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was still dense。
The disappointment of Edmund and Siegbert at the escape
of the Danes was extreme。 Their plans had been so well
laid that when it was found that the Dragon had arrived in
time no doubts were entertained of the success of the enterprise；
and to be foiled just when Freda seemed within reach
was a terrible disappointment。
〃My only consolation is；〃 Edmund said as he paced the
deck impatiently side by side with Egbert； 〃that this fog which
delays us will also hinder the Danes。〃
〃That may be so or it may not；〃 Egbert answered。 〃It is
evident that some on board the Danish ships must have recognized
us； and that they were anxious to escape rather than fight。
They draw so little water that they would not be afraid
of the sandbanks off the mouth of the river； seeing that even
if they strike them they can jump out； lighten the boats； and
push them off； and once well out at sea it is probable that
they may get clearer weather； for Siegbert tells me that the
fog often lies thick at the mouths of these rivers when it is
clear enough in the open sea。〃
When the tide again began to run out Edmund determined
at all risks to proceed to sea。 The moorings were cast
off from the shore and the Dragon suffered to drift down。
Men with poles took their stations in her bows and sounded
continually； while at her stern two anchors were prepared in
readiness to drop at a moment's notice。 Several times the
water shoaled so much that Edmund was on the point of
giving orders to drop the anchors； but each time it deepened
again。
So they continued drifting until they calculated that the
tide must be nearly on the turn； and they then dropped anchor。
It was much lighter now than it had been in the river；
but was still so misty that they could not see more than a
hundred yards or so round the vessel。 No change took place
until night； and then Edmund； who had been too excited
and anxious to sleep on the previous night； lay down to rest；
ordering that he should be woke if any change took place in
the weather。 As the sun rose next morning the fog gradually
lifted； and they were able to see where they were。 Their head
pointed west； far away on their left could be seen a low line of
coast。 Not a sail was in sight； and indeed sails would have
been useless； for the water was still unruffled by a breath of
wind。 The anchors were at once got up and the oars manned；
and the ship's head turned towards shore。
Two hours' rowing took them within a short distance of
land； and keeping about a mile out they rowed to the west。
The men； knowing how anxious was their leader to overtake
the Danish galleys； rowed their hardest； relieving each other
by turns； so that half the oars were constantly going。 Without
intermission they rowed until night set in； and then cast anchor。
When the wind cameit was not until the third dayit was ahead；
and instead of helping the Dragon it greatly impeded its progress。
So far they had seen nothing of the galleys； and had the
mortification of knowing that in spite of all their efforts these
were probably gaining ground upon them every day。 Even
without wind the galleys would row faster than the Dragon；
and being so fully manned would be able to keep all their
oars going； but against the wind their advantage would be
increased greatly； for lying low in the water they would offer
but little resistance to it； and would be able to make way at a
brisk pace； while the Dragon could scarce move against it。
The Saxon ship was off Calais when the breeze sprang
up； and as it increased and their progress became slower and
slower Edmund held a consultation with his companions and
it was determined to run across the channel and lie in the
mouth of the Thames till the wind turned。 So long as it
continued to blow they would lag farther and farther behind
the chase； who might； moreover enter any of the rivers in
search of shelter or provisions； and so escape their pursuers
altogether。 Siegbert had never been up the Mediterranean；
but he had talked with many Danes who had been。 These
had told him that the best course was to sail west to the
extremity of England； then to steer due south until they came
upon the north coast of Spain。 They would follow this to its
western extremity； and then run south； following the land
till they came to a channel some ten miles wide； which formed
the entrance to the Mediterranean。
They decided； therefore； to follow this course in hopes
of interrupting the galleys there； they would thus avoid the
dangerous navigation of the west coast of France； where there
were known to be many islands and rocks； around which the
tides ran with great fury。 For a fortnight the Dragon lay
windbound； then came two days of calm； and then； to their
delight； the pennon on the top of the mast blew out
from the east。
They were lying in the mouth of the Colne； and would
therefore have no difficulty in making the Foreland； and with
her sail set and her oars out the Dragon dashed away from
her moorings。 Swiftly they ran round the south…easterly point
of England and then flew before the breeze along the southern
coast。 On the third day they were off Land's End and
hauled her head to the south。 The east wind held； the Bay of
Biscay was calm； and after a rapid voyage they sighted the
high lands of Spain ahead。 Then they sheered to the west till
they rounded its extremity and then sailed down the coast of
Spain。 They put into a river for provisions； and the natives
assembled in great numbers on the banks with the evident
intention of opposing a landing； but upon Egbert shouting
that they were not Danes but Saxons； and were ready to barter
for the provisions they required； the natives allowed them
to approach。 There was no wrangling for terms。 Cattle were
purchased； and the water…tanks filled up； and a few hours
after entering the river the Dragon was again under way。
Rounding the southern point they followed the land。 After a
day's sailing they perceived land on their right； and gave a
shout of joy at the thought that they had arrived at the
entrance of the straits。 At nightfall they dropped anchor。
〃What are you looking at； Siegbert？〃 Edmund asked；
seeing the jarl looking thoughtfully at the anchor…chain
as the ship swung round。
〃I am thinking；〃 the jarl said； 〃that we must have made
some error。 Do you not see that she rides； just as we were
sailing； with her head to the north…east？ That shows that the
current is against us。〃
〃Assuredly it does；〃 Edmund said； 〃but the current is a
very slack one； for the ropes are not tight。〃
〃But that agrees not；〃 Siegbert said； 〃with what I have
been told。 In the first place； this channel points to the
northeast； whereas； as I have heard； the straits into the
Mediterranean run due east。 In the next place； those who have
been through have told me that there are no tides as in the
northern seas； but that the current runs ever like a river to
the east。〃
〃If that be so；〃 Edmund said； 〃we must have mistaken
our way； for here what current there is runs to the west。
To…morrow morning； instead of proceeding farther； we will cross
to the opposite side； and will follow that down