I ran to the nearest fishers' hut, and pulled handfuls of the thatch from under the eaves, piling it to windward against the wooden walls.

Then I fired the heap, and it blazed up bright and strong, and at once came a great howl of rage from the ships, plain to be heard, for they knew that now they might not land unknown.
So had I warned Osric the Sheriff, and that matter was out of my hands.
And, moreover, Wulfhere, being an old and tried warrior, would be warned as well.

That, however, I would see to myself, and, if I could, I would aid him in getting Alswythe into a place of safety.

So I ran back, bending my steps now towards her father's hall, up the roadway, if one might so call the track through the marshland that led thither.
Just at the foot of the hill I met three men of the outpost, who were hurrying down to see what my fire meant.

They challenged me, halting with levelled spears across the track.