And so it came to pass that presently the line against us there was thinned out, because men pressed upwards to the level, and then those Wessex thanes saw that we might break through and cut our way down the hill and make good our retreat.
Where Eadmund was I followed, and I know that I saved him once or twice from spear thrusts that would have slain him when he charged among the Danes, where they pressed us most hardly.

Wearied was my arm, but sword Foe's Bane bit through helm and harness, and once I was facing Ulf the jarl, and he cried out to me: "Well smitten, Wulfnoth's man!" For he knew me.

And I looked for Egil, that I might call him to come and win the sword from me, but I could not see him; and a foolish fear that some other than he might get the good blade got hold of me, for I had no doubt that I must fall, and no fear thereof, save that.

And why I longed for Egil thus was, I think, because of utter weariness and loss of hope.
Then they pushed us as it were over the hill edge, and we began to go down, and I knew at once what would come next.
The line of Danes on the hill slope gave way before us and left the way clear; and at first we went slowly and in good order, and then they charged on us down the hill with crushing weight of numbers.
And so we fled.

I saw the Wessex thanes catch Eadmund's bridle, and they turned his horse and spoke to him.