“But another year and I too should go,” he said, appealing to Egwina for sympathy. “O Egwina, dost thou not think that my father would let me go? A little year! What is it that it should make a difference?” But Alfred turned a deaf ear to their pleadings, and Edward was forced to the inactivity of a non-combatant. The forces left with high hopes. Listlessly the lad wandered about, unable to occupy himself. At last he sought Egwina’s side. “I cannot content myself here,” he said, “while yonder the battle may rage. ’Tis custom for women and maidens to follow from afar, why not for youths also? Wilt thou go with me, Egwina, to watch the issue of the fray?” “Gladly, Edward,” answered Egwina rising, “if thou wilt promise that thou wilt not rush into it.” “I am not old enough,” said the youth scornfully. “O Egwina, it breaketh my heart that I am not yet able to strike for my country, but I will bide my time.” So the two set forth and followed after the army. Alfred had gathered his forces first at Egbert’s stone where the whole army had collected. The Saxons received him with acclamations of joy. Moving swiftly, Alfred then fell upon the pagans at Ethandune. They were taken completely by surprise. The chief fault of the Saxons hitherto had been that they fought in an uncompact manner, and the Danes could overwhelm them by surrounding a part at a time. This Alfred had tried to overcome by direction and drill until now they fell upon the Danes an organized, skilled force. Furiously did the Northmen receive the assault. The discharge of the Saxon arrows was succeeded by the attack of the lances, and soon it became a personal conflict of swords. The Danes resisted with their customary intrepidity, but their efforts though furious were unavailing. Closer and closer to the combatants crept Edward and Egwina. The boy’s eyes were dilated with excitement. He trembled but not with fear. Suddenly Alfred’s own standard of the golden dragon upon a white ground, which Adiva and Gunnehilde had woven, tottered and fell. The standard-bearer was struck down with his death blow. “The standard! the king’s own standard is down!” screamed Edward, wildly. “It must not be!” “Edward! Edward!” shrieked Egwina, but the boy heard not, or if he heard, he did not heed. Over the intervening space he flew; snatched a sword from a dead body as he went, and then right to the front he ran, and hoisted the standard on high. The flying figure of the lad as he appeared amongst them thrilled the superstitious Saxons with awe. Alfred saw his son as he dashed into the thick of the fray, and as he noted with what bravery he bore himself, a smile of pride lighted up his face. “Marry, the boy bears himself as if he were St. Neot come to lead us to victory!”