“I’ll pay her well for the service. The presence, too, of one of her own blood may serve to reconcile the girl to her fate, or, at any rate, it will serve to rob her captivity of half its terrors.”
“Better speak to Kate right away.”
“I will.”
Then the two returned to the girl.
“Kate, my friend hyer wants you to do a little favor for him,” said Kendrick.
“What is it?” asked Kate, and even as she spoke the thought came into her mind that the favor had something to do with the captive maid.
“There is a white girl in the village, not exactly a prisoner to the Indians, fur I intend to marry her, but still she is not free. I would like to have you take charge of her; do all you can to make her contented with and accept the fate that is before her. I will pay you well for the service.”
“What is her name?” and not a muscle of Kate’s face betrayed that she knew what the name would be even before it was spoken.
“Virginia Treveling,” replied Girty, after hesitating for a moment, but then an instant’s reflection convinced him that it would be folly to attempt to conceal the name of the prisoner.
“Very well, I will do it,” said Kate, quietly.