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Then Edmund's companion proceeded to the camp。
Anxious as Edmund was himself to learn what was doing；
he restrained his impatience； for it was safer that the
Northman should go alone。 In the dull light of the dying
fires his features would be unnoticed； and his tongue would
not betray him if spoken to。 Siegbert had commended him
as a crafty and ready fellow； and Edmund felt that he would
be able to gather more information than he could do himself。
》From his place of concealment he kept his eyes fixed on
the Northman's figure。 Presently he saw him enter the clearing；
and sauntering slowly across it throw himself down near
a fire by which a party of Danes were still sitting talking。
One by one these lay down； and when the last had done
so the Northman rose quietly and stole out again into the
forest。 When he rejoined Edmund the latter set forward with
him； and not a word was spoken until they were some distance
from the camp； then Edmund stopped。
〃What have you learned？〃 he asked。
〃All that there is to learn； I think；〃 the Northman replied。
〃The lady Freda is； as you supposed； a captive in the
little hut。 Two men only keep watch over it by day； but at
night six lie around it； two being always on foot。 They speak
in admiration of her courage and spirit。 She has sworn to
Sweyn that she will slay herself if he attempts to use violence
to force her to marriage with him； and they doubt not that
she will keep her word。 However； they believe that she will
grow tired out at last when she finds that there is no hope
whatever of a rescue。 The ships are being built for a long sea
voyage； for Sweyn is going to lead them to join the Viking
Hasting in the Mediterranean； and has promised his men
the plunder of countries ten times richer than France or
England。 With so long an expedition in view； they may well
think that the Lady Freda's resolution will soon give way； and
that she may come to see that the position of the wife of a
bold viking is a thousand times preferable to that of a captive。
Many of the men loudly express their wonder why she
would refuse the love of so valiant a warrior as Sweyn。〃
The news was at once good and bad。 Edmund did not
fear Freda's resolution giving way for a long time； but the
news that Sweyn intended to carry her upon so distant an
expedition troubled him。 It was of course possible that he
might intercept them with the Dragon at the mouth of the
Maas； but it was uncertain whether the ship would arrive at
the mouth of the Rhine in time to be brought round before
the Northmen descended。 The length of her voyage would
depend entirely on the wind。 Were this favourable when she
reached the mouth of the Seine； a week would carry her to
her destination。 Should it be unfavourable there was no saying
how long the voyage would last。
The risk was so great that Edmund determined to make
an effort to rouse the country against the Danes； and to fall
upon them in their encampment； but the task would he knew
be a hard one； for the dread of the Danes was so great that
only in large towns was any resistance to them ever offered。
However he determined to try； for if the Northmen succeeded
in getting to the sea the pursuit would indeed be a long one；
and many weeks and even months might elapse before he
could again come up to them。
On the following day the rest of the party arrived； and
leaving the forest Edmund proceeded with them through the
country； visiting every village； and endeavouring to rouse the
people to attack the Danes； but the news that the dreaded
marauders were so near excited terror only。 The assurances
of Edmund that there was much rich plunder in their camp
which would become the property of those who destroyed
them； excited but a feeble interest。 The only point in the
narrative which excited their contentment was the news that
the Danes were building ships and were going to make their
way down to the sea。
〃In Heaven's name let them go！〃 was the cry； 〃who would
interfere with the flight of a savage beast？ If they are going
down the river they will scarcely land to scatter and plunder
the country； and he would be mad indeed who would seek
them when they are disposed to let us alone。〃
Finding his efforts vain in the country near the forest
Edmund went down the river to the town of Liege； which
stood on its banks。 When it became known that a band of
Northmen was on the upper river； and was likely to pass down；
the alarm spread quickly through the town； and a council of
the principal inhabitants was summoned。 Before these
Edmund told his story； and suggested that the fighting men
of the town should march up the river and fall upon the
Danes in their camp。
〃It is but two days' marchthe Northmen will be unsuspicious
of danger； and taken by surprise may be easily defeated。〃
The proposition； however； was received with absolute derision。
〃You must be mad to propose such a thing； young Saxon；
if Saxon indeed you are； but for aught we know you may be a
Northman sent by them to draw us into an ambush。 No； we
will prepare for their coming。 We will man our walls and
stand on the defensive； and if there be； as you say； but three
hundred of them； we can defend ourselves successfully； and
we may hope that； seeing our strength； and that we are prepared
for their coming； the Northmen will pass by without
molesting us； but as for moving outside our walls； it would be
worse than folly even to think of such a thing。〃
After this rebuff Edmund concluded that he could hope
for no assistance from the inhabitants of the country； but
must depend upon himself and the Dragon alone。 He at once
despatched two of his men； a Dane and a Saxon； with orders
to journey as rapidly as possible to the rendezvous； where
the Dragon was to be found at the mouth of the Rhine； and to
beg Egbert to move round with all speed to the Maas。
Having done this； he purchased a small and very fast
rowing…skiff at Liege； and taking his place in this with his
four remaining followers； he rowed up the river。 It took them
three days before they reached the edge of the forest。 On
reaching their former hiding…place； they landed。 The bushes
were carefully drawn aside； and the boat hauled up until
completely screened from sight of the river； and Edmund and
the Dane at once started for the encampment of the
Northmen。
They had been ten days absent； and in that time great
progress had been made with the galleys。 They looked indeed
completely finished as they stood high and lofty on the
river bank。 The planks were all in their places； the long rows
of benches for the rowers were fastened in； the poop and
forecastle were finished and decked。 A number of long
straight poles lay alongside ready to be fashioned into oars；
and Edmund thought that in another two or three days the
galleys would be ready for launching。 They were long and
low in the waist； and were evidently built for great speed。
Edmund did not think that they were intended to sail； except
perhaps occasionally when the wind was favourable； as an
aid to the rowers。 Each would carry a hundred and fifty
men； and there were thirty seats； so that sixty would row at
once。
〃Th