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defence of Paris the holy father told him that he now recognized
his name； for that a full account of the siege had been
sent to him by one of the monks there； and that he had spoken
much of the valour of a Saxon captain and the crew of
his galley； to whom indeed their successful resistance to the
Northmen was in no slight degree due。
〃Would I could aid you； my son； in your enterprise against
these northern pirates。 The depredations which they are
committing on the shores of Italy are terrible indeed； and we
are powerless to resist them； they have even threatened to
ascend the Tiber and attack Rome； and though I trust that
we might resist their attacks； yet rather than such misfortune
as a siege should fall upon my people I have paid a large sum
of money to the leader of the Northmen to abstain from coming
hither； but I know that the greed of these pirates does
but increase with their gains； and that ere long we may see
their pagan banner floated before our walls。 A few galleys I
could man and place under your orders； but in truth the
people of this town are not skilled in naval fighting。 I have
already endeavoured to unite the states of Genoa； Pisa； and
Venice against them； for it is only by common effort that we
can hope to overwhelm these wolves of the sea。〃
Edmund expressed his thanks to the pope for his offer；
but said that he would rather proceed with the Dragon alone。
〃She is to the full as swift as the Northmen's vessels；〃 he
said； 〃and although I would right gladly join any great fleet
which might be assembled for an attack upon them； I would
rather proceed alone than with a few other ships。 Not being
strong enough to attack their whole armament I must depend
upon stratagem to capture the galley of which I am
specially in pursuit； and will with your permission set out as
soon as I have transformed my ship so that she will pass muster
as a galley of Genoa or Venice。〃
The holy father gave orders that every assistance should
be afforded to Edmund to carry out his designs； and the next
morning a large number of artisans and workmen took possession
of the Dragon。 She was painted from stem to stern
with bright colours。 Carved wood…work was added to her
forecastle and poop； and a great deal of gilding overlaid upon
her。 The shape of her bow was altered； and so transformed
was she that none would have known her for the vessel which
had entered the Tiber； and she would have passed without
observation as a galley of Genoa。
A number of prisoners accustomed to row in the state
galleys were placed on board to work the oars； thus leaving
the whole of the crew available for fighting purposes； and a
state officer was put in command of these galley…slaves。 The
ship was well stored with provisions； and after a farewell
interview with the pope； Edmund and his companions returned
on board ship； and the Dragon took her way down the river。
The fleet of the Northmen was at Palermo； and keeping
under the land； the Saxon ship sailed down the coast of
Calabria； and at night crossed near the mouth of the straits
to the shore of Sicily。 They entered a quiet bay； and Edmund
dressed as a Dane； with the two Northmen who had accompanied
him from Paris； landed and journeyed on foot to Palermo。
Everywhere they came upon scenes similar to those with
which they were familiar in France。 Villages burned and
destroyed； houses deserted； orchards and crops wasted； and
a country destitute of inhabitants； all having fled to the
mountains to escape the invader。 They did not meet with a single
person upon their journey。 When they approached Palermo
they waited until nightfall； and then boldly entered the town。
Here the most intense state of misery prevailed。 Many of the
inhabitants had fled before the arrival of the Danes； but those
who remained were kept in a state of cruel subjection by their
conquerors； who brutally oppressed and ill…used them； making
free with all their possessions and treating them as slaves。
The Danes entered into conversation with some of their
countrymen； and professing to have that evening but newly
arrived from home； learned much of the disposition of the
fleet of the Northmen。 They pretended that they were desirous
of joining the galleys under the command of Sweyn； and
were told that these had arrived three weeks before； and were
now absent with some others on the southern side of the
island。
Having obtained this information； Edmund and his companions
started without delay to rejoin the Dragon。 Upon
reaching her she at once put to sea。 Palermo was passed in
the night； and the vessel held her way down the western coast
of Sicily。 She was now under sail alone； and each night lay
up at anchor in order that she might not pass the Danish
galleys unobserved。 On the third day after passing Palermo；
several galleys were seen riding off a small port。 The wind
was very light； and after a consultation with his friends
Edmund determined to simulate flight so as to tempt the
Danes to pursue； for with so light a breeze their smaller
galleys would row faster than the Dragon； besides； it was
possible that Sweyn might be on shore。
It was early morning when the Danish galleys were seen；
and apparently the crews were still asleep； for no movement
on board was visible； and the Dragon sailed back round a
projecting point of land and then cast anchor。 It was so
important to learn whether Sweyn was with Freda on board his
ship； or whether； as was likely； he had established himself on
shore； that it was decided it would be better to send the two
Danes to reconnoitre before determining what plan should
be adopted。
CHAPTER XVIII： FREDA DISCOVERED
The spies upon their return reported that Sweyn had
taken up his abode in the mansion of the Count of Ugoli；
who was the lord of that part of the country。
Most of the Danes lived on shore in the houses of the
townspeople。 Many of these had been slain； and the rest were
treated as slaves。 The lady Freda was also on shore； and it
was thought that she would ere long become the bride of the
Viking。
〃Think you that there will be any possibility of surprising
the house and carrying her off？〃
〃I think not；〃 the Dane said； 〃for Sweyn's men are on
the alert； and keep good guard； for the people of this part of
the island； being maddened by their exactions and cruelty；
have banded themselves together； and although they cannot
withstand the strong parties which go out in search of plunder
they cut off stragglers； and have made several attacks on
small parties。 It is thought that they may even venture an
attack upon the place at night； therefore sentries are set； and
a portion of the force remains always under arms in readiness
to sally out in case of alarm。〃
〃I would fain go myself；〃 Edmund said； 〃and see how
matters stand； and try to communicate with Freda。 It may be
that her long resistance has tired her out； and that she is at
the point of consenting to become Sweyn's bride。〃
〃I think not that；〃 Siegbert replied。 〃When Freda has
once made up her mind she is not given to change。〃
〃I doubt not her resolution；〃 Edmund said； 〃but none
can blame her if； after all the