"I'm going to help you," he said in English. "Try not to show that you're frightened." Useless advice, he thought. Still, it would be better for them both if the people respected her. There was nothing a Sauk despised more than a show of fear. He pointed his medicine stick at Running Deer and said sternly, "Stand aside." She glowered at him but stepped back. Last winter Wolf Paw had snatched this stick from his hand. But that was before White Bear had nearly been killed carrying Black Hawk's message of peace to the pale eyes. That was before they had begun to see for themselves that White Bear had spoken truly when he warned that Black Hawk's hope of a great alliance to defeat the long knives was an illusion. And that was before many of the people had felt his healing touch. He knew how to do things, because of his training with pale eyes doctors, that Owl Carver and Sun Woman did not. Now White Bear's medicine stick had much more power than a few moons ago. Even at this moment when anxiety for Nancy gnawed at him, he felt pride in his power. He turned to face the crowd, standing protectively in front of Nancy. The braves and warriors stared at him, puzzled and angry. "Is this how you show your strength and courage, by torturing a helpless woman?" he demanded. Wolf Paw said, "She is a trophy honorably taken in battle." White Bear pointed to Running Deer. "Wolf Paw meant to take the pale eyes woman into his wickiup for his pleasure. But his wife will not let him. So he pretends that it is his pleasure to let the women torture her." Feeling stronger than ever, White Bear watched Wolf Paw's face darken. He might be able to outfight any man in the tribe barehanded or with weapons, but not with words. This moment, thought White Bear, began to repay Wolf Paw for shaming him last winter before the council. _And he will have to let me tend his wound. That, too, will repay him._ Wolf Paw stood glowering at White Bear, his eyes glazing, his breath coming in gasps. He must be on the verge of fainting from the pain, White Bear thought. "I captured the pale eyes woman," Wolf Paw said. "I give her to the tribe." "Are we fighting the pale eyes so we can steal their women?" White Bear demanded. "As long as we torture and kill their people, the long knives will think of us as wild animals that must be destroyed. I have lived among the pale eyes, and I tell you that we must show them that we are worthy of their respect." Wolf Paw grumbled, "We will win their respect by killing them. I have killed many." _Many at Victor, no doubt_, White Bear thought, feeling as sick as Wolf Paw looked, hating him for his ignorance. He addressed the whole gathering. "Since Wolf Paw has given this woman to the tribe, let the tribe treat her honorably," White Bear said. "The day will come when we will have to sit down with the long knives and talk." "Not if we win!" cried Wolf Paw.