Alfred had two hundred maybe, and my few men and the townsfolk made another two hundred.

But Hubba had twenty-three longships, whose crews, if up to fighting strength, would not be less than a hundred in each.
So we watched till the tide fell, when he could not come into the Parret, and then I went back to Heregar's hall.

It seemed very bare, for all goods had been sent up to the great refuge camp of Dowsborough, to which all day long the poor folk had been flying, driving with them their sheep and cattle and swine, that they might save what they could.

But with Odda had come his daughter, the Lady Etheldreda, who would not leave him; and she and the Lady Alswythe and Thora were yet in the house, and Osmund the jarl sat in the hall, listless and anxious of face.

It was an ill time for him; but there were none of us who did not like him well, and feel for him in his helplessness.
"What news ?" he said, when he saw me come into the hall.
"Hubba will be here on the next tide--with early morning," I said.
He sighed, and rising up went to the doorway and looked out to the hills.
"I would that I could make these two noble ladies seek refuge yonder," he said; "but one will not leave her father, nor the other her husband." Then I said: "At least I think you should take Thora there.