On the third day the work was finished, and the Danish kings with their jarls made a circuit round the walls, evidently to select the place for attack.
The time had passed quietly in the fort.

In one corner the priests had erected an altar, and here mass was said three times a day.

The priests went among the soldiers exhorting them to resist to the last, confessing them, and giving them absolution.
The pains which the Danes had taken in the preparation of their camp was a proof of their determination to capture the fort, however long the operation might be.

It showed, too, that they recognized the difficulty of the task, for had they believed that the capture could be easily effected they would at once upon their arrival have advanced to the attack.
"To-morrow morning early," Egbert said, "I expect that they will assault us.

In the first place probably they will endeavour to carry the fort by a general attack; if they fail in this they will set to construct engines with which to batter the wall." At daybreak the following morning the Danes issued from their camp.
Having formed up in regular order, they advanced towards the castle.
They divided into four bands; three of these wheeled round to opposite sides of the fort, the fourth, which was as large as the other three together, advanced towards the entrance.