care for the wounded, or
who has known a wound of his own and the way it was cared for, go
among these brave ones and help them."

Nor would he leave the place till he saw men going up and down
among the hurt, tending them as well as they could; and he was the
more content when he saw Bishop Sigehelm and many other clergy come
on the field from the rear, where he had bidden them stay. The
bishop had mail under his robes, having been eager to join in the
fight, as would Eahlstan, his great forerunner, have certainly
joined; but Alfred would not suffer him to do so.

Once more Guthrum tried to rally his men, when the flight bore him
to his camp at the hill foot, on the way across the fens to the
town. There was a sharp fight there, and Ethelnoth was wounded as
he led on his men; and thence the Danes fled to Bridgwater, making
no more delay. So close on them were our men that Guthrum's
housecarls closed the gates after their king on many of their
comrades, who fell under the Saxon spear in sight of safety. Nor
did we give them time to drive in the cattle that were gathered
from all the countryside to the meadows round the place.

Then came Thord to me and put me in mind of somewhat.

"Now is our work to be done, king. These Danes will take Hubba's
ships and be gone down the river next. We must stop them in some
way, for the king's plan is to starve them out, as it seems."

We had left the king at that time, for we would not suffer him to
join in pursuit, which has its dangers, if men turn desperate and
make a stand, as many did, dying like brave warriors that they
were. So I rode on quickly with my followers, and came to the river
bank below the bridge. The Danes were swarming on the ramparts of
the fortress like angry bees, and in the ships, which lay beneath
the walls, men were busy, even as Thord had guessed they would be,
making ready to sail when tide served. We could not reach them by
any means, for every boat had been taken from this side long ago,
when the first news of defeat was brought back by flying horsemen.

Then Thord's face glowered under his helm, and he pointed to the
ship that was farthest from the bridge, and therefore likely to be
the first to start away when the tide was full. It was my own ship,
which they had got afloat.

"Thor's hammer smite them!" he growled; "they have launched the old
keel without finishing her painting--just as I left her. How are we
to stay their going off with her?"