He saw in an instant that he was foredoomed.
The stern expression of his judges told him as much.
The mock ceremonial of examination was proceeded with, and a vain attempt made to extract from him intelligence of the movements of the whites, especially of the numbers and disposition of the Government troops, some of whom had by this time arrived in the peninsula.
His disdainful refusal to betray his own race did him no service.
True, he was already sentenced to die, but the manner of his death might inflict horror on him who had no fear of dying.
Though the questions were skilfully put to him, the old hunter saw through them all.
He did not, indeed, possess much knowledge of the military invasion; but had he been in the secret of the commanding officer himself, he could not have been more reticent in his replies.
Utterly foiled in their questions, the warriors played their last card, and with threats of the most terrible tortures endeavoured to wring from his fears what his honour would not reveal.
Vain effort on their part.
Cris did, indeed, wince when they first spoke of torture; but, recovering himself, he became more proudly defiant than before.