第 45 节
作者:悟来悟去      更新:2022-11-23 12:12      字数:9322
  had told him that the best course was to sail west to the
  extremity of England; then to steer due south until they came
  upon the north coast of Spain。 They would follow this to its
  western extremity; and then run south; following the land
  till they came to a channel some ten miles wide; which formed
  the entrance to the Mediterranean。
  They decided; therefore; to follow this course in hopes
  of interrupting the galleys there; they would thus avoid the
  dangerous navigation of the west coast of France; where there
  were known to be many islands and rocks; around which the
  tides ran with great fury。 For a fortnight the Dragon lay
  windbound; then came two days of calm; and then; to their
  delight; the pennon on the top of the mast blew out
  from the east。
  They were lying in the mouth of the Colne; and would
  therefore have no difficulty in making the Foreland; and with
  her sail set and her oars out the Dragon dashed away from
  her moorings。 Swiftly they ran round the south…easterly point
  of England and then flew before the breeze along the southern
  coast。 On the third day they were off Land's End and
  hauled her head to the south。 The east wind held; the Bay of
  Biscay was calm; and after a rapid voyage they sighted the
  high lands of Spain ahead。 Then they sheered to the west till
  they rounded its extremity and then sailed down the coast of
  Spain。 They put into a river for provisions; and the natives
  assembled in great numbers on the banks with the evident
  intention of opposing a landing; but upon Egbert shouting
  that they were not Danes but Saxons; and were ready to barter
  for the provisions they required; the natives allowed them
  to approach。 There was no wrangling for terms。 Cattle were
  purchased; and the water…tanks filled up; and a few hours
  after entering the river the Dragon was again under way。
  Rounding the southern point they followed the land。 After a
  day's sailing they perceived land on their right; and gave a
  shout of joy at the thought that they had arrived at the
  entrance of the straits。 At nightfall they dropped anchor。
  〃What are you looking at; Siegbert?〃 Edmund asked;
  seeing the jarl looking thoughtfully at the anchor…chain
  as the ship swung round。
  〃I am thinking;〃 the jarl said; 〃that we must have made
  some error。 Do you not see that she rides; just as we were
  sailing; with her head to the north…east? That shows that the
  current is against us。〃
  〃Assuredly it does;〃 Edmund said; 〃but the current is a
  very slack one; for the ropes are not tight。〃
  〃But that agrees not;〃 Siegbert said; 〃with what I have
  been told。 In the first place; this channel points to the
  northeast; whereas; as I have heard; the straits into the
  Mediterranean run due east。 In the next place; those who have
  been through have told me that there are no tides as in the
  northern seas; but that the current runs ever like a river to
  the east。〃
  〃If that be so;〃 Edmund said; 〃we must have mistaken
  our way; for here what current there is runs to the west。
  To…morrow morning; instead of proceeding farther; we will cross
  to the opposite side; and will follow that down until we strike
  upon the right channel。〃
  In the morning sail was again made; and crossing what
  was really the Bay of Cadiz they sailed on till they arrived at
  the mouth of the straits。 There was no doubt now that they
  were right。 The width of the channel; its direction; and the
  steady current through it; all corresponded with what Siegbert
  had heard; and proceeding a mile along it they cast anchor。
  They soon opened communications with the natives;
  who; although speaking a tongue unknown to them; soon
  comprehended by their gestures and the holding up of articles
  of barter that their intentions were friendly。 Trade was
  established; and there was now nothing to do but to await
  the coming of the galleys。
  〃I would;〃 Edmund said; as; when evening was closing;
  he looked across the straits at the low hills on the opposite
  side; 〃that this passage was narrower。 Sweyn will; doubtless;
  have men on board his ship who have sailed in these seas
  before; and will not need to grope his way along as we have
  done。 If he enters the straits at night we shall see nothing of
  him; and the current runs so fast that he would sweep speedily
  by。 It is possible; indeed; that he has already passed。 If he
  continued to row down the shores of France all the time we
  were lying wind…bound he would have had so long a start when
  the east wind began to blow; that; although the galleys carry
  but little sail; they might well have been here some days
  before us。 Sweyn would be anxious to join Hasting as soon as
  he could。 The men would be thirsting for booty; and would
  make but short halt anywhere。 I will stay but a week。 If in
  that time they come not we will enter this southern sea and
  seek the fleet of Hasting。 When we find that we shall find
  Sweyn; but I fear that the search will be a long one; for these
  people speak not our tongue; and we shall have hard work in
  gaining tidings of the whereabouts of the Northmen's fleet。〃
  Day and night a vigilant watch was kept up from the
  mast…head of the Dragon; but without success。 Each day they
  became more and more convinced that Sweyn must be ahead
  of them; and on the morning of the seventh they lifted their
  anchor and proceeded through the straits。 Many had been
  the consultations between Edmund and his friends; and it
  had been determined at last to sail direct for Rome。 Siegbert
  knew that by sailing somewhat to the north of east; after
  issuing from the passage; they would in time arrive at Italy。
  At Rome there was a monastery of Saxon monks; and
  through them they would be able to obtain full information
  as to the doings and whereabouts of the squadron of Hasting。
  Scarcely were they through the straits than the wind;
  veering to the south…east; prevented them from making the
  course they had fixed upon; but they were able to coast along
  by the shore of Spain。 They put into several small ports as
  they cruised up; but could obtain no intelligence of the Danes;
  being unable to converse except by signs。
  When they reached Marseilles they were pleased to meet
  with Franks; with whom they could converse; and hired a
  pilot acquainted with the coasts of the Mediterranean。 They
  learned that Hasting and his fleet had harried the coasts of
  Provence and Italy; that the Genoese galleys had had several
  engagements with them; but had been worsted。
  The Danish fleet was now off the coast of Sicily; and
  the Northmen were ravaging that rich and fertile island。
  They were reported to have even threatened to ascend the Tiber
  and to burn Rome。 Having obtained the services of a man
  who spoke both the Italian and Frankish tongues; Edmund
  started again。 He first went to Genoa; as he thought that the
  people there might be despatching another fleet against the
  Northmen in which case he would have joined himself to
  them。 On his arrival there he was well entertained by the
  Genoese when they learned; through the interpreter; who
  they were; and that they had come from England as enemies
  of the Danes。
  Edmund and his Saxons were much surprised at the
  splendour of Genoa; which immensely surpassed anything
  they had hitherto seen in the magnificence of its buildings;
  the dress and appearance of its inhabitants; the variety of
  the goods displayed by the traders; and the wealth and luxury
  which distinguished it。 It was indeed their first sight of
  civilization; and Edmund felt how vastly behind was Northern
  Europe; and understood for the first time Alfred's extreme
  eagerness to raise the condition of his people。 On the other
  hand; the Genoese were surprised at the dress and appearance
  of the Saxons。
  The crew of the Dragon were picked men; and their
  strength and stature; the width of their shoulders; and the
  muscles of their arms; and; above all; their fair hair and blue
  eyes; greatly astonished the Genoese。 Edmund and his companions
  might have remained in Genoa and received entertainment
  and hospitality from its people for a long time; but
  after a stay of a day or two; and having obtained the various
  stores necessary for their voyage; Edmund determined to
  proceed。 Three of the young Genoese nobles; fired by the
  story which they heard of the adventures which the Dragon
  had gone through; and desirous of taking part in any action
  which she might fight against the Danes; begged leave to
  accompany them。
  Edmund gladly acceded to the request; as their presence
  would be of great utility in other ports at which the
  Dragon might touch。 At Genoa Edmund procured garments
  for his men similar to those worn by the Italian soldiers and
  sailors; and here he sold to the gold and silversmiths a large
  number of articles of value which they had captured from
  the Danes; or with which the Count Eudes and the people of
  Paris had presented them。
  The Dragon differed but little in appearance from the
  galleys of the Genoese; and Edmund determined when he
  approached the shores where the Northmen were plundering
  to pass as a Genoese ship; for should the news come to
  Sweyn's ears that a Saxon galley was in the Mediterranean it
  might put him on his guard; as he would believe that she was
  special