The Journey of Rheinfrid 287

bered his calling, and with a clear voice he
chanted the great psalm of the man who has
sinned: “ Miserere mei Deus— Have mercy
on me, O God, according to Thy loving-
kindness; according unto the multitude of
Thy tender mercies blot out my transgres-
sions.”

The strength of ten was in his body, and
verse by verse he laid the Normans low, till
of the troop no more than two were left.
These were falling back before him as he
pressed onward chanting his Miserere, when
a body of horsemen rode up and drew rein
to watch the issue.

“By the Splendor of God!” cried the
leader, as he glanced at the woman and
scanned the number of the dead tumbled
across the road, “it is a Man!”

Rheinfrid looked up at the new comer,
and saw a gigantic, ruddy-faced man of forty,
clad in chain mail and wearing a circlet of
gold about his massive head. At once he
felt sure that he was face to face with the
Master of England. Still he kept his
sword’s point raised for another attack, and
with a quiet frankness met the Conqueror’s
imperious gaze.