Catharine lifted her hand. “I have done you much good; my wealth has been freely spent in your service; will the chiefs listen?”
“That gold,” cried Esther, “belongs to Tahmeroo, the daughter of your chief; but while this woman lives she cannot touch it. When she is gone the young white brave will give you all. She has kept it to herself—her lodge is full of bright things, which she shares with no one, not even with the widow of your old chief. Your queen speaks no lie, ask her if Gi-en-gwa-tah’s step has sounded in her lodge since we fought at Wyoming. Let her be driven forth!”
The women took up the cry, crowding about the handful of warriors, and forcing them on. Catharine stood calmly confronting them—nearer gathered those stern faces—horrible eyes glared into her own, but she met them unflinchingly.
“Away with her!” shrieked Esther; “the voice of her agony will be sweet to the murdered brave.”
“Let it come; I have not sought death, but life is a burden to me now; you thought to revenge yourself, but I thank you for this release from heavy trouble; what matters the way? it is brief at best.”
“Drive her forth!” cried the old queen, roused to insane fury by the composure of her victim.
The whole tribe rushed towards Catharine with yells and execrations. She made no effort to fly, but was borne helplessly along by the heaving mass. Balls of snow and ice were hurled at her, the sharp fragments struck her on the temples, but she made no outcry. Her long hair broke loose and streamed on the wind, while the serpent that girded her forehead flashed in the moonlight, the raised head with its open jaws seemed to hiss defiance at her pursuers.
Her silence and her meekness only added to Esther’s rage, though the chiefs began to feel respect for her courage.
“Faster,” shrieked the queen, “faster! drive her deep, deep into the woods, where no trail or path can lead her out again.”
Thus fiercely urged, the savages swept on, dragging their victim rudely over the snow. They passed the outskirts of the settlement, and plunged into the forest, sinking kneedeep into the crusted snow at every step. When all her strength was exhausted, and they were compelled to drag her forward like a corpse, they flung her down upon the white earth and retreated, singing a low death-song as they left her to die.