done the Welshman slept before the hall fire with the house-carles,
but my father had me with him in the closed chamber beyond the high
seat, for it seemed that he would not let me go beyond his sight
again yet.

Now, that is how Owen came to me at first, and the first thing
therefore that I owe to him is nothing less than life itself. And
from that time we have been, as I have said, together in all
things.

On the next morning my father made his guest take him back over the
ground we had crossed together, for no fresh snow had fallen, and
the footprints were plain to be followed almost from the gate of
the hall stockade. So they came at last to the tree, and on it the
head hung yet, but the body was clean gone. All round the tree the
snow was reddened and trampled by the fierce beasts who leapt to
reach the head, and the marks of their clawing was on the trunk,
where they had tried to climb it. From the footmarks it seemed that
there were eight or nine of them. Three great ones had left the
head and followed us presently as far as the brook, half a mile
away.

After that the two men went on to the place where Owen had found
me, and there my father, judging from the dress and loneliness of
the Briton that he might be able to help him somewhat, said:

"I do not know what your plans may be, but is there any reason why
you should not bide here and help me tend the life you have kept
for me?"