Maybe there were ten seamen among the hundred and fifty, but these had handled the ship well under canvas, as we knew.
"You have come in good time, King Ranald," Odda said.

"You see what state we are in; can you better it for us ?" "Many things I can see that need strengthening," I answered.

"But you seem to take me into your counsels over soon, seeing that I have just fallen on you sword in hand." "Why," said Odda frankly, "it is just your way of speaking to me sword in hand that makes me sure that I can trust you.

I cannot deny that you had this ship at your mercy, and that the other would have been yours next; and you knew it, and yet spoke me fair.

So it is plain that you mean well by us." "Ay," said I, "but for your bidding me to yield, there would have been no fighting at all, when I knew to whom the ships belonged." "You have put a thought in my mind, and I am glad you did board us, seeing there is no harm done," Odda answered.