And then he spoke quickly, without faltering or excuse.

"I led the men who should slay the despiser of the faith of his youth and friend of the Saxon, and we came to the house and destroyed it, but they slew him not.

Sorely wounded he was, and yet they would not do my bidding and make an end, but murmured at me.

Then they bore him away into the hills, saying that they would heal him of his hurts and thereafter win his pardon, for he was ever forgiving, and it is true that I told them not who it was they were to slay.

I said that it was Oswald the Saxon, who slew Morgan, and they were glad.