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thanes； had for the most part journeyed to Paris or to other
towns in the interior to escape the dreaded Northmen； but
there were many detained at Havre from want of funds to
journey farther。
〃It is a sad pity；〃 the governor said as they talked over
the troubled state of Western Europe； 〃that your English king
and our Frankish monarch did not make common cause
against these sea robbers。 They are the enemies of mankind。
Not only do they ravage all our coasts； but they have entered
the Mediterranean； and have plundered and ravaged the
coasts of Provence and Italy； laying towns under ransom；
burning and destroying。〃
〃I would that I could meet some of their ships on their
way back from Italy；〃 Edmund said。 〃I warrant that we should
obtain a rare booty； with gems of art such as would delight
King Alfred； but are thrown away on these barbarians； but I
agree with you that 'tis shameful that the coasts of all Europe
should be overrun with these pirates。〃
〃Yes；〃 the governor replied； 〃if every country in
Christendom would unite against their common foe； and send
a quota of ships and men； we would drive the Black Raven
from the seas； and might even land on the Danish shores
and give them a taste of the suffering they have inflicted
elsewhere。 As it is； all seem paralysed。 Local efforts are
made to resist them； but their numbers are too great to be
thus withstood。 I wonder that the pope does not call
Christendom to arms against these pagan robbers； who not
only destroy towns and villages； but level to the ground the
holy shrines； and slay the ministers of God on the altars。〃
CHAPTER XIII： THE SIEGE OF PARIS
On the following morning Edmund； who had returned
to his ship to sleep； was aroused by loud shouts on
deck。 Hurrying from his cabin he saw a vast fleet of ships
approaching the mouth of the river。 They were of all
sizesfrom great sailing ships to rowing galleys。 It needed
but a glance at them to assure him that they were the dreaded
ships of the Northmen； for the Black Raven floated at many
of the mast…heads。
》From the town the sounds of horns and great shoutings
could be heard； showing that there too the approaching fleet
had just been discerned as the morning fog lifted from the
sea。 Edmund held a hurried consultation with his kinsman。
It was now too late to gain the sea； for the Danish ships had
already reached the mouth of the river。 To attempt to escape
by fighting would be madness； and they hesitated only
whether to run the ship ashore； and； leaving her there； enter
the town and share in its defence； or to proceed up the river
with all speed to Rouen； or even to Paris。
The latter course was decided upon； for the Danish ships
would contain so vast a number of men that there was little
hope that Havre could resist their attack； nor was it likely
that Rouen； which； on the previous year had been captured
and sacked； would even attempt another resistance； which
would only bring massacre and ruin upon its inhabitants。
Paris alone； the capital of the Frankish kings； seemed to
offer a refuge。 The deliberation was a short one； and by the
time the men had taken their places at the oars their leaders
had decided upon their course。
The anchor ropes were cut； for not a moment was to be
lost； the leading ships of the Danes being already less than
half a mile distant。 The tide was flowing； and the Dragon
swept rapidly up the river。 Some of the Danish galleys
followed for a while； but seeing that the Dragon had the speed
of them； they abandoned the pursuit； and at a more easy
stroke the rowers continued their work until they reached
Rouen。 Here the tide failed them； and they moored against
the bank under the walls。
Edmund and Egbert went on shore。 They found the
city in a state of wild confusion。 Saying that they had
important news； and must see the governor； they were led to
the council…chamber； where the leading men of the town were
assembled。 After stating who he and his companion were；
Edmund announced the arrival of a great Danish fleet at the
mouth of the river。
〃Your news； sir； is terrible for our poor country；〃 the
governor said； 〃but to us it scarce brings any additional
horror； although it will probably decide the question which we
are engaged in discussing。 We have news here that a great
Danish army which landed at Abbeville is marching
hitherward； and we are met to discuss whether the town
should resist to the last or should open its gates at their
approach。 This news you bring of the arrival of a fresh army of
these sea robbers at Havre renders our case desperate。 So
fierce is their attack that we could hardly hope successfully
to resist the approaching army； but against it and this fleet
you tell us of resistance could only bring about our utter
destruction。 That； at least； is my opinion； the other members
of the council must speak for themselves。〃
The other members； who were the principal merchants
and traders of the town； were unanimously of the same
opinion。
〃Better；〃 they said； 〃to give up all our worldly goods to
the Northmen than to be slaughtered pitilessly with our wives
and families。〃
〃Such being your decision；〃 Edmund said； 〃my kinsman
and myself will proceed up the river to Paris； hitherto； as we
hear； the Northmen have not ventured to attack that city；
and should they do so； it will doubtless resist to the last。〃
Accordingly the two Saxons returned at once to the
Dragon； and as soon as the tide turned unmoored and proceeded
up the river。 Three days after leaving Rouen they
arrived in sight of Paris。 The capital of the Franks was but a
small city； and was built entirely upon the island situated just
at the confluence of the Seine and Marne。 It was surrounded
by a strong and lofty wall。
On the approach of a vessel differing entirely from anything
they had before seen the citizens flocked to the walls。
The Golden Dragon floating at the mast…head showed them
that the vessel did not belong to the Danes； and some of the
more experienced in these matters said at once that she must
be a Saxon ship。 The Count Eudes； who had been left by the
king in command of Paris； himself came to the walls just as
the Dragon came abreast of them。 Edmund ordered the rowers
to pause at their work。
〃Who are you？〃 the Count Eudes shouted。 〃Whence do
you come and with what intent？〃
〃My name is Edmund。 I am an ealdorman of King Alfred
of the Saxons。 When at sea fighting the Northmen a tempest
blew me down your coast； and I took refuge in the port
of Havre。 Four days since at daybreak a vast fleet of Northmen
entered the river。 We rowed up to Rouen hoping to be able
to find safe shelter there； but the citizens being aware that a
great army of the sea robbers was marching against their
town； and being further intimidated by the news I brought
them； decided upon surrendering without resistance。 Therefore
we have continued our journey hither； being assured that
here at least the Danish wolves would not have their way
unopposed。 We have fought them long in our native land； and
wish for nothing better than to aid in the efforts of the Franks
against our common enemy。〃
〃You are welc