When they were out of the water, dripping, he said, "If there were any way you could escape from here, I'd help you. If you try to get away, you'll die. There are miles of swamp in every direction. Only Black Hawk and a few braves know the way out. You'd drown or be buried alive in quicksand. Or the warriors would catch you, and they would kill you no matter what I did. And they'll kill me if I help you try to escape."
"I'll die if I stay here." Her eyes were dull with hopelessness.
"No, you won't. I'll take care of you. My family will protect you—Redbird, Sun Woman, Owl Carver, Iron Knife. You'll be safe with me."
She leaned against him. "Auguste, I can't bear being so frightened. My heart is so full of fear it will burst."
"The band will not free you, but they will not hurt you. They respect me. I talk to the spirits for them and heal them."
She took a long look at him and spoke more calmly. "You look so strange, dressed like a—like a—"
"Like a real Indian?" He tried giving her a little smile. For an instant a little life came back into her face.
I can heal her fear, too, if she will let me.
He felt an inward glow as she managed to return a tremulous smile.
She said, "But you're still that fine young gentleman who charmed me so, back at Victor, aren't you?"