Ruth seemed astonished by this unlooked-for confirmation of her fears.
"Ralph! Ichabod!" said she, "prevent this murder, if possible. Do not let such a horrid act sully our last recollections of this place."
Ichabod bowed his head for a moment with a shudder, and then said:
"Miss Ruth, all people have their customs; an Englishman shuts up his prisoners in old hulks, where they die of foul air, and filthiness, and starvation; and the most civilized people, will punish their prisoners in some way; and an Injin can't be expected to be better than those that have some other light than the light of Natur' to walk by. It's their way, Miss Ruth—it's their way; and there's no use trying to prevent it."
"I will go," she answered; "I will beg for his life; perhaps I may not plead in vain."
"Don't do so, Miss Ruth—it's no use. Their blood is up; and there is no power in this world strong enough to control them, but force, and that we haven't got."
"But there is a Power above us and them, which may touch their hearts. I will go."
Seeing that she was determined to venture among the savages, on this—as Ichabod, as well as the others also, thought—bootless errand, the whole party accompanied her, and they proceeded hastily towards the grove. As they reached the place where the Indians were gathered, they found them busy in their preparations. A large number of pine knots had been collected, and a pile of pointed splinters, the object of which was apparent to them all. The Seneca, fastened to the tree, was surveying the preparations with a look of indifference or contempt; but as Barton and his party came in sight, his eyes rolled over them with glances of uncontrollable hatred. Eagle's-Wing was quietly directing the preparations.
Barton approached the Tuscarora. "For Heaven's sake, Eagle's-Wing, what do all these arrangements mean? It cannot be that you will torture this Seneca. Let him go, Eagle's-Wing. You have done me many a friendly deed, lately—add this to the number."
"The hearts of the pale-faces are soft," said Eagle's-Wing. "Let my father and his friends go back to their dwelling. The Seneca must die."