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He therefore placed himself alongside of Gunrig, and kept at his elbow about half a foot behind him the first two rounds of the course. At first Gunrig took no notice of this, but when he perceived that the tall stranger continued to keep the same position, he held back a little, intending to reverse the position for a time. But Bladud also held back and frustrated his intention.
Some people even think that he is in league with evil spirits. I doubt that; but he told me the other day, when I met him on our side of the channel, that your sister is about to be married to a neighbouring chief I forget his name Gunrig, I think with whom your father wishes to be on friendly terms." "Married!" exclaimed Bladud, with a troubled look.
"Your father, I know, will consent to Gunrig's wishes. If he did not, there would be war again horrible war between the tribes. I will never be the cause of that if I can help it. At the same time, it would kill me to wed with Gunrig. I would rather die than that; therefore I will run away." "And leave me?" exclaimed the princess anxiously.
"Folly is indeed the cause of it, but it is the folly of man, not of women." Branwen then gave him a detailed account of the duel between Bladud and Gunrig, as well as of the subsequent proceedings of the latter, with regard to herself.
The arrows, which even during flight were being got ready for Gadarn's host, were suddenly discharged at the men in the gully; but the aim was wild, and the only shaft which took serious effect found its billet in the breast of Gunrig himself. He plucked it savagely out and continued the charge at the head of his men.
"Hold your hands, men!" shouted Gunrig. "I know that voice ay, and the face too. Is it not the white beard of our friend the Hebrew that I see?" A few minutes more proved that he was right, for the well-known figure of Beniah descended the sides of the pass.
She had fled, you may remember, from your father's court for fear of being compelled to wed with Gunrig, the chief whose crown you cracked so deftly on the day of your arrival. She, poor thing, took refuge at first with me. I hid her for some time " "Then," interrupted the prince, "she must have been hidden in your hut at the time of my visit!" "She was. But that was no business of yours."
"Grant him permission, king," he cried. "If I were not ready to abide by my word I were not worth my salt. Nay, indeed, whether you grant him permission or not I will fight him, for he has twice beaten me this day, and now insults me, therefore there is a deadly feud between us." "You were always a hot-head, Gunrig," replied the king, with a grim smile. "But have your way.
While the search was being thus diligently though needlessly prosecuted in the neighbourhood of the Hot Swamp by Gadarn, who was dearly fond of a practical joke, another chief, who was in no joking humour, paid a visit one evening to his mother. Perhaps it is unnecessary to say that this chief was Gunrig.
The fair-haired Hafrydda, however, was not so timid, her smile was evidently one of amusement at his defeat, which angered him all the more. "Gunrig," said the king, drawing himself up, and speaking impressively, "remember that you are my guest, and that it ill becomes you to insult my women before my face." "Pardon me," replied the chief, with an effort to recover himself.
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