For just a moment Auguste felt his burden of fear grow lighter. He would fight Raoul in a courtroom. No one need die.
But no—he waved the idea away.
"They acquitted me of murder, but a jury of new settlers in Illinois is not likely to make an Indian the biggest landholder in the county."
Nicole said, "They would, because they would know that if they found for you and against Raoul, they would be finding for the whole family, not just you."
Auguste said, "Even if I could get a fair trial, I wouldn't live to hear the verdict."
"Yes, you would," said Frank. "Fear of the Regulators would stop Raoul from murdering you."
Auguste felt the ropy net tightening. Three moons ago his life had been in the hands of twelve white men. Now Frank was asking him to trust unknown white men again. And again, it seemed, he had no choice.
"Is there nothing else I can do?" The words came out as a cry of pain.
"You said you want to live as whites do," said Frank. "Then you have to start to think and act like a civilized white man. Seek your remedy in the law."
More than once, Auguste thought, he'd seen that civilized white men were as quick to flout the law as to seek a remedy in it. But, resigned, he slumped in his chair, his hands hanging down between his knees.