"And yet you came against the threat of Mahpeyalute."
"Mine was an errand of a nature almost sacred. I tell you again there was no harm in it to your country and your people."
"Many times have the white people told to the Dakotas things that were lies."
"It is true, but the sins of others are not mine."
Will spoke with all his heart in his words. Despite the terrible disaster that had befallen, even if the chief's words were true, and all his friends were dead, he wished, nevertheless, to live. He was young, strong, of great vitality, and nothing could crush the love of life in him.
"What do you intend to do with me?" he asked.
Heraka smiled, but the smile contained nothing of gentleness or mercy, rather it was amusement at the anxiety of one who was wholly in his power.
"Your fate shall not be known to you until it comes," he said.
Will felt a chill running down his spine. It was the primal instinct to torture and slay the enemy and the Sioux lived up to it. It was keen torture already to hear that his fate would surely come, but not to know how or where or when was worse. But it appeared that it was not to come at once, and with that thought he felt the thrill of hope. His was unquenchable youth and the vital spark in him flamed up.
"Would you mind untying my ankles?" he said. "You can save your torture for later on."