And as to my loss, he bade me take heart, for a seaman has ever risks such as these to run; and, as it seemed, this ship of ours had ever been lucky.

Which was true enough, as my father had told me by the fireside many a time.
After this we headed over to the Frankish shore, and there I had my first fight.

For we raided a town there, and the citizens stood up to us well.

I fought in silence, while my comrades yelled to Thor and Odin as they smote, for those against whom we fought were Christian men, and to fight against them by the side of heathen went against me.

Yet the lust of battle took hold on me, and fight I must.