But he and his horse fell, for (I say truth) one leapt high above the horse, smiting downwards with his axe, so that the man was swept in twain under that blow, and the berserk Dane came on unhindered, straight for the standard, for his comrade had hewed off the horse's head.
Now I rested, by the standard, a long spear's length in front of our line.

But by this I had leapt to my feet; and it was time, for he was almost on me.

Spear had I none; so I dragged out the standard shaft from the ground where I had struck it, and levelled that sharp butt end full at his chest.

Overhead was his axe again, and I had no shield to stop the blow; but I must leap aside from it.
He paid no heed to the spear-ended shaft, but rushed straight on it, spitting himself through and through, while his axe fell; but I had wrenched myself and the shaft at once to one side, and he fell over, burying the axe head in the ground but an inch from the collier's foot.
Yet had he not done with me, for, leaving the axe, he clawed the ashen shaft and dragged himself up along it, howling, not with the pain, but with madness, and I must needs smite him with my sword, for his dagger was already at my throat.
Then looked I round for the other, but at first could not see him, for he was dead also, pinned to the ground by another of the horsemen, from behind.

And all our men were on their feet, and the ring of Danes were shouting, and cheering their two mad men, yet keeping close order.
This seems long in telling; but it was all done in a flash, as it were, for the first I knew of the coming of these men was by the wheeling of the horse and the leaping of the berserk above it.
Then my men came and rid the standard of its burden, not easily, while Ealhstan stood with his arm on my shoulder, looking white and scared: for that had been the greatest danger he had seen that day, as he told me, which, indeed, it must have been, for else he had never changed countenance.
"Gratias Domino," he said, "verily into these heathen evil spirits enter, driving them to death.