"Yet if I suffer them to escape they will tell my story to the world and make me a laughingstock.

Well, if they do, what does it matter?
None of those Western fools would believe it; thinking that they knew all; like Bickley they would mock and say that they were mad, or liars." Again Tommy licked his hand, but more confidently, as though instinct told him something of what was passing in Oro's mind.

I watched with an idle wonder, marvelling whether it were possible that this merciless being would after all spare us for the sake of the dog.
So, strange to say, it came about, for suddenly Oro looked up and said: "Get you gone, and quickly, before my mood changes.

The hound has saved you.

For its sake I give you your lives, who otherwise should certainly have died.