"Deerfoot has no more fear of Taggarak than he has of a pappoose. He may be a great warrior, but Deerfoot has conquered as great warriors as he."
Determined that Mul-tal-la should parry no longer, the Shawanoe forced him to a direct answer.
"Why does my brother think Taggarak wishes to fight him?"
The reply was astonishing:
"The squaw of Taggarak is seeking to learn of the God that she has been told is known to the Shawanoe. She has asked me, she has asked Kepkapkolakak and Borabtrik (the messengers known as 'Spink' and 'Jiggers'). She does not sleep because of her heaviness of mind."
"Does Taggarak know of this?" asked the surprised Deerfoot.
"Not yet; but it must soon come to his knowledge."
"Will he harm his wife?"
"Mul-tal-la cannot say; he may put her to death. There is no doubt that he will slay Deerfoot—if he can," added the Blackfoot significantly, "or he will make him walk around the Spirit Circle till he drops dead."
Deerfoot stared in astonishment. He was mystified.