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far overtopped the walls； and the citizens viewed with alarm
the time when an assault should be delivered under the protection
of these formidable machines。 Eighteen ships of equal
size were moored by the bank six deep。 Great planks were
laid across them； and a sloping platform having been formed；
the towers were by the efforts of thousands of men moved up
and placed on the ships。
〃If we do not destroy those towers； Egbert；〃 Edmund
said one day as he saw them slowly moving into their position
on board the ships； 〃all is lost； for from their summits
the Northmen with their bows and javelins will be able to
clear the walls； while those below effect a breach at their
leisure。〃
〃That is true enough； Edmund； but I do not see any way
to destroy them。 Unfortunately we have no boats； or we might
fill some of them with combustibles； and tow them down
until near enough for the stream to carry them upon those
vessels； but even then the chance were small indeed； for the
Danes would swarm out in their boats and manage to tow or
push them so that they would not touch the ships。〃
〃I should think； Egbert； that if we could get some skins
or planks we and our band might； when it is quite dark； sally
out and take to the water at the lower end of the island and
float down quietly for a mile or two； and then gain the further
bank； then we might march along quietly until we reach
those ships。 The Danes know that we have no boats； and will
not fear an attack。 We must not do it until an hour or two
before morning； when； after spending the early hours of the
night as usual in feasting and drinking； they will sleep heavily。
Just before we are ready to begin a small party can unmoor
two or three of the boats by the bank and push them out；
one to the outside of each tier of six vessels； so that we may
have a means of retreat across the river。 When that is done
we will make a rush on board the ships； cut down any Danes
we may find there； and set fire to all the vessels。 We must
hold the gangways to the shore until the flames get well alight；
and then take to the boats and return。〃
〃I think the plan is a good one； Edmund； and may well
be carried out without great loss。 There are plenty of empty
wine skins at present in Paris。 I will at once set about collecting
a hundred of them。 We will fasten to each a stout cord so
as to form a loop to go over the head and shoulders； then we
had best attach them all together by one long cord； by which
means we shall float in a body。〃
〃Fortunately the night is very dark and I think that we
shall succeed。 Say nothing about it； Egbert； and tell the men
to keep silent。 The good people of Paris shall know nothing
of the matter until they see the flames dancing round the
towers which they hold in so much dread。〃
The Saxons received with satisfaction the news of the
intended expedition。 They had been disappointed at being
kept back from taking any part in the fighting during the
two days' attack upon the tower； and longed for an opportunity
to inflict a blow upon their hated enemy the Danes。 The
wine skins were fitted up with ropes as Egbert had suggested；
and soon after nightfall the party； armed with spear and
sword； and carrying each his float； sallied out from the gates；
as Edmund was by this time so well known among the citizens
that the gate was opened without demur on his order。
They crept along the foot of the wall until they reached
the lower extremity of the island。 Across the river innumerable
fires blazed high； and the songs and shouts of the Danes
rose loud in the air。 Numbers of figures could be seen moving
about or standing near the fires； the tents of the chiefs
were visible some distance back； but the number of these as
well as of the fires was much less than it had been on the first
arrival of the Northmen； owing to the numbers who had gone
to the camp round St。 Germain。
The night was very dark and a light rain was falling。
Before taking to the water Edmund bade his men strip off
the greater portion of their clothes and fasten them in a
bundle on their heads； as it would be some time after they
landed before they could advance upon the camp； and the
cold and dripping garments would tend to lessen their spirits
and courage。
When all was ready they stepped into the water； and
keeping in a body； drifted down the stream。 The wine skins
floated them well above the water； the stream was running
strong； and the lights of the Danish fires were soon left
behind。
In half an hour Edmund and Egbert deemed that they
were now far beyond a point where they might chance upon
any Danish stragglers。 The word was therefore given； and all
made for the bank。 The stream had already drifted them in
that direction； and they soon reached the shore。 Here the
skins which had proved so useful were left behind； and putting
on their dry clothes； they felt comparatively comfortable。
Edmund ordered them to lay down their spears and swords
by their sides； and to swing their arms violently。 This
they continued to do until they were nearly breathless； by
which time the blood was coursing warmly in their veins。
They were now in December； and the water was extremely cold；
and Egbert congratulated Edmund upon having made the men strip；
for had they been compelled to remain in their wet garments
while waiting for the Danish fires to die down； they would
scarce have been in a fit state to fight when the moment
for so doing had arrived。
Three hours elapsed before the glare of the distant fires
began to subside； another half hour passed； and then the
band were formed up and moved along on the bank of the
river。
CHAPTER XIV： THE REPULSE OF THE NORTHMEN
When within half a mile of the Danish camp Edmund and Egbert
left the band and advanced alone。 They were pretty confident
that they should find but few of the Danes near the bank
of the river； for the arrows from the walls of Paris carried
some distance beyond it； and the Northmen consequently encamped
some hundred yards away。 They had to pick their way carefully；
for the ships were moored along the bank； their ropes being
fastened to great stakes driven into the ground。
There were lights on board the vessels； many of the crews
remaining on board。 They made their way along until they
reached the spot they aimed at。 Here lay the three sets of
vessels； each six deep； their masts had been removed； and
the great towers rose high into the darkness above the
platforms extending over their decks。
The planks forming the gangways up which the towers
had been moved had been taken away； save one which gave
access to each tier； and Edmund doubted not that it was
intended that they should the next morning move across the
river in tow of the numerous row…boats。 The two Saxons did
not attempt to go on board； as they had now found out all
they wanted； and might mar all by disturbing some sleeper
upon the platform。 They accordingly returned to the spot
where the band were awaiting them。
〃I propose； Egbert；〃 Edmund said； 〃that as we go along
we cut the mooring…ropes of all the vessels。 We must do it
quietly so as not to excite any alarm； and they will kno