But Azoka kept her composure. "My father is always wise," she said quietly. "If he had told the truth, you would have been in great danger; for many had lost sons and brothers in the fighting, and those who came back were full of revenge. You heard their talk."
"Then you have only to tell them, Azoka, and they may take their revenge. I shall not greatly care."
"I am no babbler, Netawis; and, moreover, the men have put their revenge away. When the summer comes very few will want to go fighting. For my part I pay little heed to their talk of killing and scalping; to me it is all boys' play, and I do not want to understand it. But from what I hear they think that the Englishmen will be victorious, and it is foolishness to fight on the losing side. If so—" Azoka broke off and pressed her palms together in sudden delight.
"If so?" echoed John.
"If the English win, why then you may carry off your Frenchwoman, Netawis! I do very much want you to be happy."
"And I thank you a thousand times, Azoka, for your good wishes; but I fear it will not happen in that way."
She smoothed the head of Ononwe in her lap. "Oh yes, it will," she assured him. "My father told me that you would be leaving us, some day; and now I know what he meant. He has seen her, has he not?"
"He has seen her."
"My father is never mistaken. You will go back when the time comes, and take her captive. But bring her back that I may see her, Netawis."
"But if she should resist?"