Biggun, complacently viewing the result of their shipbuilding efforts.
"The next thing is to overhaul her gear and see if we can't get that
sail to set a bit stiffer."
Certainly the poor old tattered sail did look as if it wanted a little
attention as it lay upon the grassy slope. However, Ceolwulf, by dint
of hard bargaining induced one of the women who appeared most handy with
the needle to patch it up with various scraps of home-spun cloth, and at
last it looked as though it really would hold the wind fairly well.
By this time Malachi had come ashore, and all the children had crowded
down to the raft to see his catch. He had got a few eels, two or three
of a very good size, a few whiting, and one good-sized bass. As soon as
the success of his fishing was known, it was obvious how very much he
went up in the estimation of the bystanders, even Ceolwulf condescending
to say in a patronising way that he really hadn't done badly for a monk.
AEdric was always irritated at old Ceolwulf for his treatment of the
good monks, whom he knew to be infinitely cleverer and a very great deal
better than poor ignorant old Biggun; and even supposing they had not
been, they had so hospitably taken care of them, at the risk of possibly
making enemies, when they came to them in the most absolute need and
helplessness, that it seemed a very great absence of courtesy, to say
the least of it, to show the slightest want of respect to them.
But courteous manners were not a characteristic of the early English
settlers, with whom the main idea was the "simple rule, the good old
plan, that he shall take who has the power, and he shall keep who can."
However, none of the worthy monks showed the least resentment at
Ceolwulf's manner; indeed, AEdric could not tell that they saw it.
In the excitement caused by the arrival of the fish no one had heard the
hurried steps of three men who were rapidly approaching, and it was not
until Ceolwulf heard himself called by name that he was aware of their
presence.
"Why, Athelhune," he cried in astonishment, "what brings thee here?
Thou seemest, truly, as though matters were pressing thee somewhat."
The eyes of all were now turned upon the new comers, who certainly did
look as though they had come fast. They were fully armed, but their
armour bore traces of rough and recent usage. Athelhune's shield was
cleft nearly through, his axe was notched and stained, and he was in a
violent state of heat. His two companions were in much the same
condition, and one was badly wounded, for blood was slowly welling from
a deep cut in the neck.
As soon as Corman saw the condition he was in he led him to his hut and
staunched the wound, applying healing herbs and a bandage.
"Ceolwulf, we have been surprised in our turn at Cissanceaster by the
two eorls, Berchthune and Andhune, who returned suddenly from Kent. We
have been driven out of the town, and Caedwalla is once more a wanderer.
He sent me to thee because he remembered the expedition thou wast to
undertake, and he was afraid thou mightest wait here until thou mightest
fall into the hands of the South Saxon eorls. Thou art to start
to-night, and I and as many others as we can collect, or the boat will
hold, are to go with thee. Thou wilt take the direction of the
expedition, as thou knowest the country. The two boys are to go to
Wilfrid, with whom they will be safe. Caedwalla does not in the least
despair of recovering his rights, and hopes to be able to follow us
himself before long."
So said Athelhune, and the astonishing nature of the news produced a
profound silence, broken by Father Dicoll saying:
"See, my children, the mutability of earthly affairs. _Vanitas
vanitatum,_" saith the Preacher, "_omnia est vanitas_."
"I don't know what that means," said Athelhune. "but if it means I am
very hungry, that's quite true. I could eat some of those fish, I
think."
*CHAPTER VII.*
*"HO! WATCHMAN; WHAT OF THE NIGHT!"*
"Well, there's plenty to be done, anyway," growled old Biggun, as he
gradually took in the full extent of the news Athelhune had brought,
"and the worst of it is there's not many of us to do it. Well, well, we
shall see. The tide don't cease flowing till a little before dusk; if
we can get away somewhere before that we shall have daylight to take us
over that bar, and when once we are outside we shall be all right then.
Let me see, how's the wind? Why, there is not much, but what little
draught of air there is comes from the right quarter. It's about
north-east to easterly, I'm thinking, and that's why we heard all that
to do at Cissanceaster so clearly."
So saying, the old man, putting a few articles into the boat, went off
to join the others, who were all busy cleaning the fish and cooking them
on an iron plate placed over the fire, which had been hastily lighted
outside Father Dicoll's hut.
There was a great deal to be done before Ceolwulf could start on the
expedition, which was a very dangerous one. While he was with Caedwalla
he had obtained that prince's consent to the despatching of some of his
followers with Ceolwulf to see what had become of AElfhere, and how
matters were going on in Wihtea, and if he found that there were many
who were discontented with the way Arwald was conducting affairs,
Caedwalla promised to come over and help him; and if AElfhere were
alive, he would reinstate him in his possessions and authority, or, if
he were dead, he would appoint someone to look after matters in his
interest, and until AEdric and Wulfstan were old enough to look after
themselves. Now that matters had taken this unhappy turn for Caedwalla,
Ceolwulf thought it would have been more prudent if he had gone to join
the prince and had sent the boys to St. Wilfrid; but he did not like to
act contrary to Caedwalla's orders, especially as he depended upon him
for supporting them all later on. "After all," he thought, "I can but
go across and see how the land lies, and then come back again. The boys
will be quite safe meanwhile with Wilfrid, for they will go there,
anyhow."
After they had had their dinner, Ceolwulf and Athelhune walked apart and
decided what was to be done. The boat would take eight persons easily:
could they muster eight? There were only Beornwulf and the other man,
whose name was Osborn, for the wounded man was too badly hurt to be of
any use; that only made four. "Would any of the people of Boseham go?"
said Athelhune. "By the way, I forgot to give thee this gold which
Caedwalla bid me give thee. It might be useful to induce some of them
to go."
"Well, we can try," said Ceolwulf. "But thou wilt get on better with
them than I shall; do thou go and have a talk with a few while I get
Beornwulf and Osborn to get down what we want for the undertaking."
Under Ceolwulf's directions, all the arms were put into the boat. The
shields and linked mail shirts were carefully stowed out of the way of
any sea water, and then such pieces of pork and bread as Ceolwulf was
able to obtain by hard bargaining from the richer ceorls' wives were put
in, and, finally, a tub, or beaker, of water completed the preparations.
Everything was put very securely in its place, and every care taken
against damage by the movement of the sea.
Meanwhile, Athelhune had induced three fairly stalwart young men to
accompany them, promising them some weapons and a small sum of money as
a recompense.
It was now nearly high water, and the boat was floating alongside of the
quay. She looked in very much better condition than when she arrived,
and Wulfstan was helping Biggun to hoist the sail.
"I say, Biggun, where art thou going to?"
"Well, Wulfstan, I am going over to Wihtea."
"Oh! art thou truly? And, of course, I am going too?"
"Why, no, Wulf. Thou seest it is a little dangerous, and there would be
no use in thy going. We shan't be long gone; only I know that thou and
AEdric would like to know what's going on over there, and so we shall go
out with the tide this evening, and return, maybe, the day after
to-morrow."
"Oh, Biggun, do let me go! I will be quite good and do all thou tellest
me; I promise I will."
"No, Wulf, no; it's no good asking me. There, we've got the sail well
set, and the sooner we get off the better. Now, let's see where are our
crew? Athelhune, let's have a look at them altogether."
The five men were accordingly called up, and Athelhune briefly told them
that Caedwalla, whose generosity they all knew, and whose vengeance also
it was as well to avoid, had decided to find out how matters were going
on in Wihtea, and for this purpose had determined to send Ceolwulf and
himself as eorldomen to explore the east end of the island, and having
found out the state of affairs to come back and report to him; that he
had chosen those five men for this honourable occupation, and that all
would be well remembered and suitably rewarded when Caedwalla's power
was firmly established; and the more they contributed to this end the
sooner would their own position be secured. There was little or no
danger, for which, no doubt, as brave fellows, they would be sorry; for
in Ceolwulf they had a first-rate guide, and one who knew every inch of
the ground, and was well known by all the inhabitants; he would show
them a good harbour, and they were sure of a good welcome.
To this speech Wulfstan listened open-eared, and when it was over he ran
up to Ceolwulf and said:
"Thou heardest what he said? He said there was no danger, and that thou
wouldest have a sure welcome; well, then, why can't I go? Do let me go,
Biggun?"
"No, Wulfstan, I can't! Who is to take care of AEdric?"
"Oh, he won't mind; and, besides, we are to be away such a short time."
"No, no, don't bother me so. Seest thou not how busy I am?" and to
avoid further entreat, Ceolwulf walked off to talk to Father Dicoll,
whom he found in earnest converse with brother Malachi.
"I trust, Father Dicoll, thou wilt have the boys sent over to Wilfrid if
there is any danger from the South Saxon eorls," said Ceolwulf.
"We will do what we can, my son, and I was talking to brother Malachi
about it as thou camest up. Our best way will be to let Wilfrid know,
and then, no doubt, as he has men, to whom he can say 'come' and they
come, and to others 'go' and they go, he will send over and have them
taken under safe conduct to his house at Selsea. This we will have
done. But there is another matter brother Malachi here wants to speak
to thee about. He is urgent with me to let him go with thee to Wihtea;
he says he has been urged by the Spirit to carry the Gospel of good
tidings to that benighted spot. When I urged him that the Lord had work
enough for him here, he said that here were many instruments of God.
That there was brother Corman and myself, and Wilfrid and all his
clergy; and that he had seen in a vision of the night, like the blessed
Paul, a man of Wihtea standing by, and saying, 'Come over and help us.'
I told him of the dangers, but I am glad to say that, like a true
follower of our Lord, these only made him all the more earnest to be
gone----"
"There, Father Dicoll, thou hast said enough; if the poor creature wants
to get killed it is not for me to prevent him. Ye have been good and
hospitable men to us, and taken care of AEdric and Wulfstan right
manfully, and if I can do anything to help thee or thine, I'm only too
glad to have the opportunity. Let him come."
Brother Malachi had been listening to all that was said, and going up to
Father Dicoll he knelt down and asked his blessing, much to the
astonishment of the Saxons, who all began to laugh; and they laughed
still more when he rose up and kissed Dicoll and Corman, who returned
the salutation, saying as they did so, "_I, frater, in pace et Dominus
tecum_."
"These be odd men," said Athelhune, who, not quite so utterly
uncultivated as the other Saxons standing by, was yet amused at their
singular habits; for to the Teutonic mind outward and practical evidence
of affection always appeared effeminate.
Malachi now turned to Eddie and Wulfstan, and took a kind farewell of
both of them, especially of AEdric, who returned his affectionate
greeting, and struggled hard to restrain his emotion, which he would not
for the world have shown before all those men; but he longed for his
home and news of his father, and it seemed hard that a stranger could go
and he could not. "My son, our home is not here, nor there, but our
home is in heaven," whispered Malachi, as AEdric murmured his regret in
his ear.
As for Wulfstan, he was very sulky; he was particularly angry to find
that a monk was allowed to go and he was not.
"Why, isn't he in the way far more than I am? He doesn't know how to
row, and I do; and he can't fight nearly so well as I can. What's the
good of him if he can't fight? I call it a shame, AEdric. I used to
like old Biggun, but now I hate him. He's got so proud since
Cissanceaster, and forgets he was our father's herdsman. I hate him, I
do!"
"Hush, Wulfstan, thou oughtest not to be so ungrateful. Thou forgettest
he lost everything just as much as we did, and he might have saved it
all, by making friends with Arwald. And think how he has taken care of
us, and what trouble he took in bringing us over here, and he only
fought so well--and thou oughtest to be proud of him for it--in order to
get Caedwalla to take an interest in us, and send us some men to help
us. What good couldest thou do? and, of course, thou wouldest be very
much in the way."
"Oh, AEdric, thou art as bad as the monks! Thou only sayest all this
because thou art not able to go too. Thou knowest if thou wert well
enough to go thou wouldest only be too ready to talk evil of Ceolwulf.
Oh, I hate it all--but I will go! Thou shalt see!" added Wulfstan, with
a determined look.
The preparations for departure were nearly all ready; the men were
carrying down a few last articles that might be necessary, and Ceolwulf
and Athelhune were bidding good-bye to Father Dicoll and brother Corman.
Most of the women and children of the place had gathered round, and
there was much confusion of noise and bustle. Such an event as the
departure of a boat full of eight men all armed, and one an eorldoman
and another a distinguished warrior, for so Ceolwulf was now regarded,
was too important not to create considerable excitement. Brother
Malachi too going! How would the poor monks get on for fish? how would
the poor man fare amid those rough men of war?
"Well, good-bye, AEdric; keep up thy spirits till I come back, and get
well as quickly as thou canst. Why, where's Wulfstan? I wanted to say
good-bye to him; but perhaps I had better not; he'll only bother me over
again to take him, and that I won't do. So do thou say that I looked
for him, but couldn't see him; that will do quite as well."
So saying, Ceolwulf went down to the boat, and then found that he really
had plenty to do, for only the three Boseham men had any idea of rowing.
Fortunately, there was a little wind, and by setting one of the Boseham
men to pull each oar, and one of the others to push, they were likely in
this way to get into the swing of the art.
He had also to explain the use of the ropes; but this did not take long,
only AEdric was convulsed with laughter at the sail coming down quite
suddenly on Ceolwulf's head, as he was showing one of the men how to
make fast the sheet or rope which pulls in the sail. In order to see if
the man quite knew where it was and what he ought to do, he had told him
to let the rope go, with the result that the sail came down with a run.
The man had already confused it with the main-halyard or rope that
pulled the sail--which was a lug-sail--up to the top of the mast.
As nearly all the men were in the boat, the sudden descent of the sail
caused considerable confusion, and some angry exclamations; however, at
last all was ready, and Ceolwulf, who was getting impatient to be off,
gave the order to cast her off from her moorings, and taking an oar, put
it into a deep notch in the boat's stern, and prepared to steer her.
The children all began to shout. AEdric waved his hand. Father Dicoll
and brother Corman stood by him, and called a farewell to brother
Malachi, who stood near the mast in the bow of the boat. Athelhune stood
near Ceolwulf, and the others rowed as they were placed. The boat
glided gently away, and long soft ripples from her stern caused all the
shadows of the trees and the clouds to tremble in wavering patterns as
they rolled to the shore.
[Illustration: How Dicoll and AEdric saw ye boat depart]
"There, they are off," said Father Dicoll to AEdric; "and may the
blessing of the Almighty go with brother Malachi, for he goeth as a lamb
among wolves. My soul yearneth for his safety."
"Doesn't the boat look pretty as she sails away?" said brother Corman.
"Ah! it reminds me of our sails in the old days at home, when we used to
go out on the lough to fish."
It was a pretty scene: the sun was slowly sinking in the west, a grey
mist rose over the western horizon, hiding the slushy banks and sedges
of the shore; the red light of the sun came in a long flood up the
creek, against it the black sail and dark heads of the men stood out in
contrast.
"They go up a path of blood," sighed Dicoll. "May it be an omen of a
path that leads to glory."
Behind, the clouds were working up in great black masses, that stretched
across from north-west to south-east, and the breeze became colder.
The tide had begun to turn, and the boat was disappearing round a
distant bend in the creek.
"There! they are gone, and it's time we went to vespers. Let us carry
in AEdric, and make ready for the night. It looks black away to the
east and north. I trust we are not going to have snow."
"I wonder where Wulfstan is," said Corman. "I didn't see him when the
boat went off, and I should have thought he would have been the last to
look at them."
"I expect he has gone off after some more withies," said AEdric.
"Well, I daresay he will come in when he's tired; but boys ought to
learn discipline while they are young, for it is a harder matter
afterwards," said Father Dicoll.
Meanwhile the boat was getting on very well; the novices in the art of
rowing were quickly becoming used to the swing and management of the
oar; so much so, that Ceolwulf had told the Boseham men to rest and
leave the others to go on, as their services might be wanted later.
Only one man had caught a crab, and being swung by the violence of the
shock against poor brother Malachi, coming in painful contact with the
monk's body, causing him to ejaculate with more than usual fervour,
"_Ah! quare tristis es venter meus! et quare conturbas me?_" Beyond
this little catastrophe, which, by the way, did not increase the good
feeling of the man who had caused the monk's discomfort for his
victim--for he did not understand the meaning of his ejaculations, and
mistook them for condemnatory remarks--nothing else occurred.
A little more breeze had now got up, not sufficient, however, to create
any ripple on the water, but just enough to keep the sail full.
They were fast approaching the entrance, and could hear the dull thud of
the sea as it broke on the shingle outside.
"We shall have light enough, brother Malachi, I doubt not, to pass out
by?" called Ceolwulf.
"The Lord helping us, we shall not run aground," answered Malachi.
The sail was beginning to do its work famously, and Ceolwulf bid the men
put their oars in, and suggested to Athelhune that some food would be a
good thing. Accordingly, search was made in the boat, when suddenly a
man called out:
"Why, in the name of Asgard, whom have we here?"
All looked round, and there, under a skin that sheltered the provisions
in the bow of the boat, was Wulfstan.
"Ah! Biggun," the boy shouted, "I told thee I should come, and thou
canst not put me out now."
Ceolwulf saw it was no use being angry; so, giving the boy a sharp
rating for not doing what he was told, he made up his mind to the
inevitable.
And now the sun disappeared behind the low bank of what is at present
known as Hayling Island, and the breeze came up fresher behind them.
"It's getting cold," said Athelhune. "We shall have snow, I fear----"
"We shan't be long getting over with this breeze, however. It's dead
aft and a smooth sea," replied Ceolwulf.
The boat was just beginning to feel the motion of the sea, and was
passing between the narrow entrance where Ceolwulf and the boys had
struck when coming in for the first time.
"Look out for the sail as she comes over!" shouted Biggun, as the boat
was altering its course to thread the intricate channel.
"There! I knew somebody's cap would be knocked off," added the old man,
as Beornwulf's cap was carried over into the sea by the sail.
"Now, look alive, and shift over the sheet, someone. No! not that rope.
Here, someone with a head upon his shoulders--that's right, Wulfstan,
thou understandest it, and can teach them something."
This was an admission on the part of Ceolwulf which Wulfstan did not
allow to pass over without notice.
"Ah, Biggun, thou findest that out now; it's lucky for ye all I shipped
myself aboard. Thou seest, Biggun, thou dost not know what's for thine
own good."
To this remark Biggun only grunted.
It was now getting too dark to make out objects more than a hundred
yards off, and it required a watchful eye in the bows to see where the
waves were breaking. The tide was rushing out through the narrow
entrance with a swirl and an eddy that caused many small white crested
waves, which it was necessary to distinguish from the real breakers on
the sand banks. Brother Malachi was standing in the bows keeping a
sharp look-out with one of the Boseham men, and Ceolwulf was steering,
the rest were having some food.
"Here comes a long wave; keep her head up to it," called the Boseham
man, as a long wall of water rose out of the darkness and seemed to
stand right up above the bows of the boat; but Ceolwulf put her head at
it, and she rose gently over and plunged down on the other side, while
the wave rolled on and thundered behind them on the shore.
"There, we are clear of all banks now, and have nothing but the open sea
before us," called Malachi, as he sat down under the lee of the boat's
gunwale.
"Thou hadst better come aft, brother Malachi," called Wulfstan, who, now
that he had accomplished his object, was glad the good monk was coming
too; he always felt comfortable when the kind monk was near, because he
never scolded him, or laughed at him, but quietly pointed out where he
was wrong very patiently.
Darkness had by this time become complete, and there was nothing for
Ceolwulf to steer by except a vague kind of instinct that told him to
keep the sail as full as it was when they last saw land; he had then put
the head of the boat pointing directly for the spot he wished to make
for, and he argued that if he did not draw the wind either too much on
her starboard beam, or, on the other hand, let it jibe the sail over, he
must make land where he wanted in about three hours' time. He had not
calculated that it was possible for the wind to shift.
The men were curling themselves up to go to sleep, and Malachi was
murmuring some words to himself.
"What sayest thou, brother Malachi?" asked Wulfstan.
"I was asking the Almighty to preserve us through the dangers of the
night, Wulfstan."
"But there are no dangers."
"There are always dangers on the sea."
"Not if thou takest care and keepest a good look-out."
"But thou mayest not know thy way, storms may rise, the boat may spring
a leak, or she may strike on a rock."
"How can she spring a leak if she has just been mended? and how can she
strike on a rock when she is ever so far from shore? I believe thou art
frightened, brother Malachi; but there's no need, there is nothing to be
afraid of. Come and sit by me; I will take care of thee."
The rushing, gurgling sound under the bows of the boat showed she was
going through the water very fast. As they got further out from the
land, the sea got up rather more, and from time to time the boat gave
wild rushes ahead, and then sank down in the trough of the waves, only
to rise again, lifting her stern up and careering madly forward until
her head rose in the air, and the wave curled over in front. It took all
Ceolwulf's steering with the oar to keep her from broaching-to, as it is
called when the boat in running before the breeze turns broadside to the
wind on the top of a rolling wave, a situation which, it is needless to
say, is a very dangerous one.
"Why, the spray is coming in astern, Ceolwulf."
"No, it's not the sea, it's snow, and it's coming on thick, I'm
thinking."
"Wilt thou be able to make out the land?" said Athelhune.