e Puny Fox is our chiefest
liar, and doth for us the more part of such work as we need: therefore,
why should we others lie. Ask, ask!"

"Well then," said Hallblithe, "why did the Puny Fox bewray me, and at
whose bidding?"

Said the elder: "I know, but I will not tell thee. Is this a lie?"

"Nay, I deem it not," said Hallblithe: "But, tell me, is it verily true
that my trothplight is not here, that I may ransom her?"

Said the Long-hoary: "I swear it by the Treasure of the Sea, that she is
not here: the tale was but a lie of the Puny Fox."

CHAPTER VII: A FEAST IN THE ISLE OF RANSOM

Hallblithe pondered his answer awhile with downcast eyes and said at
last: "Have ye a mind to ransom me, now that I have walked into the
trap?"

"There is no need to talk of ransom," said the elder; "thou mayst go out
of this house when thou wilt, nor will any meddle with thee if thou
strayest about the Isle, when I have set a mark on thee and given thee a
token: nor wilt thou be hindered if thou hast a mind to leave the Isle,
if thou canst find means thereto; moreover as long as thou art in the
Isle, in this house mayst thou abide, eating and drinking and resting
with us."

"How then may I leave this Isle?" said Hallblithe.

The elder laughed: "In a ship," said he.

"And when," said Hallblithe, "shall I find a ship that shall carry me?"

Said the old carle, "Whither wouldest thou my son?" Hallblithe was
silent a while, thinking what answer he should make; then he said: "I
would go to the land of the Glittering Plain."

"Son, a ship shall not be lacking thee for that voyage," said the elder.
"Thou mayst go to-morrow morn. And I bid thee abide here to-night, and
thy cheer shall not be ill. Yet if thou wilt believe my word, it will be
well for thee to say as little as thou mayst to any man here, and that
little as little proud as maybe: for our folk are short of temper and
thou knowest there is no might against many. Indeed it is not unlike
that they will not speak one word to thee, and if that be so, thou hast
no need to open thy mouth to them. And now I will tell thee that it is
good that thou hast chosen to go to the Glittering Plain. For if thou
wert otherwise minded, I wot not how thou wouldest get thee a keel to
carry thee, and the wings have not yet begun to sprout on thy shoulders,
raven though thou be. Now I am glad that thou art going thy ways to the
Glittering Plain to-morrow; for thou wilt be good co