"Doubtless by Wilfrith's men," he said, "and for the same turn it
has served us. For in his days there were many heathen round him,
and flight or hiding might be the last resort at any time."

Then I wondered, saying that I deemed that surely it was a greater
thing to be a martyr and to die, than to save life.

"Not always so," he answered, and then he told me of the ways of
holy men of old time. "We may by no means save life by denying our
faith, but we are bidden to flee into another place when
persecuted. We may not choose the place of our death, nor yet the
time."

So he showed me at last what it was to be truly a martyr, fearing
not, nor yet seeking death.

"Of a truth," he ended, "the Lord may need my death by the hand of
the heathen at some time, and when the time comes I shall know it,
and will die gladly. But while He gives me the power to save life
blamelessly, I know that He needs me on earth yet, though I am of
little worth."

So we were silent after that, ever going on through the woods. At
last he laughed a little, and looked sidewise at me.

"We two are alone," he said, "therefore I do not mind saying that I
have been fairly afraid--how felt you?"

"I would I might never be so frightened again," I answered, for
truly I had made myself so at one with this brave man that I had