So I rose up, and standing before him, told him plainly all that had befallen, though there was no need for me to say aught of myself in the matter, except that, flying with the lady, Osric had chosen me to bear the message of defeat and danger.

And the while I spoke the bishop’s face grew very grave, but he said nothing till I ended by saying that Wulfhere could tell him of the fight.

Then he bade Wulfhere speak, being anxious to know the worst, as it seemed to me.  But the old man with him was weeping, and his hands shook sorely.

Now into what Wulfhere told, my name seemed to come often, for he began with the first landing at Watchet, and my bearing the war arrow, and so forward to the firing of the huts at Stert, to the rallying on Cannington Hill, and our flight, and how Osric sent for me.

Then said the bishop, “Is that the worst?”

And Wulfhere was fain to answer that he feared not, telling of the smoke clouds we had seen, and what he judged therefrom.

“Aye,” said the bishop, as it were to himself and looking before him as one who sees that which he is told of, “we saw the like after Charnmouth, and let them have their way.  Now must we wait, trembling, for Osric’s next messenger.”

But as for me, though the old man was sorely terrified, as one might see, I thought there was little trembling on the bishop’s part, though he spoke of it.  Rather did he seem to speak in scorn of such as would so wait.

“Tell me now,” he went on presently, “how the men rallied, and with what spirit, on the hill where Heregar stayed them?”

“Well and bravely,” answered Wulfhere, “so that the Danes drew back, forming up hastily lest there should be an attack on them; but none was made.”

Then the bishop’s eyes flashed, and I thought to myself that I would he had been there.  Surely he would have swept the Danes back to their ships, and I think that was in Wulfhere’s mind also, for he said: 

“We want a leader who can see these things.  No blame to Osric therein, for it was his first fight.”

Then the bishop laughed softly in a strange way, though his eyes still flashed, and he seemed to put the matter by.

“Truly,” said he, “with you, Wulfhere, to advise, and myself to ask questions, and Heregar to prevent our running away, I think we might do great things.  Well, there is Eanulf, who fought at Charnmouth.”

So saying he rose up, and clapped his hands loudly.  The old man had fallen to telling his beads, and paid no attention to him or us any longer, doubtless dreaming of the burning of his abbey over his head, unless some stronger help was at hand than that of the three men before him.

A lay brother came in to answer the bishop’s summons.

“Take these thanes to the refectory,” he said, “and care for them with all honour.  In two hours I will speak with them again, or sooner, if Osric’s messenger comes.”