The king on his proud seat received the colonists who were in his land by no arranged plan but rather by the caprice of gales and crashing waves. He listened to their story and made this response.
"If your bravery will hold for another such voyage, I will feed you and outfit you and send you on your way."
"You are a host among hosts and a king among kings," the colonists said. "Is there meaning though in that 'if?'"
The king called his servants to bring to him a chest, pointed out a great hide within it, and had them offer that to the colonists. "If you seek a sure home, you may find it here under my scepter and laws. You may have for your old customs, your former law, and whatever gods you carried hither just so much as you are able to cover with this mffgh." He shoved off the hide the colonists had thrown over him. "Clever, but to own the king is not to own the kingdom."
"We're gonna make you clean the chamber pots."
"I'll give you one-fifth of my kingdom not to do that."
"Deal!"
Finis
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