King Olaf's Kinsman - A Story of the Last Saxon Struggle against the Danes in the Days of Ironside and Cnut by Charles W. (Charles Watts) Whistler
page 69 of 375 (18%)
page 69 of 375 (18%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
borders, and he could keep the sea line. So Ethelred left him
alone, and Swein would not disturb him. But his help was worth winning, and Olaf thought that he might do it. So we sailed to Lymne, and then to Winchelsea, and there we heard that the earl and some of his ships were at his great stronghold of Pevensea, which lay not far westward along the coast. And we came there in the second week of September, when the time was near that the ships should be laid up in their winter quarters. As we came off the mouth of the shallow tidal haven that runs behind the great castle, whose old Roman walls seem strong as ever, a boat from the shore came off very boldly to speak with us. But we could see the sparkle of arms as some ships were manned in all haste lest we were no friendly comers. The leader of the boat's crew was a handsome boy of about fifteen, well armed and fearless, and he stepped on board Olaf's ship without mistrust when the king hailed him. "Who are you, and what would you on these shores?" he asked before we had spoken. Olaf laughed pleasantly in his quiet way, and answered: "I must know who asks me before I say aught." "Maybe that is fair," said the boy. "I am Godwine, son of Wulfnoth the earl." |
|