If he use thee not for the pleasuring of his wife (so long as her
pleasure in thee lasteth) he will verily use thee for somewhat else.
And to speak plainly, I now deem that he will make thee my mate,
to use with me, or against me as occasion may serve; so thou shalt
be another captain of his host." He laughed withal, and said again:
"But if thou be not wary, thou wilt tumble off that giddy height,
and find thyself a thrall once more, and maybe a gelding to boot."
Now waxed Ralph angry and forgat his prudence, and said:
"Yea, but how shall he use me when I am out of reach of his hand?"
"Oho, young man," said Otter, "whither away then, to be out
of his reach?"
"Why," quoth Ralph still angrily, "is thy Lord master of all
the world?" "Nay," said the captain, "but of a piece thereof.
In short, betwixt Utterbol and Goldburg, and Utterbol
and the mountains, and Utterbol and an hundred miles north,
and an hundred miles south, there is no place where thou canst live,
no place save the howling wilderness, and scarcely there either,
where he may not lay hand on thee if he do but whistle. What, man! be
not downhearted! come with us to Utterbol, since thou needs must.
Be wise, and then the Lord shall have no occasion against thee;
above all, beware of crossing him in any matter of a woman.
Then who knows" (and here he sunk his voice well nigh to a whisper)
"but thou and I together may rule in Utterbol and make
better days there.
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