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recrossing to Denmark。
They picked up several prizes at the mouths of the eastern
rivers； scarcely having to strike a blow； so surprised were
the Danes at the appearances of the great Saxon galley。
Whenever the Danes surrendered without resistance Edmund
gave them quarter and landed them in small boats on the
shore； their ships； after being emptied of the booty they
contained； were burned。 When off Yarmouth； where they had
captured four Danish vessels sailing out unsuspicious of danger；
the wind veered round to the north…east and began to blow
very strongly。
The long line of sandbanks off the coast broke somewhat
the violence of the sea； and the Dragon rode all night to
her anchors； but in the morning the wind continued to rise。
The sea became more and more violent； and the anchors
began to drag。 Edmund and Egbert； after a consultation；
agreed that their only chance of saving the vessel was to enter
the river。 The tide was running in； but the sea was so
heavy on the bar of the river that the efforts of the crew at
the oars barely sufficed to keep her on her course。 At length；
however； she made her way safely between the posts which
marked the entrance； and rowing up until they passed a turn；
and were sheltered from the force of the gale； they again
anchored。
The oars were all lashed out firmly to keep any boats
from approaching her sides。 Bales of goods with which her
hold was filled were brought on deck； and piled high along
the bulwarks so as to afford a shelter from missiles。 Even as
they entered the harbour numbers of Danes had assembled
at the point； for the capture and destruction of their ships
had of course been seen； and the crews set ashore had spread
the news that the strange vessel was a Saxon。 The Norfolk
bank being somewhat higher than the Suffolk； the boat was
anchored rather nearer to the latter； as it was from the town
of Yarmouth that an attack was anticipated。
As soon as the anchors were let go the Danes began to
fire their arrows； but so powerful was the gale that the greater
part of them were swept far away。 As the day went on the
numbers of Danes on the bank increased largely； and vast
numbers of arrows were discharged at the Dragon。 The crew
kept under shelter； and although she was often struck no
damage was done。
In the afternoon a fleet of galleys was seen coming down
the river。 The Danes possessed a large number of these boats
at Yarmouth； and in these they navigated the inland waters
far into the interior。 The wind had shifted until it was blowing
nearly due east； and Edmund and Egbert had agreed upon
the best course to be pursued。 In case of attack they could
hardly hope finally to beat off the assault of a large fleet of
galleys； and would besides be exposed to attack by boats laden
with combustibles。 Therefore as soon as the galleys were
seen approaching the oars were unlashed； the great sail
hoisted； and at her best speed the Dragon advanced up the
river to meet her foes。 The Danes gave a shout of alarm as
the vessel advanced to meet them with the water surging in a
white wave from her bows； and the greater part of them hurried
towards one bank or the other to escape the shock。 Some；
slower in movement or stouter in heart； awaited the attack；
while from all a storm of missiles was poured upon the
advancing boat。
Heedless of these she continued her way。 Her sharp
bow crashed right through the side of the Danish boats； and
having destroyed seven of them on her way she passed through
the flotilla and continued her course。 The dragon waved
triumphantly from her mast as she passed under the walls of
Yarmouth。 These were crowded with Danes； who vainly showered
arrows and javelins as she flew past； with the fleets of
galleys rowing in her wake。 A few minutes and she was out
on the broad sheet of water beyond。 The Danish galleys
paused at the entrance。 In so wild a storm they would have
had difficulty in keeping their boats straight； while the great
galley with her sails and oars would be able to maneuver freely；
and could strike and run them down one by one。
〃What is that pile of buildings on the rising knoll of
ground some three miles away？〃 Edmund asked。
〃It is Bamborough Castle；〃 Egbert replied； 〃a Roman
stronghold of immense strength。〃
〃Let us run up thither；〃 Edmund said。 〃If； as is likely
enough； it is unoccupied； we will land there and take
possession。 Are the walls complete？〃
〃Assuredly they are；〃 Egbert said。 〃They are of marvellous
strength； such as we cannot build in our days。 They run
in a great semicircle from the edge of the water round the
crest of the knoll and down again to the water。 There is but
one gateway in the wall on the land side； and this we can
block up。 We need not fear an attack from the land； for
between the river and the castle there are wide swamps； so
that unless they row up and attack us from the water we are
safe。〃
〃I think that they will not do that；〃 Edmund said 〃after
the taste which the Dragon has given them of her quality。 At
any rate I think we are safe till the storm abates。〃
By this time； running rapidly before the wind； the Dragon
was approaching the great Roman fort； whose massive walls
struck Edmund with astonishment。 No one was to be seen
moving about in the space inclosed by them。 The sail was
lowered and the vessel brought to the bank。 The anchors
were taken ashore and she was soon solidly moored。 Then
the crew leapt on to the land and ascended the bank to the
great level inclosure。
The walls were； as Egbert had said； intactand indeed；
except on the side facing the river； remained almost unbroken
to the present day。 An hour's labour sufficed to block
the gateway； where a pair of massive doors were in position；
for the place had been defended by the Saxons against the
Danes at their first landing on the coast。 A few men were
placed as sentries on the walls； and； feeling now perfectly
safe from any attack on the land side； Edmund and his
followers returned on board the Dragon for the night。
CHAPTER VIII： THE CRUISE OF THE DRAGON
The night passed without alarm。 The gale continued
to blow with fury； and until it abated Edmund had
little fear that the Danes would venture upon an attack。
They had indeed no reason for haste。 The Saxon vessel
was in their waters； and could not return so long as the
storm continued to blow from the east。 The next day parties
of Danes were seen making their way across the swampy
country from the direction of Yarmouth。
As soon； however； as these approached near enough to
see the Saxons in readiness on the walls of the castle they
retired at once； knowing that the place could be captured by
nothing short of a prolonged and desperate siege。 On the
fourth day the storm abated； and the Saxons prepared to make
their way seaward again。 The wind still blew； but lightly； from
the same quarter； and the sails would therefore be of no use。
With their great oar…power they were confident that； once
through the Danish flotilla； they could defy pursuit。
Accordingly they again embarked； and loosing their
moorings rowed down towards Yarmouth。 They had chosen
a time when the tide wa