Then, too, these horsemen struck away from the road one by one, and at last I rode on alone.
Now my one thought was for those at Hoxne, and to urge them to instant flight, and I thought that even now Humbert the Bishop would be in the little church, waiting for the bride to come.
Then I would hasten the more, for to reach the church from Egfrid's father's house the river Dove must be crossed; and I would keep them from returning to this side if I could be in time, for we might break down the timber-built bridge and so delay the crossing of the Danes.

Yet they might be for days in Thetford before they began to raid in the country.
Swiftly I rode on, for my horse was a good one and fresh, and at last, after many miles were passed, I came to a place where I could see a long stretch of road before me.

There rode the king on his white horse, and with him those four thanes.

I could not mistake that party, and I thought I knew where they were going.

The king would warn my people himself, and so take refuge beyond Hoxne, on the other side of the river, at South Elmham, with Bishop Humbert.
I rode after, but I gained little on them; nor did I care much, for the king would do all that I might.