little hollow under some bushes, where I could both see and hear them
when they came.

They were four in all, and were panting from their run.

"Who fired the beacon?" said one, looking round.

"Never mind," said another; "we shall have credit for mighty diligence
in doing it."

"But," said the first, "he should be here."

Then they forgot that in the greater interest they had left, or escaped
from, and began to talk of the vikings.

The men from two ships had landed, I learned, and had surprised the
place; scarce had any time to flee; none to save goods. They mentioned
certain names of the slain whom they had seen fall, and of these one was
the franklin whom I was going to seek. There was no help for me thence now.

One man said he had heard there were more ships lying off; but they did
not know how many, and I could see they had been in too great haste to
care to learn.

Soon fugitives--men, women, and children--began to straggle in
wretched little groups up the hill, weeping and groaning, and I knew
there would soon be too many there for my liking. So I crept away,
easily enough, and went out to the headland.

But I could see nothing on the sea now; and so, very sad at heart, I