“Simon, the dogmaster, had ever a grudge toward me,—for what I know not. And when I went to him three days ago to say that one huge hound of his pack had come a roaring at me as I worked in the field, and forced me to climb on a hay rick to ’scape his jaws, he only laughed and said that thrall-meat would be cheaper far for such a valued beast than beef or mutton. This morn, at nine o’ the clock, I crossed the hay field at the back of the kennels, and out leaped this same hound with frightful growls and roars and widely opened jaws as if he would devour me forthwith. No tree or hay-rick was at hand that I could climb; and I seized me a stone the size of my right fist, and with it felled the beast so that he lay still enough upon the grass. This was no sooner done than I heard behind me the running feet of Simon, the dogmaster. He had his dog-whip in his hand; and when he came in reach, he struck at me with all his might. The lash curled about my face, and made the weals you still may plainly see. Such despite was more than I could bear. I seized the whip from his hand, and although I knew full well it meant the branding iron or the gallows, I struck him thrice o’er the head with the loaded butt he keeps for the savage and unruly ones among his pack. Simon fell down in a heap. And then I saw Lord Gilroy riding toward me from a hilltop a furlong off, and made for the woods where his horse could not follow. They hunted me all morning, but I would have won away had’st thou not found me.”
When the thrall had ceased speaking it was very still in the lodge. Cedric looked at me with a painful question in his eyes. What my own looks answered I know not save from his words that quickly followed.
“Egbert,” he cried, “thy act may have been lawless; but we will not judge thee; and thou shalt not be sent back to the lash or the branding iron by act of ours. Neither shalt thou longer wear that badge of slavery about thy neck. Here’s that which will sever it.”
Striding to the darkened corner he took from among the armorer’s tools a stout, long-bladed file; then, springing back to Egbert’s side, seized the iron ring with one hand and set to work upon it with lusty strokes. Soon the band was half cut through; then Cedric dropped the file, and, taking the collar in both his sinewy hands, gave a mighty twist, broke it apart utterly and flung it as an accursed thing into the blackness beneath the armorer bench.
Next he took his cross-bow from the table and thrust it into Egbert’s hands.
“Take this for thy safer journeying,” he cried, “thou’lt need to travel fast and far for some few days. Then thou may’st take service under some true lord as a plowman or a soldier as thou wilt. From this day forth thou art a freeman.”
Egbert gazed at Cedric with tears streaming down his face. Then he fell on his knees before him; but my comrade raised him almost roughly.
“Up with thee, Egbert! Thou’rt a freeman now, and should do utter homage to none but God. And there’s work to do if thou wilt keep thy freedom. Thou must be far away from Gilroy before another morn.”
Egbert, among his sobs of joy, could say no word. I found in my pouch a little purse of gold and gave it him.
“Thou’lt need to buy thy food and lodging as a traveler,” I said, “and not be taken as a prowling varlet. Look to it now.”