give me as much to eat and drink as it pleases me, then we shall
be both well satisfied. As for your man Osgod, I wish I had such
a fellow. He will be well-nigh a giant one of these days, and in
strength may come to rival the earl, who is said to be the strongest
man on English soil."

"He is a good fellow, Beorn, and I could wish for no better to hold
a shield over me in the day of battle or to stand back to back with
me in a hand-to-hand fight."

"You should get him to stand in front of you," Beorn laughed. "He
would be a rare screen against arrows and javelins."

The friends were well pleased when they heard they were both to
accompany Harold to Bosham, which was one of the favourite abodes
of the Earls of Wessex. It had originally been built as a hunting-seat,
but Godwin had grown to love the place, with its woods extending
for miles back and its quiet landlocked harbour, and additions had
been made until it had grown to be, in point of size at least, a
residence worthy of the great earls, and Harold preferred it to any
of the many mansions belonging to him. It was a large and gay party
that rode down the road through the quiet woods of Surrey and Sussex.
They put up each night at the houses of thanes, where, as notice
had been sent of their coming, they were royally entertained, and
those selected were proud to afford hospitality to the earl.

For a week they stayed at Bosham, hunting in the forests, going off
in parties under the guidance of the foresters, some who cared not
for hard labour, hunting in the woods between Bosham and the hills,
while others went far inland into the weald, which was for the most