And when the men came from our ship, they brought that tale from our men also; so that they made me most welcome, and I was almost fain to get away from them.
But we sat and talked while the tide went by and turned, and still we lay at anchor until the stars came out and the night wind began to sing in the rigging of the great ship.
Now I had thought that surely Halfden would have wished to sail back to Reedham at once, there to seek his father; but I knew not yet the power which draws a true viking ever onward to the west, and when I said that we would, if he chose, sail back with him on the next tide, he only laughed, saying: "Why so?
My father is well and in good case.

Wherefore we will end our cruise well if we can, and so put in for him on our way home at the season's end." "What would you do, then ?" I asked, wondering.
"Raid somewhere," he answered carelessly.

"We will not go home without some booty, or there will be grumbling among the wives; but for your sake we will go south yet, for you are bound for London, as I think." I said that it was so, and that I would at once go back to Reedham when my business was done, there to prepare for his coming.
"That is well; and we will sail to Thames mouth together.

And you shall sail in my ship to tell me more of my father, and because I think we shall be good friends, so that I would rather have you come and raid a town or two with me than part with you.

But as you have your ship to mind, we will meet again at Reedham, and I will winter there with you, and we will hunt together, and so take you home with us in the spring." Now this seemed good to me, and pleased me well enough, as I told him.