dda looked at the man, who seemed wretched enough, but had no
hurt; then he stared at our laughing faces, and his own brow began
to clear.

"It comes into my mind," he said, "that maybe you would listen to
me if I owned first that you have the best of us, and then asked
you to fight for Alfred of Wessex. We need the help of such men as
you just now; and if you hate Danes, we have work enough for you."

"One may certainly listen to that," I answered, laughing.

"What say you, men? Shall we cast in our lot with Alfred for a
while?"

"We follow you, Ranald the king," Kolgrim answered for all. "If it
seems good to you, it is good for us. There will be fighting
enough, I trow, if all we have heard is true."

Then said Odda:

"And that before long. There is a Danish fleet in Poole Harbour
that is to bring Danes from Wareham to the help of those whom
Alfred holds in Exeter. We have to meet this fleet and scatter it."

"Then," said old Thord, "your men must be better handled, for Danes
are no new swordsmen or seamen either."

Now the men stood listening to our talk, and this sort of saying
was not good for them to hear, if they were to meet the foe soon
with a good hope of victory. So Odda said quickly:

"If you will indeed fight for us, you must trust to Alfred to give
you fitting reward. I do not know what I might say about that,
having thought of no such chance as this. But there is no man who
can complain of him."

I had heard that the king was ever open handed, but also that at
this time he had little to give. Maybe, however, we might help him
to riches again. I had the men to think of, but I will say for
myself that I had not thought of asking what reward or pay should
be given.

I sheathed my sword, and held out my hand to Odda across the yard
that was between us; and he grasped it honestly, while the men on
either side cheered.

"Stay here and speak with me," Odda said. "Now we must get back to
the fleet."

Then went back to our ship, all but Thord and half a dozen
warriors, whom he kept as guard for me, I suppose; and the
grappling lines were cast off. Then we made sail again, and headed
to rejoin the rest of the Saxon vessels. Odda's crippled ship had
repaired her damage at this time, and went with us. But first it
was plain that she thought we had taken her consort, for she
prepared to fight us, and Odda had to hail her once or twice before
she was sure of what had happened. Then her crew cheered a