But if such a thing as that were to befall, I would lay down my life to save yours, my lord." "I believe you, Tom," answered the other very gravely.

He was silent a while, and then he said slowly, "Tom, I am going to say a strange thing to yon--at least it would sound strange to some; and, indeed, I should not dare to say it to every companion in peril.
But I believe you to be stanch and true." "I trust you will ever find me so, my lord." "Well, Tom, this is the word that I would say to you.

It may chance that things come to this pass with us, that one of us twain must needs fall into the hands of the enemy, and die; for there is little hope of any other end when that befalls.

And if we know and can so arrange matters, it must be you and not I who will fall into that peril." Tom looked back without flinching.
"You speak well, my lord," he said.

"It must be my lot to die.