"Will not your people accept you in exchange for our Tohonga?"
"Not me alone," replied Glenarvan; "but perhaps all of us."
"Among the Maoris," said Kai-Koumou, "it is one for one."
"Offer these ladies first in exchange for your priest," answered Glenarvan, pointing to Lady Helena and Mary Grant. Lady Helena would have rushed towards her husband, but the major restrained her.
"These two ladies," continued Glenarvan, turning respectfully towards them, "hold a high rank in their country."
The warrior glanced coldly at his prisoner. A malicious smile passed over his face; but he almost instantly repressed it, and replied, in a voice which he could scarcely control:
"Do you hope, then, to deceive Kai-Koumou by false words, cursed European? Do you think that Kai-Koumou's eyes cannot read your heart?"
Then, pointing to Lady Helena, he said:
"That is your wife!"
"No, mine!" cried Kara-Tété.