But your life is in my hands in two ways.

I can slay you by water or dagger for one thing; or for another, I think I can take this boat to shore at some place where you are not known, and so let you live a little longer.

And in any case I have a mind to try to save my own life; thus if you will obey me so that I may tend the boat, yours shall be saved with it, so far as I am concerned.

But if you hinder me, die you must in one way or another!" Now he saw well enough that his only hope lay in my power to take the boat safely across the water, and so promised humbly to obey me in all things if I would but spare him and get the boat to shore quickly.

So I unbound him and coiled the rope at my feet again, bidding him lie down amidships and be still.
Many a time men have asked me why I slew him not, or cast him not overboard, thus being troubled no more with him.