midnight
She was truly an extraordinary woman . Not even the great Thayendanegea himself wielded a stronger influence among the Iroquois . In her youth she had been treated as a white woman , educated and dressed as a white woman , and she had played a part in colonial society at Albany , New York , and Philadelphia . But of her own accord she had turned toward the savage half of herself , had become wholly a savage , had married a savage chief , bad been the mother of savage children , and here she was , at midnight , striding into an Iroquois camp in the wilderness , her head aflame with visions of blood , death , and scalps . 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 .