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So Alfred won Guthrum to the faith, and greatly did he rejoice when he heard what the Danish king had said. I think he was more glad yet when he knew that Osmund would become Christian also, and he urged us both to be baptized at once. "Let us be so with Guthrum," I asked. "That will be fitting," he answered, "for I think you have won him over."
Next we had a messenger from Odda, who was at Exeter, asking for sure word of what had befallen; and the one hope we had yet was gone, for he too knew nothing. Very sad and silent was Osmund the jarl, though he and Thora were most kindly received as honoured guests by the Lady Alswythe and the household of the thane.
"I heard you were here, and as my business happened to lie in the same direction, I took the liberty of following you uninvited. I could not have arrived at a more opportune time. I think that is my trunk you are trying to open. May I relieve you of the trouble?" "Your trunk, sir?" gasped the factor, letting the knife drop from his fingers. "Yes, mine. I am Osmund Maiden!"
"I do not know, however," said Osmund, "if your taking a Danish wife will be well received. It may be likely that Alfred will wish you to be bound to him by some tie of that nearness which shall be of his making." I had not thought of that, but it was a thing that was common enough. Harald Fairhair was wont to give a rich wife to some chief whom he would keep at his side.
"But are none of the old employees here now?" "No; not one. There are a few who have served a long time, but not prior to 1790." "Failure at every point!" exclaimed Mr. Burley, with a gesture of disappointment. "But I will not despair. This clew must lead to others. I cannot return to England without proofs of Osmund Maiden's death." "I do not know where you will get them," said Macdonald.
"Shall we go to Exeter, or back to Mercia?" I said. "Exeter they say; but I know not. Why not go and ask Jarl Osmund himself or follow the crowd and hinder no one with questions?" He hurried on; but then some men began to question us about the doings off Swanage, and Kolgrim told them such tales that they shivered, and soon we had a crowd round us listening.
"Bide here and see if any poor farm folk are yet alive," I said. "I will ride after him." So I gave the horse I was holding to my comrade, and went back quickly down the lane to where Osmund and the other two were. The man I sought was speaking with the jarl, whose face was white and troubled.
"The first person I met when I entered Fort Garry in April of 1788 was a man who had known me as Osmund Maiden in Quebec a few months before; so I had to leave the trunk in that name. At the time, of course, no word of the affair at Montreal had reached the fort I came here by rapid marches.
Helgi, who had kept at his shoulder throughout, seized his arm. "They are giving way on Thorkel's ship. Osmund is on board. If we return not, the ship is cleared." With a gesture of despair Estein turned. "Back, men, back! Thorkel needs all his friends, I fear," he cried; and to Helgi he said, "The day is lost. We can but sell our lives dearly now." They came back too late.
Then Thora left my side suddenly, and ran forward to meet the foremost horseman for they were close to us calling aloud to Osmund to stay. And he reined up and leaped from his horse with a cry of joy, and took her in his arms for a moment. I got my cloak around me, pulling the hood over my helm, and stood in the shadow where I was.
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