“Aye, master.  Three of us were minded to save ours, and we sank them with stones in the creek before we fled.  But the other two are slain, and I only am left to recover them.”

Now that was good hearing, and I bade the men show me where they lay, and going with him found that now the water was low, we could see them and reach them easily.  There were two small boats that might hold three men each, and one larger.

Then I told Elgar how I needed them for this night’s work, and at first he was terrified, fearing nothing more than that his boats should be lost to him after all.  But I promised him full amends if harm came to them, and that in the name of Osric, which he knew well.  And with that he was satisfied.

So with a little labour we got the two small boats afloat, and then cast about where to hide them; for though Elgar said that the Danes came not nigh the place, it was likely that patrols would be sent out after the alarm of Eanulf’s approach, and might come on them.

At last Elgar said that there was a creek half a mile or less up the river, and on the far side, where they might lie unseen perhaps.  And that would suit us well if we could get them there.  And the time was drawing on, so that we could make no delay.

Then out of a hollow tree Elgar drew oars for both boats, and we got them out into the river, and Dudda rowing one, and Elgar the other, in which I sat, we went to the place where they should be, keeping under the bank next the Danes.  And it was well for us that the tide was so low, for else we should surely have been spied.

Yet we got them into the creek, Elgar making them fast so that they would rise as the water rose.  Then he said he would swim back, and if he could manage it would raise the large boat and bring that also.

So without climbing out from under the high banks of the creek he splashed out into the tideway, and started back.

Now Dudda and I must make our way along to the horses, and so we began to get out of the creek, which was very deep, at this low ebb of the water, below the level of the meadows.  Dudda was up the bank first, and looked towards Combwich.  Then he dropped back suddenly, and bade me creep up warily and look also, through the grass.

So I did, and then knew how near an escape we had had, for there was a party of Danes, idlers as it seemed, among the burnt huts, turning over the ashes with their spears and throwing stones into the water.

Then I saw Elgar’s head halfway across the river, and knew he could not see the Danes over the high bank.  He was swimming straight for them, and unless he caught sight of one who stood nearest, surely he was lost.  It was all that I could do to keep myself from crying out to him; but that would have betrayed us also, and, with us, the hope of our ambush.  So we must set our teeth and watch him go.

Then a Dane came to the edge of the high bank and saw him, and at the same moment was himself seen.  The Dane shouted, and Elgar stopped paddling with his hands and keeping his head above water.