Here ragged Jack impudently put in his word in support of his patron - I can assure you, sir, that he came of a very respectable family."

But the antiquary reproved him with dignity, saying, "Jack, you can know nothing about it."

"And pray, Mr. Winterblossom, who succeeded King Stuff in his island kingdom?"

"There is very little known of the history of the island after that time till the invasion of Wulfhere, about which there is a very pleasant history still remaining."

"We should consider ourselves under great obligations to you, if you would favour us with it."

"I shall have great pleasure in doing so."

WULFHERE THE KIND-HEARTED.

"In the year 661, Wulfhere, the son of Penda, invaded the Isle of Wight. He penetrated with his ships up the lake of Brerding (now called Brading Haven), and seized upon the town of Woolverton, to which he did no injury; for he came to free the inhabitants from the cruelties of Sebert, who reigned over them, and to cause the Christian truths to be preached to the Jutes,* who then dwelt in the Isle of Wight. But the Jutes, when they saw the Angles under Wulfhere land and take possession of their town by force of arms, would not trust to their offers of friendship; but they assembled on the hills around, under the banners of Sebert, and descending like a storm from the mountain, fell upon the army of Wulfhere; and Redwald, surnamed the Bold, with twenty followers penetrated to where the chief of the Angles fought in person. But as they lifted their spears to throw them, Wulfhere said, 'Before our blood flows, let me speak one word. I come not here for conquest, or to destroy the lives of the Jutes, but to free them from the cruelties of Sebert.' Then Redwald the Bold answered, The Jutes trust not to the Angles when they come in arms and wet their spears in our blood.' Balday threw his spear, but Wulfhere avoided it; and the Wulfhere struck the shield of Redwald, but did him no injury. But the Angles were in great power, and the Jutes were driven back to their hills. Many, indeed, fled early in the day, for they loved not their leader Sebert.

spear

of

Here

"Wulfhere crossed the river Yar, and rested at Brerding.t he built a Christian church, and Eoppa,a mass-priest who came with him, consecrated it, and stood ready to baptize the Pagan Jutes.

"After which Wulfhere pursued Sebert, and burned his castle of Witgarisberig. Afterwards they met in battle, and Sebert was slain; but Redwald still held them at bay. He was left almost alone,

-

Jutis, Bede, Hist. Eccles. vol. i. p. 15, - not Vitis, as Gibson quotes him. The Goths, Jutes, and Getæ were the same people; whence the peninsula of Jutland, as well as the isle of Gothland, is called Gotland by King Alfred in the periplus of Oht-here. From Jutna-cynn, Jeatna-kyn, come Jenkyn, Jenkyns, Jenkins, &c. facts highly interesting to a number of persons at present inhabiting the principality of Wales.

+ Brading.

Carisbrook.

and the spears of several were lifted to strike him, when a maiden rushed in and threw herself at the feet of Wulfhere.

"Save him! save him! oh Wulfhere, surnamed the Kindhearted!'

"Her arms were clasped round his knees, and her long yellow hair poured in flowing ringlets on the ground; her face, as it looked up for pity, was the fairest he had ever beheld. Wulfhere's voice was heard, and the points of his warriors' spears were turned upward.

"Maiden, thy prayer is granted.' He raised her from the ground. And who art thou?' he said.

"I am Edith of Stenbury,' she replied.

"Redwald threw down his weapon, and crossed his arms upon his breast,

66 6 King of the Angles, I am your prisoner.'

Chieftain,' Wulfhere replied, I take no prisoners. You are free to come and to go as the winds of heaven,-free to walk in peaceful garb or wear the arms of a warrior. The cruelties of Sebert are no more ;-let those who have suffered injuries come to me, and I will right them.'

"Wulfhere,' answered Redwald, you are justly surnamed the Kind-hearted. We doubted the word of a stranger; but now we know you. You have brought freedom and happiness to our island.'

"After which Wulfhere and Redwald became as brothers, and for a time they ruled the island together.

"Wulfhere loved the chase, and he said one day to Redwald, "Where shall we chase the boar?'

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"Redwald replied, The stag is on all our hills, but the finest boars harbour in the forest of Bordwood.'

"Foresters were sent to track the boars to their lairs, and in the evening the two chieftains took up their abode in the neighbourhood of Bordwood, with their dogs and foresters. The fire was lighted in the middle of the floor, and the smoke rolled up through the opening in the roof. While the venison for their evening meal was being roasted, Wulfhere and Redwald related to one another the traditions of other days, and the deeds of arms that their fathers had done. At length the meat is placed upon the board, and the winecup passes round; the foresters and henchmen share the feast, and the dogs sit watching for their portion by their master's knee. The time wore on-at length the straw is spread upon the ground. The two chieftains sleep side by side-chiefs, foresters, and hounds are soon wrapped in sleep. But Cuthin, the henchman of Wulfhere, lies with his body across the wicker door, and his two rough boarhounds sleep beside him. Long before the dawn of day the morning meal was broiling on the fire, and the wine-cup again passed round; and before the sun had risen from the sea they were threading the tangled copsewood of Bordwood.

"Wulfhere and Redwald at length stop, and Cuthin, the henchman of Wulfhere, holding a single boar-hound in a leash, stands a little behind them. The forester has gone round with his two hounds to rouse the boar, and drive him towards the hunters. The forester's horn is heard the boar is up. Wulfhere motions to Redwald to take

the first. Presently the boar is heard crashing through the copsewood; Redwald stands beside the open pathway, and raises his spear on high. As the boar rushed past, the spear struck him behind the shoulder, and he fell dead.

"Well struck, Prince of the Island!' shouted Wulfhere. next is mine.'

The

"They went to another spot. The forester's horn is heard again. Wulfhere takes his place; but the huge monster saw the hunter in his track, and would have turned off on one side, but one of the hounds that followed saw him swerve, and sprung forward and drove him back again towards the hunter. But the boar's course was unsteady, and Wulfhere's spear gave no mortal wound, but glanced down the side of his rib, and stuck into the ground. The boar passed by, and then turning round with blood-shot eye and foaming mouth, he rushes full upon Wulfhere. Wulfhere drew his sword, and holding his cloak before him with his left hand, he dropt upon his knee, and awaited the attack. The boar's tusk had already stirred the folds of the cloak before Wulfhere moved; he then sprang from behind the cloak, and plunged his sword into the side of the boar.

"Well struck, King of the Angles!" shouted Redwald. "It's a fine beast! The next is yours, Redwald.'

"I'll try if I can spit him on the spear's point, as the Britons do,' was the reply.

"When they came to where the next boar was harboured, Redwald threw off his short cloak, and gave it to his henchman, unbelted his sword, and laid the naked blade upon the ground by his feet; he placed the spear under his arm, shortening it so that his arm was about the middle of the shaft; he held the point firmly before him with both his hands; and as the boar approached, he dropped upon one knee. The boar, which was very large and fierce, ran straight at him, and pierced himself dead upon the spear.

"That boar was right well slain, Redwald. If the forester has another harboured, I will try my luck with the spear's point.'

"Another boar was found, -the forester's horn sounded. Wulfhere had prepared himself as Redwald had done: there came, however, only two half-grown swine. Wulfhere stood aside, and let them pass; but as he was turning away, he heard the brushwood crackling, and the dogs barking behind. He had hardly time to drop upon his knee and bring his spear up before the boar was upon him. The spear's point did not strike the animal truly; and before Wulfhere could leap aside, the beast's tusk was fixed in his thigh, and, had not Redwald quickly spitted the animal with his spear, Wulfhere's body would have been ripped up by the tusk. As it was, though it had not time to tear the flesh, the tusk had made a fearful hole.

"The foresters made a litter of boughs, and carried Wulfhere home, and melancholy were the countenances of all, both Saxons and Jutes. The fair Edith of Stenbury attended his bedside, and bound up his wound. Night and day she sat by his couch watching the changes of the fever, or altering the bindings, or putting ointments to his wound. At length the fever left him, and strength was returning to his limb. He walked about leaning

72 TALES AND LEGENDS OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

on his staff. One evening that he was alone with Edith, he said to her,

"Edith, I enjoy everything that wealth, and power, and honour can give; yet one thing is wanting to make me truly happy.' He paused Edith also remained silent. Before I landed on this island, my mind was free as the air, I had no care beyond that of the passing moment; but now my mind is full of anxious thoughts, and hopes, and fears. Since I first beheld you, my fairest Edith, my bosom burns with love; be mine, and I shall be the happiest of men. Say that you love me not, and I shall be the most unhappy.'

"Edith coloured deeply, and her looks were bent upon the ground. At length she said,

"O generous Prince of the Angles! my hand and my life are at your disposal. Edith of Stenbury is an orphan, and you are her only chieftain; it is for you to bestow her hand and her lands upon whom it may please you. She knows the duty of a Saxon maiden too well to question your authority, or to speak of her own wishes. But as you have thought to honour me above all the maidens that you have ever seen, to bestow upon me the prize that the fairest of my sex are sighing for, it is but right that I should tell you, that though I would serve you in all humility and duty; yet that love which is already possessed by another it is not in my power to bestow. Wulfhere, I am not worthy of you-I could not render you happy."

"Wulfhere and the maiden long looked upon the ground in silence they were both very sorrowful. At length Wulfhere asked, "Does he who holds your affection love you in return.'

"That I know not.'

"Now it flashes across my mind. The tone of voice - the devoted energy with which you prayed for Redwald's life Have I guessed right?'

"The maiden gave no answer, but her cheek was tinged with a deeper crimson. Wulfhere called his henchman.

66 6

Bring Redwald here.

this maiden?'

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Redwald, speak truly. Do you love

"Redwald replied, I do from the bottom of my heart; but I fear she returns not my love.'

"Wulfhere said, 'You are both believers in the Christian truth: let Eoppa pronounce his blessing on you, that God may prosper the union.'

"It was done so.

"Then said Wulfhere, The south wind which now blows will to-morrow fill my sail. I shall leave you, my dear friends, and this beautiful island, never to return again. Govern the islanders in justice, as I have done. Ethelward, the king of the South Saxons, will protect you with his powerful arms, for I was his sponsor in baptism.'

"The next day Wulfhere entered his ship; and as he took his leave of Redwald and Edith he passed his rough hand across his eyes. Farewell! Farewell for ever!""

SOME PASSAGES IN THE

LITERARY LIFE OF OLINTHUS JENKINSON,

BARRISTER-AT-LAW.

In order to prove to you that my power of execution is in no way inferior to my imagination, I send you the enclosed commencement of a nautical tale, which I had prepared some time ago for a magazine; and, would you believe it, it was returned to me. Since then, fifteen long years have elapsed. But, even now, except a few trifling professional inaccuracies (too trivial to be mentioned,) I can see no reason why the laurels that decorate the heads of other men should not also flourish round the head of Olinthus Jenkinson. Judge between us.

"ADVENTURES OF A MAINTOP-CROSSTREE-MAN.

"I was born of respectable and affluent parents in the town of Sunderland, and at my baptism received the name of Theophilus Gangway. I had always had a penchant for a sailor's life, and at last my desires were gratified. Many were the tears that my poor mother shed when the fatal post brought the letter from my uncle, Sir Hector Blowhard, ordering me to join the Outrageous, then lying at Portsmouth, and fitting up for the West Indies. It was an event I had long earnestly desired; but when I came to see all the preparations for my knapsack (so I understood that one's clothes, and the portmanteau that contained them were termed in the navy), I must own that my feelings fairly got the better of me. I could not help thinking that I had better have remained at the classical and commercial academy where I was in course of being instructed in every single thing that could render a man a useful or agreeable member of society: but it was now too late, my maintop-crosstreeman's commission had received the royal signature, and I was an officer and a gentleman. My knapsack was carefully stocked with all the little comforts that might be necessary for my voyage; it contained six flannel waistcoats, two pairs of stockings, fourteen pairs of Angola gloves, one of white kid, and a piece of Indian-rubber to clean them, for the balls at Bermudas, one pair of Scotch galligaskins in case of a hurricane, a package of sootjee, or vital potion, and a tureen full of portable soup in case of a wreck, one flowered dressing-gown, two pairs of superfine black kerseymeres, with large fobs to keep the watches in, and lastly, two dozen toothbrushes, and a few copies of Byron's Corsair. By making presents of these last, it was my intention to conciliate to myself the good will of the sailors. It was with a heavy heart that we sat down to dinner that day; my father employed the few moments that were left in giving me a few useful admonitions for my conduct. Offey, my boy,' said he, 'you are about to leave us for a watery home: he also quoted Burns, and informed me that my march was to be on the mounting wave, my home within the deep; this was to support his last observation. Ay, 7, ay, sir!' said I (this I understood to be the correct expression).- Eye, eye, sir? mind your own eye, I tell you; and take this as my last paternal warning:-Never smoke except in a gale; and never, oh never touch ardent spirits

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