"Burn me!" she cried with terror; "why burn me?"
"It is the usual custom."
She let her head sink into her hands; but soon recovering, she drew herself up, and raised an inspired glance towards Heaven,—
"My God!" she murmured with resignation, "Thy will be done!"
"Does my mother feel herself sufficiently recovered to be fastened to the stake?" the chief asked in something like a tone of compassion.
"Yes!" she said rising resolutely.
Eagle Head could not repress a gesture of admiration. Indians consider courage as the first of virtues.
"Come, then," he said.
The prisoner followed him with a firm step—all her strength was restored, she was at length going to die!
The chief led her to the stake of blood, to which she was bound a second time; before her they piled up the faggots of green wood, and at a signal from Eagle Head, they were set on fire.