The old railing along the roadway was gone, and in its place were breast-high bulwarks of strong timber, and on each span of the bridge was a high wooden tower whose upper works overhung the water, looking downstream, as if they feared assault from the river itself.
We came up to the Pool on a good flood-tide, and as we dropped anchor there we saw all this, and, moreover, that the place was held by the Danes in force.

The red cloaks of Cnut's thingmen were on bridge and walls and fort alike, and no few of them in either stronghold.

There was work before us if we would win the place for our king.
Before any word had come to Olaf of what should be done, Eadmund had gone ashore with all his warriors, and had fallen on the Southwark earthwork.

It was Olaf's first thought to follow him, but he held back.
"Let him go," he said.

"Maybe he will like best to win his own city without my help at the first onset.