. .but by all appearances
he was as shallow and guileless as his father was deep and cunning.
But he knew better than to hope too much, or to show his true
feelings, at all.
"Well. Leaving `bloody savages' aside for the moment, perhaps we are
not as far apart as I feared." He lowered the weapon, leaned back
against the tree. "Calm yourself, and perhaps we can talk as
reasonable men.
"All right," he continued. "Here, then, is what I'm offering. Your
freedom, in exchange for the safe deliverance of Mary and the widow
Scott. In this you may serve me as ally, or hostage. The choice is
yours."
"If you want them back," said Stephen, "then let me go now. Give me
Stubb's horse, and a weapon to protect myself. All I have to do is
reach Earl Arthur, and tell him my story. My father will lose all
power over their fate, and a good many other things as well."
"You will forgive me," replied Michael, "if I am not as confident of
English justice as you are. After they are rescued, you may do what
you like to hurt your father. Not before."
Stephen looked hard at him, first in anger, then in disbelief.
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