"My obedience will depend on my sister; let her speak, and I will answer."
"This woman is my enemy," said the Linda.
"Must she die?" he asked, roughly, without lowering his eyes before the searching glances of the Linda.
"Oh, no!" she cried eagerly; "these Indians are brutes—they understand nothing of vengeance! What use would her death be to me? It is her life I want."
"Let my sister explain; I do not comprehend."
"Death! that is nothing but a few instants of suffering, then all is over."
"White death may be so, but an Indian death must be called for many hours before it answers."
"I wish her to live, I tell you!"
"She shall live. Ah!" he added, with a sigh, "the toldo of a chief is empty, its fires are extinguished."
"Oh! oh!" the Linda interrupted; "have you no wives?"