“He’s my pard,” was the reply. “You wouldn’t ask a man to go back on his pard, would ye?”
“No; I can not blame you so much for that but you did a wicked and cruel act when you poisoned my pet bear.”
“Who sez I did?”
“No matter; you did the deed, for your face betrays you. Why should I not keep you here until my father returns, to meet his vengeance?”
“He’s marked me fur life,” replied Velveteens, holding up his maimed hand. “Ain’t that enough?”
“If I let you go, your first act will be to study new wrongs. I am afraid I must keep you a prisoner.”
“Don’t do it, gal,” he pleaded, eagerly. “I must go back; I’m ruined forever ef I don’t, ye see—and I’ll promise any thing—any thing, ef ye’ll only let me go.”
“And you would break your promise as readily as it is made,” she answered. “I do not know what to do in your case.”
“See thar, gal; yender comes Whirlwind and his gang. Oh, let me git off fur he’ll take my scalp, sure.”
“Away with you, then; save yourself if you can, but never let me see your face again.”