Then pressed the West Saxons hard on "the footsteps of the loathed nations." "They hewed the fugitives behind, amain, with swords mill-sharp," while on the battle-stead lay five "youthful kings, and seven eke of Anlaf's earls." "Constantine, hoary warrior, he had no cause to exult in the communion of swords. Here was his kindred band of friends o'erthrown on the falkstead, in battle slain; and his son he left on the slaughter-place, mangled with wounds, young in the fight." The slaughter was dreadful, but the throne of Athelstan was secured, and his northern subjects humbled. He left behind him a terrible carnage field, "the sallowy kite the corse to devour, and the swarthy raven with horned nib, and the dusky 'pada' erne white-tailed, the corse to enjoy, greedy war-hawk, and the grey beast, wolf of the wood. Carnage greater has not been in this island ever yet of people slain, before this, by edges of swords, as books us say, old writers, since from the east hither, Angles and Saxons came to land, o'er the broad seas Britain sought, mighty war-smiths, the Welsh o'ercame, earls most bold, this earth obtained." In later years Anlaf obtained considerable successes over King Edmund, and the northern provinces were ceded to him; but scarcely had he obtained this high position ere death touched his brow, and kingly pride and vain ambition were overcome. Despite the labours of Yorkshire and Lancashire antiquaries, the locality of Brunanburgh must be regarded as unascertained, and no evidence has been produced that can justify its inclusion in the list of Yorkshire battles. XXII.--FIGHT OFF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD. A.D. 1779. In the years 1778 and 1779 British commerce suffered severely from the attacks of Paul Jones. In September of the latter year he cruised along the East coast with the "Bonne Homme Richard," 40 guns, 375 men; the "Alliance," 40 guns, 300 men; the "Pallas," 32 guns, 275 men; and the "Vengeance," 12 guns, 70 men. On the 20th of September, Bridlington was alarmed by an express stating that Paul Jones was off Scarborough; that evening he was seen by the fishermen of Flamborough, and a fleet of merchantmen crowded into Bridlington bay, and the harbour was soon thronged with vessels, a number being chained alongside the piers. The townsfolks mustered, rudely armed, and supported the two companies of Northumberland Militia, who marched to the quay with drums beating.