"We are not heathens, and we will not hurt you, father." So the warriors laughed, and went to draw Elfric away; but when he saw that I stood before the cabin door, he stepped aside by himself and watched what should befall.

I had no mail on, and at first they did not notice me.

It was the first day that I had not worn mail since we left London; but Foe's Bane was loose in the scabbard, and ready in case of need.
"Ho, skipper!" Egil cried, "whom have you on board ?" "Yon priest and some more of his sort," Bertric said.
"We have lit on a crow's nest," a man said, laughing.

"Where are they, then ?" "In the fore peak, and aft here, deadly sick," said Bertric.
Then Egil's eyes lit on me, and he stared for a minute.
"Ho!" he cried, "here is no crow, but a stout warrior enough.

What do you here, Olaf's right-hand man ?" "Helping the crows over seas," I said, trying to meet his words lightly, though my heart was heavy enough.
"Why then, friend," he said, "I must see these charges of yours.
Stand aside, and let me go into that cabin." "Nay, Egil; they are but nuns here." The honest warrior looked puzzled, but some of his men began to crowd aft, being tired of the parley, and one tried to push me aside, saying: "Let us fetch them out, and waste no more words." Whereon I sent him reeling against the gunwale, hands to face, for I dealt with him even as Godric served my warrior at Stamford.
Then I had my sword out, for it was time--and two men who drew sword on me went down on the deck before me.