He even affected to laugh at the conceit of exchanging his long-tried partner for the more flexible support of the youthful Tachechana, though his voice was hollow and unnatural in the effort.

But Esther was far from giving the proposal so facetious a reception.

Lifting her voice to its most audible key, she broke forth, after catching her breath like one who had been in some imminent danger of strangulation, as follows-- "Hoity-toity; who set an Indian up for a maker and breaker of the rights of wedded wives! Does he think a woman is a beast of the prairie, that she is to be chased from a village, by dog and gun.

Let the bravest squaw of them all come forth and boast of her doings; can she show such a brood as mine?
A wicked tyrant is that thieving Red-skin, and a bold rogue I warrant me.

He would be captain in-doors, as well as out! An honest woman is no better in his eyes than one of your broomstick jumpers.