"We can have no breaking of the king's peace here, let me tell you.

Set down those arms, and do your errand here as peaceful merchants, whereto will be no hindrance.

But concerning the lifting of cattle which has gone on, I must have your leaders brought to Dorchester, there to answer for the same." There was a moment's silence, and then the Danes broke into a great roar of laughter.

Even Thorleif's grim face had a smile on it, and he set his hand to his mouth, and stroked his long moustache as if hiding it, while he looked wonderingly at the angry man before him.
But beside me Elfric stamped his foot with impatience, and muttered curses on the foolhardiness of the sheriff, which, indeed, I suppose no one understands to this day.
Some say that he took them for merchants, run wild indeed, but to be brought to soberness by authority.

Others think that finding himself, as it were, in a wolf's mouth, he was minded to carry it off with a high hand, seeing no other way out of the danger.