CHAPTER XXI
Of the Gleeman who visited the Danish Camp
Now, when the King left the neatherd's cottage he went back with Osric and Wulnoth to his old hiding-place at Athelney, for this was safe now, seeing that the Danes, having searched there, and having burnt the huts, were not likely to visit it again.
And here the three tarried, and talked of all that had happened, and received messages from one thane and another, telling of the number of men which he could bring.
And urgent were the prayers sent to Alfred that he would at once put himself at the head of the forces and give battle to the foe. But to these prayers the King replied that they must remain patient a little longer.
"O King, why dost thou delay?" cried Osric in wonder. "Did I not know thy hero soul, I should think 't was because thou wast afraid." And at that saying the King smiled, and made reply.
"And didst thou say so, O Osric, thou wouldst be telling but the simple truth," he said. And Osric stared and said—
"Read me thy rede, O King, for of a truth I cannot understand thy meaning; only this I know, that fear and Alfred were ever strangers."
"Yet I fear, my friend," the King answered, "for of a truth this cast has all our fortunes thrown with it; and if we fail now, we fail for good; therefore I fear to make the attempt before being certain of how best to succeed."
"A quick blow and a bold one, is ever my way," said Wulnoth. And the King shook his head.