and their deeds are like unto their kinlessness."

"And are thy deeds so good?" said Ralph. "Are they ill,"
said Bull, "when they are done against the foemen?" Said Ralph:
"And are all men your foemen who pass through these mountains?"
"All," said Bull, "but they be of the kindred or their known friends."

"Well, Bull," said Ralph, "I like thy deeds little, that thou
shouldest ravish men and women from their good life, and sell
them for a price into toil and weariness and stripes."

Said Bull: "How much worse do we than the chapmen by his debtor,
and the lord of the manor by his villein?" Said Ralph:
"Far worse, if ye did but know it, poor men!" Quoth Bull:
"But I neither know it, nor can know it, nay, not when thou
sayest it; for it is not so. And look you, master, this life
of a bought thrall is not such an exceeding evil life;
for oft they be dealt with softly and friendly, and have other
thralls to work for them under their whips."

Ralph laughed: "Which shall I make thee, friend Bull, the upper
or the under?" Bull reddened, but said naught. Said Ralph:
"Or where shall I sell thee, that I may make the best penny
out of my good luck and valiancy?" Bull looked chopfallen:
"Nay," said he in a wheedling voice, "thou wilt not sell me, thou?
For I deem that thou wilt be a good master to me: and," he broke
into sudden heat hereat, "if I have another master I shall surely
slay him whate'er betide."

Ralph laughed again, and said: "Seest thou what an evil craft ye follow,