But when he wiped off the filth, he made himself recognizable by those who saw him, and inspired the king with the greatest eagerness to hear about his quest.

But the detraction of his rivals was not yet silenced; and some pretended that the king would die suddenly if he learnt Thorkill's tidings.

The king was the more disposed to credit this saying, because he was already credulous by reason of a dream which falsely prophesied the same thing.
Men were therefore hired by the king's command to slay Thorkill in the night.

But somehow he got wind of it, left his bed unknown to all, and put a heavy log in his place.

By this he baffled the treacherous device of the king, for the hirelings smote only the stock.
On the morrow Thorkill went up to the king as he sat at meat, and said: "I forgive thy cruelty and pardon thy error, in that thou hast decreed punishment, and not thanks, to him who brings good tidings of his errand.