The Dragon and the Raven; Or, The Days of King Alfred

by G. A. Henty

  CHAPTER XVII: A LONG CHASE

  The following morning the weather was still and dull. Not a breath ofwind ruffled the surface of the river.

  "This is unfortunate," Edmund said to his companion. "Sweyn's galleyswill row faster than we can go with oars alone, and though they may notknow the Dragon they will be sure that she is not one of their ownships. We must hope that they may attack us."

  The day passed on without a sight of the galleys, but late in theafternoon they were seen in the distance. The Dragon was moored nearthe middle of the rivet. Her oars were stowed away, and the crewsordered to keep below the bulwarks, in hopes that the Danes, seeing butfew men about and taking her for an easy prize, might attack her. Whenthey approached within half a mile the Danish galleys suddenly ceasedrowing.

  "What is that strange-looking vessel?" Sweyn asked the Northmenstanding round him.

  "I know her," one of them said, "for I have twice seen her before to mycost. The first time she chased us hotly at the mouth of the Thames,destroying several of the vessels with which we were sailing in convoy.The next time was in the battle where King Alfred defeated us lastyear, nearly in the same water. She is a Saxon ship, wondrous fast andwell-handled. She did more damage in the battle than any four of herconsorts."

  "Were it not that I have other game in view," Sweyn said, "we wouldfight her, for we are two to one and strongly manned, and the Saxon canscarce carry more men than one of our galleys; but she is not likely tobe worth the lives she would cost us to capture her; therefore we wille'en let her alone, which will be easy enough, for see that bank ofsea-fog rolling up the river; another ten minutes and we shall not seeacross the deck. Give orders to the other galley to lay in oars tillthe fog comes, then to make for the left bank of the river and to driftwith the tide close inshore. Let none speak a word, and silence be keptuntil they hear my horn. I will follow the right bank till we reach themouth."

  Freda was standing near and heard these orders with a sinking heart.She had no doubt that Edmund was on board the Saxon ship, and she hadlooked forward with confidence to be delivered from her captor; but nowit seemed that owing to the evil change of the weather the hope was tobe frustrated.

  Edmund and the Saxons had viewed with consternation the approach of thesea-fog. The instant it enveloped the ship the oars were got out andthey rowed in the direction of the Danish vessels, which they hopedwould drop anchor when the fog reached them. Not a word was spoken onboard the Dragon. Edmund, Egbert, and Siegbert stood on the forecastleintently listening for any sound which would betray the position of theDanes, but not a sound was to be heard. They had, they calculated,already reached the spot where the Dane should have been anchored whenfrom the left, but far away astern, a loud call in a woman's voice washeard.

  "That must be Freda!" Edmund exclaimed. "Turn the ship; they havepassed us in the fog."

  The Dragon's head was turned and she was rowed rapidly in the directionof the voice. No further sound was heard. Presently there was a suddenshock which threw everyone on to the deck. The Dragon had run high onthe low muddy bank of the river. The tide was falling; and although fora few minutes the crew tried desperately to push her off they soonfound that their efforts were in vain, and it was not until the tideagain rose high nine hours later that the Dragon floated. Until morningbroke nothing could be done, and even when it did so matters were notmended, for the fog was still dense.

  The disappointment of Edmund and Siegbert at the escape of the Daneswas extreme. Their plans had been so well laid that when it was foundthat the Dragon had arrived in time no doubts were entertained of thesuccess of the enterprise, and to be foiled just when Freda seemedwithin reach was a terrible disappointment.

  "My only consolation is," Edmund said as he paced the deck impatientlyside by side with Egbert, "that this fog which delays us will alsohinder the Danes."

  "That may be so or it may not," Egbert answered. "It is evident thatsome on board the Danish ships must have recognized us, and that theywere anxious to escape rather than fight. They draw so little waterthat they would not be afraid of the sandbanks off the mouth of theriver, seeing that even if they strike them they can jump out, lightenthe boats, and push them off; and once well out at sea it is probablethat they may get clearer weather, for Siegbert tells me that the fogoften lies thick at the mouths of these rivers when it is clear enoughin the open sea."

  When the tide again began to run out Edmund determined at all risks toproceed to sea. The moorings were cast off from the shore and theDragon suffered to drift down. Men with poles took their stations inher bows and sounded continually, while at her stern two anchors wereprepared in readiness to drop at a moment's notice. Several times thewater shoaled so much that Edmund was on the point of giving orders todrop the anchors, but each time it deepened again.

  So they continued drifting until they calculated that the tide must benearly on the turn, and they then dropped anchor. It was much lighternow than it had been in the river, but was still so misty that theycould not see more than a hundred yards or so round the vessel. Nochange took place until night, and then Edmund, who had been tooexcited and anxious to sleep on the previous night, lay down to rest,ordering that he should be woke if any change took place in theweather. As the sun rose next morning the fog gradually lifted, andthey were able to see where they were. Their head pointed west; faraway on their left could be seen a low line of coast. Not a sail was insight, and indeed sails would have been useless, for the water wasstill unruffled by a breath of wind. The anchors were at once got upand the oars manned, and the ship's head turned towards shore.

  Two hours' rowing took them within a short distance of land, andkeeping about a mile out they rowed to the west. The men, knowing howanxious was their leader to overtake the Danish galleys, rowed theirhardest, relieving each other by turns, so that half the oars wereconstantly going. Without intermission they rowed until night set in,and then cast anchor. When the wind came--it was not until the thirdday--it was ahead, and instead of helping the Dragon it greatly impededits progress.

  So far they had seen nothing of the galleys, and had the mortificationof knowing that in spite of all their efforts these were probablygaining ground upon them every day. Even without wind the galleys wouldrow faster than the Dragon, and being so fully manned would be able tokeep all their oars going; but against the wind their advantage wouldbe increased greatly, for lying low in the water they would offer butlittle resistance to it, and would be able to make way at a brisk pace,while the Dragon could scarce move against it.

  The Saxon ship was off Calais when the breeze sprang up, and as itincreased and their progress became slower and slower Edmund held aconsultation with his companions and it was determined to run acrossthe channel and lie in the mouth of the Thames till the wind turned. Solong as it continued to blow they would lag farther and farther behindthe chase, who might, moreover enter any of the rivers in search ofshelter or provisions, and so escape their pursuers altogether.Siegbert had never been up the Mediterranean, but he had talked withmany Danes who had been. These had told him that the best course was tosail west to the extremity of England, then to steer due south untilthey came upon the north coast of Spain. They would follow this to itswestern extremity; and then run south, following the land till theycame to a channel some ten miles wide, which formed the entrance to theMediterranean.

  They decided, therefore, to follow this course in hopes of interruptingthe galleys there; they would thus avoid the dangerous navigation ofthe west coast of France, where there were known to be many islands androcks, around which the tides ran with great fury. For a fortnight theDragon lay windbound; then came two days of calm; and then, to theirdelight, the pennon on the top of the mast blew out from the east.

  They were lying in the mouth of the Colne, and would therefore have nodifficulty in making the Foreland; and with her sail set and her oarsout the Dragon dashed away from her moorings. Swiftly they ran roundthe south-easterly point of England and then flew before the breeze
along the southern coast. On the third day they were off Land's End andhauled her head to the south. The east wind held, the Bay of Biscay wascalm, and after a rapid voyage they sighted the high lands of Spainahead. Then they sheered to the west till they rounded its extremityand then sailed down the coast of Spain. They put into a river forprovisions, and the natives assembled in great numbers on the bankswith the evident intention of opposing a landing; but upon Egbertshouting that they were not Danes but Saxons, and were ready to barterfor the provisions they required, the natives allowed them to approach.There was no wrangling for terms. Cattle were purchased, and thewater-tanks filled up, and a few hours after entering the river theDragon was again under way. Rounding the southern point they followedthe land. After a day's sailing they perceived land on their right, andgave a shout of joy at the thought that they had arrived at theentrance of the straits. At nightfall they dropped anchor.

  "What are you looking at, Siegbert?" Edmund asked, seeing the jarllooking thoughtfully at the anchor-chain as the ship swung round.

  "I am thinking," the jarl said, "that we must have made some error. Doyou not see that she rides, just as we were sailing, with her head tothe north-east? That shows that the current is against us."

  "Assuredly it does," Edmund said; "but the current is a very slack one,for the ropes are not tight."

  "But that agrees not," Siegbert said, "with what I have been told. Inthe first place, this channel points to the northeast, whereas, as Ihave heard, the straits into the Mediterranean run due east. In thenext place, those who have been through have told me that there are notides as in the northern seas, but that the current runs ever like ariver to the east."

  "If that be so," Edmund said, "we must have mistaken our way, for herewhat current there is runs to the west. To-morrow morning, instead ofproceeding farther, we will cross to the opposite side, and will followthat down until we strike upon the right channel."

  In the morning sail was again made, and crossing what was really theBay of Cadiz they sailed on till they arrived at the mouth of thestraits. There was no doubt now that they were right. The width of thechannel, its direction, and the steady current through it, allcorresponded with what Siegbert had heard, and proceeding a mile alongit they cast anchor.

  They soon opened communications with the natives, who, althoughspeaking a tongue unknown to them, soon comprehended by their gesturesand the holding up of articles of barter that their intentions werefriendly. Trade was established, and there was now nothing to do but toawait the coming of the galleys.

  "I would," Edmund said, as, when evening was closing, he looked acrossthe straits at the low hills on the opposite side, "that this passagewas narrower. Sweyn will, doubtless, have men on board his ship whohave sailed in these seas before, and will not need to grope his wayalong as we have done. If he enters the straits at night we shall seenothing of him, and the current runs so fast that he would sweepspeedily by. It is possible, indeed, that he has already passed. If hecontinued to row down the shores of France all the time we were lyingwind-bound he would have had so long a start when the east wind beganto blow, that, although the galleys carry but little sail, they mightwell have been here some days before us. Sweyn would be anxious to joinHasting as soon as he could. The men would be thirsting for booty, andwould make but short halt anywhere. I will stay but a week. If in thattime they come not we will enter this southern sea and seek the fleetof Hasting. When we find that we shall find Sweyn; but I fear that thesearch will be a long one, for these people speak not our tongue, andwe shall have hard work in gaining tidings of the whereabouts of theNorthmen's fleet."

  Day and night a vigilant watch was kept up from the mast-head of theDragon, but without success. Each day they became more and moreconvinced that Sweyn must be ahead of them, and on the morning of theseventh they lifted their anchor and proceeded through the straits.Many had been the consultations between Edmund and his friends, and ithad been determined at last to sail direct for Rome. Siegbert knew thatby sailing somewhat to the north of east, after issuing from thepassage, they would in time arrive at Italy.

  At Rome there was a monastery of Saxon monks, and through them theywould be able to obtain full information as to the doings andwhereabouts of the squadron of Hasting. Scarcely were they through thestraits than the wind, veering to the south-east, prevented them frommaking the course they had fixed upon, but they were able to coastalong by the shore of Spain. They put into several small ports as theycruised up, but could obtain no intelligence of the Danes, being unableto converse except by signs.

  When they reached Marseilles they were pleased to meet with Franks,with whom they could converse, and hired a pilot acquainted with thecoasts of the Mediterranean. They learned that Hasting and his fleethad harried the coasts of Provence and Italy; that the Genoese galleyshad had several engagements with them, but had been worsted.

  The Danish fleet was now off the coast of Sicily, and the Northmen wereravaging that rich and fertile island. They were reported to have eventhreatened to ascend the Tiber and to burn Rome. Having obtained theservices of a man who spoke both the Italian and Frankish tongues,Edmund started again. He first went to Genoa, as he thought that thepeople there might be despatching another fleet against the Northmen inwhich case he would have joined himself to them. On his arrival therehe was well entertained by the Genoese when they learned, through theinterpreter, who they were, and that they had come from England asenemies of the Danes.

  Edmund and his Saxons were much surprised at the splendour of Genoa,which immensely surpassed anything they had hitherto seen in themagnificence of its buildings, the dress and appearance of itsinhabitants, the variety of the goods displayed by the traders, and thewealth and luxury which distinguished it. It was indeed their firstsight of civilization, and Edmund felt how vastly behind was NorthernEurope, and understood for the first time Alfred's extreme eagerness toraise the condition of his people. On the other hand, the Genoese weresurprised at the dress and appearance of the Saxons.

  The crew of the Dragon were picked men, and their strength and stature,the width of their shoulders, and the muscles of their arms, and, aboveall, their fair hair and blue eyes, greatly astonished the Genoese.Edmund and his companions might have remained in Genoa and receivedentertainment and hospitality from its people for a long time; butafter a stay of a day or two, and having obtained the various storesnecessary for their voyage, Edmund determined to proceed. Three of theyoung Genoese nobles, fired by the story which they heard of theadventures which the Dragon had gone through, and desirous of takingpart in any action which she might fight against the Danes, beggedleave to accompany them.

  Edmund gladly acceded to the request, as their presence would be ofgreat utility in other ports at which the Dragon might touch. At GenoaEdmund procured garments for his men similar to those worn by theItalian soldiers and sailors, and here he sold to the gold andsilversmiths a large number of articles of value which they hadcaptured from the Danes, or with which the Count Eudes and the peopleof Paris had presented them.

  The Dragon differed but little in appearance from the galleys of theGenoese, and Edmund determined when he approached the shores where theNorthmen were plundering to pass as a Genoese ship, for should the newscome to Sweyn's ears that a Saxon galley was in the Mediterranean itmight put him on his guard, as he would believe that she was speciallyin pursuit of his own vessel.

  On arriving at the mouth of the Tiber the Dragon ascended the river andanchored under the walls of the imperial city. The Genoese nobles hadmany friends and relations there, and Edmund, Egbert, and Siegbert wereat once installed as guests in a stately palace.

  The pope, upon hearing that the strange galley which had anchored inthe river was a Saxon, sent an invitation to its commander to visithim, and Edmund and his kinsman were taken by their Italian friends tohis presence. The pope received them most graciously, and afterinquiring after King Alfred and the state of things in England, askedhow it was that a Saxon ship had made so long a voyag
e.

  Edmund explained that he was in search of a Danish damsel who had onceshown him great kindness, and who had been carried off from her fatherby one of the vikings of Hasting's fleet. When he said that they hadtaken part in the defence of Paris the holy father told him that he nowrecognized his name, for that a full account of the siege had been sentto him by one of the monks there, and that he had spoken much of thevalour of a Saxon captain and the crew of his galley, to whom indeedtheir successful resistance to the Northmen was in no slight degree due.

  "Would I could aid you, my son, in your enterprise against thesenorthern pirates. The depredations which they are committing on theshores of Italy are terrible indeed, and we are powerless to resistthem; they have even threatened to ascend the Tiber and attack Rome,and though I trust that we might resist their attacks, yet rather thansuch misfortune as a siege should fall upon my people I have paid alarge sum of money to the leader of the Northmen to abstain from cominghither; but I know that the greed of these pirates does but increasewith their gains, and that ere long we may see their pagan bannerfloated before our walls. A few galleys I could man and place underyour orders, but in truth the people of this town are not skilled innaval fighting. I have already endeavoured to unite the states ofGenoa, Pisa, and Venice against them, for it is only by common effortthat we can hope to overwhelm these wolves of the sea."

  Edmund expressed his thanks to the pope for his offer, but said that hewould rather proceed with the Dragon alone.

  "She is to the full as swift as the Northmen's vessels," he said; "andalthough I would right gladly join any great fleet which might beassembled for an attack upon them, I would rather proceed alone thanwith a few other ships. Not being strong enough to attack their wholearmament I must depend upon stratagem to capture the galley of which Iam specially in pursuit, and will with your permission set out as soonas I have transformed my ship so that she will pass muster as a galleyof Genoa or Venice."

  The holy father gave orders that every assistance should be afforded toEdmund to carry out his designs, and the next morning a large number ofartisans and workmen took possession of the Dragon. She was paintedfrom stem to stern with bright colours. Carved wood-work was added toher forecastle and poop, and a great deal of gilding overlaid upon her.The shape of her bow was altered, and so transformed was she that nonewould have known her for the vessel which had entered the Tiber, andshe would have passed without observation as a galley of Genoa.

  A number of prisoners accustomed to row in the state galleys wereplaced on board to work the oars, thus leaving the whole of the crewavailable for fighting purposes, and a state officer was put in commandof these galley-slaves. The ship was well stored with provisions, andafter a farewell interview with the pope, Edmund and his companionsreturned on board ship, and the Dragon took her way down the river.

  The fleet of the Northmen was at Palermo, and keeping under the land,the Saxon ship sailed down the coast of Calabria, and at night crossednear the mouth of the straits to the shore of Sicily. They entered aquiet bay, and Edmund dressed as a Dane, with the two Northmen who hadaccompanied him from Paris, landed and journeyed on foot to Palermo.

  Everywhere they came upon scenes similar to those with which they werefamiliar in France. Villages burned and destroyed, houses deserted,orchards and crops wasted, and a country destitute of inhabitants, allhaving fled to the mountains to escape the invader. They did not meetwith a single person upon their journey. When they approached Palermothey waited until nightfall, and then boldly entered the town. Here themost intense state of misery prevailed. Many of the inhabitants hadfled before the arrival of the Danes, but those who remained were keptin a state of cruel subjection by their conquerors, who brutallyoppressed and ill-used them, making free with all their possessions andtreating them as slaves.

  The Danes entered into conversation with some of their countrymen, andprofessing to have that evening but newly arrived from home, learnedmuch of the disposition of the fleet of the Northmen. They pretendedthat they were desirous of joining the galleys under the command ofSweyn, and were told that these had arrived three weeks before, andwere now absent with some others on the southern side of the island.

  Having obtained this information, Edmund and his companions startedwithout delay to rejoin the Dragon. Upon reaching her she at once putto sea. Palermo was passed in the night, and the vessel held her waydown the western coast of Sicily. She was now under sail alone, andeach night lay up at anchor in order that she might not pass the Danishgalleys unobserved. On the third day after passing Palermo, severalgalleys were seen riding off a small port. The wind was very light, andafter a consultation with his friends Edmund determined to simulateflight so as to tempt the Danes to pursue, for with so light a breezetheir smaller galleys would row faster than the Dragon; besides, it waspossible that Sweyn might be on shore.

  It was early morning when the Danish galleys were seen, and apparentlythe crews were still asleep, for no movement on board was visible, andthe Dragon sailed back round a projecting point of land and then castanchor. It was so important to learn whether Sweyn was with Freda onboard his ship, or whether, as was likely, he had established himselfon shore, that it was decided it would be better to send the two Danesto reconnoitre before determining what plan should be adopted.