Already I had a great liking for him, and the more I heard of Alfred the king, the more I wished to see him.

At the least, a man who could build ships like these, having every good point of the best I knew, and better than any ever heard of before, was worth speaking with.

I thought I knew somewhat of the shipwright's craft, and one thinks much of the wisdom of the man who is easily one's master in anything wherein one has pride.
Moreover, Alfred's men were wont to speak of him with little fear, but as if longing for his praise.

And I thought that wonderful, knowing only Harald Fairhair and the dread of him..