Meanwhile, as had been anticipated, the chief sent for Hendrick and Paul to demand an explanation of the strange words which they had used about forgiveness and the broken law of the Great Spirit and Jesus Christ.
It would be out of place here to enter into the details of all that was said on both sides, but it may not be uninteresting to state that, during the discussion, both the palefaces and the red men became so intensely absorbed in contemplation of the vast region of comparatively new thought into which they were insensibly led, that they forgot for the time being the main object of the meeting, namely, the ultimate fate of the captives.
That the chief and his warriors were deeply impressed with the Gospel message was evident, but it was equally evident that the former was not to be moved from his decision, and in this the warriors sympathised with him. His strong convictions in regard to retributive justice were not to be shaken.
“No,” he said, at the end of the palaver, “the blood of a Bethuck has been shed; the blood of the palefaces must flow.”
“But tell him that that is not just even according to his own views,” said Paul. “The blood of one paleface ought to suffice for the blood of one Bethuck.”
This was received in silence. Evidently it had some weight with the chief.
“The paleface is right,” he said, after a minute’s thought. “Only one shall die. Let the prisoners decide among themselves who shall be killed. Go, Bearpaw has spoken—waugh!”
A few minutes later, and the prisoners, with their friends, were assembled in the cave discussing this new phase of their case.
“It’s horrible!” said Grummidge. “D’ye think the chief is really in earnest?”
“There can be no doubt of it,” said Hendrick.