There was silver and copper only in that, and I began to give him his reward.
But still the man hesitated, and seemed anxious to ask me something, and, while I counted out the money, he spoke: "Master, the men call you Heregar, and that is an outlaw's name." "Well." said I, fearing no reproach from that just now, and being sure that by this time the man knew all about me from our thralls with us.
"Heregar, the outlawed thane I was, and am, except that the sheriff has bid me ride on his business." "Then, master," said he, "give me no reward but to serve you.

No man's man am I, either free or unfree, but son of escaped thralls who are dead long ago.

Therefore am I outlaw also by all rights, and would fain follow you.

And it seems to me that you will need one to mind your steed." Now this was a long speech for the collier, who, as I had learnt, could hold his tongue: and we were short-handed also, with all these horses.
Therefore I told him that it should be as he would, for service offered freely in this way was like to be faithful, seeing that there had been trial on both sides.

But I gave him four silver pennies, which he would have refused, but that I bade him think of them as fasten pennies, which contented him well.
This, too, pleased both Alswythe and Wulfhere, who were glad of the addition to our party.