Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/209

 he laid him down and slept in all trust of safe-keeping. He awoke at the end of dawn and washed him in the brook, and then clad him and sat down to abide sunrise. Then even as the sun arose it smote a beam of light from some bright thing overtopping the crown of the hillside before him, and Osberne knew that there was come his friend Steelhead, in such guise as he had first beheld him there; which was in sooth the very thing which he desired.

So Osberne stood up to greet him, and Steelhead came to him and put his arms about him and kissed and embraced him, and Osberne wept for pity and hope of his life. Then said Steelhead: I know thee why thou art come to me; a while agone I laid my hands upon thee that I might make thy body stark for all adventure, and now thou wouldst have me do the like for the soul of thee. Herein will I do what I may, but first we will eat of the increase of Wethermel, that thou mayest see how much I love thee and the land that bred thee.

So Osberne bestirred him, and kindled the cooking-fire and made ready the meat, and they ate together in all content and friendliness. But when they were full Steelhead spake: Now whether wouldst thou tell me all thy tale, or whether wouldst thou be silent thereof, knowing that I know it without words spoken? Quoth Osberne: I would tell it. There is yet time, said Steelhead, smiling kindly on him, so make no tarrying. Then Osberne began straightway,