In short, they
lavished upon their unmoved captive a torrent of that vindictive
abuse, in which the women of the savages are so well known to excel,
but which has been too often described to need a repetition here.
The effect of this outbreaking was inevitable. Le Balafre turned away
disappointed, and hid himself in the crowd, while the trapper, whose
honest features were working with inward emotion, pressed nigher to
his young friend, as those who are linked to the criminal, by ties so
strong as to brave the opinions of men, are often seen to stand about
the place of execution to support his dying moments. The excitement
soon spread among the inferior warriors, though the chiefs still
forbore to make the signal, which committed the victim to their mercy.
Mahtoree, who had awaited such a movement among his fellows, with the
wary design of concealing his own jealous hatred, soon grew weary of
delay, and, by a glance of his eye, encouraged the tormentors to
proceed.
Weucha, who, eager for this sanction, had long stood watching the
countenance of the chief, bounded forward at the signal like a blood-
hound loosened from the leash.
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