“Arvel Walsh, I would gladly kill you now for making me do this ridiculous thing, but I would never get my money.”

Henry Farny - Sioux Chief 1897 “He requires a blood sacrifice.”

“No!”

“I am afraid so. He says that the people living down below. The ones with the queer dark clothes and strange religious rituals must die.”

“That’s my family, Captain!” Tears welled up in her eyes and Arvel wondered if he was not overdoing it. “That can’t be, Captain. Tell him I am sorry. Tell him to kill me, but please leave my family alone.” She began sobbing.

Dan stopped and looked down at the girl. The sound came to him automatically: “Awe.”

Arvel glared at him. Dan coughed and sputtered. “Awe, eeh ah; Some blood must be spilled.”

Arvel stood up, then got down on one knee before the Indian chief. He begged for mercy. He offered his own life in place of the family.

“Arvel Walsh, I would gladly kill you now for making me do this ridiculous thing, but I would never get my money.”

Arvel looked, hope in his eyes. “He said he will do a blood ritual, but you will have to lose a little blood in order for it to be accepted.” He looked at the girl with pity, “But at least no one has to die.” The Mule Tamer