At last, however, they reached the mouth of the Thames, and dropping up with the tide, reached London eight days after their embarcation.

The noble charger which the King of Saxony had presented to Cuthbert, had suffered greatly, and he feared at one time, that the poor animal would succumb to the effects of the tempest.
However, after entering into smooth water it recovered itself, and on landing near the Tower he found that it was able to support his weight.
Cnut and the archers were, like Cuthbert, delighted to have their feet again upon English soil; and although London did not now strike them with the same wonder which it would have done had they first visited it before starting on their journey--for in many respects it was greatly behind some of the continental cities--yet the feeling of home, and the pleasure of being able to understand the conversation of those around them, made the poor fellows almost beside themselves with joy.

Beyond the main political incidents, Cuthbert had heard little of what had passed in England since his departure; and putting up at a hostelry, he inquired of the host whether Sir Baldwin of B,thune was in London, or whether he was away on his estates.

The landlord did not know.

There were, he said, but few nobles at court, and London was never so dull as at present.