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him。
〃When I came among you people of the Mackenzie； I was of one mind。
As I listened in the council and thought of the swift legs of El…Soo； I was
of many minds。 Now am I of one mind again but it is a different mind
from the one I brought to the council。 Let me tell you my mind。 When
a dog runs once away from a master； it will run away again。 No matter
how many times it is brought back； each time it will run away again。
When we have such dogs； we sell them。 El… Soo is like a dog that runs
away。 I will sell her。 Is there any man of the council that will buy？〃
The old men coughed and remained silent
〃Akoon would buy；〃 Porportuk went on； 〃but he has no money。
Wherefore I will give El…Soo to him； as he said； without price。 Even now
will I give her to him。〃
Reaching down； he took El…Soo by the hand and led her across the
space to where Akoon lay on his back。
〃She has a bad habit； Akoon；〃 he said； seating her at Akoon's feet。 〃As
she has run away from me in the past； in the days to come she may run
away from you。 But there is no need to fear that she will ever run away；
Akoon。 I shall see to that。 Never will she run away from youthis is
the word of Porportuk。 She has great wit。 I know； for often has it bitten
into me。 Yet am I minded myself to give my wit play for once。 And by
my wit will I secure her to you； Akoon。〃
Stooping； Porportuk crossed El…Soo's feet； so that the instep of one lay
over that of the other； and then； before his purpose could be divined； he
discharged his rifle through the two ankles。 As Akoon struggled to rise
against the weight of the young men； there was heard the crunch of the
broken bone rebroken。
〃It is just；〃 said the old men； one to another。
El…Soo made no sound。 She sat and looked at her shattered ankles；
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on which she would never walk again。
〃My legs are strong； El…Soo；〃 Akoon said。 〃But never will they bear
me away from you。〃
El…Soo looked at him； and for the first time in all the time he had
known her； Akoon saw tears in her eyes。
〃Your eyes are like deer's eyes； El…Soo；〃 he said。
〃Is it just？〃 Porportuk asked； and grinned from the edge of the smoke
as he prepared to depart。
〃It is just；〃 the old men said。 And they sat on in the silence。
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