Withelm; and for all his terrible journey across the king's saddle, and
in spite of our rough handling, his eyes were bright and fearless as he
looked up at us.

"Radbard," said my father, "what if Hodulf had met with a thrall who had
done his bidding in truth?"

I would not think thereof, for surely by this time there had been no
light in the eyes that seemed to me to be grateful to us.

Now my father knelt down by the boy's side, and began to take the
lashings from him, telling him at the same time to be silent when the
gag was gone.

And hard work enough the poor child had to keep himself from screaming
when his limbs were loosed, so cramped was he, for he had been bound
almost into a ball. And even as we rubbed and chafed the cold hands and
feet he swooned with the pain of the blood running freely once more.

"This is a business for mother," said my father, on that; "get your
supper, and take it to bed with you, and say naught to the boys in the
morning. This is a thing that may not be talked of."

Now I should have liked to stay, but my father meant what he said, and I
could be of no more use; so I took my food, and went up to the loft
where we three slept, and knew no more of what trouble that night might
have for others.


CHAPTER III. HAVELOK, SON OF GUNNAR.