greatly diminished by the energetic measures which King
Egbert had taken for the destruction of these beasts. Their
halting-places were for the most part at religious houses, which
then served the purpose of inns for travellers, being freely
opened to those whom necessity or pleasure might cause to
journey. Everywhere they found the monks in a state of alarm
at the progress of the Danes, who, wherever they went,
destroyed the churches and religious houses, and slew
the monks.

Eldred was everywhere received with marked honour;
being known as a wise and valiant noble, his opinions on the
chances of the situation were eagerly listened to, and he found
the monks at all their halting-places prepared, if need be, to
take up arms and fight the pagan invaders, as those of Mercia
and Wessex had done in the preceding autumn. The travellers,
on arriving at Croyland, were warmly welcomed.

"I heard, brother," the abbot said, "that you had bravely
fought against the Danes near Thetford, and have been sorely
anxious since the news came of the dispersal of your force."

"I have been in hiding," Eldred said, "hoping that a general
effort would be made against the invaders. My own power
was broken, since all my lands are in their hands. The people
of East Anglia foolishly seem to suppose that, so long as the
Danes remain quiet, the time has not come for action. They
will repent their lethargy some day, for, as the Danes gather
in strength, they will burst out over the surrounding country
as a dammed-up river breaks its banks. No, brother, I regard