The men were lying about and watching the sky, for it was changing.

But at one word from me there was no more listlessness; and Rani called them to quarters.

I would that in the English levies there was the order and quickness that was in Olaf's ships.

Yet these men had been with him for years, and were not like our hastily-gathered villagers.
So in ten minutes or less they were armed and ready for aught; and Rani and I led them up to the castle, leaving the ship guard set, as if we were making a landing in earnest on an enemy's shore.
Eight hundred strong we were, and foremost marched the men of Olaf's ship, each one of whom wore ring mail of the best and a good helm, and carried both sword and axe and round shield.
Wulfnoth stood with his back to the gate as we entered with the leading files.

But when he heard the tramp and ring of warriors in their mail, he started and turned round sharply.