Witta would not come ashore with us , though Hugh promised him wine at Dallington enough to swim in . He was on fire to see his wife , and ran into the Marsh after sunset , and there he left us and our share of gold , and backed out on the same tide . He made no promise ; he swore no oath ; he looked for no thanks ; but to Hugh , an armless man , and to me , an old cripple whom he could have flung into the sea , he passed over wedge upon wedge , packet upon packet of gold and dust of gold , and only ceased when we would take no more . As he stooped from the rail to bid us farewell he stripped off his right-arm bracelets and put them all on Hugh 's left , and he kissed Hugh on the cheek . I think when Thorkild of Borkum bade the rowers give way we were near weeping . It is true that Witta was an heathen and a pirate ; true it is he held us by force many months in his ship , but I loved that bow-legged , blue-eyed man for his great boldness , his cunning , his skill , and , beyond all , for his simplicity . ' ` Did he get home all right ? ' said Dan . ' I never knew . We saw him hoist sail under the moon-track and stand away . I have prayed that he found his wife and the children . ' ` And what did you do ? ' ` We waited on the Marsh till the day . Then I sat by the gold , all tied in an old sail , while Hugh went to Pevensey , and De Aquila sent us horses . ' Sir Richard crossed hands on his sword-hilt , and stared down stream through the soft warm shadows . ' A whole shipload of gold ! ' said Una , looking at the little Golden Hind . ` But I 'm glad I did n't see the Devils . ' ' I do n't believe they were Devils , ` Dan whispered back . ` Eh ? '
said Sir XXXXX .
Aquila Dallington Dan Devils Hugh Pevensey Richard bracelets shipload sword-hilt