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！
of the Danes。 It will take him a month or six weeks to cut
down trees and build his ships； therefore we may hope to
find him before he is ready to embark。 First we will push
through the forest to the other side； there we will question
the inhabitants concerning the position of the nearest rivers；
then we will divide into parties and go on the search； appointing
a place of rendezvous where we may rejoin each other。
It can hardly be that we shall fail to find them if they
have taken that way。〃
Before entering the forest they obtained a considerable
store of provisions； for they had no idea of its extent； and
had no time to spend in hunting game。 The forest of
Ardennes was at that time of immense size； extending from
Verdun and Metz on the south； to Liege and Aix on the north。
Men of the present day would have found it impossible
to find their way through； but would speedily have been lost
in its trackless recesses； but the Saxons and Danes were
accustomed to travel in forests； and knew the signs as well as
did the Red…skins and hunters of the American forests。
Therefore they felt no hesitation in entering the forest
without a guide。
The danger which might beset them was of a different
kind。 Immense numbers of the inhabitants of France； Champagne；
and Burgundy had taken refuge in the forests； driving their
flocks and herds before them。 Here they lived a wild life；
hoping that the emperor would ere long clear the
country of the invaders。 No mercy could be expected if
Edmund and his party fell in with a number of these fugitives。
They would have no time to tell their story； but would
be attacked at once as a party of plundering Danes。
Knowing that the horses would be an encumbrance to
them in the forest； they were sold to the last party of
Northmen they encountered before entering it； and they
pursued their way on foot。 The greatest caution was observed；
every sound was marked； and at the call of a human voice；
the low of cattle； or the bleating of sheep； they turned their
course so as to avoid encounter with the inhabitants of the
forest。 They lit no fires at night； and scarce a word was spoken
on the march。 Several times they had to take refuge in
thickets when they heard the sound of approaching voices；
and it needed all their knowledge of woodcraft to maintain
their direction steadily towards the north。 At last； after six
days' journey； they issued out into the open country beyond
the forest and soon arrived at a cottage。
The peasant was struck with terror and astonishment at
the appearance of seven Danes； and he could with difficulty
be made to understand that their object was neither plunder
nor murder； but that they wished only information from him
of the situation and direction of the various rivers of the
country。 After learning from him all that he knew Edmund
arrived at the conclusion that Sweyn would probably attempt
to descend either by a branch of the Moselle； and so to the
Rhine on the right； or by one of the Maas on the left of the
place at which they had emerged from the forest。
Edmund decided to strike the Maas； and to follow its
course up into the forest； taking with him one of the Danes
and two of his Saxons； and to send the others to search the
banks of the tributary of the Moselle。 Before starting he sent
the peasant to the nearest village to purchase garments of
the country for the whole party。 He had already told the
man that they were not Danes but Saxons； the bitter enemies
of the Northmen； and that he had been aiding in the defence
of Paris against them。
The peasant did not doubt what Edmund told him； for
the conduct of his visitors was so opposed to all that he had
heard of the doings of the Danes that he well believed they
could not belong to that nation。 He was away some hours；
and returned with the required dresses。 Having put these
on； and laying aside their helmets and shields； the two parties
started； the Danes alone carrying with them their former
garments。 The next day Edmund arrived at the river； and at
once followed its course upwards； for Sweyn and his party
would be building their ships in the forest。
They had not proceeded many miles before they heard
the sound of axes。 Edmund gave an exclamation of delight。
It was almost certain that he had hit upon Sweyn's track； for
it was unlikely that any of the inhabitants of the country would
have gone so far into the forest for timber。 They now moved
with the greatest caution； and as they approached the place
whence the sound proceeded Edmund halted the two Saxons
and bade them conceal themselves。 The Dane resumed
his own garments and put on his helmet and shield； and then；
taking advantage of every clump of undergrowth； and moving
with the greatest caution； he and Edmund made their way forward。
Presently they came within sight of an animated scene。
A large number of trees had been felled by the banks of
the river and three hundred Northmen were busily at work。
The frames of two great galleys had already been set up； and
they were now engaged in chopping out planks for their sides。
Two huts were erected in the middle of the clearing。 One
was large； and Sweyn's banner floated from a spear before it。
The other which stood close by was much smaller； and
Edmund doubted not that this was appropriated to Freda。
Nothing more could be done nowtheir object was so
far attained； and retiring they joined the two Saxons and made
their way along the river bank till they reached the edge of
the forest。 One of the Saxons was now sent off to the peasant's
hut； where he was to remain until the return of the other
party； and was then to bring them on to the spot which
Edmund had chosen for his encampment。 This was in the
heart of a large clump of underwood extending down to the
river。
The brushwood was so thick that it was entered with
difficulty； and no passer…by would dream that a party was
hidden within it。 Near the stream Edmund and his companions
with their swords soon cleared away a circle； and with
the boughs constructed an arbour。 A thin screen of bushes
separated them from the river； but they could see the water；
and none could pass up or down unperceived。
The Saxon was charged to bring with him on his return
a considerable supply of provisions； for it would have been
dangerous to wander in the woods in pursuit of game。 The
Northmen had； Edmund noticed； some cattle with them； but
they would be sure to be hunting in the woods； as they would
wish to save the cattle for provision on their voyage。 It was
nightfall before the hut was completed； and as they had
journeyed far for many days Edmund determined to postpone an
attempt to discover what was passing in Sweyn's camp until
the following evening。
The day passed quietly； and towards evening Edmund
and the Dane started for Sweyn's camp。 When they approached
it they saw many fires burning； and the shouting
and singing of the Norsemen rang through the forest。 They
waited until the fires burnt down somewhat and they could
see many of the Danes stretching themselves down by them。
Then Edmund's companion proceeded to the camp。
Anxious as Edmund was himself to learn what