Is that so, young Saxon ?" "I am the Ealdorman Edmund himself," the young man replied quietly.

"My successes were won not by my own strength or courage, but by the valour of those under me, who, fighting in a novel manner, gained advantage over your Northmen." "By Thor!" Bijorn exclaimed, "and this is the youth who attacked us at night and drove off the cattle we had taken and slew many of our followers, Sweyn! Truly he would be a rare sacrifice to offer to Odin; but the god has himself welcomed him here." "It may be that he welcomed him as a sacrifice, father," Sweyn suggested.
"Ah! that may be so," the jarl replied.

"We must consult the omens to find out the true meaning of my charger's neighing.

Nevertheless in either case I shall be content, for if he be not welcomed as a sacrifice he is welcome as bringing good fortune; and in truth he will make a noble cup-bearer to me.

It is not every jarl who is waited upon by a Saxon ealdorman.