Out of sheer obstinacy he preferred to starve his family.

Yesterday Strange told me he thought it likely Selkirk would try to dispose of the skin to Ambrose Doane, the free-trader who is hanging around the fort." Giddings sent a startled glance toward the door.
"Strange said perhaps news of it had been carried down the river, and that was what Doane had come for.

So I went to Selkirk's shack last night to get it.

I consider it mine, because Selkirk already owes the company its value.

Any attempt to dispose of it elsewhere would be the same as robbing me.
"Selkirk refused to give it up, and I took it.