m."

So they rode, against the king's will as one might see, from the
place, and went away towards the southern gate of the town. And
seeing that the Danes were in the town I knew that all was lost,
and that here I might stay no longer if Eadgyth was to be saved.

I ran to where I had left my horse, and mounted and fled also,
following the king, for that gate led to the road along the south
bank of the river. I knew not if he had crossed the bridge or no,
but over the river was my way, and I had my own work to be done,
and some twenty miles to be covered as quickly as might be. Glad
was I that I had chosen to fight on foot that day, for my horse was
fresh.

Terrible it was to see the panic in the town as the poor folk knew
that the Danes were on them. They filled the road down which I must
go, thronging in wild terror to the gates, and I will not remember
the faces of that crowd, for they were too piteous.

Glad I was to be free from them at last, and upon the road where I
could ride freely, for as they left the town they took to the woods
and riverside swamps, and save for a few horsemen flying like
myself, the road was soon clear. Then, too, these horsemen struck
away from the road one by one, and at last I rode on alone.

Now my one thought was for those at Hoxne, and to urge them to
instant flight, and I thought that even now Humbert the Bishop
would be in the little church, waiting for the bride to come.

Then I would hasten the more, for to reach the church from Egfrid's
father's house the river Dove must be crossed; and I would keep
them from returning to this side if I could be in time, for we
might break down the timber-built bridge and so delay the crossing
of the Danes. Yet they might be for days in Thetford before they
began to raid in the country.

Swiftly I rode on, for my horse was a good one and fresh, and at
last, after many miles were passed, I came to a place where I could
see a long stretch of road before me. There rode the king on his
white horse, and with him those four thanes. I could not mistake
that party, and I thought I knew where they were going. The king
would warn my people himself, and so take refuge beyond Hoxne, on
the other side of the river, at South Elmham, with Bishop Humbert.

I rode after, but I gained little on them; nor did I care much, for
the king would do all that I might. In a few minutes more I should
know if he crossed Hoxne bridge, and if he did so they were safe