"Ah, Sir Hugh, now are you taken."
"Sire," answered the brave knight, "the greater grief is mine."
"By my faith, Hugh, every reason have you for grief, since you must either pay your ransom or die."
"Sire, I am more fain to pay ransom than to die, if by any means I may find the price you require of me."
"Is that truly so?" said the King.
"Sire," said Sir Hugh, "in the fewest words, what is the sum you demand of me?"
"I ask of you," replied the King, "one hundred thousand besants."
"Sire, such a sum is too great a ransom for a man of my lands to pay."
"Hugh," said the King, "you are so good a knight, and so hardy, that there is none who hears of your prison and this ransom, but will gladly send of his riches for your ease."