Smoke rose from behind it, but that
was doubtless from Cannington; yet there were other clouds of smoke
rising against the sun, and as he looked at these the old warrior said
that he feared the worst, for surely the Danes were spreading over the
country and that need for them to keep together was gone.
"If we see not Bridgwater on fire by tomorrow," he said, "it will be a
wonder."
But we knew that we could bide here for this night safe as if no Danes
were nearer than the Scaw.
After that rest we rode on through the woodland path, down which they
had come to exorcise me, till we saw before us in the gray twilight the
church and houses of the village, pleasant with light from door and
window, and noise of barking dogs, as we crossed the open mark [viii].
Dudda the Collier led us to the largest house which stood on the little
central green round which the buildings clustered, and there the door
stood open, and a tall man with a small boy beside him looked out to see
what was disturbing the dogs. Behind them the firelight shone red on a
pleasant and large room where we could see men at supper.
And the light shone out on me, for the boy sprang out from his father's
side, shouting that it was "Grendel come back again", and running to me
to greet me.
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