Striving to govern her emotion, Kerœcia put out a trembling hand to Yermah, and suffered herself to be led forward where she could be both seen and heard. She buried her face in her hands for a moment, then lifted it pale and stricken, but resolute.
“My comrades and my countrymen, duty oppresses my heart profoundly. That I do love and honor these who gave me life need not be affirmed. All that my father demands, I hereby pledge the Monbas to render. For myself there is no peace apart from the duty I owe these children of the forest. They look to me for spiritual guidance, and I will not leave them.” Her voice faltered, and she seemed ready to faint.
In the interim of silence, Eko Tanga said: “So be it! So be it!”
“Tell my beloved father that I can best serve him here; and that as proof of my devotion, I pledge my people to lasting peace. Hast thou the treaty in readiness?”
She made no pretense of reading its provisions, but turned to Ben Hu Barabe, and said authoritatively: “Sign!”
He readily affixed his signature. Eko Tanga followed, and then Yermah made use of the high-set signet on his thumb.
And this was the beginning of the end.
CHAPTER NINE
THE WOMEN’S DAY IN BOOTH AND BAZAAR
It was fully ten o’clock before Kerœcia, attended entirely by women, finally made her appearance. She drove a splendid team of woodland caribou, harnessed to her traveling cart now made gay with bunting and flowers. There were tiny nosegays tied to the palmated antlers sweeping back over the long, shaggy bodies. The ribbons were threaded from one wide expanse to its fellow on the opposite side, and even to the bez-tynes coming down between the eyes and spreading protectingly over the elongated beak-like nose.
The snap and click of the spreading false hoofs of the caribou announced the advent of the party. Rahula and Ildiko stood on each side of Kerœcia, while Alcyesta, Suravia and Mineola balanced themselves by placing their hands on the shoulders in front of them.