King Alfred and the Beggar

by James Baldwin

　　

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At one time the Danes drove King Alfred from his kingdom, and he hadto lie hidden for a long time on a little is-land in a river.One day, all who were on the is-land, except the king and queen andone servant, went out to fish. It was a very lonely place, and no onecould get to it except by a boat. About noon a ragged beggar came tothe king's door, and asked for food.The king called the servant, and asked, "How much food have we in thehouse?""My lord," said the servant, "we have only one loaf and a littlewine."Then the king gave thanks to God, and said, "Give half of the loaf andhalf of the wine to this poor man."The servant did as he was bidden. The beggar thanked the king for hiskindness, and went on his way.In the after-noon the men who had gone out to fish came back. They hadthree boats full of fish, and they said, "We have caught more fishto-day than in all the other days that we have been on this island."The king was glad, and he and his people were more hopeful than theyhad ever been before.When night came, the king lay awake for a long time, and thought aboutthe things that had happened that day. At last he fancied that he sawa great light like the sun; and in the midst of the light there stoodan old man with black hair, holding an open book in his hand.It may all have been a dream, and yet to the king it seemed very realindeed. He looked and wondered, but was not afraid."Who are you?" he asked of the old man."Alfred, my son, be brave," said the man; "for I am the one to whomyou gave this day the half of all the food that you had. Be strong andjoyful of heart, and listen to what I say. Rise up early in themorning and blow your horn three times, so loudly that the Danes mayhear it. By nine o'clock, five hundred men will be around you ready tobe led into battle. Go forth bravely, and within seven days youren-e-mies shall be beaten, and you shall go back to your kingdom toreign in peace."Then the light went out, and the man was seen no more.In the morning the king arose early, and crossed over to the mainland.Then he blew his horn three times very loudly; and when his friendsheard it they were glad, but the Danes were filled with fear.At nine o'clock, five hundred of his bravest soldiers stood around himready for battle. He spoke, and told them what he had seen and heardin his dream; and when he had fin-ished, they all cheered loudly, andsaid that they would follow him and fight for him so long as they hadstrength.So they went out bravely to battle; and they beat the Danes, and drovethem back into their own place. And King Alfred ruled wisely and wellover all his people for the rest of his days.

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