"Ask yon Saxon if his Yule feast is less sacred to him now because it is not so long since that it was Woden's.

Is tomorrow less Midsummer Day because it is the day of St.John?
Hold your peace thereon, and go hence while I suffer you." At that I glanced at the mouth of the valley whence we came, half looking to see it blocked by men, but it was not.

There was nothing to stay us three armed men in this place, with but three against us, and they well-nigh defenceless.

Morfed saw that glance and laughed.
"The Druid has other arms than those of steel," he said, and he drew slowly from the wide cincture round his waist a little golden sickle and balanced it in his hand before me, flashing it to and fro.
Now I was sure that he was crazed in all truth, and I would speak him fair that I might learn what he would tell me.

Howel was silent, seeming to look curiously at the golden toy in the priest's hand, as it shifted restlessly backward and forward.
"We have come hither to pry into no ancient rites, Morfed," I said.
"Tell me what you know of Owen the prince, my foster father, and we will go hence.