The Dragon and The Raven: Or The Days of King Alfred

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The flames rapidly spread from the gates to the walls,
which were all of wood, and soon the whole were a sheet of
flames. The little band of defenders retreated on to the end
of the bridge, and there, when the flames had sufficiently
abated to allow them to pass, the Northmen attacked them.
Edmund and Egbert were both good swimmers, but this was
an accomplishment which but few of the Franks possessed,
and none of the remnant of the garrison were able to swim.
For a long time the little band repulsed all the efforts of the
Danes, but were gradually driven back foot by foot until they
reached the edge of the chasm. Here they made a last desperate
stand, but were at length cut down or driven over by
sheer weight of numbers. Egbert and Edmund had disencumbered
themselves of all their defensive armour, and at the last
moment, throwing off their helmets and relinquishing
their spears, they plunged into the stream, diving deeply
to avoid the arrows of the Northmen.

The fact of the river being in flood, which had caused
the destruction of the tower, now proved the cause of their
safety. Had the water been clear, the Danes on the bridge
above could have marked their progress and poured a storm
of arrows upon them as they came to the surface; but its
yellow and turbid waters concealed them from sight, and each
time they rose to the surface for air they were enabled to take
a rapid breath and dive again before their enemies could
direct and launch their arrows at them.

As they drifted far down the stream, they reached the
land beyond bowshot of the Danes, and they soon entered
the town amid the loud acclamations of the citizens. The
Danes now for the most part drew off from the neighbourhood,
and the Abbe Ebble led out a sortie, which reached
the Danish camp, and driving back those whom they found
within it, set it on fire and effected their retreat to
Paris without loss, in spite of the efforts of the enemy,
who rapidly assembled at the sight of the flames.

The Danes had brought in from the surrounding country
such vast quantities of cattle, sheep, and goats, that their
camps would not suffice to hold them, and they turned the
church of St. Germain into a stable and crowded it with these
animals. The saint, as the Abbe D'Abbon relates, indignant
at this desecration, sent a terrible plague among the cattle,
and when the Danes in the morning entered the church it
contained nothing but carcasses in the last state of
decomposition.

The valiant defence of Paris had given time for the rest
of France to arm, and the Danes scattered over the country
now met with a stout resistance. The Northmen were defeated
in their efforts to capture Le Mans, Chartres, and other
towns, and were defeated in several battles near Chartres by
Godefroi and Odon.

In March Henri advanced with a strong force to the relief
of Paris, and arriving at night attacked the camp of the
Danes, slew great numbers, and captured a vast booty; and
then, having supplied Paris with a considerable amount of
provisions, retired with his band before the Danes had time
to assemble in sufficient strength to oppose him. Shortly
afterwards the Danes expressed the desire of Siegfroi to hold
parley with the Count Eudes. Siegfroi and a number of his
warriors landed, and Eudes left the city and advanced to meet
them. No sooner had he reached them than he was attacked
by the Northmen, but drawing his sword he defended himself
with immense bravery until the garrison ran down to his
succour, and the Danes were driven back to their ship with
loss of nearly half of their party.

The Danes now left the church of St. Germain L'Auxerrois
and surrounded the monastery of St. Germain des Pres,
but the monks there paid him sixty pounds of pure silver
to leave them in peace. Siegfroi now wished to abandon
the siege which had already cost him so dear, but the
Northmen, furious at their losses, determined upon another
assault.

"Very well," the king said; "have your way then. Attack
Paris on all sides, hew down its towers, and make breaches in
its walls; for once I will remain a spectator."

The Danes crossed the river and landed on the island,
but owing to the absence of large numbers on other expeditions,
and the heavy losses which they had suffered, their
numbers were no longer so overwhelming, and Count Eudes
led out his forces to oppose them outside the walls. This
time Edmund headed his band of Saxons, who until now had
only taken part as archers in the defence.

The combat was a furious one. In spite of the valour of
Eudes and Ebble the Danes pressed hard upon the Franks,
and were driving them back towards the gates when Edmund
led his Saxons, in the close phalanx in which they had so
often met the Danes in the field, to the front. With irresistible
force the wedge burst its way through the ranks of the
Danes, bearing all before it with its wedge of spears. Into the
gap thus formed Eudes and Ebble with their bravest men
threw themselves, and the Danes, severed in two, were driven
back towards their ships. But for some hours the rain had
been falling heavily and the river was rapidly rising and had
already overflowed a portion of the island. Thus the Danes
had great difficulty in getting on board their ships again,
and great numbers were killed in doing so.

There was no longer any resistance to Siegfroi's wishes.
A parley was held with the city, and a further sum being added
to that contributed by the monks of St. Germain des Pres
the Danes drew off from the town.

At this time the long confinement of so many men within
the walls had caused a pestilence to break out in Paris. The
Archbishop Goslin, the Bishop Everard of Sens, the Prince
Hugues, and many others died. The 16th of April was the
day on which the Parisians were accustomed to go in solemn
procession to the church of St. Germain. The Northmen,
knowing this, in mockery filled a wagon with grain and organized
a mock procession. The bullocks who drew the chariot
suddenly became lame; numbers of other bullocks were attached,
but although goaded by spears their united efforts
were unable to drag the wagon an inch, and the Danes were
obliged at last to abandon their intention.

The same day St. Germain is reported to have further
shown his power. One of the Northmen, condemned for
some offence to be executed, fled to the church for refuge,
and was there slain by his countrymen; but all who took part
in the deed at once fell dead. The Northmen, struck by these
miracles, placed a certain number as guard over the church
to prevent any from touching aught that it contained. One
of these men, a Dane of great stature, spread his bed in the
church and slept there; but to the astonishment of his comrades
he was found in the morning to have shrunk to the size
of a new-born infant, at which stature he remained for the
rest of his life.

A miracle of an opposite kind was at the same time performed
in the town. A valiant warrior had from the effects
of fever fallen into an extreme weakness, and was devoured
with grief at the thought that he should no longer be able to
take share in the defence of the town. To him St. Germain
appeared at night and told him that his prayers had been
heard, and that his strength should be restored to him. On
awakening in the morning he found that he was as vigorous
and as robust as ever.

Another day when the soldiers were carrying the banner
of the saint round the walls of the town, followed by the
citizens chanting hymns, one of the bearers of the holy relics,
named Gozbert, was struck by a stone from a catapult.
The man who had fired it fell dead, while Gozbert continued
his promenade in no way injured by the blow. The Abbe D'Abbon
vouches for these miracles on the part of St. Germain
in defence of his faithful city.

CHAPTER XV: FRIENDS IN TROUBLE

Although for a time the Northmen abstained from grand assaults,
continued skirmishes took place. Sometimes parties landed beneath
the walls, and strove to carry off the cattle which the besieged
turned out to gather a little fresh food there. Sometimes the
citizens, led by Eudes or Ebble, would take boat and cross, and
endeavour to cut off small parties of the enemy. They had
now sufficient boats at their disposal for expeditions of this
kind; for, in their last defeat, the Danes had in their haste
left several boats behind them. Of one of the largest of these
Edmund took possession, and going out in her at night, several
times succeeded in capturing Danish vessels, sometimes
while they were rowing along the river unsuspicious that any
foes were near, sometimes by boarding them as they lay
alongside the bank.

As the vessels so captured were too large to be dragged
ashore, and could have been easily recaptured by the Danes,
they were, after being emptied of their contents, always
burned. The plague continued its ravages, and the city became
straitened for provisions. Count Eudes therefore determined
to go to King Charles to urge him to hurry to the
succour of the town. Almost all the chiefs of the defence
had fallen victims to the pest, or had been killed in battle
with the Danes, and the count at his departure committed
the defence of the city to the Abbe Ebble and Edmund. He
then crossed the stream at night, and made his way
successfully through the Danes.

The abbe and Edmund vied with each other in keeping
up the spirits of the garrison with successful little forays
with the Danes, frequently crossing the river to the one bank
or the other, sometimes with parties of only five or six men,
and falling upon similar bodies of the enemy. Several times
they pounced upon small herds of the enemy's cattle, and
driving them into the river, directed them in their boats across
the stream.

In the commencement of July Eudes appeared on the
slopes on Mont Martre with three battalions of soldiers. The
enemy, who were for the most part on the other side of the
Seine, crossed the river. A desperate battle ensued. A portion
of the garrison crossed in boats to the assistance of their
friends, Edmund leading over his band of Saxons. With these
he fell upon the rear of the Danes engaged in fighting with
the force under the count, and the Northmen, attacked on
both sides, gave way and took to flight. They were hotly
pursued by the Franks.

The reinforcements entered Paris triumphantly by the
bridge, which had long since been repaired. But the siege
was not yet over. When the news of the victory of Eudes
spread, the Danes again drew together from all parts, and
crossing the river, attacked the city on every side. The
onslaught was more furious than any which had preceded it.
The Danes had provided themselves with large numbers of
mangonels and catapults. Every man capable of bearing arms
was upon the walls; but so furious was the attack, so vast the
number of the assailants, so prodigious were the clouds of
missiles which they rained upon the walls, that the besieged
almost lost heart.

The relics of St. Genevieve were taken round the walls.
In several places the Danes had formed breaches in the walls,
and although the besieged still struggled, hope had well-nigh
left them, and abject terror reigned in the city. Women ran
about the streets screaming, and crying that the end was at
hand. The church bells tolled dismally, and the shouts of the
exultant Danes rose higher and higher. Again a general cry
rose to St. Germain to come to the aid of the town. Just at
this moment Edmund and Egbert, who had till now held the
Saxons in reserve, feeling that a desperate effort must be
made, formed up their band, and advancing to the principal
breach, passed through the ranks of the disheartened Franks,
and with levelled pikes charged headlong down into the crowd
of Danes. The latter, already exhausted by their efforts, were
at once borne back before the serried pikes of their fresh
assailants. In vain their chiefs at that point tried to rally them;
nothing could withstand the impetus of the Saxon attack.

Astonished at seeing the tide of battle swept away from
the breach, the French believed that St. Germain had wrought
a miracle in their favour, and taking heart poured out in the
rear of the Saxons. The news of the miracle spread rapidly.
Through the breaches, and from every gate, they poured out
suddenly upon the Danes, who, struck with consternation at
this sudden onslaught by a foe whom they had already regarded
as beaten, hesitated, and soon took to flight. Vast
numbers were cut down before they could reach their vessels.
A great portion fled towards the bridge and endeavoured
to cross there; but their numbers impeded them, and the
Saxons and Franks, falling upon their rear, effected a
terrible slaughter.

Two days after the battle a force of six hundred Franks
arrived from the Emperor Charles. The Danes sought to
oppose their entrance to the city, but were defeated with a
loss of three thousand men. The siege was now virtually
over, and in a short time the emperor himself with a great
army arrived. It was now November, and after some negotiations
the Danes agreed upon the receipt of seven hundred
pounds of silver to retire to Burgundy and to leave the
country at the beginning of March.

Having wasted Burgundy, however, they again returned
to Paris. Consternation seized the capital when the fleet of
the Northmen was seen approaching. A treaty was, however,
made, for the wind had fallen just when the Danish fleet,
which had but lately arrived and was descending the river,
was abreast of Paris. As soon as the wind became favourable
the Northmen broke the truce, slew a number of Franks who
had mingled among them, and passed up the Marne.

In the meantime Emperor Charles had died and Count
Eudes had been chosen his successor. When the Danes again
advanced against Paris he speedily sent reinforcements. The
town had already repulsed an attack. Eudes himself on
St. John's Day was advancing with 1000 men-at-arms when he
was attacked by 10,000 mounted Danes and 9000 footmen.
The combat was desperate but the Franks were victorious.
Eudes, however, had other difficulties. Burgundy and
Aquitaine revolted, and in order to secure peace to the kingdom
he made a treaty with the Danes, giving over to them
the province of Normandy.

Edmund and Egbert had no part in the second siege of
Paris. As soon as the place was relieved by the Emperor
Charles they prepared to depart. Taking boats they ascended
the river, and to their joy found the Dragon safe in the
hiding place where she had been lying for nearly a year. She was
brought out into the stream and floated down to Paris, where
by the order of Count Eudes she was thoroughly repaired
and redecorated.

The Franks, convinced that next only to the assistance
of St. Germain they owed the safety of their city to the valour
of the Saxons, loaded them with presents; and these, with
the gifts which they had previously received after the
destruction of the three towers, and the sums for which the booty
captured from the Danes had been sold, made up a great
treasure.

Upon the day before they had arranged to sail a Danish
boat was seen rowing down the stream. It approached the
Dragon and the helmsman asked:

"Is this ship the Dragon? and has it for a captain Edmund
the Saxon?"

"I am Edmund," he replied, "and this is the Dragon. What
would you with me?"

"I am sent by the Jarl Siegbert, who lies wounded near,
to beg that you will come to him immediately, as he is in a
sore strait and needs your assistance."

"I will come at once," Edmund said. "Put one of your
men on board to show me where he is, for I shall be there
before you."

Edmund's horn sounded the signal, and messengers were
sent to the town to order the crew at once to repair on board
the Dragon. Edmund landed and took leave of the Frankish
leaders. The provisions and stores were hastily carried on
board, and then, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the
inhabitants, who thronged the walls and shore, the oars were got
out and the Dragon proceeded at the top of her speed up the
river.

On the way Edmund questioned the Dane, and found
that Siegbert had been wounded in the last assault upon Paris.
He had not been present at the first part of the siege, having
but recently arrived from Norway. His daughter Freda had
accompanied him. "Yes," she was still unmarried, although
many valiant Northmen had sought her hand, chief among
them the brave leader Sweyn "of the left hand;" but there
had been a fray on the previous night in Siegbert's camp,
and it was said--but for that he could not vouch--that Freda
had been carried off.

The news filled Edmund with anxiety. Ever since the
day he left her on her father's galley his thoughts had turned
often to the Danish maiden, and the resolution to carry out
his promise and some day seek her again had never for a
moment wavered. He had seen many fair young Saxons, and
could have chosen a bride where he would among these, for
few Saxons girls would have turned a deaf ear to the wooing
of one who was at once of high rank, a prime favourite with
the king, and regarded by his countrymen as one of the bravest
of the Saxon champions; but the dark-haired Freda, who
united the fearlessness and independence of a woman with
the frankness and gaiety of a child, had won his heart.

It was true she was a Dane and a pagan; but her father
was his friend, and would, he felt sure, offer no objections on
the ground of the enmity of the races. Since Guthorn and
his people had embraced Christianity, the enmity between
the races, in England at least, was rapidly declining. As to
her religion, Edmund doubted not that she would, under his
guidance and teaching, soon cast away the blood-stained gods
of the Northmen and accept Christianity.

In the five years of strife and warfare which had elapsed
since he saw her Edmund had often pictured their next meeting.
He had not doubted that she would remain true to him.
Few as were the words which had been spoken, he knew that
when she said, "I will wait for you even till I die," she had
meant it, and that she was not one to change. He had even
been purposing, on his return to England, to ask King Alfred
to arrange through Guthorn for a safe pass for him to go to
Norway. To hear, then, that she had been carried off from
her father's side was a terrible blow, and in his anxiety to
arrive at Siegbert's tent Edmund urged the rowers to their
fullest exertions.

It was three hours after leaving Paris when the Dane
pointed to a village at a short distance from the river and
told him that Siegbert was lying there. The Dragon was steered
to shore, and Edmund leaping out followed the Dane with
rapid footsteps to the village. The wounded jarl was lying
upon a heap of straw.

"Is it really you, Edmund?" he exclaimed as the young
Saxon entered. "Glad am I indeed that my messenger did
not arrive too late. I heard of you when we first landed--
how the Danes, when they sailed up the Seine, had seen a
Saxon galley of strange shape which had rowed rapidly up
the river; how the galley herself had never again been seen;
but how a young Saxon with his band had performed wonders
in the defence of Paris, and had burned well-nigh half
the Danish fleet.

"They said that the leader was named Edmund, for they
had heard the name shouted in battle; and especially when
he, with one other alone, escaped from the burning tower
and swam the river. So I was sure that it was you. Then, a
week back, my men told me of a strange ship which had passed
down the river to Paris, and I doubted not that it was your
Dragon, which had been hidden somewhere during the siege.
I thought then of sending to tell you that I was lying here
wounded; but Freda, who had always been talking of you,
suddenly turned coy and said that you might have forgotten
us, and if you wanted us you would come to us in Norway."

"But where is Freda?" Edmund, who had been listening
impatiently, exclaimed. "One of your men told me that she
had been carried off. Is it true?"

"Alas! it is true," Siegbert replied; "and that is why I
sent for you. I have never been good friends with Bijorn
since the wounding of his son, but after a time the matter
blew over. Sweyn, who though but with one arm, and that
the left, has grown into a valiant warrior, is now, Bijorn
being dead, one of our boldest vikings. A year since he became
a declared suitor for Freda's hand. In this, indeed, he is not
alone, seeing that she has grown up one of our fairest maidens,
and many are the valorous deeds that have been done to
win a smile from her; but she has refused all suitors, Sweyn
with the others. He took his refusal in bad part, and even
ventured to vow she should be his whether she willed it or
not. Of course I took the matter up and forbade all further
intimacy, and we had not met again till the other day before
Paris. We had high words there, but I thought no more of it.
A few days afterwards I was struck by a crossbow bolt in the
leg. It smashed my knee, and I shall never be able to use my
leg again. I well-nigh died of fever and vexation, but Freda
nursed me through it. She had me carried on a litter here to
be away from the noise and revelry of the camp. Last night
there was a sudden outcry. Some of my men who sprang to
arms were smitten down, and the assailants burst in here and
tore Freda, shrieking, away. Their leader was Sweyn of the
left hand. As I lay tossing here, mad with the misfortune
which ties me to my couch, I thought of you. I said, 'If any
can follow and recapture Freda it is Edmund.' The Danes
had for the most part moved away, and there were few would
care to risk a quarrel with Sweyn in a matter which concerned
them not closely; but I felt that I could rely upon you, and
that you would spare no pains to rescue my child."

"That will I not!" Edmund exclaimed; "but tell me first
what you think are his plans. Which way has he gone, and
what force has he with him?"

"The band he commands are six shiploads, each numbering
fifty men. What his plans may be I know not, but
many of the Danes, I know, purposed, when the war was
finished here, to move east through Burgundy. Some intended
to build boats on the banks of the Rhine and sail
down on that river, others intended to journey further and to
descend by the Elbe. I know not which course Sweyn may
adopt. The country between this and the Rhine swarms with
Danes. I do not suppose that Sweyn will join any other party.
Having Freda with him, he will prefer keeping apart; but in
any case it would not be safe for you to journey with your
band, who would assuredly become embroiled with the first
party of Danes they met; and even if they be as brave as
yourself they would be defeated by such superior numbers."

"You do not think that Sweyn will venture to use violence
to force Freda to become his wife?"

"I think he will hardly venture upon that," Siegbert said,
"however violent and headstrong he may be. To carry off a
maiden for a wife is accounted no very evil deed, for the
maiden is generally not unwilling; but to force her by violence
to become his wife would be a deed so contrary to our
usages that it would bring upon him the anger of the whole
nation. Knowing Sweyn's disposition, I believe that were there
no other way, he would not hesitate even at this, but might
take ship and carry her to some distant land; but he would
not do this until all other means fail. He will strive to tire her
out, and so bring her in her despair to consent to wed him."

Edmund was silent for three or four minutes; then he
said: "I must consult my kinsman Egbert. I will return and
tell you what I purpose doing."

On leaving the cottage Edmund found Egbert walking
up and down outside awaiting the result of the interview. He
had been present when the Dane had told of Freda's abduction,
and knew how sore a blow it was to the young ealdorman,
for Edmund had made no secret to him of his intention some
day to wed the Danish jarl's daughter. Edmund in a few words
related to him the substance of Siegbert's narrative, and ended
by saying: "Now, Egbert, what is best to be done?"

"'Tis of no use asking me, Edmund; you know well enough
that it is you that always decide and I agree. I have a
hand to strike, but no head to plan. Tell me only what you
wish, and you may be sure that I will do my best to execute
it."

"Of course we must follow," Edmund said; "of that there
is no question. The only doubt is as to the force we must
take. What Siegbert said is true. The Danish bands are so
numerous to the east that we should be sure to fall in with
some of them, and fight as we might, should be destroyed;
and yet with a smaller number how could we hope to rescue
Freda from Sweyn's hands?"

Edmund walked up and down for some time.

"I think," he went on at last, "the best plan will be to take
a party of but four at most. I must choose those who will be
able to pass best as Danes. With so small a number I may
traverse the country unobserved. I will take with me two of
Siegbert's men, who, when we get nigh to Sweyn's band, may
join with him and tell me how things are going, and how
Sweyn treats his captive. If I find he is pushing matters to an
extreme I must make some desperate effort to carry her off;
but if, as is more probable, he trusts to time to break her
resolution, I shall follow at a short distance."

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