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the Danes。 Algar； however； declared that he would die rather
than retreat。
〃If we fly now；〃 he said； 〃all East Anglia will fall into the
hands of the heathen。 Even should we fight and fall； the
example of what a handful of brave men can do against the
invaders will surely animate the Angles to further resistance；
while if we conquer； so great a blow will be dealt to the
renown of these Danes that all England will rise against them。〃
On hearing these words all the chiefs came to the determination
to win or die as they stood。 Eldred took Edmund aside after
this determination had been arrived at。
〃My son；〃 he said； 〃I allowed you yesterday to stand by
my side in battle； and well and worthily did you bear yourself；
but to…day you must withdraw。 The fight is well…nigh
hopeless； and I believe that all who take part in it are doomed
to perish。 I would not that my house should altogether
disappear； and shall die more cheerfully in the hope that some
day you will avenge me upon these heathen。 Therefore；
Edmund； I bid you take station at a distance behind the battle；
so that when you see the day goes against us you may escape
in time。 I shall urge our faithtul Egbert to endeavour； when
he sees that all is lost； to make his way from the fight and
rejoin you； and to journey with you to Wessex and there
present you to the king。 For myself； if the battle is lost I shall
die rather than fly。 Such is the resolution of Algar and our
other brave chiefs； and Eldred the ealdorman must not be
the only one of the leaders to run from the fray。〃
Edmund was deeply touched at his father's words； but
the parental rule was so strict in those days that it did not
even enter his mind to protest against Eldred's decision。
As the morning went on the Danes were engaged in the
funeral ceremonies of their dead kings； while the Saxons；
quiet and resolute； received the holy sacrament and prepared
for the fight。 Algar chose a position on rising ground。 He
himself with Eldred commanded the centre； Toley and Morcar
led the right wing； Osgot and Harding the left。
Each of these wings contained about five hundred men。
Algar's centre； which was a little withdrawn from its wings；
contained about 200 of his best warriors； and was designed
as a reserve； with which； if need be； he could move to the
assistance of either of the wings which might be sorely pressed
and in danger。 The Saxons formed in a solid mass with their
bucklers linked together。 The Danish array which issued out
from their camp was vastly superior in numbers； and was
commanded by four kings and eight jarls or earls； while two
kings and four earls remained in charge of the camp； and of
the great crowd of prisoners； for the most part women and
children； whom they had brought with them。
With the Danes who had come down from Yorkshire
were a large body of horsemen； who charged furiously down
upon the Saxons； but these maintained so firm an array with
their lances and spears projecting outward that the Danes
failed to break through them； and after making repeated efforts
and suffering heavy loss they drew back。 Then the Danish
archers and slingers poured in a storm of missiles； but
these effected but little harm； as the Saxons stooped a little
behind their closely packed line of bucklers； which were stout
enough to keep out the shower of arrows。 All day the struggle
continued。 Again and again the Danes strove to break the
solid Saxon array； and with sword and battle…axe attempted
to hew down the hedge of spears； but in vain。 At last their
leaders； convinced that they could not overcome the obstinacy
of the resistance； ordered their followers to feign a retreat。
As the Danes turned to fly the Saxons set up a triumphant
shout； and breaking up their solid phalanx rushed after them
in complete disorder。 In vain Algar； Osgot； Toley；
Eldred； ahd the other readers shouted to them to stand firm。
Weary of their long inactivity； and convinced that the Danes
were routed； the Saxons pursued them across the plain。
Suddenly the Danish horse； who after failing to break through
the ranks had remained apart at a short distance from the
conflict； dashed down upon the disordered Saxons； while
the flying infantry turning round also fell upon them with
exulting shouts。
Taken wholly by surprise； confused and disordered； the
Saxons could offer no effectual opposition to the charge。 The
Danish horse rode among them hewing and slaying； and the
swords and battle…axes of the footmen completed the work。
In a few minutes of all the Saxon band which had for so
many hours successfully resisted the onslaught of the Danes；
not one survived save a few fleet…footed young men who；
throwing away their arms； succeeded in making their escape；
and a little group； consisting of Algar； Toley； Eldred； and the
other leaders who had gathered together when their men
broke their ranks and had taken up their position on a knoll
of ground rising above the plain。 Here for a long time they
resisted the efforts of the whole of the Danes； surrounding
themselves with a heap of slain； but at length one by one they
succumbed to the Danish onslaught； each fighting valiantly
to the last。
》From his position at a distance Edmund watched the
last desperate struggle。 With streaming eyes and a heart torn
by anxiety for his father he could see the Danish foe swarming
round the little band who defended the crest。 These
were lost from his sight； and only the flashing of swords
showed where the struggle was still going on in the centre of
the confused mass。 Edmund had been on his knees for some
time； but he now rose。
〃Come； old boy；〃 he said to the hound； who lay beside
him watching the distant conflict and occasionally uttering
deep angry growls。 〃I must obey my father's last command；
let us away。〃
He took one more glance at the distant conflict before
turning。 It was plain that it was nearly finished。 The swords
had well…nigh ceased to rise and fall when he saw a sudden
movement in the throng of Danes and suddenly a man burst
out from them and started at headlong speed towards him；
pursued by a number of Danes。 Even at that distance Edmund
thought that he recognized the tall figure of his kinsman；
but he had no time to assure himself of this； and he at once；
accompanied by the hound； set off at the top of his speed
from the field of battle。 He had fully a quarter of a mile
start； and being active and hardy and accustomed to exercise
from his childhood； he had no fear that the Danes would
overtake him。 Still he ran his hardest。
Looking over his shoulder from time to time he saw that
at first the Danes who were pursuing the fugitive were gaining
upon him also； but after a time he again increased the
distance； while； being unencumbered with shield or heavy
weapons； the fugitive kept the advantage he had at first gained。
Three miles from the battle…field Edmund reached the edge
of a wide…spreading wood。 Looking round as he entered its
shelter he saw that the flying Saxon was still about a quarter
of a mile behind him； and that the Danes； despairing of
over…taking him； had ceased their pursuit。 Edmund therefore
checked his footsteps and