This is the oath of King Uffa." "It were well, King Uffa," Edmund shouted back, "to take no rash oaths; before you talk of slaying you have got to capture, and you will need all the aid of your false gods before you take this fort.

As to mercy, we should as soon ask it of wolves.

We have God and our good swords to protect us, and we fear not your host were it three times as strong as it is." The Saxons raised a great shout, and the Danish king rode back to his troops.

The lesson which had been given them of the enterprise of the Saxons was not lost, for the Danes at once began to form a camp, raising an earthen bank which they crowned with stakes and bushes as a defence against sudden attacks.

This work occupied them two days, and during this time no blow was struck on either side, as the Danes posted a strong body of men each night to prevent the Saxons from sallying out.