Seeing his evident distress, Kelly said:
"If there was any way to get them away from here, and to the settlements, I would agree to take care of them for you. But don't give way to such feelings, Bear-Paw—you may live many years yet to enjoy the companionship of your pets."
The old man bowed his head and remained silent. After a time he asked:
"Do you care any thing about ther daughter uv ther Blackfoot chief?"
"No, I do not," replied Kelly. "And yet I would rather see her in other hands. If I could only rescue her, and get the Sioux chief's scalp, I should be happy! Then Gray Eagle could have no excuse for not keeping his promise to me."
"Then I'll help yer; an' I reckon we kin do it ef anybody kin!" said the old man.
"I don't think of any way that we can do it, though."
"Kin yer talk the Blackfoot language?"
"Yes," replied the scout.
"Then let's go ter ther openin' whar we war ther other day, an' mebby yer kin git er chance ter say suthin ter her."