In his eagerness to help and solace, the Abbot even sent forth messengers to bring in the fugitives to refuge.  Now on a day that Rheinfrid went out on this work of mercy, he met at a crossway a number of peasants fleeing before a dozen Norman men-at-arms.  He raised his arm and called to them to make a stand, but they were too much terrified to heed him.  Then he saw that one of the soldiers had seized by the hair a fair Saxon woman with a babe at her bosom, and with a great cry he bade him let her go, for his blood was hot within him as he thought of the Saxon woman who had carried him in her arms and suckled him when he was but such a little child.  But the Norman only laughed and turned the point of his sword against the monk.