Doubtless they would take us for outlaws.
Now through the fog, dark against the flickering glow of the fire, and only seen against it, came creeping figures; and I suppose that some dull glitter of steel from helms or sword hilts betrayed us to them, for word was muttered among them, and the rattle of stones shifted by bare feet seemed to be all round us.

I thought it time to speak to them.
"We are friends, good people," I said.

"We mean no harm, and have but lost our way." There was a whistle, and in a moment the leaping shadows were on us.

Kolgrim went down under a heavy blow on his helm, and lay motionless; and Harek was whirled by a dozen pairs of hands off his feet, and fell heavily with his foes upon him.

I slew one, or thought I slew him, and I stood over Kolgrim and kept them back with long sword sweeps, crying to them to hold, for we were friends--King Alfred's guests.
Now they were yelling to one another, and one threw a long-noosed line over me from behind.