The torches were now applied to the contents of the holds.

These were for the most part crammed with the booty which the Norsemen had gained at Havre, Rouen, and other places, and the flames speedily shot up.

By this time the Danes in the camp, alarmed by the shouting from the drifting ships and the sounds of conflict from the towers, came flocking down in haste.

The planks had already been thrown overboard.

The Danes strove by pulling at the ropes to haul the vessels nearer to land.