Other songs followed the first, and Edmund began to be afraid that the courage of the peasants had failed at the last moment.
Suddenly he saw lights appear at five or six points in the distance, and, putting his head out, he thought he could hear distant cries and shouts.

The lights grew brighter, and soon broad tongues of flame shot up.

Shouts at once arose from the guards without.

Some of the revellers hearing these went to the windows to see what was happening, and gave a cry of alarm.

"Sweyn, we must be attacked; fires are rising in the outskirts of the town." "These cowards would never venture to disturb us," Sweyn said scornfully; "of all the foes we have ever met none were so feeble and timid as these Italians." "But see, Sweyn, the flames are rising from eight points; this cannot be accident." Sweyn rose from his seat and went to the window.
"No, by Wodin," he exclaimed, "there is mischief here; let us arm ourselves, and do you," he said, turning to a young man, "run swiftly to the outposts, and learn what is the meaning of this." Scarcely, however, had he spoken when a man ran breathlessly into the hall.
"Haste to the front, jarl," he said to Sweyn, "we are attacked.