"Wevcumfrolfrid" was all Ædric could make out.
"What does that mean?" said Corman. "Speak more clearly," he shouted.
Again the incomprehensible sound came back.
"Well, they've got very weak voices, whoever they are," said Corman.
"We've come from Wilfrid," came at last distinctly across the mud.
"They have come from Wilfrid," cried Ædric, joyously. "We shall escape, then, after all."
"I don't know that," said Corman. "How are we to get to them, or they to us?"
At last an idea occurred to him. He got up again.
"Hast thou any mud-pattens?" he shouted.
No answer. He yelled out his question again. This time the word "No" reached him.