Puck shook his head and pursed his lips . ` Often ; for the gold was new to me , ' Kadmiel replied . ' I know the Golds . I can judge them in the dark ; but this was heavier and redder than any we deal in . Perhaps it was the very gold of Parvaim . Eh , why not ? It went to my heart to heave it on to the mud , but I saw well that if the evil thing remained , or if even the hope of finding it remained , the King would not sign the New Laws , and the land would perish . ' ` Oh , Marvel ! ' said Puck , beneath his breath , rustling in the dead leaves . ` When the boat was loaded I washed my hands seven times , and pared beneath my nails , for I would not keep one grain . I went out by the little gate where the Castle 's refuse is thrown . I dared not hoist sail lest men should see me ; but the Lord commanded the tide to bear me carefully , and I was far from land before the morning . ' ` Were n't you afraid ? ' said Una . ` Why ? There were no Christians in the boat . At sunrise I made my prayer , and cast the gold -- all -- all that gold -- into the deep sea ! A King 's ransom -- no , the ransom of a People ! When I had loosed hold of the last bar , the Lord commanded the tide to return me to a haven at the mouth of a river , and thence I walked across a wilderness to Lewes , where I have brethren . They opened the door to me , and they say -- I had not eaten for two days -- they say that I fell across the threshold , crying : `` I have sunk an army with horsemen in the sea ! '' '
` But you had n't , ' said XXXXX .
Christians Golds Kadmiel King Laws Lewes Puck Una days morning