Here the river was at its narrowest, and they saw the Danish galleys gathered thickly in the stream.
Edmund and Egbert were on the forecastle, and presently gave the signal for the men to cease rowing.
"It is just as I expected," Egbert said; "they have formed a boom across the river of trunks of trees and beams lashed together.

We cannot make our way down until that obstacle is removed.

What say you Edmund ?" "I agree with you," Edmund replied.
"We had best keep along close to the right bank until within a short distance of the boom; then we must land the greater part of our men.
These must march along the bank in their phalanx; the others must keep the boat moving close alongside, and from the forecastle they will be able to fire down upon the Danes and aid those on shore to drive them back and make their way to the end of the boom.

They have but to cut the lashings there and the whole will swing round.

But now we see the nature of the obstacle, and what is to be done, it were best to wait until the tide turns.