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the end of that time they entered a wood high up on the hillside。
There was a great clamour of voices round； and he
judged that his conductors had met another party and that
they were at the end of their journey。
The litters were now laid down and Edmund struggled
to his feet。 Before him stood a tall and handsome man in the
attire of a person of the upper class。 The old peasant was
explaining to him the manner of their capture of the prisoners；
and the reason why they had spared their lives。
〃How is it；〃 the noble asked when he had finished； turning
to Edmund； 〃that you who are Danes and pagans； plunderers
and murderers； claim to be Christians？〃
Edmund did not understand the entire address； but he
had already picked up a little Italian； which was not difficult
for him from his acquaintance with French。
〃We are not Danes；〃 he said； 〃we are their enemies； I am
a Saxon earl； and this my friend is a noble of Genoa。〃
〃A Saxon！〃 the Italian exclaimed in surprise； 〃one of the
people of King Alfred； and this a Genoese noble！ How is it
that you are masquerading here as Danes？〃
〃I speak but a few words of Italian；〃 Edmund said； 〃but
my friend will tell you the whole story when he recovers。
I pray you to order aid to be given to him at once。〃
Although still at a loss to understand how it had come
about； the Count of Ugolifor it was that noble himself…
saw that his prisoner's statement must be a true one。 In their
native patois he hastily told the peasants that there must be
some mistake； and that although their prisoners seemed to
be Danes they were really Christians and friends； He bade
them then instantly to strip off their armour； to bind up their
wounds； and to use all their efforts to restore them to life；
At his bidding one of the peasants brought a wine…skin；
and filling a large cup with the liquid； offered it to Edmund。
The latter drained it at a draught； for he was devoured by a
terrible thirst。 After this he felt revived； and soon had the
satisfaction of seeing his comrades recovering under the
ministrations of the peasants； who chafed their hands； applied
cool poultices of bruised leaves to their bruises； and poured
wine down their throats。
In half an hour the Genoese was sufficiently recovered
to be able to sit up and to give a full account of their presence
there； and of their object in assuming the disguise of Danes。
He then told the count that Edmund intended to reconnoitre
the place alone； and that he hoped he and his people
would attack the town； while the Saxons in their galley made
an assault from the sea。 The count replied that the peasantry
could not be induced to take such a step。
〃I will； however； aid your friend；〃 he said； 〃by a feigned
attack to…morrow evening when he is there。 This may help
him to escape； and if the Danes sally out next day in pursuit
there will be the fewer for him to cope with。〃
When Edmund awoke the next morning he found himself
able to walk and move without difficulty and with but
little pain； thanks to the care of the peasants； and in the
afternoon； being furnished by the count with a guide； he started
for the town。
When he arrived within a short distance he dismissed
his guide and lay down in some bushes till nightfall； then he
rose and made his way into the town； passing unobserved
between the watch…fires made by the parties of Danes encamped
in its outskirts to protect it against surprise。 Once
in the town； he walked boldly on； having no fear of
recognition or question。
Sounds of carousing came through the open casements；
but few people were in its streets。 He made his way down to
the sea…shore； which he followed until he came to a large and
stately mansion standing in beautifully laid out gardens at
the end of the town。 Several tents were erected in the garden；
and although the night was not cold great fires had been
lighted； around which the Danes were carousing。
Avoiding these Edmund walked up to the open windows。
The first room he looked into was deserted； but in the next；
which was a large apartment； a number of Danes were seated
at table。 At its head sat Sweyn with Freda on his right hand。
Around were a number of his leading men； the captains of
the galleys and their wives。 The meal was over； and the winecup
was passing round。 A number of attendants moved about
the room； and many of the warriors who had supped elsewhere
stood around the table； joining in the conversation
and taking their share of the wine。
Edmund saw at once that he could not hope for a more
favourable opportunity； and he accordingly entered the mansion；
and； passing through the open door； joined the party
within； keeping himself in rear of those standing round the
table； so that the light from the lamps placed there should
not fall upon his face。
Just as he had taken his place； Sweyn called out：
〃Let us have a song。 Odoacre the minstrel； do you sing
to us the song of the Raven。〃
A minstrel bearing a small harp advanced into the centre
of the horse…shoe table； and after striking a chord； began
to sing； or rather to chant one of the favourite songs of the
sea…rovers。
A shout of applause rose from the Danes as the minstrel
ceased； and holding their goblets high above their heads； they
drank to the Raven。
While the singing was going on Edmund quietly made
his way round to one of the open windows。 It was the hour at
which the count had promised to make his attack； and he
listened eagerly for any sound which might tell that the
peasants had begun their work。 Other songs followed the first；
and Edmund began to be afraid that the courage of the peasants
had failed at the last moment。
Suddenly he saw lights appear at five or six points in the
distance； and； putting his head out； he thought he could hear
distant cries and shouts。 The lights grew brighter； and soon
broad tongues of flame shot up。 Shouts at once arose from
the guards without。 Some of the revellers hearing these went
to the windows to see what was happening； and gave a cry of
alarm。 〃Sweyn； we must be attacked； fires are rising in the
outskirts of the town。〃
〃These cowards would never venture to disturb us；〃
Sweyn said scornfully； 〃of all the foes we have ever met none
were so feeble and timid as these Italians。〃
〃But see； Sweyn； the flames are rising from eight points；
this cannot be accident。〃
Sweyn rose from his seat and went to the window。
〃No； by Wodin；〃 he exclaimed； 〃there is mischief here；
let us arm ourselves； and do you；〃 he said； turning to a young
man； 〃run swiftly to the outposts； and learn what is the
meaning of this。〃
Scarcely； however； had he spoken when a man ran breathlessly
into the hall。
〃Haste to the front； jarl；〃 he said to Sweyn； 〃we are attacked。
Some of the enemy creeping in between our fires set
fire to the houses in the outskirts； and as we leapt to our feet
in astonishment at the sudden outbreak； they fell upon us。
Many of my comrades were killed with the first discharge of
arrows； then they rushed on in such numbers that many more
were slain； and the rest driven in。 How it fares with the other
posts I know not； but methinks they were all attacked at the
sa