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had so bravely won。
〃Unless my brave Saxons learn order and discipline；〃
the king said to Edmund and some of his nobles who gathered
round him on the evening after the defeat； 〃our cause is
assuredly lost。 We have proved now in each battle that we are
superior man to man to the Danes； but we throw away the
fruits of victory by our impetuosity。 The great Caesar； who
wrote an account of his battles which I have read in Latin；
described the order and discipline with which the Roman
troops fought。 They were always in heavy masses； and even
after a battle the heavy…armed soldiers kept their ranks and
did not scatter in pursuit of the enemy； leaving this task to
the more lightly armed troops；
〃Would that we had three or four years before us to teach
our men discipline and order； but alas！ there is no time for
this。 The Danes have fallen in great numbers in every fight；
but they are ever receiving reinforcements and come on in
fresh waves of invasion； while the Saxons； finding that all
their efforts and valour seem to avail nothing； are beginning
fast to lose heart。 See how small a number assembled round
my standard yesterday； and yet the war is but beginning。 Truly
the look…out is bad for England。〃
The king made strenuous efforts again to raise an army；
but the people did not respond to his call。 In addition to the
battles which have been spoken of several others had been
fought in different parts of Wessex by the ealdormen and
their followers against bodies of invading Danes。 In the space
of one year the Saxons had engaged in eight pitched battles
and in many skirmishes。 Great numbers had been slain on
both sides； but the Danes ever received fresh accessions of
strength； and seemed to grow stronger and more numerous
after every battle； while the Saxons were dwindling rapidly。
Wide tracts of country had been devastated； the men slaughtered；
and the women and children taken captives； and the
people； utterly dispirited and depressed； no longer listened
to the voices of their leaders； and refused again to peril their
lives in a strife which seemed hopeless。 Alfred therefore called
his ealdormen together and proposed to them； that since
the people would no longer fight； the sole means that remained
to escape destruction was to offer to buy off the Danes。
The proposal was agreed to； for although none of them
had any hope that the Danes would long keep any treaty they
might make； yet even a little respite might give heart and
spirit to the Saxons again。 Accordingly negotiations were
entered into with the Danes； and these； in consideration of a
large money payment； agreed to retire from Wessex。 The
money was paid； the Danes retired from Reading； which they
had used as their headquarters； and marched to London。
King Burhred； the feeble King of Mercia； could do nothing
to oppose them； and he too agreed to pay them a large annual
tribute。
》From the end of 872 till the autumn of 875 the country
was comparatively quiet。 Alfred ruled it wisely； and tried to
repair the terrible damages the war had made。 Edmund
looked after his earldom； and grew into a powerful young
man of nineteen years old。
King Alfred had not deceived himself for a moment as
to the future。 〃The Danes；〃 he said； 〃are still in England。
East Anglia and Northumbria swarm with them。 Had this
army； after being bought off by us and my brother of Mercia；
sailed across the seas and landed in France there would have
been some hope for us； but their restless nature will not
allow them to stay long in the parts which they
have conquered。
〃In Anglia King Guthrum has divided the land among
his jarls； and there they seem disposed to settle down； but
elsewhere they care not for the land； preferring to leave it in
the hands of its former owners to till； and after to wring from
the cultivators the fruits of the harvest； then； as the country
becomes thoroughly impoverished； they must move elsewhere。
Mercia they can overrun whensoever they choose； and after
that there is nothing for them to do but to sweep down again
upon Wessex； and with all the rest of England at their feet it
is hopeless to think that we alone can withstand their united
power。〃
〃Then what； think you； must be the end of this？〃 Edmund
asked。
〃'Tis difficult to see the end；〃 Alfred replied。 〃It would
seem that our only hope of release from them is that when
they have utterly eaten up and ravaged England they may
turn their thoughts elsewhere。 Already they are harrying
the northern coasts of France； but there are richer prizes on
the Mediterranean shores； and it may be that when England
is no longer worth plundering they may sail away to Spain
and Italy。 We have acted foolishly in the way we have fought
them。 When they first began to arrive upon our coasts we
should have laboured hard to build great fleets； so that we
could go forth and meet them on the seas。
〃Some； indeed； might have escaped our watch and
landed； but the fleets could have cut off reinforcements
coming to them； and thus those who reached our shores could
have been overwhelmed。 Even now； I think that something
might be done that way； and I purpose to build a fleet which
may； when they again invade us； take its station near the
mouth of the Thames and fall upon the vessels bringing stores
and reinforcements。 This would give much encouragement
to the people； whose hopelessness and desperation are caused
principally by the fact that it seems to be of no use killing
the enemy； since so many are ready constantly to take
their places。〃
〃I will gladly undertake to build one ship；〃 Edmund said。
〃The fort is now finished； and with the revenues of the land
I could at once commence a ship； and if the Danes give us
time； when she is finished I would build another。 I will the
more gladly do it； since it seems to me that if the Danes
entirely overrun our country we must take to the sea and so in
turn become plunderers。 With this view I will have the ship
built large and strong； so that she may keep the sea in all
weathers and be my home if I am driven out of England。
There must be plenty of ports in France； and many a quiet
nook and inlet round England； where one can put in to refit
when necessary； and we could pick up many a prize of Danish
ships returning laden with booty。 With such a ship I could
carry a strong crew； and with my trusty Egbert and the best
of my fighting men we should be able to hold our own； even
if attacked by two or three of the Danish galleys。〃
〃The idea is a good one； Edmund；〃 the king said； 〃and I
would that I myself could carry it into effect。 It were a thousand
times better to live a free life on the sea； even if certain
at last to be overpowered by a Danish fleet； than to lurk a
hunted fugitive in the woods； but I cannot do it。 So long as I
live I must remain among my people； ready to snatch any
chance that may offer of striking a blow against the invader。
But for you it is different。〃
〃I should not； of course； do it；〃 Edmund said； 〃until all is
lost here； and mean to defend my fort to an extremity； still
should it be that the Danes conquer all our lands； it were well
to have such a refuge。〃
Edmund tal