But in a while he sat up with a start, and turned about and saw David standing there with Ralph, and spake at once like a man waking up: "He that sold thee to me said that thou wert of avail for many things.

Now tell me, what canst thou do ?" Ralph so hated him, that he was of half a mind to answer naught save by smiting him to slay him; but there was no weapon anigh, and life was sweet to him with all the tale that was lying ahead.

So he answered coldly: "It is sooth, lord, that I can do more than one deed." "Canst thou back a horse ?" said the Lord.

Said Ralph: "As well as many." Said the Lord: "Canst thou break a wild horse, and shoe him, and physic him ?" "Not worse than some," said Ralph.
"Can'st thou play with sword and spear ?" said the Lord.
"Better than some few," said Ralph.

"How shall I know that ?" said the Lord.