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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。〃
〃Shall I go with you； Edmund？〃
〃I think it will be better not； Egbert。 Your beard would
mark you as a Saxon at once。〃
〃But that I can cut off；〃 Egbert said。 〃It would be a sacrifice
truly； but I would do it without hesitation。〃
〃Thanks； dear kinsman； but I think it would be of more
purpose for you to remain in command of the Dragon。 She
may meet many foes； and it were best that you were there to
fight and direct her。 I pray you at once to descend the Seine
and sailing round the north coast of France； place the Dragon
at the mouth of the Rhine。 Do not interfere with any Danish
ships that you may see pass out； but keep at a distance。 Should
Sweyn descend the Rhine I will； if possible； send a messenger
down before him； so do you look out for small boats； and
if you see one in which the rower hoists a white flag at the
end of his oar； you will know he is my messenger。 If I find
Sweyn goes on towards the Elbe I will also send you word；
and you will then move the Dragon to the mouth of that river。
〃Lastly； if you receive no message； but if you mark that
in a Danish vessel when passing you a white cloth is waved
from one of the windows of the cabins in