and dried mutton, to which she added a bottle of her best metheglin, as a store for the journey, while Guthred combed his long dark ringlets, washed his face and hands, and donned his snowy super-tunic and fox-fur cap, in readiness to attend his mistress.

The roads were like all roads in those days, of a very rough description, full of deep ruts and holes, here and there mended with rough blocks of stone, or the trunks of trees laid side by side. The grist cart was an uncouth, and what was worse, a jolting conveyance, and the miller's old pied mare a sorry jade; nevertheless, the day was so fine, and they met with such abundance of good company on the road, that both mistress and slave were in the best possible spirits, and were willing to overlook all inconveniences, and only to dwell on the agreeable part of the journey.

When they drew near the scene of action, Winifred was greatly amused by examining the various cavalcades of Danish holdas in their

burnished armour, over which flowed silken manties, and their long red tresses braided with gems and threads of gold, for the Danes, notwithstanding their ferocious and barbarous manners, affected great nicety in dress, and were the fops of the ninth century; the gallantly armed and mounted Saxon thanes, with their courtly yet warlike bearing, and festal array, each attended by a train of martial followers; the bands of wealthy franklins, and sturdy ceorls, with their wives and families; even the poor serfs and craftsmen of low degree were flocking

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from all directions to the spot. Besides these were glee men and harps; travelling jugglers with apes and bears; morrice dancers; and itinerants of various descriptions, with their tempting wares, mingling in the motley groups.

The simple Winifred, who had never seen half so many grand people in the whole course of her life, was, in her ecstasies, ready to leap out of the grist cart with delight one moment, and the next inclined to rate the prudent Guthred soundly, for having endeavoured to prevent her from enjoying the pleasure of so brave a spectacle.

"All is well that ends well," was his only reply to her reproaches.

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"All must end well that hath so joyous a beginning," cried Winifred, " for lo! how lovingly are the Danish holdas riding with our noble thanes, and their grim spearsmen behave like brethren to the ceorls and milk maidens. Oh, it was never so seen in my time! or my poor dear Selwood had not been barbarously slain, only for withstanding the foul robbers from plundering his homestead! but the Lord hath turned their wolfish hearts since then, I trow!"

"Or rather, the victorous arm of our noble Alfred hath taught them the necessity of adopting better manners," rejoined Guthred smiling. "The Saxon hath the best of it now, good mother, or the Danes had never consented to adopt a king of his choosing; but the truth of it is, Alfred's valour and Alfred's wisdom have so completely broken the

power of the Danelagh, that their leaders are happy to accede to any terms he may choose to impose, as a condition of being allowed to remain in possession of the lands they have acquired in Northumbria."

When they arrived at Oswindune, Winifred expressed an earnest desire to obtain a sight of the holy bishop of Lindisfairne; but, as he was surrounded by Saxon thanes and Danish chiefs, with whom he was discussing the important business on which this assembly had been convened, there would have been little chance of her wish being gratified, had it not been for the impertinence of the jester of a Danish holda, who, perceiving that his master was exceedingly amused at poor Winifred's equipage, maliciously rattled his bauble about the ears of the pied mare, which so terrified the animal, that, becoming perfectly unmanageable, she started off at headlong speed, and in spite of all Guthred's efforts to restrain her, carried the grist cart, with himself and Winifred, into the very centre of the privileged circle that surrounded the bishop of Lindisfairne.

The arrival of this unexpected addition to the national council appeared so thoroughly ludicrous to all parties, that Saxons and Danes alike indulged in the most immoderate bursts of laughter, while some of the younger of both nations were found sufficiently illmannered and undignified as to make sport for their companions, by scornfully calling their attention to the long tresses, indicative of

high rank, which Guthred wore flowing over the coarse array of a peasant, and which ill assorted with the badge of thraldom on his neck. Others still more annoying, drew near, and goaded the startled mare on every side. Guthred on this, perceiving that his mistress's personal safety was greatly imperilled, by the kicking and plunging of the terrified animal, sprang from the cart, and seizing the head rein, attempted to lead the mare out of the press. The rude chiefs closed round about the cart, to prevent the escape of the objects of their amusement.

Guthred on this, mildly, but boldly, addressed himself to both Saxons and Danes, requesting them to desist from tormenting the mare; "for," said he, "the poor animal will receive some injury, and although she be a sorry beast, it behoves us to be careful of her, for, my masters, she is a borrowed one."

This explanation was received with noisy shouts of mirth, the annoyances were redoubled on every side, while both Saxons and Danes bade Guthred stand back, and not presume to interrupt their pastime.

Guthred boldly maintained his ground, and brandishing his oaken quarter-staff, avowed his intention of defending his mistress and the miller's mare from all aggressions.

The imperious nobles of both nations were astonished and enraged at the hardihood displayed by a peasant's thrall, in daring singly to resist the will

of powerful chiefs and magnates; and a gigantic holda, whose mature years and high rank ought to have restrained him from engaging in such proceedings, was preparing to deal the dauntless Guthred a blow with the heavy handle of his battleaxe, which must have prostrated him, had not Winifred, who perceived his intention, and recognised his person at the same moment, called out, "It doth ill become thee to pay in such base coin, methinks, for the plum porridge and metheglin with which thou wert feasted at the board of my husband, Selwood."

"Just ten years agone, good wife, I think," returned Ricsig (for it was no other). I remember thee now by the token of that shrill voice of thine, and for the sake of the excellent plum porridge and metheglin whereof thou speak est, the like of which I have not tasted since, I will now stand thy friend, and help thee and thy son to a place whence thou mayest see the bishop, and hear him speak."

Winifred was profuse in her acknowledgments to the holda; but, with the pride that formed a prominent part of her character, she thought proper to inform him that the young man was not her son, but her thrall: "The very lad," pursued she, "whom you gave to my poor dear husband, Selwood, for his carved ivory drinking horn."

Notwithstanding all Guthred's magnanimity and acquired philosophy, he felt mortified at the feeling of littleness in his mistress, which prompted her to make this communication to the holda; and he