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.
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