Therefore he choked down his anger that we should come unbidden into his fortress, and laughed harshly.
"Well for me, King Olaf, that you come in peace, as it seems.

One may see that these men are no untried war smiths." "There is no man in my own crew who has not seen four battles with me," answered Olaf.

"Some have seen more.

The rest of the men have each seen two fights of mine." "I would that I had somewhat on hand that was worthy to be counted as another battle of yours, instead of a hunting of these forest wolves," answered Wulfnoth, seeming to grow less angry.

"Supposing that you and I were to fight for the crown of England for ourselves--either of us has as much right thereto as Cnut." "The Danes hold that England has paid scatt {6} to their king as overlord, and that is proof of right for Cnut, as they say," answered Olaf.
"They say!" growled Wulfnoth fiercely.