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gathered together gave heart and confidence to all。 Algar；
Eldred； and the other leaders； Morcar； Osgot； and Harding；
moved about among the host； encouraging them with cheering
words； warning them to be in no way intimidated by the
fierce appearance of the Danes； but to hold steadfast and
firm in the ranks； and to yield no foot of ground to the
onslaught of the enemy。 Many priests had accompanied the
contingents from the religious houses； and these added their
exhortations to those of the leaders； telling the men that God
would assuredly fight on their side against the heathen； and
bidding each man remember that defeat meant the destruction
of their churches and altars； the overthrow of their whole
religion； and the restored worship of the pagan gods。
Edmund went about among the gathering taking great
interest in the wild scene； for these marsh men differed much
in their appearance from the settled inhabitants of his father's
lands。 The scenes in the camp were indeed varied in their
character。 Here and there were harpers with groups of
listeners gathered round； as they sung the exploits of their
fathers； and animated their hearers to fresh fire and energy by
relating legends of the cruelty of the merciless Danes。 Other
groups there were surrounding the priests； who were appealing
to their religious feelings as well as to their patriotism。
Men sat about sharpening their weapons； fixing on more
firmly the handles of their shields； adjusting arrows to
bowstrings； and preparing in other ways for the coming fight。
》From some of the fires； round which the marsh men were
sitting； came snatches of boisterous song； while here and there；
apart from the crowd； priests were hearing confessions； and
shriving penitents。
The next morning early； one of the scouts； who had
been sent to observe the movements of the Danes； reported
that these were issuing from their camp； and advancing into
the country。
Algar marshalled his host； each part under its leaders；
and moved to meet them。 Near Kesteven the armies came in
sight of each other； and after advancing until but a short
distance apart both halted to marshal their ranks anew。 Eldred；
with the men of the marshes near Croyland and the contingent
from the abbey； had their post in the central division；
which was commanded by Algar himself； Edmund took post
by his father； and Egbert stood beside him。
Edmund had never before seen the Danes； and he could
not but admit that their appearance was enough to shake the
stoutest heart。 All carried great shields covering them from
head to foot。 These were composed of wood； bark； or leather
painted or embossed； and in the cases of the chiefs plated
with gold and silver。 So large were these that in naval
encounters； if the fear of falling into the enemy's hands forced
them to throw themselves into the sea； they could float on
their shields； and after death in battle a soldier was carried
to his grave on his buckler。 As they stood facing the Saxons
they locked their shields together so as to form a barrier
well…nigh impregnable against the arrows。
All wore helmets； the common men of leather； the leaders
of iron or copper； while many in addition wore coats of
mail。 Each carried a sword； a battle…axe； and a bow and
arrows。 Some of the swords were short and curled like a
scimitar； others were long and straight； and were wielded with
both hands。 They wore their hair long and hanging down
their shoulders； and for the most part shaved their cheeks
and chins； but wore their moustaches very long。
They were； for the most； tall； lithe； and sinewy men； but
physically in no way superior to the Saxons； from whom they
differed very widely in complexion； the Saxons being fair
while the Danes were very dark； as much so as modern gypsies；
indeed； the Saxon historians speak of them as the black
pagans。 Upon the other hand many of the Northmen； being
Scandinavians； were as fair as the Saxons themselves。
The Danes began the battle； those in front shouting
fiercely； and striking their swords on their shields with a
clashing noise； while the ranks behind shot a shower of arrows
among the Saxons。 These at once replied。 The combat was
not continued long at a distance； for the Danes with a mighty
shout rushed upon the Saxons。 These stood their ground
firmly and a desperate conflict ensued。 The Saxon chiefs
vied with each other in acts of bravery； and singling out the
leaders of the Danes engaged with them in hand…to…hand
conflict。
Algar had placed his swordsmen in the front line； those
armed with spears in the second； and as the swordsmen
battled with the Danes the spearmen； when they saw a shield
uplifted to guard the head； thrust under with their weapons
and slew many。 Edmund； seeing that with his sword he should
have but little chance against these fierce soldiers； fell a little
behind his father and kinsman； and as these were engaged
with the enemy he from time to time； when he saw an opportunity；
rushed in and delivered a thrust with his spear at an
unguarded point。 The Saxon shouts rose louder and louder
as the Danes in vain endeavoured to break through their line。
The monks fought stoutly； and many a fierce Norseman fell
before their blows。
The Danes； who had not expected so firm a resistance；
began to hesitate； and Algar giving the word； the Saxons took
the offensive； and the line pressed forward step by step。 The
archers poured their arrows in a storm among the Danish
ranks。 These fell back before the onslaught。 Already three
of their kings and many of their principal leaders had fallen；
and at last； finding themselves unable to withstand the
impetuous onslaught of the Saxons； they turned and fled in
confusion towards their camp。 The Saxons with exulting
shouts pursued them； and great numbers were slaughtered。
The Danes had； however； as was their custom； fortified the
camp before advancing； and Algar drew off his troops；
deeming that it would be better to defer the attack on
this position until the following day。
There was high feasting in the Saxon camp that evening；
but this was brought to an abrupt conclusion by the arrival
of a scout； who reported that a great Danish army marching
from the Humber was approaching the camp of the compatriots。
The news was but too true。 The kings Guthorm； Bergsecg；
Oskytal； Halfdene； and Amund； and the Jarls Frene； Hingwar；
Hubba； and the two Sidrocs； with all their followers；
had marched down from Yorkshire to join the invaders
who had just landed。
The news of this immense reinforcement spread consternation
among the Angles。 In vain their leaders went about
among them and exhorted them to courage； promising them
another victory as decisive as that they had won that day。
Their entreaties were in vain； for when the morning dawned
it was found that three…fourths of their number had left the
camp during the night； and had made off to the marshes
and fastnesses。
A council of the chiefs was held。 The chances of conflict
appeared hopeless； so vastly were they out…numbered by
the Danes。 Algar； however； declared that he would die rather
than retreat。
〃If we fly now；〃 he said； 〃all East Anglia will fall