按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Accordingly they again embarked； and loosing their
moorings rowed down towards Yarmouth。 They had chosen
a time when the tide was running in； for although this would
hinder their progress it would equally impede their pursuers；
while it would enable them to check their vessel in time
did they find any unforeseen obstacle in their way。 They
entered the river and rowed along quietly until they neared
the walls of the town。 Here the river was at its narrowest；
and they saw the Danish galleys gathered thickly in the stream。
Edmund and Egbert were on the forecastle； and presently
gave the signal for the men to cease rowing。
〃It is just as I expected；〃 Egbert said； 〃they have formed
a boom across the river of trunks of trees and beams lashed
together。 We cannot make our way down until that obstacle
is removed。 What say you Edmund？〃
〃I agree with you；〃 Edmund replied。
〃We had best keep along close to the right bank until
within a short distance of the boom； then we must land the
greater part of our men。 These must march along the bank
in their phalanx； the others must keep the boat moving close
alongside； and from the forecastle they will be able to fire
down upon the Danes and aid those on shore to drive them
back and make their way to the end of the boom。 They have
but to cut the lashings there and the whole will swing round。
But now we see the nature of the obstacle； and what is to be
done； it were best to wait until the tide turns。 In the first
place； fewer men will be needed on board the ship； as she
will advance by herself abreast of the men on shore。 In the
second place； when the lashing is cut the boom will then
swing down the stream； will cause confusion among the boats
behind it； and will open a clear space for us to make our way
down。〃
Edmund agreed； a light anchor was dropped； and the
Dragon rode quietly in the stream。 Great animation was evident
among the Danes； large numbers crossed the river； and
a strong force gathered at either end of the boom and in
boats close behind it； to prevent the Saxons from attempting
to cut the lashings。 There was little uneasiness on board the
Dragon； the Saxons were confident now of the power of their
close formation to force its way through any number of the
enemy； and they would gain such assistance from the fire
from the lofty forecastle that they doubted not that they
should be able to drive back the Danes and destroy the boom。
In an hour the tide no longer rose。 They waited till it ran
down with full force； then the anchor was hauled up； and the
Dragon rowed to the bank。
Sixty of the fighting men headed by Egbert leapt on
shore。 Edmund with the remainder took his place on the
forecastle。 The oars next to the bank were drawn in； and
some of those on the outward side manned by the sailors。
Then in its usual order the phalanx moved slowly forward
while the ship floated along beside them close to the bank。
The Danes with loud shouts advanced to meet them； and the
arrows soon began to fly thickly。 Covered by the long shields
of the front rank the Saxons moved forward steadily； while；
as the Danes approached； the archers on the forecastle
opened a destructive fire upon them。
The confidence of the Saxons was justified； for the combat
was never in doubt。 Although the Northmen fought
bravely they were unable to withstand the steady advance of
the wedge of spears； and very many fell beneath the rain of
arrows from above。 Steadily the wedge made its way until it
reached the end of the boom。 A few blows with their axes
sufficed to cut the cables which fastened it in its place。 As
soon as this was done Edmund gave a shout； and the Saxons
at once sprang on board the ship； which before the Danes
could follow them was steered out into the stream。
As Egbert had foreseen； the boom as it swung round
swept before it a number of the Danish boats； and imprisoned
them between it and the shore。 The oars were soon
run out； and while the men on the forecastle continued their
fire at the Danish boats； the others seizing the oars swept the
Dragon along the stream。 The Danes strove desperately to
arrest her progress。 Some tried to run alongside and board；
others dashed in among the oars and impeded the work of
the rowers； while from the walls of the town showers of missiles
were poured down upon her。 But the tide was gaining
every moment in strength； and partly drifting； partly rowing；
the Dragon； like a bull attacked by a pack of dogs； made her
way down the river。 Every effort of the Danes to board was
defeated； and many of their boats sunk； and at last she made
her way into the open sea。 There her sails were hoisted； and
she soon left her pursuers behind。 Once at sea her course
was again turned north； and picking up some prizes on the
way she took up her station off the mouth of the Humber。
Several ships were captured as they sailed out from the
river。 After the spoil on board was taken out； these； instead
of being burnt； as had always been the case before； were
allowed to proceed on their way； since had they been destroyed
the crews must either have been slain or landed。 The first
course was repugnant to Edmund； the second could not be
adopted； because they would have carried the news to the
Danes； that the Dragon was off the river and no more ships
would have put to sea； and indeed； so large was the number
of Danish vessels always up the Humber that a fleet could
easily have been equipped and sent out； before which the
Dragon must have taken flight。
One day a large sailing ship was seen coming out。 The
Dragon remained with lowered sail until she had passed； then
started in pursuit； and speedily came up with the Danish
vessel。 Edmund summoned her to surrender； and was answered
by a Norseman of great stature and noble appearance； who
from the poop hurled a javelin； which would have pierced
Edmund had he not leapt quickly aside。 A few other darts
were thrown and then the Dragon ran alongside the enemy
and boarded her。
The opposition of the Northmen was speedily beaten
down； but their leader desperately defended the ladder leading
to the poop。 He was struck by two arrows； and fell on
one knee； and Edmund was about to climb the ladder when
the door of the cabin in the poop opened； and a Norse maiden
some sixteen years old sprang out。 Seeing her father wounded
at the top of the ladder and the Saxons preparing to ascend
it； while others turned their bows against the wounded
Northman； she sprang forward and throwing herself upon
her knees before Edmund besought him to spare her father's
life。 Edmund raised his hand and the bows were lowered。
〃I have no wish to slay your father； maiden；〃 he said gently；
〃we slay only those who resist； and resistance on the part
of a single man； and he wounded； against a whole ship's crew
is madness。 We are no sea…wolves who slay for the pleasure
of slaying； but are Saxons； who fight for our country against
the oppressions and rapine of your people。 Little right have
they to mercy seeing they show none； but our religion enjoins
us to have pity even upon our enemies。 You had best
ascend to your father and see to his wounds； none will harm
y