Many of them stood open, and in one a fire burned on the hearth, but all were empty. So we turned into a street that led seemingly from one bridge to the other across the town. Here men were going hither and thither with torches, and groups were outside some of the houses. To the nearest of these I went, as if I had all right to be in the place.
They were bringing goods out of the house, and loading a cart with them.
"Here is a flitting," said Kolgrim, "and another or two are on hand yonder."
I stayed a man who came past me from out of a house.
"I have fled from Poole," I said. "What is in the wind here? Are we to leave Wareham also?"
"If you come from Poole, you should know that it is time we did so," he answered shortly. "I suppose you saw the whole business."
"So I did," I answered. "What are the orders?"
"Pack up and quit with all haste," said he. "You had better get to work if you have aught to save."
"Shall we go to Exeter, or back to Mercia?" I said.
"Exeter they say; but I know not. Why not go and ask Jarl Osmund himself--or follow the crowd and hinder no one with questions?"