CHAPTER V.HOW OSWALD FELL INTO BAD HANDS, AND FARED EVILLY, ON THE.
QUANTOCKS.
It would be long for me to tell how presently Owen called me in to speak with the king, and how he owned me as his foster son in such wise that Gerent smiled on him, and spoke most kindly to me as though I had indeed been a kinsman of his own.

And then, after we had spoken long together, Thorgils was sent for, and he told the tale of the end of Morgan plainly and in few words, yet in such skilful wise that as he spoke I could seem to see once more our hall and myself and Elfrida at the dais, even as though I were an onlooker.
"You are a skilful tale teller," the king said when he ended.

"You are one of the Norsemen from Watchet, as I am told." "I am Thorgils the shipmaster, who came to speak with you two years ago, when we first came here.

Men say that I am no bad sagaman." "This is a good day for me," Gerent said, "and I will reward you for your tale.

Free shall the ship of Thorgils be from toil or harbourage in all ports of our land from henceforward.