Said David, the old man, grinning: "He will hold him well paid if he go
unscathed from before thee, lord: for he looked not to meet thee here,
but thought to bring the young man to Utterness, that he might be kept
there till thou camest."

The lord said, grimly: "He is not far wrong to fear me, maybe:
but he shall go for this time. But if he bring me not those women
within three months' wearing, and if there be but two uncomely
ones amongst them, let him look to it. Give him his gold, David.
Now take ye the new man, and let him rest, and give him meat and drink.
And look you, David, if he be not in condition when he cometh
home to Utterbol, thou shalt pay for it in one way or other,
if not in thine own person, since thou art old, and deft of service,
then through those that be dear to thee. Go now!"

David smiled on Ralph and led him out unto a tent not far off, and there
he made much of him, and bade bring meat and drink and all he needed.
Withal he bade him not to try fleeing, lest he be slain; and he showed
him how nigh the guards were and how many.

Glad was the old man when he saw the captive put a good face
on matters, and that he was not down-hearted. In sooth that hatred
of the tyrant mingled with hope sustained Ralph's heart.
He had been minded when he was brought before the lord to
have shown the letter of the Queen of Goldburg, and to defy
him if he still held him captive. But when he had beheld
him and his fellowship a while he thought better of it.
For though they had abundance of rich plenishing, and gay raiment,
and good weapons and armour, howbeit of strange and uncouth fashion,