with nets and snares he caught the fish which swarmed in
the sluggish waters; or, having covered his boat with a leafy
bower until it resembled a floating bush, drifted close to the
flocks of wild-fowl, and with his bow and arrows obtained
many a plump wild duck. Smaller birds were caught in snares
or traps, or with bird-lime smeared on twigs. Eldred seldom
joined his son in his hunting excursions, as he was busied
with his brother the abbot in concerting the measures of
defence and in organizing a band of messengers, who, on
the first warning of danger, could be despatched throughout
the fens to call in the fisher population to the defence of the
abbey.

It was on the 18th of September, 870, that a messenger
arrived at the abbey and craved instant speech with the prior.
The latter, who was closeted with his brother, ordered the
man to be admitted.

"I come," he said, "from Algar the ealdorman. He bids
me tell you that a great Danish host has landed from the
Humber at Lindsay. The rich monastery of Bardenay has
been pillaged and burned. Algar is assembling all the
inhabitants of the marsh lands to give them battle, and he prays
you to send what help you can spare, for assuredly they will
march hither should he be defeated."

"Return to the ealdorman," the abbot said; "tell him that
every lay brother and monk who can bear arms shall march
hence to join him under the command of lay brother Toley,
whose deeds of arms against the Danes in Mercia are well