"Here is fighting on hand, my king."
And then before he answered, came Wulfnoth out of the great door and hurried up to the party, doffing his velvet cap as he saw the ladies.
"Ho, friend Relf," he said, "what is amiss?"
"Outlaws, earl," said the thane, "and in strong force."
"This is the pest of my life," answered the earl angrily, "for no sooner are our men gone harvesting than these forest knaves begin to give trouble.
"When were you last burnt out, Relf of Penhurst?" and he laughed in an angry way that had no mirth in it.
"Four years agone--after our trouble with Brihtric," answered the thane. "They have not been so bold since then; and the small fights I have had with them have not been so fierce that I must fetch you from Bosham to my help."
"Evil times make them bold," said the earl. "How many are there in this band?"
"Enough to sack the Penhurst miners' village," the thane said. "Men say that there are Danes among them; and I know that there are men who are well armed beyond the wont of outlaws and forest dwellers."
Then Wulfnoth called to us: