Now I have spoken and am ready to die and I thank you for the patience with which you have heard my words, that, as the King does _not_ live for ever, I hope one day to repeat to you more fully beyond the grave." Now at this bold speech of mine all those nobles and attendants gasped, for never had they heard such words addressed to his Majesty.

The King turned red as though with shame, but made no answer, only he asked of those about him.
"What fate for this man ?" "Death, O King!" they cried with one voice.
"What death ?" he asked again.
Then his Councillors consulted together and one of them answered, "The slowest known to our law, _death by the boat_." Hearing this and not knowing what was meant, it came into my mind that I was to be turned adrift in a boat and there left to starve.
"Behold the reward of good hunting!" I mocked in my rage.

"O King, because of this deed of shame I call upon you the curse of all the gods of all the peoples.

Henceforth may your sleep be ever haunted by evil dreams of what shall follow the last sleep, and in the end may you also die in blood." The King opened his mouth as though to answer, but from it came nothing but a low cry of fear.

Then guards rushed up and seized me..