What care I for this Frenchman, that I should risk my life to save him?
I pledge myself only to Major Wayland's son; and even if I aid you, it is on condition that you go alone." "Alone, say you ?" and I rested my hand on Mademoiselle's shoulder.

"I would die here, Sau-ga-nash, and by torture, before I would consent to go one step without this girl." The half-breed scowled at me, drawing his robe about him in haughty indifference.
"Then be it so," he said mockingly.

"'T is your own choice, I have offered redemption of my pledge." I started to utter some harsh words in answer; but before I could speak, Toinette pressed her soft palm upon my lips in protest.
"Refuse him not," she murmured hastily.

"'T is the only chance; for my sake, do not anger him." What plan her quick wit may have engendered, I did not know; but I yielded to the entreaty in her pleading eyes, and sullenly muttered the first conscious lie of my life.
"I accept your terms, Sau-ga-nash, harsh as they are." He looked from one to the other of us, his face dark with distrust and doubt.
"You are not mine to dispose of," he said sternly to the trembling girl, who visibly shrank from his approach, and clung once more to me.
"You are prisoner to Little Sauk; nor will I release one thus held by the Pottawattomies.

They and the Wyandots are brothers.