He challenged them as they approached, but being speedily convinced that the vessel was in their hands, and that his employer and party were all conquered, he made a virtue of necessity, and laid down his arms.
"You had better go in alone," Cnut said, "Master Cuthbert.

The lady is less likely to be frightened by your appearance than by us, for she must wonder indeed what is going on." On entering the cabin, which had evidently been fitted up for the use of a lady, Cuthbert saw standing at the other end the princess whom of course he knew well by sight.

A lamp was burning in the cabin, and by its light he could see that her face was deadly pale.

Her robes were torn and disarranged, and she wore a look at once of grave alarm and surprise upon seeing a handsomely dressed page enter with a deep reverence.
"What means this outrage, young sir?
Whoever you be, I warn you that the King of England will revenge this indignity." "Your Highness," Cuthbert said, "you have no further reason for alarm; the knaves who carried you off from the bishop's palace and conveyed you to this ship are all either killed or in our power.

I am the page of the Earl of Evesham, a devoted follower of King Richard.