Presently, when the conflict was hottest, the chief of the sailors made his way to Edmund.
"If we get up the sails we may be able to draw out from the galleys." "Do so," Edmund said, "and at once, for we are hardly pressed; they are four to one against us." The sailors at once sprang to the halliards, and soon the great sail rose on the mast.

Almost instantly the Dragon began to glide away from the galleys.

The Danes with ropes endeavoured to lash themselves to her sides, but these were severed as fast as thrown, and in two or three minutes the Dragon had drawn herself clear of them.

The Danes betook themselves to their oars, but many of these had been broken between the vessels, and rowing their utmost they could only just keep up with the Dragon, for the wind was blowing freely.

Fully half the oars of the Dragon were broken, but the rest were soon manned, and she then rapidly drew away from her pursuers.
"I am not going to run further," Edmund said.