So said the queen, and none dared openly lift the voice against her; but there were angry mutterings and murmurings in the tribe, and none were more wroth at this decree than Miriam and Long Robin." "Her sister and that sister's husband." "Ay.

Long Robin was the head of the tribe, and loved not to yield to the sway of a woman; but amongst us there has always been a queen, and he was powerless to hinder the rest from owning Esther's rule.

But he and Miriam withdrew in wrathful indignation for a time from the rest of the tribe, and brooded over schemes of vengeance, and delighted themselves in every misfortune that befell the house of Trevlyn.

It was whispered by many that these two had a hand in the death of more than one fair child.

If their beasts sickened, or any mischance happened, men laid it to the door of Miriam and Long Robin.