Those who left first," he grumbled, "will have the pick of the country.

We were fools to linger so long before Paris." Then turning his horse, he rode back to his comrades, and the party continued their way.
They avoided all towns and large Danish encampments on the way, but made inquiries from all small parties they met after the party of Sweyn.

They learned without difficulty the place where he had been encamped a few days before, but on their arriving in the neighbourhood they found that the place was deserted, nor could any tell them the direction in which the Northmen had travelled..