“Let us set him free!” said Roughgrove.
“Kill him!” cried several.
“No!” exclaimed Mary, “what do you say, Mr. Boone?”
“It would be useless to kill him,” said Boone.
“Let him go, then,” said Glenn.
“No!” said Boone.
“Why?” asked Glenn.
“Because,” replied Boone, “he is a chief, and we may make him the means of securing the settlement against future attacks. We will confine him in your garrison as a hostage, and send some friendly Indian to the Osages announcing his capture, and informing them that his life will be spared provided they keep away from the settlement for a certain length of time, at the expiration of which he shall be restored to them.”
“I am glad of that,” said Mary, “for I don’t believe he is a bad Indian. We will treat him kindly, and then I think he will always be our friend.”
“Take him along, and bind him fast in the sled, Sneak,” said Boone; “but see that you do not injure him in the least.”