"It was in regard to the white youth, Wayaka, our prisoner." "Wayaka has become Waditaka, owing to his great bravery. With only a spear he fought and slew a monstrous grizzly bear that would have killed me the next instant. When we drove off the huge pack of giant mountain wolves his service was the greatest." "Even so, Xingudan. Those are brave deeds, but they cannot alter the command I brought from Heraka." "What was the command, Roka?" "That Waditaka be burned to death with slow fire at the stake, and that other tortures of which we know be inflicted upon him. We lost many warriors in battle with the whites and the soul of Heraka was bitter." Old Xingudan leaned his chin on his hand and looked very thoughtfully at the fire that blazed in the centre of the lodge. "The command of Heraka is unjust," he said. "I cannot help that, as you know, Xingudan." "I do not blame you, but there is something of which Heraka is ignorant." "What is it?" "Waditaka is now the adopted son of the wise and good Inmutanka." "But the orders of Heraka are strict and stern." "The rite of adoption is sacred. Until Waditaka himself chooses to change he is a Sioux and must be treated as a Sioux." "The consent of Heraka was not secured for the adoption." "It was impossible to reach him. The laws of the Sioux have not been violated. Waditaka is a brave young warrior. The fire shall not touch him. A winter great and terrible is upon us and it may be before it is over that we shall need him much. He is a brave young warrior and few of them are left now in the village. I am old, Roka, and the old as they draw near to Manitou and all the gods and spirits that people the air, hear many whispers of the future. A voice coming from afar tells low in my ear that before the snow and ice have gone Waditaka, who was born white but who is now a Sioux, the adopted son of Inmutanka, will save us all." "And does Xingudan see that?" "Yes, Roka, I see it." The wounded warrior raised himself on his pallet and a look of awe appeared on his face. "If thou readest the future aright, Xingudan," he said, "it would be well to save this lad and brave the anger of Heraka, if he be so bold as to defy the law of adoption." "I am old and my bones are old, but even though he is a chief above me I do not fear Heraka. Waditaka shall not burn. I have said it." "I have but delivered my message, Xingudan. Now I will sleep, as my wound is sore. I have traveled far and the cold is great."