up not only a sturdy Englishman, as to which I have no mannerof doubt, but one who may some day play his part at court, and bea worthy friend and counsellor of an English king. Therefore I prayyou, father, to keep an eye on the lad, and spare him what time youcan from your duties. Tell him not that I have written to you, forit is the nature of youth to be averse to anything that looks likeguardianship."

  Such a request from Earl Harold was regarded by the prior as anorder, and a few days after Wulf was installed at Steyning the priorrode over on his palfrey, accompanied only by the almoner of theconvent.

  "Peace to you, my son," he said, as Wulf bowed respectfully to him,"I have called not only as the prior of the monastery founded by thepiety of one of the thanes of Steyning, but to welcome one who wasa pupil at Earl Harold's college of Waltham, in which I at one timewas a preceptor. Not when you were there, for I was installed herejust before your good father's death."

  "I left there two years since," Wulf said, "in order to be one ofEarl Harold's pages; but I have not forgotten my reading, for theearl insists that his pages give two hours a day to study."

  "Tis a good rule," the prior said, "for learning is like a weapon,it soon becomes rusted when thrown aside. You will, I hope, continuethe habit."

  "I should wish to do so, father, but there are no manuscripts here."

  "In that at least I can supply your wants," the prior said. "Mymonastery has a good library, and it will be quite at your service,and also my advice in any matters that may concern you. My almonerhere, brother John, knows pretty well the circumstances of most ofyour people, and may be able to tell you where your alms may bewell bestowed, and where they would do more harm than good. Theworthless are ever the most importunate, and for every honest manin need there are twenty rogues abegging."

  The ice once broken, the prior came over frequently. His conversationwas bright and interesting. He himself was engaged in writing ahistory of the Saxon and Danish monarchs from the times of Alfred,and had stores of anecdotes of people and events of whom Wulf hadbefore heard only vague traditions from the wandering singers andstory-tellers who travelled the country, and were welcome guestsin every household. As Wulf was urged by the prior to come overwhenever time hung on his hands, his visits to the monastery werenaturally very much more frequent than those of the prior to Steyning.Sometimes he would sit in the private apartment of the prior, butmore often he spent his time studying the rare manuscripts, orwatching the monks at their work of copying and illuminating. Ifhe went in the evening he generally sat in the refectory, where themonks for the most part spent their evening in talk and harmlessamusement, for the strict rules and discipline that prevailed inmonastic establishments on the Continent had been unknown up tothat time in England, although some of the Norman bishops were doingtheir best to introduce them into the establishments in theirdioceses,--a proceeding that caused great discontent, and wasstrongly opposed by the English monks. These had, hitherto, regardedmonastic life as one of work for the good of the poor, and asaffording for those who wished it a tranquil retirement from thetrials of the world. Moreover, it offered special attractions tothose of quiet and studious tastes, since the monasteries providedthe architects and the painters, the teachers and the writers, andit was here alone that learning was maintained and fostered.Consequently, at Bramber there was none of that monastic asceticismthat prevailed abroad, and later became the rule in England also.

  During the day the monks had their pursuits according to theirtastes. There were those who worked in the copying and paintingroom. There were some who drew plans for churches or the dwellingsof the wealthy, and who sometimes went out and superintended thecarrying out of their designs. Some were in charge of the garden,where the work was chiefly done by the lay servitors, and where theherbs and simples were grown that were used in the concoction ofthe medicines distributed among the sick, and highly prized throughoutthe country round. Two or three were skilled in music, and thesetaught and conducted the choir, wh
ile two acted as teachers toyouths, the sons of thanes and others, who, moved by the ardourwith which their earl advocated learning, intrusted their sons tothe monks for education. Then when the day's work was done, andvespers sung in the chapel, the monks gathered in the refectory.The conversation was of a bright and varied description, and asWulf moved about from group to group he listened to the talk withfar greater pleasure than he had ever derived from that at court,and largely increased his knowledge in many respects.

  National matters were discussed with keen interest, for the monkswere all English, and viewed with bitter hostility the elevationof foreigners to the chief dignities of the church, not only becausethey were foreigners, but because they introduced innovations ofall kinds, and sought to reduce the Church of England to subjectionto Rome, whereas previously it had been wholly independent of Papalauthority. In secular matters, too, there were dangers that threatenedthe tranquillity of the country. Chief among these were the turbulenceand ambition of Tostig, and the menace to the kingdom by his extensiveearldom of Northumbria with its alien Danish population, which wasrendered more serious by his alliance with the kings of Norway.

  Then, too, it was doubtful whether the great central earldom ofMercia could be relied upon to act cordially with the West Saxons;Griffith of Wales was still restless and turbulent; and lastly,there was the ever-present menace of the Norman duke. Had Englandbeen united it could have laughed at the pretensions of the Dukeof Normandy; but with Northumbria ready at any moment to break intocivil war, and with Mercia doubtful, the claim of Normandy, howevershadowy and indefensible, could not but be considered as a graveelement of danger.

  Listening to the talk of the monks Wulf learned much more as to theactual situation than he had done in the court of the Normanizedking, and his feelings of patriotism became more and more developedand strengthened, while he applied himself with even greater ardourto his military exercises, as he recognized more fully the necessitythat might arise for every West Saxon to be ready to take his placein the line of battle. The evenings that he spent at home were byno means dull. It was only in considerable towns that there wereinns for the accommodation of travellers. Everywhere else thesewere dependent upon hospitality, and no door was ever closed intheir faces. It was seldom that less than five or six travellersrested for the night at Steyning, and often that number was largelyexceeded. Besides the wayfarers there were the professional wanderers,the minstrels, the story-tellers, and occasionally a troupe ofbuffoons.

  All these were welcome, for they brought the news from without; thelast rumours in London concerning the quarrels of the earls; themovements of the Danish ships that were harrying the coast, andthose of the vessels Earl Harold despatched to cope with them; theprices of wool and hides in the chief markets; and even reports ofwhat was happening beyond the seas. Leaving the dais, Wulf wouldgo down and listen to the talk of the travellers, or, when theywere of a degree above the common, have them up beside him, andquestion them as to their journeyings, the places they had visited,and the personages they had seen. Thus his hours were fully occupiedfrom morning until night. He found far less time than he had expectedfor sport, and although he occasionally went out with his falconsor hunted the stag in the forest, which covered a wide extent ofcountry beyond the hills, it was but seldom that he could findleisure for these amusements.

  "It seems to me that you are always doing something, Wulf," Osgodsaid one day. "It is not at all the sort of life I should havethought a young thane would live. Why, you work many more hours aday than I did in my father's forge. It is either books, or theaffairs of the tenants, or visiting the monastery all day when youare not at work with your sword exercises. When I have done withmy work with Leof I like to lie down in the sun and take it quietly,and I cannot understand how you can be for ever on foot."

  "I have so many things to do, Osgod; there is so much to learn, andI do not wish to grow up a mere beer swiller like Edmund of Angmeringor Ethelred of Arundel. Their lives are, as far as I can see, nowhit higher or more worthy than that of their own serfs, from whomthey differ only that they eat more, drink more, and sleep on softerbeds. Earl Harold expects better things than that of me, and I wantto make myself worthy of being one of those in whom he can placeconfidence and on whom he can depend in case of trouble. I haveheard him say how bad it is for England that our thanes are, inlearning and culture, so far behind the nobles of other countries,and that if England is ever to take her place among great nationsit must be by her thanes first raising themselves to the level ofthe nobles abroad, who are the counsellors of their kings. I cannever hope to be anything like Earl Harold, who is the wisest andgreatest of Englishmen, but I do hope so to fit myself that someday he may think me worthy of trust and confidence."

  "Well, master," Osgod said lazily, "every one to his liking. Ihope to be a good soldier and your true servant, but as for allthis thinking and learning it would weary me to death."