ight as well go home again.

But I should do as well here as anywhere, or better, since, while
Matelgar was away, I might yet see Alswythe again; though that, after my
repulse by the sheriff, or perhaps I should rather say by his advisers,
I thought not of trying yet. It would but be another parting. Still, I
might find old Wulfhere, and send her messages by him before setting out
westward again.

Almost was I dozing, for the day had been very long, when from close to
Stert came that which roused me completely, setting my heart beating.

It was a bright flash of light from close inshore, on the Severn side of
the tongue, followed by answering flashes, just as I had seen them at
Watchet. But now the flashes came and went out instantly, for I was no
longer looking down on the ship's decks as then.

Well was it that I had seen this before from Quantock heights; for I
knew that once again the Danes were landing, and that the peril was
close at hand.

Then at once I knew the terrible danger of Alswythe, for Matelgar's was
the first hall that would be burnt.

My first thought was to hasten thither and alarm Wulfhere, and then to
hurry back to that outpost I had passed half a mile away, for the
country danger must be thought of too.

Then a better thought than either came to me. If it was, as it must be,
barely half tide, the Danes would find mud between them and shore, too
deep to cross, and must wait till the ships could come up to land, or
until there was water enough to float their boats. I had an hour or more
yet before they set foot on shore.

Moreover, I would find out if landing was indeed meant, or if these were
but signals for keeping channel on the outward course.

So across the level meadows of Stert I ran my best, right towards the
place where I had seen the light, which was at the top, as it were, of
the wedge that Stert makes between the waters of Parret and the greater
Severn Sea. There are high banks along the shore to keep out the spring
tides, and under these I could watch in safety, unseen. Three fishers'
huts were there only; but these I knew would be deserted for fear of the
Danes.

So I found them, and then, creeping up the bank, I stood still and
peered out into the darkness. Yet it was not so dark on the water (which
gleamed a little in the tide swirls here and there beyond half a mile of
mud, black as pitch in contrast) but that I could make out at last six
long black ships, lying as it se