Here and there I saw some of our people standing helpless in doorways, or looking from the loft windows and stairways; but it was plain that the most of them had fled.

There were several boatloads of them crossing the bay with all speed for safety.
Next I saw that at the high stems and sterns of the ships stood posted men, who seemed to be on watch, leaning on their spears, and taking no part in the bustle.

But every man worked with his arms ready, and more men who had found horses rode out along the roads as we came in.

They were the pickets who would watch for the raising of the country, or who would drive in the cattle from the fields.
Twice I had seen border warfare with the west Welsh on the Devon side of our country, and so I knew what these horsemen were about, or rather guessed it.

But at the time all the affair was a confused medley to me, if I seem to see it plainly now as I look back.