CHAPTER X.FLIGHT THROUGH SEDGEMOOR.
I was glad we had not to go through the town, for the sights there were such as Alswythe could not bear to look on.

And if that smoke meant aught, it meant that our men were beaten back, and would even now be flying into the place with perhaps the Danes at their heels.
I rode alongside Wulfhere, and motioned to him to look, and as he did so he groaned.

Then he spoke quite cheerfully to his lady, saying that we had better push on and make a good start; and so we broke into a steady trot and covered the ground rapidly enough, ever away from danger.
I rode next Alswythe, but I would not dare speak to her as vet.

She had her veil down, and was quite silent, and I felt that it would be best for me to wait for her wish.
Beside me trotted the collier, Wulfhere was leading, and next to Alswythe and me came the two maidens.

After them came the three men and two boys, all mounted, and leading with them the other three horses of the twelve we had brought from Stert.