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There was no longer any resistance to Siegfroi's wishes。
A parley was held with the city； and a further sum being added
to that contributed by the monks of St。 Germain des Pres
the Danes drew off from the town。
At this time the long confinement of so many men within
the walls had caused a pestilence to break out in Paris。 The
Archbishop Goslin； the Bishop Everard of Sens； the Prince
Hugues； and many others died。 The 16th of April was the
day on which the Parisians were accustomed to go in solemn
procession to the church of St。 Germain。 The Northmen；
knowing this； in mockery filled a wagon with grain and organized
a mock procession。 The bullocks who drew the chariot
suddenly became lame； numbers of other bullocks were attached；
but although goaded by spears their united efforts
were unable to drag the wagon an inch； and the Danes were
obliged at last to abandon their intention。
The same day St。 Germain is reported to have further
shown his power。 One of the Northmen； condemned for
some offence to be executed； fled to the church for refuge；
and was there slain by his countrymen； but all who took part
in the deed at once fell dead。 The Northmen； struck by these
miracles； placed a certain number as guard over the church
to prevent any from touching aught that it contained。 One
of these men； a Dane of great stature； spread his bed in the
church and slept there； but to the astonishment of his comrades
he was found in the morning to have shrunk to the size
of a new…born infant； at which stature he remained for the
rest of his life。
A miracle of an opposite kind was at the same time performed
in the town。 A valiant warrior had from the effects
of fever fallen into an extreme weakness； and was devoured
with grief at the thought that he should no longer be able to
take share in the defence of the town。 To him St。 Germain
appeared at night and told him that his prayers had been
heard； and that his strength should be restored to him。 On
awakening in the morning he found that he was as vigorous
and as robust as ever。
Another day when the soldiers were carrying the banner
of the saint round the walls of the town； followed by the
citizens chanting hymns； one of the bearers of the holy relics；
named Gozbert； was struck by a stone from a catapult。
The man who had fired it fell dead； while Gozbert continued
his promenade in no way injured by the blow。 The Abbe D'Abbon
vouches for these miracles on the part of St。 Germain
in defence of his faithful city。
CHAPTER XV： FRIENDS IN TROUBLE
Although for a time the Northmen abstained from grand assaults；
continued skirmishes took place。 Sometimes parties landed beneath
the walls； and strove to carry off the cattle which the besieged
turned out to gather a little fresh food there。 Sometimes the
citizens； led by Eudes or Ebble； would take boat and cross； and
endeavour to cut off small parties of the enemy。 They had
now sufficient boats at their disposal for expeditions of this
kind； for； in their last defeat； the Danes had in their haste
left several boats behind them。 Of one of the largest of these
Edmund took possession； and going out in her at night； several
times succeeded in capturing Danish vessels； sometimes
while they were rowing along the river unsuspicious that any
foes were near； sometimes by boarding them as they lay
alongside the bank。
As the vessels so captured were too large to be dragged
ashore； and could have been easily recaptured by the Danes；
they were； after being emptied of their contents； always
burned。 The plague continued its ravages； and the city became
straitened for provisions。 Count Eudes therefore determined
to go to King Charles to urge him to hurry to the
succour of the town。 Almost all the chiefs of the defence
had fallen victims to the pest； or had been killed in battle
with the Danes； and the count at his departure committed
the defence of the city to the Abbe Ebble and Edmund。 He
then crossed the stream at night； and made his way
successfully through the Danes。
The abbe and Edmund vied with each other in keeping
up the spirits of the garrison with successful little forays
with the Danes； frequently crossing the river to the one bank
or the other； sometimes with parties of only five or six men；
and falling upon similar bodies of the enemy。 Several times
they pounced upon small herds of the enemy's cattle； and
driving them into the river； directed them in their boats across
the stream。
In the commencement of July Eudes appeared on the
slopes on Mont Martre with three battalions of soldiers。 The
enemy； who were for the most part on the other side of the
Seine； crossed the river。 A desperate battle ensued。 A portion
of the garrison crossed in boats to the assistance of their
friends； Edmund leading over his band of Saxons。 With these
he fell upon the rear of the Danes engaged in fighting with
the force under the count； and the Northmen； attacked on
both sides； gave way and took to flight。 They were hotly
pursued by the Franks。
The reinforcements entered Paris triumphantly by the
bridge； which had long since been repaired。 But the siege
was not yet over。 When the news of the victory of Eudes
spread； the Danes again drew together from all parts； and
crossing the river； attacked the city on every side。 The
onslaught was more furious than any which had preceded it。
The Danes had provided themselves with large numbers of
mangonels and catapults。 Every man capable of bearing arms
was upon the walls； but so furious was the attack； so vast the
number of the assailants； so prodigious were the clouds of
missiles which they rained upon the walls； that the besieged
almost lost heart。
The relics of St。 Genevieve were taken round the walls。
In several places the Danes had formed breaches in the walls；
and although the besieged still struggled； hope had well…nigh
left them； and abject terror reigned in the city。 Women ran
about the streets screaming； and crying that the end was at
hand。 The church bells tolled dismally； and the shouts of the
exultant Danes rose higher and higher。 Again a general cry
rose to St。 Germain to come to the aid of the town。 Just at
this moment Edmund and Egbert； who had till now held the
Saxons in reserve； feeling that a desperate effort must be
made； formed up their band； and advancing to the principal
breach； passed through the ranks of the disheartened Franks；
and with levelled pikes charged headlong down into the crowd
of Danes。 The latter； already exhausted by their efforts； were
at once borne back before the serried pikes of their fresh
assailants。 In vain their chiefs at that point tried to rally them；
nothing could withstand the impetus of the Saxon attack。
Astonished at seeing the tide of battle swept away from
the breach； the French believed that St。 Germain had wrought
a miracle in their favour； and taking heart poured out in the
rear of the Saxons。 The news of the miracle spread rapidly。
Through the breaches； and from every gate； they poured out
suddenly upon the Danes； who； struck with consternation at
this sudden onslaught by a foe whom they had already regarded
as beaten； hesitated； and so