And surely we have deserved well of his folk in every way, and we of East Anglia are at peace with the Danish host.

Therefore, let us wait till they board us, and then let no man stir from his place or speak a word, that I may talk with them in peace." Those words were listened to eagerly, and they wrought on the minds of my poor fellows as I wished.

Moreover, to put our one chance of safety into form thus heartened me also, for I will not say that I feared nothing from these vikings, who might know and care naught concerning our sea-borne guest, even were they Danes.
Yet it seemed that none saw my fears, for in a little the men asked if they might take their weapons.

And though it seemed hard to me and them alike to bide unarmed, I knew it was safer, and so bade them meet the Danes in all peaceful seeming.
Now we saw a boat lowered from the longship's side, and one by one armed men entered her, and she sank deeply in the water.

Ten I counted, and at last one more, who, I supposed, was the leader.
So deep was she that, as she left the ship, I thought how that one sack of our grain, hove into her as she came alongside, would sink her and leave her crew to drown in our sight.