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for the first week after the fleet put to sea a combat must
have been avoided； as the troops were in no condition to
fight。
Presently； however； they recovered from their malady
and became eager to meet the enemy； Edmund bade his men
take part in the working of the ship in order to accustom
themselves to the duties of seamen。 The fleet did not keep
the sea all the time； returning often to the straits between
the Isle of Wight and the mainland； where they lay in shelter；
a look…out being kept from the top of the hills； whence a wide
sweep of sea could be seen； and where piles of wood were
collected by which a signal fire could warn the fleet to put to
sea should the enemy's vessels come in sight。
A full month passed and the Saxons began to fear that
the Danes might have eluded them； having perhaps been
blown out to sea and having made the land again far to the
west。 One morning； however； smoke was seen to rise from
the beacon fire。 The crews who were on shore instantly hurried
on board。 From the hills the Danish fleet was made out
far to the west and was seen to be approaching the land from
seaward； having been driven far out of its course by the winds。
The weather was wild and threatening and the sailors
predicted a great storm。 Nevertheless the fleet put to sea
and with reefed sails ran to the west。 Their vessels were larger
than the Danish galleys and could better keep the sea in a
storm。 Many miles were passed before； from the decks； the
Danish flotilla could be seen。 Presently； however； a great
number of their galleys were discerned rowing in towards
Swanage Bay。
In spite of the increasing fury of the wind the Saxons
spread more sail and succeeded in intercepting the Danes。 A
desperate fight began； but the Danes in their low； long
vessels had all they could do to keep afloat on the waves。
Many were run down by the Saxons。 The showers of arrows from
their lofty poops confused the rowers and slew many。 Sweeping
along close to them they often broke off the oars and
disabled them。 Sometimes two or three of the Danish galleys
would try to close with a Saxon ship； but the sea was too
rough for the boats to remain alongside while the men tried
to climb up the high sides； and the Saxons with their spears
thrust down those who strove to do so。 Confusion and terror
soon reigned among the Danes； and fearing to try to escape
by sea in such a storm made for the shore； hotly pursued
by the Saxons。
But the shore was even more inhospitable than their
foes。 Great rocks bordered the coast； and upon these the
galleys were dashed into fragments。 The people on shore；
who had gathered at the sight of the approaching fleets； fell
upon such of the Danes as succeeded in gaining the coast；
and everyone who landed was instantly slain。 Thus； partly
from the effects of the Saxon fleet but still more from that of
the storm； the whole of the Danish fleet of one hundred and
twenty vessels was destroyed； not a single ship escaping the
general destruction。
CHAPTER VII： THE DRAGON
The Danes at Exeter； being now cut off from all hope
of relief； asked for terms； and the king granted them
their lives on condition of their promising to leave
Wessex and not to return。 This promise they swore by their
most solemn oaths to observe； and marching northward
passed out of Wessex and settled near Gloucester。 Some of
the Saxons thought that the king had been wrong in granting
such easy terms； but he pointed out to the ealdormen
who remonstrated with him that there were many other and
larger bands of Danes in Mercia and Anglia； and that had he
massacred the band at Exeterand this he could not have
done without the loss of many men； as assuredly the Danes
would have fought desperately for their livesthe news of
their slaughter would have brought upon him fresh invasions
from all sides。
By this time all resistance to the Danes in Mercia had
ceased。 Again and again King Burhred had bought them
off； but this only brought fresh hordes down upon him； and
at last； finding the struggle hopeless； he had gone as a
pilgrim to Rome； where he had died。 The Danes acted in Mercia
as they had done in Northumbria。 They did not care； themselves；
to settle down for any length of time； and therefore
appointed a weak Saxon thane； Ceolwulf； as the King of Mercia。
He ruled cruelly and extorted large revenues from the
land…owners； and robbed the monasteries； which had escaped
destruction； of their treasures。
The Danes suffered him to pursue this course until he
had amassed great wealth； when they swooped down upon
him； robbed him of all he possessed； and took away the nominal
kingship he had held。 As there was now but little fresh
scope for plundering in England many of the Danes both in
Anglia and Mercia settled down in the cities and on the lands
which they had taken from the Saxons。
The Danes who had gone from Exeter were now joined
by another band which had landed in South Wales。 The latter；
finding but small plunder was to be obtained among the
mountains of that country； moved to Gloucester； and joining
the band there proposed a fresh invasion of Wessex。 The
Danes； in spite of the oaths they had sworn to Alfred； and
the hostages they had left in his hands； agreed to the proposal；
and early in the spring of 878 the bands； swollen by
reinforcements from Mercia； marched into Wiltshire and captured
the royal castle of Chippenham on the Avon。 From this point
they spread over the country and destroyed everything
with fire and sword。 A general panic seized the inhabitants。
The better class； with the bishops； priests； and monks；
made for the sea…coasts and thence crossed to France； taking
with them all their portable goods； with the relics； precious
stones； and ornaments of the churches and monasteries。
Another party of Danes in twenty…three ships had landed
in Devonshire。 Here the ealdorman Adda had constructed a
castle similar to that which Edmund had built。 It was fortified
by nature on three sides and had a strong rampart of
earth on another。 The Danes tried to starve out the defenders
of the fort； but the Saxons held out for a long time； although
sorely pressed by want of water。 At last they sallied
out one morning at daybreak and fell upon the Danes and
utterly defeated them； only a few stragglers regaining their
ships。
A thousand Danes are said to have been slain at Kynwith；
but this was an isolated success； in all other parts of the
kingdom panic appeared to have taken possession of the West
Saxons。 Those who could not leave the country retired to
the woods； and thence； when the Danes had passed by； leaving
ruin and desolation behind them； they sallied out and
again began to till the ground as best they could。 Thus for a
time the West Saxons； formerly so valiant and determined；
sank to the condition of serfs； for when all resistance ceased
the Danes were well pleased to see the ground tilled； as
otherwise they would speedily have run short of stores。
At the commencement of the invasion Edmund had
marched out with his band and had inflicted heavy blows
upon parties of plunderers； but he soon perceived that the
struggle was hopeless。