Edmund, Egbert, and Siegbert stood on the forecastle intently listening for any sound which would betray the position of the Danes, but not a sound was to be heard.

They had, they calculated, already reached the spot where the Dane should have been anchored when from the left, but far away astern, a loud call in a woman's voice was heard.
"That must be Freda!" Edmund exclaimed.

"Turn the ship; they have passed us in the fog." The Dragon's head was turned and she was rowed rapidly in the direction of the voice.

No further sound was heard.

Presently there was a sudden shock which threw everyone on to the deck.