to thee from out of the Bear-country; that we might see what should come thereof.
The carle leaned back again, and smiled and shook his head, and spake: That adventure were speedily proven: death would come of it, my son.
Yea, and how? said Walter.
The carle said: The big men would take thee, and offer thee up as a blood-offering to that woman, who is their Mawmet. And if ye go all, then shall they do the like with all of you.
Said Walter: Is that sure?
Dead sure, said the carle.
How knowest thou this? said Walter.
I have been there myself, said the carle.
Yea, said Walter, but thou camest away whole.
Art thou sure thereof? said the carle.
Thou art alive yet, old man, said Walter, for I have seen thee eat thy meat, which ghosts use not to do. And he laughed.
But the old man answered soberly: If I escaped, it was by this, that another woman saved me, and not often shall that befall. Nor wholly was I saved; my body escaped forsooth. But where is my soul? Where is my heart, and my life? Young man, I rede
40
