Neither Elfric nor I had a word to say to each other.

The whole fight had sprung up and was over almost before we knew what was happening.
Then the Danes mounted the horses of the men who had fallen, caught the others they had turned loose on the alarm, and were off on their errands without delay.

The ranks fell out, and went back to their work as if nothing had happened, and the wharf buzzed with peaceful-seeming noise again.
That is how the first Danes came to Wessex.

Men say that these three ships were the first Danish vessels that came to all England; and so it may be, as far as coming on viking raids is concerned.
Wales knew them, and Ireland, and now our turn had come..