the dragon and the raven-第54章
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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
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 w
