Who minds it ?" "I do," said Thrand.

"Here is one who will pay for freedom, and he has yielded to me." "That is luck for you," they said, and passed on.
There was plunder enough all around, and they were in haste lest others should come.

Thrand's Anglian speech was Danish enough for them.
"Now you are safe, master," Thrand said; "no need for the sword." "I am a captive," said I bitterly.
Then my eyes sought the ground as Thrand cast the useless blade away, and there, crawling on the reddened turf, was a toad that feared not the still dead, and must seek its food whether men lived or died, unheeding aught but that.

And when I saw it, into my mind flashed the time when I had stood, weakened and hurt, and looked at the like in Penhurst village--and the words that Spray the smith spoke came to me, and they cheered me, as a little thing will sometimes.

And then I thought of her who prayed for me among Penhurst woods, and I was glad that life was left me yet.
More Danes kept coming now, and presently one who was in some command came to where I sat with Thrand standing over me.
"Is this a captive ?" he asked.
"Aye," said Thrand.
"Who is he ?" "Some thane or other.