I think that some day I may be of use to Alfred in helping to bring about a lasting peace." "If we find him," I said.
"Ay, you will find him.

He is hiding now for some wise reason that we shall know.

I think it is not known how his plans are feared by our folk.

I am sure that of this midwinter march the Danes will say that it is worthy of Alfred himself." Nevertheless we heard nothing of him, though the thane had men out everywhere trying to gain news.

All that they heard was the same tale of dismay from whoever they might meet, and I think that but for a chance we should not have found him until he chose to come forth from his refuge.
Heregar the thane had a strange serving man, the same who had ridden with him and me to meet the Danish forces; and this man was a fenman from Sedgemoor, who knew all the paths through the wastes.
Lean and loose-limbed he was, and somewhat wild looking, mostly silent; but where his lord went he went also.