"I don't know. He ran off with Wetzel, was captured by Indians, and when I last heard of him he had married Wingenund's daughter."
"Wal, I'll be dog-goned!" Jeff shook his grizzled head and slapped his leg. "I jest knowed he'd raise somethin'."
"I'm in a hurry. Do you think Captain Williamson will stand still and let all this go on?"
"I'm afeerd so."
Evidently the captain heard the conversation, for he appeared at the cabin door, smoking a long pipe.
"Captain Williamson, I have come to entreat you to save the
Christians from this impending massacre."
"I can't do nuthin'," answered Williamson, removing his pipe to puff forth a great cloud of smoke.
"You have eighty men here!"
"If we interfered Pipe would eat us alive in three minutes. You preacher fellows don't understand this thing. You've got Pipe and Girty to deal with. If you don't know them, you'll be better acquainted by sundown."
"I don't care who they are. Drunken ruffians and savages! That's enough. Will you help us? We are men of your own race, and we come to you for help. Can you withhold it?"