ls to cross the marsh
to the bridge and town, two miles away, was a camp that guarded the
causeway through the level.

We went quickly as a great host may, and Alfred had so ordered
matters that even as we set out from Iglea, Odda and his force were
moving in battle array from the Petherton heights on the Quantock
side of the town, as if to attack it. That was what Guthrum had
looked for since the time we had beaten Hubba, and the only attack
which could have seemed possible in any way.

It is likely that he overrated the number which Odda had with him;
for those who escaped us at Combwich had not been near enough to
see from the far side of the river how small our force was, and
would make much of those who had been able to overcome their
mightiest chief. Moreover, since that time seven weeks had gone by,
and the gathering of Devon might be greater yet. So it was, indeed;
but Odda had not a thousand men. Perhaps, too, the Danes feared
some sally from the fens; but however it was, they made not the
mistake which destroyed Hubba by despising us rashly, for Guthrum
drew his whole force together, and left the hills for a march
towards the town which he heard was threatened.

So when we came to Edington, Guthrum's hill fort was empty, save
for a camp guard to keep the country folk who lurked in wood and
fen from pillaging it. These men fled, and we stood on the ridge
without striking one blow; and King Alfred turned to us, and cried
that surely his plan was working out well.

Then our host lined the ridge, and a mighty Saxon cheer from ten
thousand throats went pealing across the valley below us, and they
say that shout was heard even in Bridgwater. Guthrum heard it as he
rode with his host across the long causeway, and his men heard it
and halted, and saw in their rear the blaze of war gear that shone
from their own lines, and knew that they were pent in between fens
and hills, with an unknown force ready to fall on them.

Whereon a panic very nearly seized them. Hubba's end was fresh in
their minds, and it needed all that Guthrum could say to prevent
them making for the town. But he minded them of old victories, and
bade them not fear to face the despised Saxons once again, and they
rallied. But it was noon before he could lead them to attack us,
and by that time he learned that Odda had halted above the town,
and need not be feared. But by that time also every post of vantage
along the hills was in our hands, and