Now the other sleepers woke, and listened wondering.  The light was strong, and I looked away towards the Danes between us and the river.  Their fires were burning up one by one as they roused also; but I thought there was some bustle down at the shore of the river, where the ships were now afloat on the rising tide.

Then Etheldreda spoke to us in words that were brave and good to hear—­words to make a man long to give his life for country and for friends—­telling us that, since we must needs die, it was well that we should fall sword in hand, ridding England of her foes man to man, rather than perish in this place for nought.

And when she ended the chiefs were silent, looking on the Danes with eyes that gleamed; and Kolgrim put the thoughts of all into words when he said: 

“Once or twice has the Berserker fury come on me when my master has been in peril.  Berserker again will you drive me, lady, so that I care not for six foemen against me or sixty.”

Then Odda cried: 

“What goes on yonder?  Do they leave us?” and he shaded his eyes against the rising sun, and pointed.  Certainly the Danes were drawing towards the ships in parties of twenty and thirty at a time, but their sentries went on their beats without heeding them.  There was no movement, either, among those on the other hill, and the Raven banner that told of Hubba’s presence was not borne away.

Now we forgot all but that here was a new hope for us, and we watched for half an hour.  Then it was plain that full half the force was drawn off, and that the Danes were crossing the river in the ships.  We saw them land on the opposite shore, where the road comes down to the Combwich crossing, that can only be used at lowest tides; and they marched eastward, doubtless in search of cattle and plunder.

Then Heregar’s eyes shone, and he said: 

“Now has our time come, even as Eahlstan foretold to me.  In two hours or three none of that force can return, and we have but half as many again as ourselves left here for us to deal with.”

“Let me lead you on them,” said Etheldreda.

Then with one voice we prayed her to bide in the fort, and for long she would not be persuaded.  But we told her that the men would fight as well under her eye as if they were led by her—­if, indeed, her presence did not weaken them, in fear for her safety—­and so at last she gave way.

After that there was no more doubt as to what should be done; but Odda went round among the men, and spoke to them in such wise that he stirred their hearts to die bravely hand to hand with the Danes.  And I thought that some of us might live to see a great if dearly-bought victory; for it was certain that not one of these Saxons but meant to die before he left the field.

Then Heregar and Osmund went with Etheldreda to the other two ladies, and they bade them take the horses and fly to Dowsborough camp as soon as the fighting drew every Dane to the eastward side of the fort and left the way clear.  Osmund would go with them, and so no fear for them was on our minds.