Often some passed under me, not ten paces off, and then I shrank down into the hollow.

All spoke of the Danes as gone, but at last one said he thought he could see them, away by Steepholme Island, half an hour agone.

Though it might be fancy, he added, for their ships were very low, and hard to see if no sail were spread.
But from all I gathered, the Danes were over on the other coast, and out of our way for the time at least.
Then I grew very stiff in the tree: but so many were about that I dared not come down.

They were, however, mostly gathered in the open in front of the great gate, and only passers by came near me.

It was some three hours after noon before they gathered into ranks at last, and the roll was called over by Matelgar himself, as he rode along the line fully armed.
When that was done, he put himself at the head, and they filed off up the road towards Bridgwater.