It was well that we had settled with the Sudbury force already or we should have had them to deal with besides.
We left Bures hill and went down the steep valley beyond it, and I thought that the Danes might wait for us in the wood that is on the opposite slope.

But there were none, and we came out on the open ground that stretches away in a fairly level upland for many a mile northward and eastward before us.

There I waited, for we needed no advance guard beyond these last woodlands.

One could see to the dip that is by Leavenheath, and there the Danes would be.

And indeed across the open rode a few men in that direction, and I knew that they were scouts who would take the news of our coming; but they were too far away to be stopped even had I wished to do so.