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blow from a club。
A minute later the din of battle rose by the water's side；
Edmund's whistle and shout had been heard； and the Saxons
on shore sprang on board and seized their spears and bows
just as the Danes poured down through the trees。 For a time
the Saxons defended the ship against the desperate attempts
of the Danes to gain footing on her； but seeing the number
of its assailants； and being certain that Edmund was killed or
captured； Egbert ordered the ropes to be cut； and the Dragon
was thrust away from the rocks。 The oars were then got out
and she rowed out of bow…shot from the shore。 Then Egbert
held a consultation with the leading men among the Saxons。
All on board were filled with grief at the loss of their
young leader； but they felt that nothing could be done for
him； and it would be but courting danger to remain longer in
the fiord。 Since so large a force had been collected in the
forest news might have been sent to the ports； and at any
moment they might see a fleet of the Northmen's galleys
barring their retreat； therefore with bitter grief and
lamentation the Dragon's sails were hoisted and she made
her way to sea。
〃My only consolation is；〃 Egbert said； 〃that if the brave
lad is not killed at once he may yet find his way back to
England。 He is ready of wit and full of invention that； if any
can possibly extricate themselves from such a strait； it is
assuredly he； but I fear that he fell in the first onslaught。
Brave lad； even in the moment of his own peril he thought first
of us。 Had it not been for his timely warning we should have
been taken unawares； and many must have been killed even
if the Dragon herself escaped capture。〃
The storm had entirely abated； and the waters sparkled
brightly in the cold January sun as the Dragon sailed out
between the two headlands into the sea。 Very different were
the feelings of the crew to those which had animated them
when； two days before； they had passed through the channel；
then every heart beat with joy and thankfulness； now the
deepest depression and grief reigned on board。
Edmund was adored by his followers。 His kindness as
their ealdorman； his skill and bravery as a leader； his
cheerfulness and brightness under every danger and peril had
immensely endeared him to their hearts； and each man felt
that he had sustained an irretrievable loss； and that with their
chief the spirit which had animated the Dragon and directed
their enterprises was gone。
Egbert was a valiant warrior； and was an admirable second
to an enterprising leader； but he was altogether without
initiative； and； except when excited by danger； was dull and
silent。 Although all esteemed him and honoured him for his
strength and bravery； they felt that he would be a poor
substitute indeed for the leader they had lost。
CHAPTER IX： A PRISONER
When Edmund recovered his senses he found that
he was being carried along on a rough litter through
the forest。 It was some little time before he realized
his position and recalled the circumstances of the attack。
After the Dragon had moved safely out into the fiord；
its assailants had returned to the spot where they had attacked
the three Saxons who had landed。 Two of them were without
life； but they found that the third； who； from his
habiliments was evidently of higher rank； and whom they
judged； although still but a youth； to be the commander of
the Saxon party； had only been stunned by the blow of the
club which had felled him。
It was at once resolved to carry him to the jarl of the
district； who would assuredly wish to learn from him the
meaning of the coming of the strange ship。 That the Dragon
was a Saxon vessel the Northmen were sure。 Many of them
had been on expeditions across the seas； and knew the Saxons
both from their dress and manner of wearing their hair；
but the ship was unlike anything they had seen before； and it
seemed above all things strange that when； as they understood；
England had been completely conquered； Saxon warships should
be entering a northern fiord。
For many hours Edmund was carried through the forest。
He wondered to himself whether he would be slain on his arrival
or kept as a slave； for the Norse and Saxon tongues
were so similar that he was perfectly able to understand the
language of his captors。 A party of twelve men accompanied
him； four of whom bore the litter； and were relieved at intervals
by the others。 After some hours the feeling of giddiness
and weakness passed off； and on the men stopping to change
bearers he expressed his readiness to walk。
Hitherto he had lain with his eyes closed； as he thought
it better to remain as he was until he felt perfectly able to
keep up with his captors in a journey which might； for aught
he knew； be a long one。 The Northmen expressed their
satisfaction at finding that their burden need no longer be
carried； and throwing aside the boughs which had formed the
litter； proceeded with him on their way。 They asked him
many questions concerning the Dragon。 Most of these he
answered readily enough； but he evaded those as to the place
where she had been built； or the port from which she had
sailed。 It was not until late in the afternoon that they arrived
at the abode of the Jarl Bijorn。
It was a rough abode constructed of timber； thatched
with rushes； for as yet the Northmen were scarcely a settled
people； the tribes for the most part wandering in the forests
hunting when not engaged in those warlike expeditions which
they loved above all other things。 Only the leaders dwelt in
anything like permanent abodes； the rest raising huts of
boughs at such places as they might make any stay at。
One of Edmund's conductors had gone on ahead； and
as the party approached the building Bijorn came out from
his house to meet them。 He was； like almost all Northmen； a
man of great stature and immense strength。 Some fifty years
had passed over his head； but he was still in the prime of his
life； for the Northmen； owing to their life of constant
activity； the development of their muscles from childhood； and
their existence passed in the open air； retained their strength
and vigour to a great age。
So assiduous was their training； and so rapidly did their
figures develop in consequence； that at the age of fifteen a
young Northman received arms and was regarded as a man；
although he did not marry until many years afterwards； early
wedlock being strongly discouraged among them。 By Bijorn's
side stood his son； who； though but twenty…two years old；
rivalled him in stature and in muscular development； although
lacking the great width of shoulder of the jarl。
As Edmund approached； a war…horse of the jarl fastened
up to a post close to the entrance of the house neighed loudly。
Bijorn looked surprised。 The neighing of a horse among the
Northmen was regarded as the happiest of auguries； and in
their sacred groves horses were tied up； as the neighing of
these animals was considered an infallible proof that a
propitious answer would be given by the gods to the prayer of
any petitioner who sought their aid。
〃By Thor！〃 Bijorn exclaimed； 〃my good war…horse welcomes
the str