"Come here, Oswy; they do not know the little postern door hidden behind
those bushes; the passage leads up to the chapel, and to the gallery
leading to my father's chamber, where Elfric lies dying. I remember that
that door was left unlocked, and perhaps I can save him. They are all
feasting like hogs; they will not know, and if Ragnar meet me, why, he
or I must die;" and he put his hand convulsively upon the sword which
was dependent from his girdle.

"Lead on, my lord; you will find your thrall ready to live or die with
you!" said Oswy.

At the extreme angle of the building there was a large quantity of holly
bushes which grew out of the soil between the moat and the wall, which
itself was clothed with the thickest ivy; the roof above was slanting--
an ordinary timber roof covering the chapel--so that no sentinel could
be overhead. Standing on the further side of the moat, all this and no
more could be observed.

The first difficulty was how to cross the moat in the absence of either
bridge or boat. It was true they might swim over; but in the event of
their succeeding in the rescue of Elfric, how were they to bear him
back? The difficulty had to be overcome, and they reflected a moment.

"There is a small boat down at the ferry," whispered Oswy.

It was all Alfred needed, and he and Oswy at once started for the river.
They returned in a few minutes, bearing a light boat, almost like a
British coracle, on which they instantly embarked, and a push or two
with the pole sent them noiselessly across the moat.