In the meantime, Oswald waited anxiously at an appointed place for the coming of Badger, profoundly hoping that his mission would be successful. He knew that, excepting some untoward accident had happened, Badger would hang on to the heels of his man until, by either fair or foul means, he secured the despatches. But he himself had prepared for drastic means, if stratagem had failed. For failure to intercept the message would probably mean disaster to the little Saxon colony on the hill. His mind, however, was greatly relieved as he beheld Badger in the distance with beaming countenance, hurrying towards him.
"Well, I'm glad to see you, Badger. How has the business gone? No miscarriage, I hope?"
Badger made no reply, but, quickly hauling out the parchment from his bosom, he handed it to Oswald.
"I trust this will make better answer than I can muster, my lord."
Oswald took the parchment, and quickly tore it open, and ran his eyes over its contents.
"All right, Badger. How came you by it? Does the messenger know that you have relieved him of his message?"
"He has not the slightest idea. He trudged off, after carefully ascertaining, as he thought, that his packet was safe."
"You are the slyest rogue in the world, Badger, I do declare. Come, let us hear the news, how you came by this paper?"
So, as the pair journeyed on together, Badger, in high glee, told how he had circumvented the Norman, and sent him on his journey with a cracked skull into the bargain, all of which Oswald highly relished.