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HOW WULFRIC AND RAUD SEARCHED TOGETHER.
I sat in the warm sun under the wide spread of the farmhouse eaves, dreaming my dreams with the dog at my feet, for so soon as the May time came in I must needs get into the open air, and grow stronger daily.
So it came to pass that one day up the green farm lane came a stranger, at whom the dog barked not, as was his wont, but ran to meet as if he were some well-loved friend.

And it was Raud, his old master, who came, lightly mail clad, and with a short hunting spear instead of staff in his hand, and whistling his "Biarkamal" as ever.
Now with Raud I had no quarrel concerning the death of the king, for well I knew that what he had done was truly in mercy, nor had he taken any part in what went before.

So I greeted him heartily enough, for all that with the sight of him came back to me, with a sharp pang, the memory of how I saw him last.

And he rejoiced to see me again.
"I have half feared that I should find you gone," he said; "for, when I heard of this from Hubba's men, I must needs come and find you, and little hope had I that you would live." "I have nearly died, they say," I answered; "but I think that I owe it to you that I was not slain in Hoxne woods yonder." "Why, not altogether," he answered, sitting on the settle by me, and looking me over, from arm yet in sling to lame leg.