No influence I might bring to bear would save her now from this contamination.

It would all be useless, a thing for laughter.
Her signature--of which Kirby had boasted--and the certificate signed by the dead Gaskins, would offset any possible efforts I might put forth.
There remained no hope except through flight; outdistancing our pursuers; finding a route to safety through the wilderness which they would never suspect.
Where could such a route be found?
In which direction was it safest for us to turn?
Surely not southward down the river seeking refuge at Fort Madison, nor in the opposite direction toward Fort Armstrong.

I thought of both of these, but only to dismiss them from consideration.

Had it not been for this marriage, either might have answered, but now they would prove no protection.

Those men whom we were seeking to escape would remember these points at once, and suspect our fleeing to either one or the other.