The wind was unsteady, and it seemed that a shift was coming with that night's new moon, and we were preparing for sailing.

And from our decks we saw a little train of people crossing the difficult path from the mainland to the island that folk can only use when the tide is low, and then only if they know it well or have a guide to lead them.

They say that once the path was always under water, but that the land grows slowly, and that at some time the island will be joined to the low hills that are nearest to it on the northwest.
We went back almost as these folk came into the castle garth by the western gate, and met them in the courtyard.

Then it was plain that there was trouble on hand, for the leader of the party was a thane whom I knew by sight, as he had been called to our feasting when first we came, and he had brought with him two ladies, who came in no sort of state; and, moreover, there were one or two wounded men among the twenty rough housecarles who followed them, and bore such burdens of household stuff as had been taken by us when we fled from Bures.
I had seen the like too often to mistake these signs, and I said to Olaf: "Here is fighting on hand, my king." And then before he answered, came Wulfnoth out of the great door and hurried up to the party, doffing his velvet cap as he saw the ladies.
"Ho, friend Relf," he said, "what is amiss ?" "Outlaws, earl," said the thane, "and in strong force." "This is the pest of my life," answered the earl angrily, "for no sooner are our men gone harvesting than these forest knaves begin to give trouble.
"When were you last burnt out, Relf of Penhurst ?" and he laughed in an angry way that had no mirth in it.
"Four years agone--after our trouble with Brihtric," answered the thane.

"They have not been so bold since then; and the small fights I have had with them have not been so fierce that I must fetch you from Bosham to my help." "Evil times make them bold," said the earl.