Only a small fishing vessel lay alongside, and that we cast adrift, taking its place.
Then Halfden and I and twenty men went quickly ashore and marched up among the trees of the village street.

There was no man in sight, but the bell was still ringing.
A great fear for the holy men shut up in the little monastery came over me now, and I asked Halfden to let me warn them, for I knew that he was like his father and would not deny me in this.
"Go and do so if you can," he said, "and so farewell till we meet at Reedham.

We shall bide here till Rorik's men join us, and you will have time." So he took my hand and I went quickly thereafter, the men calling after me "Farewell, axeman!" heartily enough, knowing of my going to Reedham, and caring nothing for the monks, seeing that there would be no fighting.
Now, guided by the bell, I went on quickly, seeing no man.

The houses stood open and deserted, and all along the road were scattered goods, showing that the people had fled in haste, so that they had soon cast aside the heavier things they had thought to save.
Soon I came to the gate of the little stone-walled monastery, over which rose the tower whence the bell yet rang; for the church seemed to make one side of the courtyard into which the gate would lead.

A farm cart stood outside; but the gates were closed, and when I looked, I saw that the pin of the wheel was broken, so that the cart could go no further.