"What you say seems to me tolerably probable. Still, White Crow came to my camp and I had a rather long interview with him." "My brother's words are true, but at that time the attack was resolved on." "In that case, I have nothing more to say. It was all right, for war has its laws. Still, listen to me, chief, your words have caused me to reflect." "Ah!" the Indian said bitterly, "Has the paleface changed his opinion now?" "Not positively, chief. Still, I confess frankly to you that, after the avowal you have made, I feel a certain repulsion to joining my fortunes to yours." "What do the palefaces care for an Indian's life? He is not a man." "You wrong me, chief; but I know that misfortune makes men unjust, and I forgive you." "My brother is generous," the chief remarked ironically. "More so than you imagine; if you will be pleased to listen without interruption you shall have a proof of it." "My brother can speak, my ears are open." "I repeat that for certain present reasons I prefer remaining here, and running the risk of what may happen to trying to escape with you; but, for all that, I will not desert you, and, on the contrary, give you the means to attempt a flight." "Good, what are the means?" The Canadian drew his knife from the sheath. "It is probable," he continued, "that a gaoler will soon come to bring us food, for I do not suppose that they intend us to die of hunger. Take this knife; notice, by the by, that it is a most valuable weapon for a prisoner, and that I give up mine for your sake. When the man to whom I refer appears, you will see what you have to do. Still, avoid killing him if you can, for we must never kill even an enemy unnecessarily." The Indian seized the knife which the Canadian handed him, brandished it round his head with a laugh of savage joy, and then passed it through his belt. "Thanks, paleface," he said with an accent of profound gratitude. "You have done more for me than I ever could have expected from a man of your colour. To you I shall owe my escape from death, liberty, and the accomplishment of the vengeance I have so long been pursuing. My life belongs to you, henceforth you are the master of it. Remember that you have a brother among the Comanches; the redskins never forget an insult, and always retain the memory of a kindness. Now, I am certain that you are not a Yori. May the Wacondah protect and be ever favourable to you. You have caused my heart a sensation of happiness such as it has not felt for many years."