It was now too late to gain the sea, for the Danish ships had already reached the mouth of the river.

To attempt to escape by fighting would be madness, and they hesitated only whether to run the ship ashore, and, leaving her there, enter the town and share in its defence, or to proceed up the river with all speed to Rouen, or even to Paris.
The latter course was decided upon, for the Danish ships would contain so vast a number of men that there was little hope that Havre could resist their attack, nor was it likely that Rouen, which, on the previous year had been captured and sacked, would even attempt another resistance, which would only bring massacre and ruin upon its inhabitants.

Paris alone, the capital of the Frankish kings, seemed to offer a refuge.

The deliberation was a short one, and by the time the men had taken their places at the oars their leaders had decided upon their course.
The anchor ropes were cut, for not a moment was to be lost, the leading ships of the Danes being already less than half a mile distant.

The tide was flowing, and the Dragon swept rapidly up the river.