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To…morrow morning； instead of proceeding farther； we will cross
to the opposite side； and will follow that down until we strike
upon the right channel。〃
In the morning sail was again made； and crossing what
was really the Bay of Cadiz they sailed on till they arrived at
the mouth of the straits。 There was no doubt now that they
were right。 The width of the channel； its direction； and the
steady current through it； all corresponded with what Siegbert
had heard； and proceeding a mile along it they cast anchor。
They soon opened communications with the natives；
who； although speaking a tongue unknown to them； soon
comprehended by their gestures and the holding up of articles
of barter that their intentions were friendly。 Trade was
established； and there was now nothing to do but to await
the coming of the galleys。
〃I would；〃 Edmund said； as； when evening was closing；
he looked across the straits at the low hills on the opposite
side； 〃that this passage was narrower。 Sweyn will； doubtless；
have men on board his ship who have sailed in these seas
before； and will not need to grope his way along as we have
done。 If he enters the straits at night we shall see nothing of
him； and the current runs so fast that he would sweep speedily
by。 It is possible； indeed； that he has already passed。 If he
continued to row down the shores of France all the time we
were lying wind…bound he would have had so long a start when
the east wind began to blow； that； although the galleys carry
but little sail； they might well have been here some days
before us。 Sweyn would be anxious to join Hasting as soon as
he could。 The men would be thirsting for booty； and would
make but short halt anywhere。 I will stay but a week。 If in
that time they come not we will enter this southern sea and
seek the fleet of Hasting。 When we find that we shall find
Sweyn； but I fear that the search will be a long one； for these
people speak not our tongue； and we shall have hard work in
gaining tidings of the whereabouts of the Northmen's fleet。〃
Day and night a vigilant watch was kept up from the
mast…head of the Dragon； but without success。 Each day they
became more and more convinced that Sweyn must be ahead
of them； and on the morning of the seventh they lifted their
anchor and proceeded through the straits。 Many had been
the consultations between Edmund and his friends； and it
had been determined at last to sail direct for Rome。 Siegbert
knew that by sailing somewhat to the north of east； after
issuing from the passage； they would in time arrive at Italy。
At Rome there was a monastery of Saxon monks； and
through them they would be able to obtain full information
as to the doings and whereabouts of the squadron of Hasting。
Scarcely were they through the straits than the wind；
veering to the south…east； prevented them from making the
course they had fixed upon； but they were able to coast along
by the shore of Spain。 They put into several small ports as
they cruised up； but could obtain no intelligence of the Danes；
being unable to converse except by signs。
When they reached Marseilles they were pleased to meet
with Franks； with whom they could converse； and hired a
pilot acquainted with the coasts of the Mediterranean。 They
learned that Hasting and his fleet had harried the coasts of
Provence and Italy； that the Genoese galleys had had several
engagements with them； but had been worsted。
The Danish fleet was now off the coast of Sicily； and
the Northmen were ravaging that rich and fertile island。
They were reported to have even threatened to ascend the Tiber
and to burn Rome。 Having obtained the services of a man
who spoke both the Italian and Frankish tongues； Edmund
started again。 He first went to Genoa； as he thought that the
people there might be despatching another fleet against the
Northmen in which case he would have joined himself to
them。 On his arrival there he was well entertained by the
Genoese when they learned； through the interpreter； who
they were； and that they had come from England as enemies
of the Danes。
Edmund and his Saxons were much surprised at the
splendour of Genoa； which immensely surpassed anything
they had hitherto seen in the magnificence of its buildings；
the dress and appearance of its inhabitants； the variety of
the goods displayed by the traders； and the wealth and luxury
which distinguished it。 It was indeed their first sight of
civilization； and Edmund felt how vastly behind was Northern
Europe； and understood for the first time Alfred's extreme
eagerness to raise the condition of his people。 On the other
hand； the Genoese were surprised at the dress and appearance
of the Saxons。
The crew of the Dragon were picked men； and their
strength and stature； the width of their shoulders； and the
muscles of their arms； and； above all； their fair hair and blue
eyes； greatly astonished the Genoese。 Edmund and his companions
might have remained in Genoa and received entertainment
and hospitality from its people for a long time； but
after a stay of a day or two； and having obtained the various
stores necessary for their voyage； Edmund determined to
proceed。 Three of the young Genoese nobles； fired by the
story which they heard of the adventures which the Dragon
had gone through； and desirous of taking part in any action
which she might fight against the Danes； begged leave to
accompany them。
Edmund gladly acceded to the request； as their presence
would be of great utility in other ports at which the
Dragon might touch。 At Genoa Edmund procured garments
for his men similar to those worn by the Italian soldiers and
sailors； and here he sold to the gold and silversmiths a large
number of articles of value which they had captured from
the Danes； or with which the Count Eudes and the people of
Paris had presented them。
The Dragon differed but little in appearance from the
galleys of the Genoese； and Edmund determined when he
approached the shores where the Northmen were plundering
to pass as a Genoese ship； for should the news come to
Sweyn's ears that a Saxon galley was in the Mediterranean it
might put him on his guard； as he would believe that she was
specially in pursuit of his own vessel。
On arriving at the mouth of the Tiber the Dragon ascended
the river and anchored under the walls of the imperial city。
The Genoese nobles had many friends and relations there；
and Edmund； Egbert； and Siegbert were at once installed as
guests in a stately palace。
The pope； upon hearing that the strange galley which
had anchored in the river was a Saxon； sent an invitation to
its commander to visit him； and Edmund and his kinsman
were taken by their Italian friends to his presence。 The pope
received them most graciously； and after inquiring after King
Alfred and the state of things in England； asked how it was
that a Saxon ship had made so long a voyage。
Edmund explained that he was in search of a Danish
damsel who had once shown him great kindness； and who
had been carried off from her father by one of the vikings of
Hasting's fleet。 When he said that they had taken part in the
defence of Paris the holy father told him tha