Each of them had made sure that he must die within some few minutes, and pass through the blackness which walls man in, to find he knew not what.

And now, behold! the road that led to that blackness turned again at its very edge, and ran forward through the familiar things of earth to some end unknown.

They were brave, both of them, and accustomed to face death daily, as in such a place and time all men must be; moreover, they had been shriven, and looked to see the gates of Paradise open on their newborn sight.
Yet, since no man loves that journey, it was very sweet to know it done with for a while, and that they still might hope to dwell in this world for many years.

Little wonder, then, that their brains swam, and their eyes grew dim, as they passed from the shadow to the light again.

It was Wulf who spoke the first.
"A noble deed, Godwin, yet one for which I should not have thanked you had it been accomplished, who then must have lived on by grace of your sacrifice.