I could see that Thrand knew this also.
"That is all very well," I said; "but I am Egil Thorarinsson's captive." Whereat one of the men laughed.
"You may not choose your captor, man.

Egil has not been ashore all day.

He is with the ships yonder." Then Thrand said, seeming very wroth: "I will not lose a good captive and ransom for any Mercian turncoat.

I will go and find the king and make complaint." "Tell him that you are Egil at the same time," a Dane sneered.

"You will not hoodwink him as you have this Saxon." "Is not this man Egil ?" I asked, looking at Thrand with a hope that he would guess whom I needed.
"He Egil!" they answered, laughing loudly.