The procession passed with the terrifying female figure still
leading, still singing her chant, and the curiosity of Henry and
Shif'less Sol was so intense that, taking all risks, they slipped
along in the rear to see her entry.
Queen Esther strode into the lighted area of the camp, ceased her
chant, and looked around, as if a queen had truly come and was
waiting to be welcomed by her subjects. Thayendanegea, who
evidently expected her, stepped forward and gave her the Indian
salute. It may be that he received her with mild enthusiasm.
Timmendiquas, a Wyandot and a guest, though an ally, would not
dispute with him his place as real head of the Six Nations, but
this terrible woman was his match ' and could inflame the
Iroquois to almost anything that she wished.
After the arrival of Queen Esther the lights in the Iroquois
village died down. It was evident to both Henry and the
shiftless one that they had been kept burning solely in the
expectation of the coming of this formidable woman and her
escort. It was obvious that nothing more was to be seen that
night, and they withdrew swiftly through the forest toward their
islet. They stopped once in an oak opening, and Shif'less Sol
shivered slightly.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163