But trust to Ranald's luck, thane." Then in a few more minutes we were riding our hardest towards the wood.

I heard Odda shout after us from the entrance to the fort as we went, but we heeded him not.
We edged up to the deep lane through the trees until we were so near that we could almost see into it.

The banner was at the head of the column, and there were no mounted men with it.

Hubba had brought no horses with him from across the sea.
Then we waited for a long minute, hearing the tramp of the coming men, and their loud talk and laughter as they boasted of their prize.

They were going very carelessly.
"If we get it," I whispered to the thane, whose eyes were shining, "ride hard up the hill to our folk who are there." He nodded and then before us fluttered the folds of his treasure.
Instantly he spurred his great white horse, and leaped straight at it into the lane, and after him on either side came Kolgrim and I.
A great howl rose from the startled Danes, and I saw Heregar wheel his horse and tear the banner from the man who held it, cutting down another warrior who tried to catch his bridle.