Neither side had taken to the oars, for he saw that we had the advantage, and we had no need to do so, therefore.

It was a fair sailing match.
But now Heidrek saw what sort of ships he had to deal with, and he did not like the look of them, being near enough to note their height of side and strength of build.

It is likely that, like myself, he saw at last what manner of shipbuilder that Alfred was of whom we had heard such tales.

I had ever been told, when shipmen gathered in our hall, that the ships of the west Saxons were framed with all the best points of the best ships yet built, with added size and power, and now I knew that all I had heard was but truth.
Also I minded how Bertric had laughed when I said that most likely Vikings had taken these vessels, and understood why.
Heidrek saw that he had no chance if there was to be a fight, and acted accordingly.

Had he been an honest Viking, cruising for ransom from coast towns, and toll from cargo ships as he met them, or ready to do some fair fighting for any chief who had a quarrel on hand, and needed a little more help toward the ending of it, no doubt he would have borne down on us and spoken with Hakon.