red in the absence of posts and telegrams; but after a few weeks a special messenger came from the army. He was one of the Aes

t long since returned to court, where his smooth tongue gained him great wealth and high rank. Gifted with a subtle genius and persuasive eloquence

embrued his hands in innocent blood. This very year they h

hunt in a wood where he had prepared an ambuscade, and while all the rest were engaged in the chase, the common hangman of Shrewsbury, one Godwin "port hund," or the town's hound, bribed by Edric to commit the crime, sprang from behind a bush, and fo

lish army were now confided, and such the king wh

continually harassing the English forces, but avoiding every occasion of fair fight. Did the English march to a town under the impression the Danes were about to attack it, they found no foe, but heard the next day that some miserable district at a dista

eir midst, and that plans decided even in their secret councils were made known to the Danes. What wonder, then, that they

but ever and anon the marauders made a forced march, a

nd; the harvest must take care of itself or the women and children

for wife and children, an

ntained in the letter which made Alfgar v

captors. He stated that he had been closely examined concerning his home, character of the population, and their means of defence, especially as to the even

uestions about the destruction of Anlaf's house, and what became of hi

cient importance to justify their communica

were all busy in getting in the bounteous harvest with which this year God had blessed the earth. Alfgar

dged to each other with the full consent of Elfwyn and the Lady Hilda; and on those fine August nights, as they walked home afte

w often they looked b

harassing the army on every side, but no decisive battle had been fought. The enemy still seemed to know all the plans of the English befo

ould events justify him in paying a short visit home. This delighted t

d been safely gathered in ere the winter storms by the hands of women and children. Such joy as befitted the absence of their lords was theirs, and Alfgar a

nd were soon loaded with the lighter game their masters had killed, while a deer they had slain was hung in the trees, where a wolf could not reach it, and where wayfarers were not likely to pass until th

ar distant. They were more than a hundred miles from the seat of war, and

e bracing atmosphere and the exercise. His active and handsome frame, bright with all the attractions of youth, was equal to any amount of woodland toil; and Alfgar, who was, as we have said, de

am, the only spot where it could be safely forded, and as such known to the natives of the vicinity; when their dogs bega

a terrified aspect. Alfgar gazed and started, as did Bertric. There were the footmarks of a large number of hors

tedly?" said Bertric. "He said he sh

or a moment. He was evi

the footmarks, where

rmed heels, which had sunk deeply into the mud, had left traces utt

on for their lust for plunder and blood in remote spots where the inhabitants dwelt in fancied security, came to their minds, and

and his men; they may have

t the other way, Alfgar

only on reaching home. For a long time th

ric, as they bounded onward. "

might be deputed to avenge the fiery death of his father --and to ave

moment that they might see the bright flame through the trees, or that the wind might bring them th

utmost speed they could command, and just as the sun set they a

yet stands!"

ardent, fell slightly behind. They came upon the spot where they had left the deer, not, however, with any intention of encumbering themse

aid Alfgar, wit

hey had reached an open glade by the side of a small stream. He

dvanced cautiously, loo

wood, they came suddenly upon a sight w

ound, and the faces of a large body of men reclining on the bank, or engaged in the task of sharpening their arms while their supper was roasting. A momentary glance told that they were Dan

r pursuit. Three or four jumped upon their horses, two or three more plunged into the wood to cut off the retreat. It was all

er, turned at right angles into the wood, and ran for life. The boys were fleet of foot, and would probably have distanced their pursu

tric," he cried; "you ar

f ear to all solicitations for the few moments that they could have availed. It w

without useless and unmanly resistance, an

g out in strong relief the huge limbs of the oak trees, the bronzed faces of

behind, taken the alarm in time, a

the captives. Alfgar knew him. It was Sidroc, an old fellow warrior of his father, who had often visi

pon him fixedly, an

is not of the hue of the faces of the c

the son o

oy, thou art the object of our search. Thou, the descendant of k

FATH

sins, and yet lives? He thought thee dead, and only sought vengeance, when he heard from th

Alf