Plains company could answer her; no, nor no Congress soldier that she asked.

“The soldiers were not unkind; they offered food and fire — as soldiers do, Loskiel,” he added, with a flash of Contempt for men who sought what no Siwanois, no Iroquois, ever did seek of any maiden or any chaste and decent woman, white or red.

“I know,” I said. “Continue.”

“I offered shelter,” he said simply. “I am a Siwanois. No women need to dread Mohicans. She learned this truth from me for the first time, I think. Afterward, pitying her, I watched her how she went from camp to camp. Some gave her mending to do, some washing, enabling her to live. I drew clothing and arms and rations as a Hudson guide enrolled, and