There were many crows and ravens among the trees above where they had stood, and a great osprey wheeled over our heads as we looked.
"No men here," said my comrade, "else would not yon birds be so quiet." But I could see no boat, and my heart sank somewhat; for nothing was there on this bank wherewith to make the raft of which Wulfhere spake.
Then said I: "Let us swim over and see what we can find." Now it was three hours after noon, or thereabouts, and the tide was running out very swiftly, and it was a long passage over.

Nevertheless we agreed to try it, and so, going higher up the stream, we cast ourselves in, and swam quartering across the tide.
A long and heavy swim it was, but no more than two strong men could well manage.

All the time, however, I looked to see some red-cloaked Dane come out from the trees and spy us; but there was none.
Then we reached the other bank, and stood to gain breath, for now we were in the enemy's country, and tired as we were, we threw ourselves down in the shelter of a broad-stemmed willow tree, on the side away from the hill and village.
In a moment the collier touched my arm and pointed.

On the crest of the hill stood a man, looking down towards us, but he was unarmed, as well as I could see, and, moreover, his figure seemed familiar.

We watched him closely, for he began to come down towards us, and as he came nearer I knew him.