Meanwhile, the horse that had carried them in wild career
stood quietly by, plucking at the tall bramble-bushes, till the
ripe young berries fell down upon Helga's hands, as if inviting her
to eat. Patiently she allowed herself to be lifted on the horse,
and sat there like a somnambulist—as one who walked in his sleep.
The Christian bound two branches together with bark, in the form of
a cross, and held it on high as they rode through the forest. The
way gradually grew thicker of brushwood, as they rode along, till
at last it became a trackless wilderness. Bushes of the wild sloe
here and there blocked up the path, so that they had to ride over
them. The bubbling spring formed not a stream, but a marsh, round
which also they were obliged to guide the horse; still there were
str
