But at last Alswythe turned to me, and
lifted her veil, smiling a little to me at last, and asking why we left
the good roads for this wild place, for though we men were used to the
like in hunting, she knew not that such places and paths could be,
brought up as she was in the wooded uplands of our own corner of the
country.
I told her how I was to make all speed to Glastonbury, and that this was
the nearest road: and she was content, being very trustful in both her
protectors. But then she asked if that place should be reached before
dark, having little knowledge of places or distances.
Then I must needs tell how we were bound for that village where the
hermit was, and Turkil of whom I had told her, seeing that it was over
late to reach the town, but that there we hoped to come next day. And
she said she would fain see those two, "and maybe Grendel also," smiling
again a little to please me. And I knew how much that little jest cost
her to make, and loved her the more for her thought for me. Then she was
silent for a while.
Presently one of the men in the rear shouted, and there was a great
splashing and snorting of horses, and we looked round. One of the led
horses had gone off the path and was in a bog, and that had set the rest
rearing with fright.
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