It wasn't Brokaw.

I guess it was the terrible look in that man's face--my uncle's.

Tara and I ran away that night.

Why do you suppose they want to put Tara in a cage?
Do you think Brokaw was buying _Tara_ to put into that cage?
He said 'she,' not 'he'." He looked at her again.

Her eyes were not so fearless now.
"Was he buying Tara, or me ?" she insisted.
"Why do you have that thought--that he was buying _you_ ?" David asked.
"Has anything--happened ?" A second time a fury of blood leapt into her face and her lashes shadowed a pair of blazing stars.
"He--that red brute--caught me in the dark two weeks ago, and held me there--and kissed me!" She fairly panted at him, springing to her feet and standing before him.