Why had Paul Robinette brought his daughter into that wilderness? Why had he, Fred Wilder, given himself up to an aimless and roving life? It was very foolish in both of them; but fate had led them to it. It was the fate of Mr. Robinette to be killed and scalped, and it might be the fate of him, Fred Wilder, to have come among the Blackfeet to be of service to the daughter of the murdered man. At all events, she was a woman, and it was his duty to befriend her. It was his duty, also, to befriend the two white captives, and their turn might come first. It would be well for him to see how far he might go with the Blackfeet.
Turning to White Shield, he said:
“What will be done with the white prisoners?”
“They will be burned.”
“Do you think so?”
“I am sure of it. They are to be burned early to-morrow morning.”
“I will bet you, White Shield, ten packs of beaver-skins, that they will not be burned while Silverspur lives.”
“What does my brother mean?”
“I mean that I will not allow them to be burned.”