Black grows his face, and into his beard he blows, and the hard Norse words grumble like thunder from his lips.

Then know I that Odda the ealdorman has been playing the land lubber again, and wonder what is wrong.

Nor is it long ere I find out, and I and my luckless crew are flying to mind what orders are howled at us.

In good truth, if Alfred ever needs me to hurry in aught, let him send Thord the viking to see that I do so.

One may know how I fear him, since I chose rather to risk battle with Jarl Osmund on shore than to bide near him in my own ship any longer." Then the jarl and I laughed till our sides ached, and Odda joined us when he could not help it, so doleful was his face and solemn were his words when he told his tale.