The other three were upon the shore, where they had been left by the tide, and were, of course, disabled and defenseless until the water should rise and float them again.

Under these circumstances, it would seem that the victory for Alfred's fleet would have been easy and sure; and at first the result was, in fact, in Alfred's favor.

Of the three ships that came out to meet him, two were captured, and one escaped, with only five men left on board of it alive.

The Saxon ships, after thus disposing of the three living and moving enemies, pushed boldly into the harbor to attack those which were lying lifeless on the sands.

They found, however, that, though successful in the encounter with the active and the powerful, they were destined to disaster and defeat in approaching the defenseless and weak.