"Aye, that I can," said the boy eagerly; "I take my own ship in and out without troubling any other to help."
And with that he took hold of Rani's arm and showed him mark after mark, giving him depth of water and the like, while we listened and watched his face.
Presently Olaf said:
"Take command of my ship, Godwine, and lead the rest."
"You will take the risk, lord king," he answered laughing.
"Aye, and will hold you blameless if she takes the ground before she is beached."
Now there was no doubt that Godwine was used to command, and was confident in himself, for he made no more ado, but took charge, and bade Rani signal the rest to follow, while he went to the helm himself.
Then said Olaf to me while the boy was intent on his work: "Here is one who will be a great man in England some day, and I think before long."
And I had thought the same; for Earl Wulfnoth's son would rank high for the sake of his birth, and it seemed that he was fitted to take the great place that might be his.
So Godwine beached the ships well, in the lee of the island on which the great castle stands when the tide is high, and we went ashore. The castle gates were well guarded in our honour, for Godwine had sent the boat back with word who we were.