68 Norway and the Norwegians 



came to carry on their depreciations in that very port. 

 When the ships were perceived, some thought they 

 were Jewish merchants, some that they were Africans, 

 some Bretons. But the wise king, knowing from the 

 shape and swiftness of the vessels what sort of crews 

 they carried, said to those about him, " These ships bear 

 no merchandise, but cruel foes." At these words all 

 the Franks rivalled each other in the speed with which 

 they rushed to attack the boats. But it was useless. 

 The Northmen hearing that there stood the man whom 

 they were wont to call Charles the Hammer, were 

 afraid lest all their fleet should be taken in the port, 

 and should be broken in pieces ; and their flight was so 

 rapid, that they withdrew themselves, not only from 

 the swords, but even from the eyes of those who wished 

 to catch them. The religious Charles, however, seized 

 by a holy fear, rose from the table, and looked out of 

 the window towards the east, remaining long in that 

 position, his face bathed in tears. No one ventured to 

 question him : but turning to his followers he said, 

 " Know ye why I weep ? Truly, I fear not that these 

 will injure me. But I am deeply grieved that in my 

 lifetime they should have been so near landing on 

 these shores, and I am overwhelmed with sorrow as I 

 look forward and see what evils they will bring upon 

 my offspring and their people." ' 



If this story is true, it shows that the great Emperor 

 was a man of penetration. For few could have guessed 

 from all that had yet been seen of the Vikings, some little 

 fleet here and there outside a coast town, or near a 

 monastery of England or the Low Countries, what a great 

 flood of invasion was in the course of a few years to 



