"I have no home. I had a home, but the Norman chief drove us out, me and my man, that he might have it for himself; and we have been in a cowshed since--but I will not go there. I want no home. What is a home to me without him?" "Who has done this? Why has this been done?" asked Cadell. "Oh, they, the Saxons, have done it because we will not give up our priest, our chief. And my man was proud to die for him. So are the rest--all but Madoc." "The rest--what do you mean?" "They will hang them all, down to the last man, for none will betray the chief. They will go singing to the gallows. There was but Madoc, and him the devils will carry away; I have seen one, little and black, slinking around. I will sit here and drive devils away, lest coming for Madoc they take my man in mistake." Cadell was shocked and incensed. He hasted at once to the house in which Rogier was quartered. He knew that he had turned out the owners that he might have it to himself. Rogier and two men were within. They had on the table horns and a jug of mead, and had been drinking. Said one man to his fellow, "The Captain shall give me Sheena, when she has done whimpering over her Welshman." "Nay," quoth the other, "she is a morsel for my mouth, that has been watering for her. He cannot refuse her to me." "You, Luke! You have not served him so long as have I." "That may be, but I have served him better." "Prove me that." "I can interpret for him, I know sufficient Welsh for that." "Bah! I would not dirty my mouth with that gibberish." "You have not the tongue wherewith to woo her." "But I have a hand wherewith to grip her." "The captain shall decide between us." "Be it so. Now, captain, which of us is to comfort Sheena in her widowhood?" "It is all cursed perversity of Luke to fancy this woman. Before long there will be a score of other widows for him to pick among. There is even now that wild cat, Angarad." "I thank you. Let the captain judge." Then said Rogier. "Ye be both good and useful men. And in such a matter as this, let Fortune decide between ye. There is a draught-board; settle it between you by the chance of a game." "It is well. We will." The men seated themselves at the board. The draught-men employed were knucklebones of sheep, some blackened. While thus engaged, Cadell came in. "Rogier!" he exclaimed, "what is the meaning of this? There be men hung to my belfry." "Aye! And ere long there shall be such a peal of bells there as will sound throughout Wales, and this shall be their chime: 'Pabo, priest, come again!' By the Conqueror's paunch, I will make it ring in every ear, so that he who knows where he is hidden will come and declare it." "Consider! You make the place intolerable for me to perform my duty in." "Thy duty! That sits light on thy shoulders, I wot. Here have the poor sheep been waiting for their shepherd all the morn, and he was away." "I have been with the bishop." "I care not. I shall find Pabo ere long."