[[1]] The Moon—"the Light of the Night."
She turned to face us, arms flung wide in a graceful gesture. I thought that Ta-wan-ne-ars would burst the thongs that bound him. His powerful chest expanded until they stretched.
"Ga-ha-no!" he sobbed.
She faltered, and her hands locked together involuntarily between her breasts. A light of apprehension dawned in her eyes, and for a moment I thought there was a trace of something more.
"Ga-ha-no!" pleaded Ta-wan-ne-ars.
But she regained the mastery of herself, and a mocking smile was his answer.
"They are no ordinary captives who will consecrate our feast," she continued her recitative.
"For one is a chief of the Iroquois and a warrior whose valor will resist the torment with pride. And the other is a white chief whose tender flesh will yield great delight and whose screams will give pleasure in our ears.
"Great is the triumph of the French chief de Veulle, who is himself of our order. Great is the triumph of the brave Keepers who aided him. Great will be the future triumphs which So-a-ka-ga-gwa will give us in return for these sacrifices.
"O my people, this is the Night of Preparation. When An-da-ka-ga-gwa,[[2]] the husband of So-a-ka-ga-gwa, retires to rest to mourn his dead wife and make ready for the new one he will take tomorrow, you must retire to your lodges, and put out your fires, and let down your hair.