He bade Thorkild show us the gold and the elephants ' teeth , as though we had been children . He had brought away all the gold on the bank , and twice as much more , that the people of the village gave him for slaying the Devils . They worshipped us as Gods , Thorkild told me : it was one of their old women healed up Hugh 's poor arm . ' ` How much gold did you get ? ` asked Dan . ` How can I say ? Where we came out with wedges of iron under the rowers ' feet we returned with wedges of gold hidden beneath planks . There was dust of gold in packages where we slept and along the side , and crosswise under the benches we lashed the blackened elephants ' teeth . ' `` I had sooner have my right arm , '' said Hugh , when he had seen all . ' `` Ahai ! That was my fault , '' said Witta . `` I should have taken ransom and landed you in France when first you came aboard , ten months ago . '' ' `` It is over-late now , '' said Hugh , laughing . ` Witta plucked at his long shoulder-lock . `` But think ! '' said he . `` If I had let ye go -- which I swear I would never have done , for I love ye more than brothers -- if I had let ye go , by now ye might have been horribly slain by some mere Moor in the Duke of Burgundy 's war , or ye might have been murdered by land-thieves , or ye might have died of the plague at an inn . Think of this and do not blame me overmuch , Hugh . See ! I will only take a half of the gold . '' '
`` I blame thee not at all , Witta , '' said XXXXX .
Ahai Devils Duke France Hugh Thorkild Witta first land-thieves rowers