We cannot take the castle; but we will carry fire and sword round its walls.

We will cut off all communication from within or from without.

If attacked by large forces, we will retire upon the wood, returning to our posts without the walls as soon as the force is withdrawn.

These heavily armed men can move but slowly, while we can run at full speed.

There cannot be more than some twenty horsemen in the castle; and methinks with our arrows and pikes we can drive these back if they attempt to fall upon us." Cnut at once sent off swift-footed messengers to carry out Cuthbert's orders, and on the following day the whole of the band were again assembled in the woods.