So I went to the king, and asked him if I might take with me the Danish jarl for a ride beyond the town; for the hostages were only free inside the walls, and I knew this would please Osmund and Thora well. I said that I would see to his safety and be answerable for him.
"This must be Osmund, I suppose," the king said, smiling. "I have heard how you came to know him and his fair daughter at Wareham. It was well done, though maybe I should blame you for running over-much risk."
"I think I ran little, lord king," I said; "and I could have done no less for the poor maiden."
"Surely; but I meant that to go at all was over dangerous."
"I am ready to do the same again for you, my king," I said. "And after all I was in no danger."
Then said the king, smiling gravely at me:
"Greater often ar
