"Dummes Zeug," Wegner muttered. "Rubbish," he said louder, but his eyes wavered.
White Bear said, "I am a healer. That is my work. I will not kill you unless I have to. Give me your word you will not attack me, and I will take the knife from your throat."
Wegner closed his eyes and sighed. "You are civilized. Maybe I can trust you."
White Bear could not help laughing. "You saw today what civilized men do to their prisoners. You can trust me because I am a Sauk."
"And why do you trust me?"
"Because I think you are a man of honor."
"All right. You have my word."
White Bear slowly drew back and stood over Wegner. The Prussian sat up, then groaned. In the moonlight White Bear saw tears streaming uncontrollably from his eyes. White Bear had him sit with his back to the hollow tree. He brought his face close to the knee. With his eyes adjusted to the darkness, the half-moon's rays were enough to show him that Wegner had broken off the end of the arrow, and the rest of it protruded from his kneecap. The arrow had gone into the joint. It hurt White Bear just to look at it.
"I can try to pull this out," White Bear said.
"Go ahead."