No answer came to his call, but he saw the red light become stationary immediately, and cease to flicker. He shouted again louder than before, standing up on the rotting log, and filling his lungs with air. An answering voice came out of the mist at this, and the light moved again. And now the grey waste began to tremble with light. The sun was rising, and at the first hint of his approach, the mists began to sway and dissolve. Coming straight towards the bank, Hyla saw a fen punt urged by a tall, thin man dressed in skins like a serf. He used the long pole with skill, and seemed thoroughly at home in the management of his boat. About six yards from the shore, he dug his pole deep down and checked the motion of the punt. Hyla waded down among the mud as far as was safe, and hailed him. "For the love of God, sir," he said, "take me from this swamp." The stranger regarded him fixedly for a moment, without answering. Then he spoke in a slow, deliberate, but resonant voice. "Who are you? How have you come here in this waste? I thought no man could come where you are." "I am starving for food," said Hyla, "and like to die in the marsh an you do not take me in your boat. I am of Icomb, thrall to the Prior Sir Richard. The Lord of Hilgay's men took me and another who lies dead in the swamp. They were upon the big lake when the boat upset, and all were drowned save one. He has got him back to the castle, and I am journeying to Icomb, if perchance I may come there safely." "You tell of strange things," said the tall man, "and I will presently ask you more of them. Now hearken. I am not one of those who give, taking nothing in return. I will take you safe back to the Fathers, and feed you with food. But for three days you must labour for me in work that waits to be done in my field. I need a man's arm." "For a week. If by that you will save me from this." "So be it," said the tall man with great promptness. "You shall work for a week, and then I will take you to Icomb." With that he loosened the dripping pole, drove it again into the water, and the nose of the punt glided up to Hyla. He clambered carefully on board, and sat dripping. "I have no food here," said the man, "for I live hard by, and did but come out to look at some lines I set down overnight, but we shall soon be there." As he spoke he was poling vigorously, and they were already half way over the pool. As they neared the opposite shore, Hyla saw the reeds grew to a great height above them, forming a thick screen with apparently an unbroken face. But he knew that suddenly they would come upon an opening which would be quite imperceptible to the ordinary eye, and so it proved.