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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 saidbut for that he could not vouchthat 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 h