But of this be sure--that if you attempt to betray us, we who are not so helpless as we seem, will betray you, and it shall be you who die, not us.

Is it a bargain ?" "It is a bargain, white lord, although blame me not if things go wrong, since the gods know all, and they are devils who delight in human woe and mock at bargains and torment those who would injure them.

Yet, come what will, I swear to keep faith with you thus, by the oath that may not be broken," and drawing a knife from his girdle, he thrust out the tip of his tongue and pricked it.

From the puncture a drop of blood fell to the floor.
"If I break my oath," he said, "may my flesh grow cold as that blood grows cold, and may it rot as that blood rots! Aye, and may my spirit waste and be lost in the world of ghosts as that blood wastes into the air and is lost in the dust of the world!" It was a horrible scene and one that impressed me very much, especially as even then there fell upon me a conviction that this unfortunate man was doomed, that a fate which he could not escape was upon him.
We said nothing, and in another moment he had thrown his white wrappings over his face and slipped through the door.
"I am afraid we are playing it rather low down on that jumpy old boy," said Stephen remorsefully.
"The white woman, the white woman and her daughter," muttered Brother John.
"Yes," reflected Stephen aloud.

"One is justified in doing anything to get two white women out of this hell, if they exist.