"To stand as your bondman while he is away," said Jason.
"What! Do you know what you are saying?" cried the priest.
"Yes," said Jason, "for I came to say it."
"Do you know," said the priest, "that any day, at any hour, the sailors from yonder ship may come to execute my poor prisoner?"
"I do. But what of that?" said Jason. "Have they ever been here before?"
"Never," said the priest.
"Do they know your prisoner from another man?"
"No."
"Then where is your risk?" said Jason.
"My risk? Mine?" cried the priest, with the great drops bursting from his eyes, "I was thinking of yours. My lad, my good lad, you have made me ashamed. If you dare risk your life, I dare risk my place, and I'll do it; I'll do it."