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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
same moment。 I waited not to see； for my captain bade me
speed here with the news。〃
〃Sound the horn of assembly；〃 Sweyn said。 〃Do you；
Oderic； take twenty of the guard without； and at once conduct
the ladies here to the boats and get them on board the
galleys。 Let all others hasten to the scene of attack。 But I
can hardly even now believe that this coward herd intend to
attack us in earnest。〃
In the confusion which reigned as the warriors were
seizing their shields and arms； Edmund approached Freda；
who had with the rest risen from her seat。
〃The Dragon is at hand；〃 he whispered； 〃in a few hours
we will attack Sweyn's galley； barricade yourself in your cabin
until the fight is over。〃
Freda gave a little start as Edmund's first words reached
her ear。 Then she stood still and silent。 She felt her hand
taken and pressed； and glancing round； met Edmund's eye
for a moment just as he turned and joined the Danes who
were leaving the hall。 A minute later Oderic entered with
the guard； and at once escorted the women down to the boats；
and rowed them off to the galleys。
Sweyn and the main body of the Danes rushed impetuously
to the outskirts of the town。 The fighting was already
at an end； the peasants having withdrawn after their first
success。 Two or three of the parties round the watch…fires
had been annihilated before they could offer any effectual
resistance； others had beaten off the attack； and had fallen
back in good order to the houses； losing； however； many men
on the way from the arrows which their assailants shot among
them。
Sweyn and the Norsemen were furious at the loss they
had suffered； but as pursuit would have been useless； there
was nothing to be done for the present； and after posting
strong guards in case the attack should be renewed； the Danish
leaders returned to the banqueting hall； where； over renewed
draughts of wine； a council was held。
Most of those present were in favour of sending out a
strong expedition on the following day to avenge the attack；
but Sweyn argued that it might be that the natives had
assembled from all parts of the island； and that this sudden
attack； the like of which had not been attempted before； was
perhaps made only to draw them out into an ambush or to
attack the town in their absence。 Therefore he urged it was
better to delay making an expedition for a short time； when
they would find the enemy unprepared。
After some discussion Sweyn's arguments prevailed； and it
was determined to postpone the expedition for a few days。
CHAPTER XIX： UNITED
No sooner did Edmund find himself outside the mansion
than he separated himself from the Danes； and
following the sea…shore； set out on his return to the
Dragon。 The tide was out； and although the night was dark
he had no difficulty in finding his way along the shore；
keeping close to the margin of the waves。 When he approached
the headland he was forced to take to the land； as the waves
beat against the foot of the rock。 Guided by the stars he
made his way across the cape and came down on to the shore
of the bay。
A light was burning on the poop of the Dragon； and his
hail was at once answered。 A few minutes later a boat touched
the shore beside him； and he was soon on board the ship；
and at once held council with Egbert and Siegbert； to whom
he related all that had happened。 He learned from them
that his two wounded comrades had been brought down to
the beach that evening by the country people； and had told
them how narrow an escape they had had of death at the
hands of the enraged peasants。
After a discussion of all the different plans upon which
they might act； it was determined that the attempt to rescue
Freda should be made at once； as they considered it certain
that Sweyn with a large portion of his band would set out at
daybreak to take vengeance upon the natives。
The plan decided upon was that they should proceed
along the shore； and that if the Danish galleys； being
undermanned； did not put out in pursuit； they should sail in
and attack them。 The Danes were indeed greatly superior in
force； for they had counted the ships； the smallest of which
would carry a hundred men。 Still in the absence of a portion
of their crews； and from the effects of surprise； they thought
that success was possible。
The next morning sail was hoisted； and the Dragon made
her way along the coast。 The hour was later than that at
which she had shown herself on the previous day。 She sailed
on until within two miles of the town； and then suddenly
turned her head seaward； as if she had only then perceived
the Danish vessels。 The instant she did so a great bustle was
observed among them。 Many boats were seen pushing off
from shore crowded with men； oars were got out； and sails
loosed。
〃From the number of men who are crowding on board；〃 Egbert said；
〃I believe that Sweyn cannot have started in pursuit of
the natives； in that case we shall have a hard fight of it。〃
〃So much the better；〃 Siegbert exclaimed。 〃I should consider
our task was half accomplished if we rescued Freda without
punishing Sweyn。 Let them come；〃 he said； shaking his
battle…axe at the galleys。 〃Though my leg is stiff my arms are
not； as Sweyn shall learn if I meet him。〃
The Dragon's oars were now put out and the galley…slaves
began to row； the Saxons concealing themselves behind the
bulwarks。 In a few minutes the whole of the Danish galleys
were unmoored and started in the pursuit of the supposed
Italian vessel。 The breeze was light； but somewhat helped
the Dragon。 Four of the Northmen vessels were large ships
with sails； and these speedily fell behind； but the others with
their oars gained slowly on the Dragon。
Edmund saw with satisfaction that the two galleys of
Sweyn； which he at once recognized； were somewhat faster
than their consorts； and the slaves were made to row as hard
as they could in order to prolong the chase as much as possible；
by which means Sweyn's galleys would be the further
separated from the others。
After the pursuit had been continued for some miles
Sweyn's galleys were but a few hundred yards in the rear； and
were nearly a quarter of a mile ahead of those of their
comrades； which had gained but little upon the Dragon since the
chase began。 Edmund ordered the men to cease rowing； as
if despairing of escape。 The Genoese took their station on
the poop； and as Sweyn's galley came rushing up they shouted
to it that they would surrender if promised their lives。 The
Northmen answered with a shout of triumph and derision；
and dashed alongside。
Sweyn's own galley was slightly in advance of the others。
Edmund ordered the oars to be pulled in as the
Northmen came up； so as to allow them to come alongside。
Not a word was spoken on board the Dragon till the Danes；
leaving their oars； swarmed up the side headed by Sweyn
himself。 Then Edmund gave a shout； the Saxons leaped to
their feet； and raising their battle…cry fell upon the
astonished Danes。
Those who had climbed up were instantly cut down or