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 Hugh . `` It was a joyous venture , and we thirty-five here have done what never men have done . If I live till England , I will build me a stout keep over Dallington out of my share . '' ' `` I will buy cattle and amber and warm red cloth for the wife , '' said Witta , `` and I will hold all the land at the head of Stavanger Fiord . Many will fight for me now . But first we must turn North , and with this honest treasure aboard I pray we meet no pirate ships . '' ` We did not laugh . We were careful . We were afraid lest we should lose one grain of our gold , for which we had fought Devils . ' `` Where is the Sorcerer ? ''
said I , for XXXXX was looking at the Wise Iron in the box , and I could not see the Yellow Man . '
Duke Fiord France Moor Sorcerer Witta first land-thieves shoulder-lock war