In their native patois he hastily told the peasants that there must be some mistake, and that although their prisoners seemed to be Danes they were really Christians and friends.
He bade them then instantly to strip off their armour, to bind up their wounds, and to use all their efforts to restore them to life.
At his bidding one of the peasants brought a wine-skin, and filling a large cup with the liquid, offered it to Edmund.

The latter drained it at a draught, for he was devoured by a terrible thirst.

After this he felt revived, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing his comrades recovering under the ministrations of the peasants, who chafed their hands, applied cool poultices of bruised leaves to their bruises, and poured wine down their throats.
In half an hour the Genoese was sufficiently recovered to be able to sit up and to give a full account of their presence there, and of their object in assuming the disguise of Danes.

He then told the count that Edmund intended to reconnoitre the place alone, and that he hoped he and his people would attack the town, while the Saxons in their galley made an assault from the sea.

The count replied that the peasantry could not be induced to take such a step.
"I will, however, aid your friend," he said, "by a feigned attack to-morrow evening when he is there.