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were sleeping on skins close to the gate； and with them started
out。
It was still two hours before dawn when they approached
the house。 Save a few men on watch； the great Danish host；
which the messengers calculated to amount to ten thousand
men； were asleep。 Cautiously making their way so as to avoid
stumbling over the Danes； who lay scattered in groups round
the house； the Saxons crept forward quietly until close to the
entrance； when a sleepy watchman started up。
〃Who are ye？〃
The answer was a blow from Egbert's battle…axe。 Then
the leaders with twenty of their men rushed into the house；
while the rest remained on guard at the entrance。
The combat was short but furious； and the clashing of
arms and shouts of the Danes roused those sleeping near；
and the men who escaped from the house spread the alarm。
The fight lasted but three or four minutes； for the Danes；
scattered through the house； and in many cases still stupid
from the effects of the previous night's debauch； were unable
to gather and make any collective resistance。 The two jarls
fought in a manner worthy of their renown； but the Saxon
spears proved more than a match for their swords； and they
died fighting bravely till the last。 Between Saxon and Dane
there was no thought of quarter； none asked for mercy on
either side； for none would be granted。 The sea rovers never
spared an armed man who fell into their hands； and the Saxons
were infuriated by the sufferings which the invaders had
inflicted upon them； and had no more pity upon their foes
than if they had been wild animals。 Besides the jarls some
thirty of their minor leaders were in the house； and but five
or six of them escaped。 It was well for the Danes that the
detachment which lay there was not their principal body；
which was still a few miles in the rear； for had it been so two
of their kings and six jarls； all men of famed valour； would
have been slain。 The instant the work was done the Saxons
rejoined those assembled at the entrance。
Already the Danes were thronging up； but at present in
confusion and disorder； coming rather to see what was the
matter than to fight； and hardly believing that the Saxons
could have had the audacity to attack them。 In an instant the
Saxons fell into their usual formation； and overturning and
cutting down those who happened to be in their path； burst
through the straggling Danes； and at a trot proceeded across
the country。
It was still quite dark； and it was some time before the
Danes became thoroughly aware of what had happened； then
missing the voices of their leaders； some of them rushed into
the house； and the news that the two jarls and their
companions had been slain roused them to fury。 At once they
set off in pursuit of the Saxons in a tumultuous throng；
but the band had already a considerable start； and had the
advantage of knowing every foot of the country； of which
the Danes were ignorant。 When once fairly through the enemy；
Edmund had given the word and the formation had broken up； so
that each man could run freely and without jostling his
comrades。 Thus they were enabled to proceed at a rapid pace；
and reached the fort just as day was breaking； without having
been discovered or overtaken by the Danes。
The news of this successful exploit raised the spirits of
the garrison of the fort。 The Danes swarmed nearly up to
the walls； but seeing how formidable was the position； and
being without leaders； they fell back without making an
attack； some of the more impetuous having fallen from the
arrows of the bowmen。
About mid…day a solid mass of the enemy were seen approaching；
and the banners with the Black Raven on a blood…red field
showed that it contained leaders of importance； and
was； in fact； the main body of the Danes。 It was an imposing
sight as it marched towards the fort； with the fluttering
banners； the sun shining upon the brass helmets and shields of
the chiefs； and the spear…heads and swords of the footmen。
Here and there parties of horsemen galloped about the plain。
〃Their number has not been exaggerated；〃 Egbert said
to Edmund； 〃there must be ten thousand of them。 There are
full twice as many as attacked us on the field of Kesteven。〃
The sight of the great array struck terror into the minds
of a great part of the defenders of the fort； but the confident
bearing of their young ealdorman and the thought of the
strength of their walls reassured them。 The Danes halted at
a distance of about a quarter of a mile from the walls； and
three or four of their chiefs rode forward。 These by the
splendour of their helmets； shields； and trappings were clearly
men of great importance。 They halted just out of bowshot
distance； and one of them； raising his voice； shouted：
〃Dogs of Saxons； had you laid down your arms； and made
submission to me； I would have spared you； but for the deed
which you did last night； and the slaying of my brave jarls； I
swear that I will have revenge upon you； and； by the god
Wodin； I vow that not one within your walls； man； woman； or
child； shall be spared。 This is the oath of King Uffa。〃
〃It were well； King Uffa；〃 Edmund shouted back； 〃to take
no rash oaths； before you talk of slaying you have got to
capture； and you will need all the aid of your false gods before
you take this fort。 As to mercy； we should as soon ask it of
wolves。 We have God and our good swords to protect us； and
we fear not your host were it three times as strong as it is。〃
The Saxons raised a great shout； and the Danish king
rode back to his troops。 The lesson which had been given
them of the enterprise of the Saxons was not lost； for the
Danes at once began to form a camp； raising an earthen bank
which they crowned with stakes and bushes as a defence
against sudden attacks。 This work occupied them two days；
and during this time no blow was struck on either side； as
the Danes posted a strong body of men each night to prevent
the Saxons from sallying out。 On the third day the work was
finished； and the Danish kings with their jarls made a circuit
round the walls； evidently to select the place for attack。
The time had passed quietly in the fort。 In one corner
the priests had erected an altar； and here mass was said three
times a day。 The priests went among the soldiers exhorting
them to resist to the last； confessing them； and giving them
absolution。
The pains which the Danes had taken in the preparation of
their camp was a proof of their determination to capture
the fort； however long the operation might be。 It showed；
too； that they recognized the difficulty of the task； for had
they believed that the capture could be easily effected they
would at once upon their arrival have advanced to the attack。
〃To…morrow morning early；〃 Egbert said； 〃I expect that
they will assault us。 In the first place probably they will
endeavour to carry the fort by a general attack； if they fail in
this they will set to construct engines with which to batter
the wall。〃
At daybreak the following morning the Danes issued
from their camp。 Having formed up in regular order； they
advanced towards the castle。 They divided into four bands；
three of the