“Yes.”
I tried to appear more anxious and cast down than ever.
“And can I kill you?” I asked meekly.
He gave me a look which said plainly: “Poor worm! there’s no question of that.” But he said: “It is a contest for life or death; you may kill me, but in case such a thing happens you must still reach the cedar.”
“And I shall not be held guilty of your death?”
“No; if I kill you, your comrades must die; but if you kill me and then get to the cedar, you are free. Come.”
He turned away, and I pulled off my coat and vest. Sam cried out to me in anguish: “If you could see your face and hear the mournful tone of your voice! I am in deadly fear for you and for ourselves.”
I could not answer him, for the three chiefs would have heard me; but I had acted thus to make Intschu-Tschuna feel secure and less on his guard.
“One more question,” I said before I followed him. “In case we are free, shall we get back our property?”
He gave a short, impatient laugh, as if he thought this an insane question. “Yes, you shall have it,” he said.