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diff --git a/16114-8.txt b/16114-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..122d2ac --- /dev/null +++ b/16114-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,15847 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Knight of the Golden Melice, by John +Turvill Adams + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Knight of the Golden Melice + A Historical Romance + + +Author: John Turvill Adams + + + +Release Date: June 23, 2005 [eBook #16114] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE*** + + +E-text prepared by the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading +Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) from page images generously made available by +the Wright American Fiction Project, Indiana University Digital Library +Program (http://www.letrs.indiana.edu/web/w/wright2/) + + + +Note: Images of the original pages are available through the Wright + American Fiction Project, Indiana University Digital Library + Program. See + http://www.letrs.indiana.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=7f9e35d3d1a550410edc5c4f4e877833;c=wright2;view=header;type=simple;q1=Adams%2C%20John%20Turvill%20%201805-1882%20;rgn=author;cc=wright2;idno=Wright2-0020%3C + + + + + +THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE + +A Historical Romance + +by + +JOHN TURVILL ADAMS + +The Author of "The Lost Hunter." + +New-York: +Derby & Jackson, 119 Nassau-Street. +Cincinnati: W.H. Derby & Co. + +1857 + + + + + + + +"One ... calling himself ... Knight of the Golden Melice." + + _Winthrop's History of New England._ + + + + Alles weiderholt sich nur im Leben; + Ewig jung ist nur die Fantasie: + Was sich nie und nirgends hat begeben, + Das allein veraltet nie! + + Shiller. + + + + + +TO H.L.A. + +To whom but to yourself; my H., should I dedicate this Romance, which +may be said to be the fruit of our mutual studies? With what delight I +have watched the unfolding, like a beautiful flower, of your youthful +mind, while instead of indulging in frivolous pursuits, so common to +your age, you have applied yourself to the acquiring of useful +knowledge as well as of elegant accomplishments, none but a parent can +know. Accept what I have written, my darling, as a tribute to a love +which makes the happiness of my life. + +J.T.A. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. + + + He cast, (of which we rather boast,) + The Gospel's pearl upon our coast, + And in these rocks for us did frame + A temple where to sound His name. + O let our voice His praise exalt + Till it arrive at Heaven's vault, + Which there perhaps rebounding may + Echo beyond the Mexic bay. + Thus sang they, in the English boat, + A holy and a cheerful note, + And all the way to guide their chime, + With falling oars they kept the time. + + _Andrew Marvell's "Emigrants in the Bermudas."_ + + +The beginning of the 17th century is an interesting epoch in American +annals. Although the Atlantic coast of that vast country now comprised +within the limits of the United States and Canada had previously been +traced by navigators, and some little knowledge acquired of the tribes +of red men who roamed its interminable forests, no attempt at +colonization worthy of the name had succeeded. The principal, if not +the only advantage derived from the discovery of North America, came +from the fisheries of Newfoundland and Labrador, frequented mostly by +the adventurous mariners of England, France and Spain. In these cold +seas, to the music of storms howling from the North Pole, and dashing +with ceaseless rage the salt spray against the rocky shore, they +threw their lines and cast their nets, at the same time enriching +themselves, and forming for their respective countries a race of hardy +and skilful sailors. The land attracted them not. The inducements +which led to the more speedy conquest and settlement of South America +by the Spaniards, were wanting. Gold and silver to tempt cupidity were +not to be found, and the stern, though not inhospitable character of +the Northern tribes was very different from the imbecile effeminacy of +the Southern races. The opposition likely to be encountered was more +formidable, and the prize to be won hardly proportioned to the hazard +to be incurred. While, therefore, the atrocious Spaniards were +enslaving the helpless natives of Peru and Mexico, and compelling them +by horrid cruelties to deliver up their treasures, the wild woods of +all that region to the north of the Gulf bearing the name of the +latter country, continued to ring to the free shout of the tawny +hunter. Not that attempts had not been made to obtain footing on the +continent, but they had all failed by reason of the character of the +emigrants, or the want of support from home, or of a thousand other +causes reducible to the category of ill luck, bad management, or +providential determination. + +But the 17th century introduced a new order of things, beginning with +the arrival of the first permanent colony on the coast of Virginia in +the year 1607, indissolubly associated with the name of the chivalrous +Captain John Smith; followed in 1614 by the occupancy of the mouth of +the river Hudson, and of the island of Manhattan, the present site of +the city of New-York, by the Dutch; and, in 1620, of New-England, by +the English. The fulness of time had arrived, when the seeds of a +mighty empire were to be sown. + +A diversity of opinion prevails with regard to the motives of the early +colonists to leave their homes. Without entering into an elaborate +discussion of the subject, and thereby invading the province of the +historian, it may perhaps be permitted me to say, that, in my +judgment, they were partly political, partly religious, partly +commercial, and partly adventurous. + +One of the first acts of James the First of England, on his accession +to the throne in 1603, was the conclusion, by a peace with Spain, of +the long war so gloriously signalized by the destruction of the +Armada. The pacific policy wherewith he began his administration, he +never abandoned during the twenty-two years while he held the sceptre. +Hence the spirit of enterprise which exists in various degrees in +every flourishing nation, finding itself diverted from that warlike +channel wherein it had been accustomed to flow, was obliged to seek +other issues. The immense region beyond the sea claimed by England by +priority of discovery, offered a theatre for a portion of that spirit +to expend itself upon. Hither turned their eyes those who, in the +wars, had contracted a fondness for adventure, and were unwilling to +sink back into the peaceful pursuits of laborious industry. For such +men, the vague and the uncertain possess irresistible attractions. For +them, emigration was like the hazard of the gaming-table; ruin was a +possible consequence, but fortune might also crown the most +extravagant hopes. The merchant regarded with favor a scheme which +would furnish employment for his ships by the transportation of men +and stores. Besides, the fisheries had always been productive; they +might be largely extended, and a trade in furs and other products of +the country opened with the Indians. Perhaps the precious metals, +found in such quantities by the Spaniards at the South, might enrich +the North. Happily they found not that pernicious bane which is alike +the corrupter of private morals and the debaucher of nations. To these +considerations may be added a willingness at least on the part of the +government, to rid itself of idle profligates and unruly spirits. +Guided by this chart, it is not difficult to understand why efforts +similar to those which had proved abortive, should now be successful. + +The character of the first emigrants to the Virginia colony, and the +products of the country sent home, confirm these views. They are +described as "many gentlemen, a few laborers, several refiners, +goldsmiths, and jewellers," and the returning ships were freighted +with cedar and with a glittering earth, which was mistaken for gold. +Another party is spoken of by a chronicler of the times, as "many +unruly gallants sent hither by their friends to escape ill destinies." +Doubtless among those denominated gentlemen and gallants were some +noble souls, like, though _longo intervallo_, to the heroic +Smith. + +While the Virginia colony was slowly struggling against adverse +circumstances, and attracting to herself the cavaliers who, in various +capacities and with different fortunes, had figured in those troubled +times, important changes were going on at home destined to exert a +mighty influence on the New World. That awakening of the intellect +occasioned by the speculations of Wyckliff, the morning star of the +Reformation, more than two hundred years before, and to which Luther +and Calvin had imparted a fresh impulse, was performing its destined +work. By the assertion of the right of private judgment in matters of +religion, the pillars of authority had been shaken. Nothing was +considered as too sacred to be examined. To the tribunal of the mind +of every man, however undisciplined and illiterate, were brought, like +criminals to be tried, the profoundest mysteries and most perplexing +questions of theology, and in proportion to the ignorance of the +judge, was the presumption with which sentence was pronounced. A +general love of dogma prevailed. The cross-legged tailor plying his +needle on his raised platform; the cobbler in the pauses of beating +the leather on his lap-stone; and the field-laborer as he rested on +his spade; discussed with serene and satisfied assurance problems, +before the contemplation of which, the ripest learning and highest +order of mind had veiled their faces. Dissatisfaction with the +condition of things spread more and more. All, in both Church and +State, was considered out of joint. The former had not sufficiently +cleansed herself from the pollutions of Rome, and lagging behind at a +wide distance from the primitive model, required to be further +reformed; the latter by encroachments on the liberties of the subject, +and assistance furnished to a corrupt hierarchy, had become odious, +and was to be resisted and restrained. The idea of abolishing the +monarchy had indeed not entered the mind of the most daring reformer; +but it is certain, that when his feelings were inflamed by brooding +over real and fancied wrongs from the established Church, his anger +would overflow upon the government, which, with no sparing hand, +wielded the sword to enforce pains and penalties, imposed, ostensibly +for the protection of religion, but in reality for the interests of an +ally and its own safety. It was this exasperation, partly of a +religious and partly of a political nature, that bore its legitimate +fruit in the execution of Charles. + +Before that awful lesson, however, discontent had increased until the +unhappy zealots, too feeble to resist, yet too resolute to submit, +determined to leave their country. Hard fate! Self-banished from the +associations of childhood, from the memorials of their ancestors! But +whither should they fly? They had heard indeed of a country; far +beyond the sea, where a refuge might be found, and whither some of +their countrymen had gone; but those first emigrants were cavaliers, +men of the same creed as their persecutors, and who had been induced +to leave England by motives different from those which controlled +their minds. Their purpose would not be attained by joining the +Virginia colony. They were not merely adventurers, hunting after +earthly treasures, but pilgrims in search of the kingdom of heaven. +Their company consisted of delicate women and children, from whom they +could not part, as well as of hardy men; and such were unfit to +encounter the perils of a new settlement, in an untried climate, and +an unknown country, infested by savages. Their principal want was +religious liberty; that they could find in Holland, and to Holland +they went. It was close at hand, and should any favorable change occur +in England, it would be easy to return. But after an experience of +some dozen years, they found insuperable objections to remaining +there, and determined, no such changes having taken place as they +anticipated when they left their native land, to emigrate to America. +In a season of the year as stern as the mood of their own minds, they +sought the stormy shores of New-England, and their example was soon +followed by others direct from the parent country. This first column +was composed exclusively of Protestants, who had refused conformity to +the established Church, or as they were called, Puritans. Later +arrivals brought more mixed companies, but still the Puritan element +always largely prevailed. Now separated by an ocean from, kings and +bishops, they resolved to realize the darling idea which, like the +fiery pillar before the wandering Israelites, had conducted them +across the sea, and that was the establishment of a commonwealth after +the model of perfection which they fondly imagined they had +discovered. And where should they find that perfect system, except in +the awful and mysterious volume wherein was the revelation of God's +will, and which, with a devotion that had impressed its every syllable +on their minds, they had day and night been studying? Was there not +contained therein a form of government which He had given to his +favored people; and what did both reason and piety suggest but to +accommodate it to their circumstances? All things favored the +undertaking. They were at too great a distance to be easily molested +by their enemies: the distracted condition of the government at home +afforded little opportunity for a strict supervision of their affairs; +and the few savages in their neighborhood left by the devastating +pestilence wherewith Providence had swept the new Canaan, in order to +make room for them, they soon found powerless before the terror of +their fire-arms. By excluding all whom it was their pleasure to call +lewd and debauched, or, in other words, who differed from them in +opinion, from participation in the government, they expected to avoid +confusion, and secure the blessing of heaven. It is absurd to suppose +that human pride, and ambition, and avarice did not intrude into these +visions of a reign of the saints on earth, but unquestionably notions +like these exerted a strong influence. They established their +commonwealth upon their theocratic model, and commenced the +experiment. + +Soon, in logical and honest sequence with the principles which they +professed, followed a system of persecution rivaling that of which +they complained in England. To be true to themselves and creed, they +were obliged to adopt it. We may do as we please; we may say that the +fanatical notion, the horrid Erinnys, the baleful mother of woes +innumerable, that the dogmas of religion may rightfully be enforced by +the sword of the civil, power, dominated the world, and in this way +account for their conduct; or apologize for it by the necessities of +their situation, and the peculiarities of their creed; or combine +these causes, and so extenuate what cannot be defended. + +I can well understand how a Puritan of 16--would justify his rigor. +His opinion of himself would be like that of the amiable Governor +Winthrop, as found in his first will, (omitted, however, in his +second,) as one "adopted to be the child of God, and an heir of +everlasting life, and that of the mere and free favor of God, who hath +elected me to be a vessel of glory." Such was the Puritan in his own +eyes. He was the chosen of heaven. He had, for the sake of the Gospel, +abandoned his country and the comforts of civilization, to erect (in +the language of Scripture which he loved to use) his Ebenezer in the +wilderness. He wanted to be let alone. He invited not Papists or +English Churchmen, or any who differed in opinion from him, to throw +in their lots with his. They would only be obstacles in his way, +jarring-strings in his heavenly antique-fashioned harp. Away with the +intruders! What right had they to molest him with their dissenting +presence? The earth was wide: let them go somewhere else. They would +find more congenial associates in the Virginia colony. He would have +no Achans to breed dissension in his camp. With bold heart and strong +hand would he cast them out. His was the empire of the saints; an +empire, not to be exercised with feebleness and doubt, but with vigor +and confidence. + +It is obvious that a very wide difference existed between the +characters of the two colonies. The cavalier, sparkling and fiery as +the wines he quaffed, the defender of established authority and of the +divine right of kings, was the antithesis of the abstemious and +thoughtful religionist and reformer, dissatisfied with the present, +hopeful of a better future, and not forgetful that it was in anger God +gave the Israelites a king. + +Meanwhile the Roman Catholics had not been idle. Their devoted +missionaries, solicitous to occupy other regions which should more +than supply the deficiency occasioned by the Protestant defection, and +confident of the final triumph of a Church, out of whose pale they +believed could be no salvation, had scattered themselves over the +continent, and with marvellous energy and self-sacrifice, were +extending their influence among the natives. No boundaries can be +placed to the visions of the enthusiastic religionist. His strength is +the strength of God. No wonder, then, that the Roman Catholic priest +should cherish hopes of rescuing the entire new world from heresy, +which he considered worse than heathenism, and should enlist all his +energies in so grand a cause. It is almost certain that extensive +plans were formed for the accomplishment of this object. + +Such were the elements which the seething caldron of the old world +threw out upon the new. A part only of the materials furnished by +these elements have I used in framing this tale. It is an attempt to +elucidate the manners and credence of quite an early period, and to +explain with the license accorded to a romancer, some passages in +American history. + +Thus much have I thought proper to premise. It is impossible to judge +correctly of the men of any age, without taking into consideration the +circumstances in which they were placed, and the opinions that +prevailed in their time. To apply the standard of this year of grace, +1856, to the religious enlightenment of more than two hundred years +ago, would be like measuring one of Gulliver's Lilliputians by +Gulliver himself. I trust that the world has since improved, and that +of whatever passing follies we may be guilty, we shall never +retrograde to the old narrow views of truth. If mankind are capable of +being taught any lesson, surely this is one--that persecution or +dislike for opinion sake is a folly and an evil, and that we best +perform the will of Him to whom we are commanded to be like, not by +contracting our affections into the narrow sphere of those whose +opinions harmonize with ours, but by diffusing our love over His +creation who pronounced it all "very good." + + + + +THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Come on, Sir! now you set your foot on shore, + _In novo orbe_. + + BEN JONSON'S _Alchemist_. + + +Our tale begins within a few years after the end of the first quarter +of the 17th century, at Boston, in Massachusetts, then in the infancy +of its settlement. + +On an evening in the month of May, were assembled some seven or eight +men around a table, in a long, low room, the sides only of which were +plastered, the rough beams and joists overhead being exposed to view; +the windows were small, and the floor without a carpet; and the +furniture consisted of the table, over which was spread a black cloth, +whereupon stood several lighted candles in brass candlesticks, of a +dozen chairs, covered with russet-colored leather, and of some wooden +benches, ranged against the walls, and which were occupied by various +persons. At one end of the apartment the floor was raised a few +inches, and the chair standing on this elevation differed from the +others in having arms at the sides, and in being of ampler proportions, +as if by its appearance to vindicate a claim to superior position. But +unpretending as was the room, it was a place of no little importance, +being no less than the Court Hall and Council Chamber of the "Governor +and Company of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England." At the moment +of which we are speaking, it was appropriated to a meeting of the +Court of Assistants of the Colony. + +The person occupying the arm-chair, on the platform, was a man of not +unpleasing appearance, somewhat less than fifty years of age, and +dressed with considerable precision in the style prevailing among +gentlemen of distinction at that day. His face was rather long, and +surmounted by a high and well developed forehead, from the top of +which, dark, parted hair fell in curls down the temples over a white +ruff, fringed with costly lace, that encircled his neck. His eyes were +blue; his eye-brows highly arched; his nose large; beard covered the +upper lip and chin; and so far as an opinion could be formed, from his +sitting posture, he was tall and well-made. The expression of his +countenance was gentle, and there was an air of introspection and +abstraction about it as if he were much in the habit of communing with +his own thoughts. The upper part of his person, which only was +visible, the rest being hid by the table and depending cloth, was +clothed in a black coat or doublet, without ornament or even the +appearance of a button, and at his side he wore a rapier, evidently +more as a badge of his rank than for use. + +Seated at his right hand, and below the platform, was a man a dozen +years at least his elder, whose stout look and fiery glances indicated +that if time had grizzled his thick and close cut hair, it had not +quenched the heat of his spirit. Like the gentleman first described, +he was dressed in sad-colored garments, differing but little from +them, except that instead of a ruff, he wore a plain white band, +falling upon his breast, cut somewhat like those worn by clergymen at +the present day, but longer, and passing round the neck and covering +the collar of the coat. Although the oldest of the company, he seemed +to have himself the least under control, continually moving in his +chair, drawing forward and pushing away the sheets of paper that lay +before him, and now and then darting an impatient glance at the person +in the arm-chair, from whom it would wander over his companions, and +then fasten on the door. + +The third and last gentleman whom we think proper to describe, was a +man of about the age of the first, but utterly unlike him. His head +was covered with a black skull cap, (probably to protect his +baldness,) beneath which, rose ears more prominent than ornamental, +being very little relieved by the hair, which was cropped short. His +complexion was florid, and the parts of the face, about the chin and +jaws, full and heavy, giving an appearance of great roundness to the +countenance. His features were regular, the mouth small and +compressed, and on the upper lip he wore a moustache, parted in the +centre, and brushed out horizontally, balanced by a tuft on the chin, +four or five inches long. An adventurous spirit gazed out of his clear +steady eyes, and altogether he looked like a man of determined temper, +and one who, having once formed a resolution, would find it difficult +to relinquish it. Around his neck he also had a broad band, divided in +the middle, and falling half way down his breast. The remainder of the +persons around the table bore the same general resemblance to these +three, in dress, that one gentleman ordinarily does to another, and +all were engaged in conversation. + +Presently the gentleman in the arm-chair, who was evidently the +President, took up a small bell that was placed before him, and +sounding it, the summons was replied to by the entrance of a man from +a side-door. He was the servitor or beadle of the Court, and moving to +the end of the table opposite the President, he stood facing him and +waiting his commands. + +"Bring in the prisoner," said the President, in a low tone, but so +distinct that it was heard all over the room. + +The beadle noiselessly glided out, and in a few moments returned, +leading a man, whose wrists were fastened with gyves, whom he +conducted to the end of the table he had just left, and placed so as +to confront the President. + +"Take off the irons," said the same, low, musical voice. + +The man, thus unpleasantly introduced, was in the prime of life, +certainly not more than thirty-five or six years of age, and from his +bold and erect carriage, seemed (as was the fact) to have been bred a +soldier. Upon the order to take off the shackles being complied with, +he cast a look of acknowledgment toward the speaker. + +"Master Nowell," said the President, "read the accusation." + +The person addressed, who was the Clerk or Secretary, rose hereupon +from his seat near the centre of the table, and read "the +information," which it is unnecessary to give at length, charging the +prisoner with using most foul, scandalous, indecent, defamatory, and +unseemly invectives, reproaches, and passionate speeches, toward and +against the worshipful magistrates and godly ministers of the colony, +thereby contriving and designing to bring into contempt, all law, +order, religion, and good government, &c., and to subvert the +authority of the magistrates and undermine the wholesome influence of +the godly ministers, &c., to the disgrace and ruin of the colony and +scandal of true religion, &c. + +When the paper had been read, the President demanded--"Are you guilty +or not?" + +"I am as innocent as the worshipful Governor himself, and whoever +wrote those lies, is a villain and a foresworn knave," replied the +prisoner. + +"Enter that the prisoner says he is not guilty," said the President, +addressing the Secretary; "and do thou, Philip Joy, remember where +thou art, and express thyself in a manner more becoming this +presence." + +"It is hard to be tied up like a mad dog and not get angry," replied +the accused. + +"Sirrah!" cried the gentleman, whose appearance was described next +after the President, "dost thou bring a contumacious spirit here to +bandy words with the right worshipful Governor? Silence, and answer +peremptorily to the questions of thy betters." + +"Nay, worthy Deputy Governor Dudley, the poor man is, I doubt not, +already sensible of his error, and sinned more out of ignorance than +design," observed the President. + +"The honored Governor," spoke an assistant from near the bottom of the +table, "is, I fear, disposed to be too lenient in respect of these +foul-mouthed carrion." + +"Our law condemns no man unheard; nor will I be more stern," answered +the mild Governor Winthrop, (for it was he). "It seems to me to be the +part of a judge to allow no harsh suspicions to enter his mind, lest +they throw baleful shadows over his decisions. Philip Joy," he added, +turning to the prisoner, "thou hast declared thyself innocent; wilt +thou be tried by a jury, or art content to trust thy cause to the +judgment of the honorable Court of Assistants?" + +"I care not who tries me," replied Joy. "I am a true man; and, though +I don't belong to the congregation, am as honest as a great many who +do, and he is a horrid villain, who--" + +"Enough," interrupted the Governor, "a quick tongue often prejudices, +while a slow one seldom doth. Do I understand that it is thy desire to +be tried by the Assistants?" + +"It is not my desire to be tried by any one," said Joy; "but, sith I +am to be put on my deliverance, I think that I shall stand a better +chance in the hands of honorable gentlemen, some of whom have been +soldiers, than in the dirty paws of tinkers, and cobblers, and mere +mechanicals." + +No smile mantled over the faces of his grave judges, but it was +obvious, from the twinkling of eyes and glances shot by one to +another, that the speech of Joy had done him no harm with those who, +even thus early, began to feel annoyed at the approach of the clouted +shoe. + +"Art thou prepared for thy trial? inquired the President. + +"At any moment, and the sooner the better, your worship. I had rather +mount guard, for a week, in steel helmet and corselet, with breast, +back, culet, gorget, tasses, sword, musket and bandoliers, in the +hottest sun that ever roasted a blackamoor, or stand up to my knees, +six months, in snow, without my mandilion, than lie a day longer in +that ace--I mean that kennel of a lock-up." + +"It, meseems, thou art in a hurry to have justice done thee, good +fellow," said, with a grim smile, the gentleman who was the third one +described, stroking, with his embroidered glove, the tuft of hair that +hung below his chin. + +"You are a soldier, Captain Endicott, and can look a man straight in +the eyes," paid Joy; "and, though people give you credit for a hot +temper, I will trust you." + +Endicott elevated his eye-brows at this ambiguous compliment, and for +a moment seemed at a loss how to take it, especially as he remarked a +peculiar expression on the faces of his colleagues. + +"Being a soldier thyself," he replied, fastening his eyes sternly on +the face of the prisoner, "thou art bound to know that it becomes not +one in the ranks to prattle." + +Joy made no answer, but returned a cool and unabashed look to the gaze +of the other. + +"If the witnesses have been called, let them appear," said the +President. + +Two men, of a rather moan appearance, now stepped forward; an oath by +the uplifted hand was administered, and one commenced his testimony. + +The substance of his story was, that Joy, on a certain occasion, and, +at a certain place, in his presence and hearing, had declared, with a +profane exclamation, that there were men in the colony, wiser, and +more learned, than either the magistrates or ministers; and that, +between them both, what with their long prayers and intermeddling in +every body's affairs, they were like to ruin the plantation. + +Upon the conclusion of the testimony, the witness was sharply +cross-questioned by Governor Winthrop, and some inquires were made by +various Assistants, but nothing further was elicited. As for Joy, he +disdained to ask a question, declaring that his accuser, Timpson, had +already been in the stocks for leasing; and, besides, had been +cudgelled by himself for stealing. + +Hezekiah Timpson, a villainous, lean, crop-haired fellow, with a +hang-dog look, and sanctimonious air, upon hearing himself charged +with delinquencies, which were notorious to the whole Court, raised to +heaven his eyes, which, until now, he had kept fastened on the floor, +and, sighing deeply, exclaimed: + +"I do confess my iniquities and my sins are ever before me. Verily, +was I thus given over to Satan to be buffeted but by free-grace have I +been snatched, as a brand from the burning, even as I yet hope to see +thee, Philip." + +"Canting rogue, I want none of thy hopes, good or bad," said Joy. + +"Cease thy reviling," cried Dudley, starting from his seat. "What! are +we to sit here to listen to malapert railings against men of godly +life and conversation?" he added, addressing himself to Winthrop. But +before the Governor could reply, one of the Assistants interposed. + +"Let the poor man unbosom himself freely," he said, "that the whole +truth may come to light." + +"Our worshipful brother Spikeman," answered the Deputy Governor, with +a sneer, (which he did not attempt to suppress,) "was not always ready +to allow such free-speech, as witness the case of Martin Wrexham, +banished for speaking to his disparagement." + +"I trust that I shall be able to give the worshipful Deputy Governor +such reasons for my conduct, as will satisfy him," said Spikeman. + +Dudley threw himself back into his chair, as if not half satisfied; +and Winthrop, who had calmly listened to the colloquy, took advantage +of the pause that ensued, to direct the other witness to testify. + +From the examination, it appeared that he had been present at the +conversation referred to by Timpson, that, indeed, it was between Joy +and himself, and that the former had not been aware of the presence of +the informer, until on turning round, when Timpson was standing at his +elbow. He recollected nothing said by Joy about the ministers, except +that he had, any day, rather listen to one of Corporal Joly's songs, +than Mr. Cotton's long sermons; nor respecting the magistrates, but +that there were better judges in England. + +The testimony being concluded, the prisoner was asked what he had to +say for himself, to which he replied: + +"Only that Hezekiah Timpson was an eves-dropping, lying villain, and +that the other witness had told the truth. He meant no harm by +anything he had said." + +"Dost think it advisable to retract anything?" inquired Spikeman. + +"I know not why I should deny the truth," answered Joy. + +"Remand the prisoner, and clear the court-room," cried the President; +and Joy was accordingly led out, followed by the spectators. + +As soon as the members of the Court were left to themselves, Winthrop +began to collect the opinions of the Assistants, commencing with the +youngest, who were placed most remote from him. At first, a +considerable diversity of sentiment prevailed, several seeming +disposed to discredit Timpson, and to acquit Joy. They pronounced +their opinions shortly and pithily, giving their reasons in a few +words, until it came to Spikeman's turn, who spoke more at length. + +"The vice," he said, "of backbiting godly ministers, and maligning +magistrates, had risen, in consequence of the mistaken leniency of the +Court, to an alarming height, so as to threaten the very foundations +of their government. There was not a Satan-instigated railing +Rabsheka, who did not now have his daily fling at the servants of the +Lord, engaged in much tribulation in planting his vineyard, and there +were many saints who were already calling out, O Lord, how long! They +had themselves just been witnesses of the audacity, wherewith, in the +very presence of the right worshipful Governor, and the worshipful +Assistants, the prisoner had assumed to sit in judgment upon a member +of the congregation, and to foul him with abuse. Never had he dared to +exhibit such topping insolence, had he not supposed himself supported +by a mutinous spirit from without. It was a dangerous spirit which, if +inflamed by indulgence, would become a deadly boil to poison the whole +body politic. Prick therefore the imposthume at once, and, like wise +surgeons, let out the offensive matter. He was not surprised at the +indignation of the worthy Deputy. It was a zeal unto godliness, and +devoutly did he wish, that himself, and all, were more inspired with +it. When he had asked that the prisoner might be permitted to speak +freely, it was that every Assistant might be convinced by his own ears +of the boldness wherewith rebellion to constituted authority, +impudently bursting from the bottomless pit, ventured to obtrude into +a court of justice, and to boast of its misdeeds. Was a child of the +covenant of grace, and our brother in Christ, to be reproached with +the sins which he had committed when in the gall of bitterness and +bonds of iniquity, and which had been washed out by the blood of the +New-Testament? Nay, then, give a universal license to every lewd +fellow, to rake up the sins of your youth, and let him send to +England--that England which spewed us out of her mouth, as if we were +not the children of her bowels--to obtain the proofs. Had there been +no word of evidence, the bare conduct of the prisoner before them was +enough to satisfy them of his dangerous character, and he should feel +his conscience accusing him of failure in his obligations to the +Church and the Colony, were he not to advise exemplary punishment, +whereof banishment would be a necessary but the slightest part." + +The speech of Spikeman was evidently acceptable to a majority of the +Assistants. It appealed to the fanaticism of some, and to the fears of +others; but there were some on whom it produced no such effect. +Captain Endicott, fierce zealot as he was, found in it something +disagreeable. As his manner was, he stroked with his hand the long +tuft on his chin, before he commenced speaking: + +"There are things," he said, "in the speech of the worshipful brother +whereof I approve, and others, again, whereunto I may not give my +assent. Though it may savor of worldly pride, and be proof of the old +Adam lingering in me, I will say, that however guilty in the sight of +God, before whom I acknowledge myself the chief of sinners, I +challenge before man an examination of my life, and fear no evil +report from England or elsewhere. But for this self-boasting, I crave +the pardon and prayers of my brethren. Touching the prisoner, which is +the matter in hand, I find him somewhat bold, and not altogether in +other respects what I desire, but yet not worthy of severe punishment, +or likely to be a dangerous person in the Commonwealth. Where need +requires, I trust, with preventing grace, never to be deficient in +prompt and energetic action, but no necessity therefor hath, in my +judgment, at present arisen. For, as for this young man, ye are to +recollect that he is a soldier, and that a stout one, and may yet do +the Commonwealth service in her defence, whereunto I doubt not his +willingness, and that his free speech doth proceed rather from the +license of camps than from malignity of temper. Moreover, I find not +the rule of Scripture whereby we are bound that by the mouth of two or +three witnesses every word shall be established altogether complied +with, meaning not, thereby, to impugn the statement of our brother of +the congregation, worthy good man Timpson, but only that his words are +not confirmed as our law requires." + +Thus spoke Endicott, who was afterwards so notorious for his +severities against dissidents; but these sentiments found no echo in +the mind of the Deputy Governor. + +"I thank God," he said, "that however gross and innumerable my errors +and backslidings, I am no libertine." (Here Endicott's eyes flashed, +but he contented himself with stroking, in a musing manner, the long +tuft of hair on his chin.) "The evil we are called upon by the united +voice of the suffering saints in this wilderness to suppress," +continued Dudley, "demands, I trow, sharper practice than has hitherto +been applied, and I do admire at the milk-and-water temper of the +worthy Assistant at this present. Not thus is he wont to speak, but in +the common is zealous even unto slaying. What incantation or witch of +Endor hath blinded him, I know not." + +The blood mounted into the face of Endicott, for he, as well as the +others present, understood the remark to refer to the young and gentle +wife of the ex-Governor of Salem, and who was supposed to exert a +great influence in soothing the fierceness of his disposition, (alas, +if it were so; how short a time that influence lasted!) and many were +the smiles that circled the table, but Winthrop, apprehensive of a +storm, interposed. + +"My worthy friend," he said, "can surely intend no disrespect toward +one of the stoutest champions of our Israel. Doubtless he will be able +so to explain his words, as to make their meaning innocent." + +"I complain not," burst forth Endicott. "If it were lawful to try +conclusions in the manner of the Gentiles, and he a fit man for me to +deal with, his lips should never repeat such vituperations;" and as he +concluded, he threw one of his embroidered gloves violently on the +table before Dudley, who sat opposite. + +"Peace, gentlemen," cried Winthrop, rising with dignity, and looking +alternately at one and the other. "Forget not that ye are brethren, +and that upon your harmony depends the prosperity of our Zion, If ye +who are of the household of faith permit idle bickerings to divide +your hearts, how can ye expect the blessing of Heaven on your labors? +If the cement to hold together the stones of the temple be untempered +mortar, must not the fabric fall, and bury the worshippers in its +ruins? If you love me, Captain Endicott, my brave and generous, but +hasty friend, take up your glove; if you have respect for the high +station you so worthily fill, noble Dudley, extend your hand in token +of amity, and assure our brother that no offence was designed." + +The time occupied by the governor had afforded opportunity for the +passions of the two gentlemen to cool, and for them to become sensible +of the unbecoming parts they were playing. As if they had at the same +instant arrived at a like conclusion, Endicott reached forward to pick +up his gauntlet, while Dudley stretched out his open palm. It was +grasped by the other, and the two men wrung each other's hand as if +whatever might be their private quarrels, they were resolved to stand +by one another against the rest of the world. + +"I crave forgiveness," said Dudley, at the same time resuming his seat +and speech, "of the honorable Assistants in general, and of my +excellent brother Endicott in particular, and beseech them to ascribe +the vehemency of my speech to no want of respect for them, but to my +zeal in the common service, and to a natural impetuosity. I solemnly +protest that my observation pointed at nothing offensive, and that +come whence it might, I would resent a wrong to my honored brother as +quickly as to myself. Yet I will say, that I marvel that one so +familiar with the nature of wounds as my honorable and dear friend, +the worthy founder of our infant commonwealth, (and this is an ancient +and increasing evil,) should not know that old wounds require rather +vinegar than oil, the cautery instead of unguents. As a member of the +persecuted Church, I will not allow the declarations of a brother of +that holy and mystical body to be overborne and set at naught by an +ill liver like this Philip Joy. I say that men have become too free in +uttering their licentious imaginations about those who are placed by +God's Providence above them for their soul's good and bodies' health, +and that an example should be made to repress the gossip of light +tongues and evil thinkers. In punishing this Joy, (who might more +properly be called mourning,) we exalt the honor of the congregation, +one of whose sons, even in your presence, and with intent to dishonor +you, he has abused with perverse epithets, while at the same time we +strike a wholesome terror into others in like case to offend." + +He ceased, and looked around as if to gather the suffrages of his +associates, but since the little interruption to their harmony, the +wary Assistants were too politic, by word or sign, to betray a bias, +so that he beheld only downcast eyes, and countenances purposely +vacant, in order to conceal the thoughts of their owners. + +It was now the turn of the Governor to express his opinion, and as he +opened his lips, all eyes were fastened on him. His manner was grave, +yet soft and persuasive, and a desire was manifest to pursue a course +which should offend none, but reconcile differences by yielding +something to all. + +"_Tumultuosa libertas_", (he said, commencing his remarks a Latin +quotation,) "_tranquilitati probrosoe anteponenda est_, and in the +lively observations we have heard, I mark not the signs of dissension, +but of free thought, having in view the honor of God and the welfare +of his little flock scattered abroad in a strange land. But the good +shepherd will yet gather the dispersed into his arms, and gently lead +them through green pastures and by still waters. Our Israel owes you +thanks, brethren, for the vigilance wherewith ye watch the walls of +Jerusalem, and are quick to spy the lurking wolf and ravening bear. If +the watchmen sleep, what shall become of the city? But her strong +towers of defence and bulwarks are ye, emulous only to show your love. + +"It hath been said--to come more immediately to the matter in +hand--that the vice of evil speaking of dignities had greatly +increased, and needed to be repressed. It is so, and cannot be denied; +and I would thereupon note a caution to my brethren, and that is, the +necessity of rather discouraging that democratical spirit which is +threatening to sweep away all distinctions, and to strip the +Assistants themselves of necessary power. It is an insubordination, +whereof foul breaths, licentious imaginations, and undisciplined +tongues, are the inciters and fomenters. Now, if one can legitimately +be proved guilty of the offence, I would be forward as well for the +salutary discipline of the offender as highest weal of the state, to +visit him with a due measure of punishment. But it behooves the court +to see that the charge is proved. + +"In the present case, even although the testimony of the principal +witness were thrown out, which, howbeit, cannot be done, he standing +unimpeached before us, yet there remains sufficient from the testimony +of the second, the truth of which is not denied by the prisoner, to +convince us that something light and trivial has been uttered +reflecting upon the godly Mr. Cotton, whose edifying discourses were +degraded beneath the value of a song. This is in a manner to impeach +the sanctity of religion, by making light of the character of her +ministers. As for what the prisoner said touching the magistrates, I +trust that it is true, and am disposed to connect no evil intent +therewith. My judgment is to pronounce him guilty of using indecorous +language respecting a minister of the gospel, and to condemn him +therefor in a light fine, to help replenish our lean treasury." + +"Did not the right worshipful Governor remark the profane exclamation +of the prisoner even in this presence?" inquired Spikeman. + +"None, Master Spikeman," answered Winthrop. "I did indeed observe that +the prisoner, in one instance, commenced what I supposed was the word +'accursed,' but checked himself in mid utterance as if sensible that +it was unmeet to be spoken, which rather savors of respect than of the +contrary." + +But the Assistant shook his head. "I have seldom seen," he said, "a +more stiff-necked and perverse offender, and one more deserving of +many stripes." + +Hereupon followed a discussion of some length, which terminated +favorably to the opinions of the Deputy Governor and of the Assistant +Spikeman, and it was finally agreed that Joy should be found guilty, +generally, and condemned to be confined for the space of one month, in +irons, to a fine of Ł5, and to banishment from the colony. This result +was not attained without strong resistance from Winthrop, who strove +to mitigate the punishment to a fine, and from Endicott, who +endeavored to obtain remission of the banishment; but in vain--the +vehemence of Dudley, and the insinuations of Spikeman, overbore all +opposition. + +Upon the conclusion being arrived at, Joy was placed again before the +Governor, who, with a grieved look, pronounced sentence, and +immediately dismissed the Court. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + A gentle knight was pricking on the plaine. + + SPENCER. + + +On the morning of a fine day, a fortnight after the occurrences above +narrated, a horseman was riding over the neck, or narrow strip of +marshy ground, which connects the peninsula on which Boston is +situated with the main land. The rider was a tall, handsome man, of +apparently some thirty-five years of age, who sat on his steed and +handled the reins with a practiced grace, as if the saddle and himself +were familiar acquaintances. Under a broad-brimmed, slouched hat, fell +curls of dark hair, down the sides of an oval though rather thin face, +embrowned by exposure to the weather. The nose was curved like the +beak of an eagle, the eyes bright and wild as those of the royal bird, +and a close beard curled over the face, including the upper lip, the +bold yet sweet expression of which it did not conceal. + +The dress of the cavalier was in the fashion of the times, though +sobered down, either for the purpose of attracting less attention, or +out of deference to the customs of the people he was among. A close +fitting doublet or jerkin, of black velvet, over which was thrown a +light cloak of the same color, but of different material, and a +falling collar, shaped somewhat like those in Vandyke's portraits, +edged with a narrow peccadillo or fringe of lace, ornamented the upper +part of his person; his hands and wrists were protected by long gloves +or gauntlets, reaching half way up to the elbow, and opening wide at +the top; russet-colored boots expanded at the aperture and garnished +with spurs reached high up the legs, and a small cut and thrust sword, +suspended by a belt, which was also russet-colored, hung at his side. +The handle of the sword was exquisitely beautiful, worthy of being the +work of Cellini himself. It was mostly of massive gold, the hilt +smooth and shining, and the guard embossed with a variety of elegant +devices. But the part which first arrested attention and attracted the +most admiration was the head, whereupon was sculptured a gigantic +honey-bee, with wings expanded, as if about to fly from its perch; the +eyes were sparkling diamonds, the body was composed of different +colored metals, in imitation of life--and the whole so cunningly +wrought, that it seemed a living bee about to mount into the air. The +man rode and looked as if not anticipating, and incapable of fearing +danger, carelessly glancing round, while the noble animal he bestrode, +as if he had caught the spirit of his rider, stepped high and +gallantly along. But in truth there was little or no danger, the white +settlers being, at the time, at peace with the neighboring Indian +tribes. + +It was a mere bridle-path the horseman was following, which wound +about in various directions, in order to avoid marshy ground, or +trunks of trees, or other obstacles, and appeared to be perfectly +familiar to the horse, who trotted on without any guidance from his +rider. As for the latter, as if to beguile the tediousness of the way, +he would pat at one moment the neck of his dumb companion, and address +a few words to him, and at the next, break out into snatches of song. +Thus he proceeded until he emerged from the woods, and an open space, +the site of the future city of Boston, once the cornfields of warlike +tribes, mysteriously removed by pestilence, in order as to the excited +imaginations of the early settlers it seemed, to make room for the +fugitives, lay spread before him. + +The rider stopped his horse, and for some moments sat in silence +gazing on the scene. From the eminence, to whose top he had ridden, +declined before him the sloping hills, on whose sides open cultivated +spaces were interspersed with woods. On the waters' edge, for the most +part, were scattered the houses of the colonists, the majority of them +rude huts, made of unhewn logs, with here and there a frame building, +or a brick or stone house of less humble pretensions, while beyond, +rolled the sparkling waves of the bay, sprinkled with "a great company +of islands, whose high cliffs shoulder out the boisterous seas," as +the old chronicler Wood expresses it, and rocking a few small vessels +lying at anchor. He who viewed the region that morning, must have had +a brilliant imagination to dream of the magnificent cities destined to +stud those coasts, and of the millions to fill those extensive forests +within two hundred years. Westward, indeed, the star of Empire had +taken its way, and the wise men of the East were following its +heavenly guidance; but who knew it then? + +At last, excited by the view and his thoughts, the rider rose in his +stirrups, and stretching out his arms, gave expression, in a low +voice, to his feelings-- + +"Well may these men, who hope to found a new dynasty, be proud of the +lovely land which they have chosen for a refuge! If iron resolution, +scorn of delights and contempt of death could do it, they would +accomplish the emprise--_mais l'homme propose et Dieu dispose_. +Without the directing mind and sustaining arm of the source of all +wisdom and power, in vain is the labor of man. Ruin and disgrace shall +overwhelm all undertakings not founded on the Rock of Ages. With what +great events teems the bosom of futurity? O, that my eyes could pierce +the misty distance; that my dim presaging soul could behold the +stately advance of the coming centuries, whose sounding feet I fancy +that I can hear! Bear they in their hands weal or woe to humanity? +Hath the creative energy set a limit, beyond which the tide of human +accomplishment, like the hidden power in yonder heaving ocean, may not +rise; but, having reached its destined apex, must, with hoarse +murmurs, recoil back upon itself in disordered fragments?--or in these +later times, when men were ripe for the blessing, revealed to the +world these virgin regions, separated from the vices of Europe and of +the East by a mighty sea, here to recommence that experiment which +hath partially failed elsewhere, and imparted sufficient measure of +His spirit to chosen instruments to work out the problem of human +happiness, and to conduct mankind to heights of felicity, beginning +here and never ending?--the bare contemplation whereof causes my flesh +to quiver with delight." + +As he uttered these words, forgetful of his situation, he stuck the +spurs into his horse's flanks, and the astonished animal started with +a bound. It was then the consummate address wherewith the stranger +sat, his horse specially exhibited itself. As if the feeling of the +startled steed were instantly communicated to himself; and one spirit +animated both, his body bent gently forward in the saddle, catching at +once the motion, and accommodating itself thereto, so that the rider +appeared as firmly fastened, and as much at his ease, as though he +were a part of the animal. After half a dozen plunges, and some +soothing words, the excited horse having expressed his displeasure by +snorts, frequent and loud at first, but gradually decreasing in +rapidity and loudness, yielded to the strong arm of his master, and +reduced his pace to the long trot at which he had before proceeded. + +"My noble Mourad," said the rider, patting the steed's neck, and +addressing him as if capable of understanding language--"I wonder not +at thine astonishment; but when these thoughts possess me, I am +oblivious of everything else. I will be more heedful henceforth, nor +allow splendid imaginations to prick thine innocent sides." + +The flexible ears of Mourad moved backward and forward while his rider +was speaking, his dilated eyes glanced repeatedly back at him, and he +shook his head as if not half satisfied with the apology. + +And now the stranger, leisurely advancing, soon reached the little +collection of houses. Guiding his horse carefully through the unpaved +streets, and avoiding the stumps of trees which were occasionally to +be met, he stopped at a house of somewhat more imposing appearance +than the rest. It was of wood, like most of the other dwellings, and +differed from them principally in being larger. It could not be said +to belong to any order or style of architecture, but bore a general +resemblance to buildings erected in England at the time. It stood with +its gable-ends, three in number, to the street, the roof rising up +steeply, and making a considerable garret, the side of the gable-ends +projecting over the second story, as did also that over the first. The +windows were of a square form, with small diamond-shaped panes, +opening by hinges at the sides, and there was but one entrance in +front, to protect which a small verandah or porch was thrown across +the building. Two men, in the ordinary dress and equipments of +soldiers of the period, their clumsy muskets leaning against the side, +were seated on a bench near the entrance, and by their presence +indicated the residence of Governor Winthrop. + +"Is the right worshipful Governor at home so that he may be seen?" +inquired the stranger, as he dismounted from the horse, whose bridle +was held by one of the soldiers. + +"He is at home, and may be seen, Sir Christopher," replied one of the +men, "I will conduct you to his presence." + +So saying, the soldier opened the door, and preceding the visitor, +ushered him into a hall some ten feet wide, and thence into a small +ante-room, or room of reception, where he was entreated to be seated, +while his arrival should be announced. It required but a moment, which +was the whole time of the soldier's absence, for the stranger to take +a survey of the room wherein he sat. + +It was not more than twelve or fifteen feet square, and destitute of +paper or hangings, and the floor, like that of the hall, was bare, and +made of coarsely-planed boards. It had two doors, one opening into the +hall and another into an adjoining room, and was lighted by a single +window. Its furniture consisted of only a few wooden chairs and +benches. + +"The right worshipful Governor directs me to invite you to him," said +the messenger, throwing open the second door above mentioned. + +The stranger rose, and crossing with a stately step the ante-chamber, +followed the soldier into the adjoining apartment. + +"Welcome, Sir Christopher," exclaimed the Governor, rising from a +desk, at which he had been writing, and advancing with extended hand +to his visitor, "I am honored in seeing you again in my poor house." + +"He may deem himself a minion of fortune," courteously replied the +stranger addressed as Sir Christopher, grasping the offered hand, "who +either in this far wilderness or in the proud streets of London, is +privileged to exchange salutations of friendship with so worthy and +every way accomplished a gentleman as the honored chief magistrate of +this colony." + +"Alas! I fear," rejoined Winthrop, taking a seat, after first formally +seating the other, "alas! I fear that my shoulders are too weak for so +great a burden. Were it not for the prize of the high calling set +before me, and the sweet refreshment sometimes breathed into me by the +Spirit, I should faint beneath its weight." + +"We are commanded neither to faint nor to be weary of well-doing," +said Sir Christopher, "with comfortable assurances that as is our +need, so shall our strength be. But, honored sir, I much mistake the +nobility of your mind, if you would be willing to exchange your high +place for a meaner lot. I thank God that you are placed upon an +eminence to be a tower of strength to those who do well, and a terror +to the evil." + +"Better," replied Winthrop, "is the humble cottage than the lordly +structure whereunto your poetical and extravagant politeness hath +likened me. Remember," he added, with a smile, wherein there was some +bitterness mingled with its melancholy, for he had of late been +annoyed by the rougher nature of Dudley, and the jealousy of some of +the Assistants, "_altoe turres cadunt dum humiles casoe stant_." + +"Noble sir," said Sir Christopher, "be not cast down. The foundations +of your house are built upon a basis too broad and firm to be blown +down by the disorderly breaths of lackeys and trencher-scrapers. +Pardon me, if in my zeal I apply ignominious terms to your enemies." + +"There be those to be ranked in that category who yet in no wise +deserve such epithets," answered the generous Governor. "Were +opposition to come only from so base a quarter, little should I heed, +and rather consider it an incitement to keener action; but there are +also choice spirits, elect vessels, pillars of the congregation, men +inspired with godly zeal, who are persuaded themselves, and would +persuade others, that I am lukewarm in the cause, and bear the sword +in vain." + +"If the peevish captiousness of these persons is greatly to influence, +I will not say over-awe you, noble sir," said Sir Christopher, "I +tremble lest the errand of mercy whereon I come should fail of its +purpose." + +"Ever true to the principle of the [Greek: Melissa]," said the +Governor, smiling "what can the Knight of the Golden Melice crave +which John Winthrop can deny?" + +The Knight of the Golden [Greek: Melissa], or Melice, as he was +commonly called, meaning thereby the Knight of the Golden Honey-Bee, +and who, by wearing conspicuously about his person the device or badge +adopted when he received the order of knighthood, only complied with +the fantastic notions of the times, gazed a moment at the figure of +the bee on the handle of his sword, before replying: + +"The golden bee does indeed remind me," he said, "that even as he, in +the summer of his days, collects the yellow treasure which is to +sustain him in the death of winter, so should I, while the day is +mine, be busy to perform the will of Him who hath called me to a post +in his creation, that I be not ashamed in the grave. I came to ask a +favor in behalf of the soldier Philip Joy." + +The eyes of Winthrop, which, while the knight was speaking, had been +fastened on his face, fell upon the rich Turkey carpet that, with its +intricate figures and varied dies, covered, in place of a modern +cloth, the table supporting the desk whereat he had been writing. + +"The soldier," he said, sit last, slowly, "is enduring the punishment +awarded to him by the Court of Assistants." + +"A harsh and cruel sentence," said the knight, "and one at the +infliction whereof I know your noble nature relucted." + +"I may not, without censure of my own conscience, hear those who are +associated with me in the government blamed." + +"I would not trespass on the bounds of courteous license, but cannot +believe that your gentle temper approves of proceedings at once severe +and impolitic." + +"It becomes me not," said Winthrop, modestly, "to set up my sentiments +against the opinion of a majority. This is not the government of one +man, and I am, as I may say, it being properly understood, only +_primus inter pares_." + +"Then avouch yourself to some purpose to be truly primus, and by your +kingly mercy not only put to silence the unruly tongues of men +complaining of harshness not without reason, but also take away the +occasion for reproach." + +"Hitherto," said Winthrop, "you have spoken in riddles, though they +are not hard to be guessed; but, nevertheless, let me entreat you to +explicate, in plainer phrase, your meaning, and reveal your full +desire." + +"I came, then," answered the knight, "to solicit the full pardon of +Joy." + +"It may not be. Though the right to pardon would seem inherent in him +to whose hands is entrusted the power to punish, that the sorrow of +inflicting pain might be balanced by the joy of conferring pleasure, +and so his office be not wholly converted into that of an executioner, +yet were I ever so much disposed, I could not, in the present case, +grant your request. It would raise a storm which, however little to be +regarded for its consequences to myself, might be seriously injurious +to the budding interests of our infant state." + +"I pray you to consider," said the knight, "the good character of the +man accused, ever approving himself brave and faithful in all trusts +confided to him; no drone, but an active honey-bee, laying up store in +your hive, with no fault charged but speaking too freely, and if that +be true, only imitating therein, his betters. Next reflect upon the +opposite reputation of his accusers, and I venture to say malingers, +though in truth there is but one, not sustained by the other. Men are +murmuring at your sentence, and holding your justice for naught, a +sure presage of troublous times; and be assured, that a commonwealth +not founded in righteousness cannot stand, for on it rests not the +blessing of Heaven." + +"Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Winthrop, "you have spoken boldly, +and but that I believe in your honesty, and am assured of your +friendship, I should be offended. But you belong not to the +congregation, your notions differing from our faith; the light which +illuminates the minds of the chosen remnant which Providence hath +planted in this far off land, this ultissima Thule, not yet having +penetrated your understanding; Your freedom of speech, therefore, +because in favor of mercy, shall not prejudice, though it might injure +you were it to reach the ears of some of whom we wot. But know, Sir +Christopher, that your zeal makes you unjust, and that you have +defamed a God fearing Commonwealth, and one in covenant with God. Not +without His guidance did we trust ourselves to a waging sea, calmed +for our sake by His breath; and not without His inspiration are we +building up a State, after His own divine model, which shall be the +admiration of the world. The kings of the earth may rise up, and the +heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing; but know, Sir +Christopher, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us." + +As the usually calm Winthrop concluded his prophecy, he smote the +table with his hand, as if to give emphasis to his words. + +"My wise, and prudent, and most valued friend," said Sir Christopher, +rising and approaching the Governor, "pardon me, if with sacrilegious, +though unwitting hand, I have touched the sacred ark of your faith. +But I were meaner than a stock or a stone; I were duller than an +insensible clod; I were worse than an idolatrous heathen or a beast, +if I were unwilling to encounter any danger, even to the hazard of +losing your friendship, for the sake of a man, who, at the risk of his +own life, saved mine." + +"I heard not of your debt before," said Winthrop. + +"It was in Moldavia, on the bloody field of Choczim, where the Poles +defeated the Turks. I was then but a stripling, and the impetuosity of +youth, or the fiery temper of my horse, had borne me in advance of my +friends, when I was surrounded by the infidels and hard bested, and my +life beyond peradventure had paid the penalty of my rashness, and my +bones been left cleaned by the wolf's teeth to whiten on the sand, but +for this valiant soldier. Disregarding danger, he leaped among the +foe, and so lustily plied his blows, that together we bore the turbans +down, until his bridle-hand was struck. Then was it time to fall back, +for verily we had need of both hands, with the one to guide out +horses, and with the other to defend our heads. I seized his rein, and +with our flashing swords, side by side, we fought our way through the +throng. Judge, then, if I were not an ingrate to forget the service." + +"It is a pity, for the sake of the prisoner," said Winthrop, "that +either Standish or Endicott is not in my place: a tale of daring were +sure to win their ears, and upon its recital, the cause were as good +as gained; but much as I admire the valor of the soldier and respect +your feelings, I, who was bred a lawyer, and not a warrior, see not +therein a motive to grant your request." + +"If friendship for me, and personal merit in the man, avail not to +move you, at least listen to the voice of humanity. You intend not +surely to murder him." + +"What?" exclaimed Winthrop. "Speak plainer, Sir Christopher." + +"I say, honored sir, that the treatment of this Joy, for an offence +which can rank as a crime only by reason of some peculiarity in your +situation, justifying extraordinary severity, is unworthy of you as +the Vicegerent of his Majesty in this colony. + +"Methinks," said Winthrop, coldly and formally, "you have already, in +other phrase, said the same thing." + +"But I aver now that this hapless, and, but for me, unfriended man, +(alas that my influence in his behalf is less than nought,) is likely +to escape the greater part of his sentence, by perishing on your +hands, if not soon released from confinement." + +"Is he ill?" + +"Ill unto death. I fear. Surely you cannot be acquainted with the +cruelties practised upon him. I have not beholden them with mine own +eyes; but my knowledge is this--as soon as I heard of Philip's +misfortune, in whom, why I feel an interest you now know, I hastened +to his prison, and there, with some difficulty learned, that not only +is he manacled, and his ancles chained, but also is confined by a band +of iron around his body, to a post erected in the centre of his +dungeon, so as to be unable to lie down, under a pretext of the +desperation of the man and the weakness of his dungeon." + +"Believe me, Sir Christopher, I knew not this; but the thing shall be +looked into, and if there be no error in your information, I will +venture to brave the resentment of my colleagues and the rest, and +release this Joy for the present, taking such order in other respects +that the remaining sentence of the Court shall not remain a nullity." + +"I pray you, excellent sir, of your bounty, to be speedy in the +inquiry into this matter," urged the knight, "being well assured that +you will find my information verified." + +"Rest satisfied with my peremptory promise," replied Winthrop. "And +now, Sir Christopher, that this business which you have so much at +heart is in a fair train to arrive at a result to content you, tell me +something of your doings at the Mount of Promise, as it is your +pleasure to call your retirement. How fares it with your kinswoman, +the lady Geraldine? Time, I trust, doth blunt the edge of her +melancholy." + +"Alas, no! she still continues to grieve with an unreasonable grief. +Time brings no balm." + +"It should not be so. The sooner we become reconciled to the +afflictive dispensations of Providence (under which I understand she +suffers,) the better for both soul's and body's health." + +"There are some natures, whereupon, when an impression is once made, +it is not readily effaced, and the lady Geraldine's is such. Yet do I +not despair of her restoration to tranquillity." + +"I must request godly Mr. Eliot to visit her. There is no soother so +effectual as the soft voice of the Gospel. But for yourself, Sir +Christopher, tire you not of the monotony of your forest life?" + +"So far therefrom, I love it hourly more. My early days were wild and +stormy, of some particulars whereof I have possessed you; and although +I have not reached my meridian, yet am I satiated with vanity. I am +like a ship, whose tempest-beaten sides rest sweetly in a haven. As +contentedly she hears the winds howling without, so I listen from afar +to the uproar of the world, and pleased, contrast my calm therewith." + +"Man was not made for inaction," said Winthrop. + +"I shun no honorable labor. Instruct me how to be useful to the little +State which enjoys the happiness to call you father and ruler, and no +toil or danger but shall be welcome." + +"You know there is but one difficulty that stands in your way to +occupy the position due to both your rank and merit." + +A shadow passed over the face of the knight. + +"We will not speak thereof," he said. "When I offered to join the +congregation, who would have thought that so trifling a difference +could close your bosoms against me?" + +"Call not the difference slight, nor our bosoms closed," answered +Winthrop; "but I trust that further reflection, your spirit being +lighted by beams of grace, will convince you that in our exposition we +erred not." + +At this moment a slight rustling was heard at the other end of the +apartment, and the knight turning, beheld a man having the appearance +of a servant advancing. + +"How now, sirrah," cried Winthrop, "what means this intrusion?" + +"I thought I heard the Governor call," said the man. + +"I called not," said Winthrop; "but being here, bring refreshments. +His presence opportunely reminds me," he added, turning to the knight, +"of my breach of hospitality, occasioned by my interest in the +conversation." + +In a short time the servant returned bearing a silver salver, on which +were placed wine and a venison pasty, (for the robuster appetites of +our ancestors would have scorned more delicate viands,) which he +placed on a sideboard. + +Before the knight addressed himself to the pasty, which he soon did, +with an appetite sharpened by his morning ride, he filled two goblets +with wine, and presenting one to his host, begged to pledge him in a +health to the prosperity of the infant Commonwealth. + +"The building up of our Zion lies nearest my heart, and unceasingly do +my prayers ascend on her behalf," answered Winthrop; "but--think me +not discourteous--I may not, without sin, comply with your request in +the drinking of healths." + +"How!" exclaimed the knight, "is there any forbidding thereof in Holy +Scripture?" + +"Nay, I find no interdiction therein, but manifold cause in the reason +of the thing itself for the suppressing of a vain custom. Thus do I +argue: Every empty and ineffectual representation of serious things is +a way of vanity. But this custom is such; for it is intended to hold +forth love and wishes of health, which are serious things, by +drinking, which neither in the nature nor use it is able to effect, +for it is looked at as a mere compliment, and is not taken as an +argument of love, which ought to be unfeigned. Or the same proposition +may be proved diversely, as thus: To employ the custom, out of its +natural use, without warrant of authority, necessity or conveniency, +is a way of vanity. But this custom doth. Or, again; such a resolution +as frees a man from frequent and needless temptations, to dissemble +love, _et cetera_, (quatenus it doth so,) is a wholesome resolution. +But this resolution doth. _Ergo_, Sir Christopher, pray have me (with +protestation of no discourtesy) excused." + +"Although your scruples appear strange, yet will I respect them, my +honored host, as it becomes me to, any opinion entertained by you," +replied the knight; "but if the tongue be tied, the spirit, at least, +is free to indulge in wishes for your welfare." + +So saying, he raised the goblet to his lips, and drained it of its +contents. Nor did the Governor, though refusing to join in the idle +custom of drinking healths, which, by his influence, had been pretty +generally banished from the tables of the principal inhabitants, +decline a draught, therein bearing in mind the advice of Paul to +Timothy, and considering it an allowable solace and strengthener to +enable him the better to bear the cares of state. Upon the conclusion +of the interview, the knight courteously took leave, after thanking +the Governor for his promise in behalf of the imprisoned soldier, and, +mounting his horse, returned the way he came. + +When he was gone, Winthrop fell into a fit of musing. + +"What am I to think of this man?" (such was the tenor of his +reflections.) "Is he what he appears? Doth the garniture of his spirit +conform to the polished and attractive surface? Is he, as sometimes +from his language might be surmised, one who, though young in years, +is old in experience, and hath already discovered how unsatisfactory +are the vanities of the world? There be such men in these strange +days. And yet, how wonderfully hath he preserved his cheerfulness, and +though chastened, is not cast down! That he hath been a cavalier, I +plainly see, and he doth admit; that he is fit at present to be one of +us, I doubt; that he will be, I hope. The jealous Dudley, the +suspicious Endicott, and the subtle Spikeman, are disposed to regard +him as one who, under the mask of an angel of light, doth conceal +dangerous designs; as a plotter of mischief; some cunning tool of our +enemies, who have sent him hither to creep into our confidence, that +he may the better detect our weakness and confound our plans. I cannot +harbor these latter notions. There is that about the knight which +gives the lie to suspicion. Who can look upon his noble countenance +and listen to the tones of his sincere voice, and not be satisfied of +his truth? Did he not, on his arrival, communicate to me his views, +which, however romantic, are consistent both with the training of his +previous life and the change which hath been effected in his feelings? +And doubtful myself, lest the gracious impression he made upon me +might pervert my judgment, did I not set a watch upon his motions, and +find them all to harmonize with his frank and gallant bearing? I see +no cause to alter my conduct or withdraw my confidence. Yet will I be +guarded in our intercourse. If I err, it shall be on the side of +prudence; but this matter whereunto he hath called my attention, shall +forthwith be searched. It were shame if the cruelty whereof he +complains has been practised. Ah me, the eye of the ruler cannot be +everywhere! There be those who already term our justice tyranny, and +who would be glad to be furnished with another occasion of complaint. +Nor can I conceal from myself that the sentence of the soldier is +harsh. It was against both my feeling and my judgment. How often am I +compelled to practise a severity over which my softer, and perhaps +weaker nature, mourns!" + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + "I am sorry one so learned and so wise, + As you, Lord Angelo, have still appeared, + Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood + And lack of tempered judgment afterward." + + MEASURE FOR MEASURE. + + +Early in the afternoon of the same day, a man whom we recognize as the +servant we saw at the Governor's house, entered a building which stood +not far from the margin of the bay. It belonged to the Assistant +Spikeman, and it was he whom the man sought. The Assistant was found +sitting before his ledger, whose pages were open, and surrounded by +the articles of his traffic, for he was a merchant, largely engaged in +the purchase and sale of the products of the country, from which he +had drawn substantial gains. Quintals of dried fish were piled up in +one part of the store-room, in another, bundles of furs procured from +the Indians, in a third, casks and barrels containing spirituous +liquors, and elsewhere were stored cloths of various descriptions, and +hardware, and staves and hoops, and, in short, almost everything +necessary to prosecute a trade between the old country and the new. + +The Assistant raised his head at the noise made by the entrance of the +man, and passing his fingers through the short, thick red hair that +garnished his head, demanded, "What new thing bringest thou, Ephraim?" + +"There has been," answered the man, "him whom they call the Knight of +the Golden Melice, though I know not what it means, with the Governor +this morning, and according to your wishes, I have come to acquaint +you therewith." + +"Thou hast well done, and thy zeal in the service of the Commonwealth +and of the congregation merits and shall have reward. What passages +passed between them?" + +"I heard only part of the conversation, but enough to make me believe +that the Governor, at the prayer of the strange knight, means to +release the soldier Philip Joy." + +"Verily!" exclaimed Spikeman. "Art sure you heard aright? Rehearse to +me what was said." + +The spy employed by the Assistant to be a watch upon the conduct of +Winthrop, here went into a detail of his discoveries, to all which the +other listened with fixed attention. + +When the man had concluded his narration, which was interlarded with +protestations of pious zeal, the Assistant said: + +"I do commend thee greatly, Ephraim, for thy sagacity, and the +promptitude wherewith thou hast made me acquainted with these matters. +Not that thou or I have any more interest in this thing than other +godly men who have fled from the persecution of the priests of Baal, +to worship the God of our fathers in the wilderness according to the +promptings of our own conscience, but it doth become every one to keep +his lamp trimmed and burning, and to watch, lest the lion leap into +the fold. I misdoubt me much, that this same Sir Christopher Gardiner, +as he calls himself, or this Knight of the Golden Melice, as some have +it, meaning thereby, doubtless, malice, is no better than some +emissary of Satan, unto which opinion his interposing for this +blaspheming Joy doth strongly incline me. Therefore, good Ephraim, +keep thou thine eyes upon him, and shouldest thou be the instrument +elected by Providence to bring his wicked devices to light, great will +be thy praise and reward." + +Having thus spoken, Spikeman waved his hand and turned away, to +intimate that the conference was at an end, but the man remained +standing. + +"Wherefore do you delay? You may retire," said Spikeman. "I bethink me +that but a little time remains for preparation for the afternoon +lecture." + +"Is not the laborer worthy of his hire?" inquired Ephraim. "Shall they +who work in the Lord's vineyard receive no wage?" + +"My mind ran not on the perishable riches of this world," answered the +Assistant, pulling out, with a very ill grace, a well filled leathern +purse, and taking from it a silver piece, which he offered to the +servant, but the fellow had caught sight of gold, and was not so +easily to be satisfied. + +"Is thy servant a dog?" he demanded. "The princely Governor would give +me gold for information of less value." + +"Take two," replied Spikeman, holding out another, "and be content. +Reflect that you are one of the congregation, and have an equal part +in this inheritance with myself." + +"I think not," said Ephraim, looking around the well-filled +store-house. "Is that a proper wage, your worship," he added, glancing +disdainfully at the money, "to offer one, who, on your account, risks +the slitting of his nose, and cutting off of his ears? Make the white +yellow and it will not be too much." + +"Would that I had the treasures of Ophir for thy sake," exclaimed +Spikeman; "but I am a ruined man if thou require so much, Ephraim +Pike. But there, take the Carolus, and let it be an incentive to godly +action." + +Ephraim received the gold piece, and his features relaxed into +something like a smile. + +"Truly," said he, "did David, the man after God's heart, speak by +inspiration when he declared--'Never saw I the righteous forsaken, or +his seed begging bread.'" + +Spikeman made no reply, and the man having attained his object, and +observing the other's desire to be rid of him, withdrew. + +The countenance of the Assistant expressed chagrin and displeasure as +he looked after the retiring form of the serving-man; but presently he +buried his face in his hands, leaning his elbows on the tall +writing-table that stood before him. In this attitude he remained some +little time, and when he removed them, the expression of his face was +changed, and his mind evidently filled with other thoughts. The look +of vexation had been succeeded by one it is difficult to describe--a +kind of smile played around his lips, his eyes sparkled, his color was +heightened, and a slight moisture exuded from the corners of his +mouth--he was uglier and more repulsive than before. He bent over, and +on a piece of paper which lay before him, wrote with a hand that +trembled a little--"How fair and how pleasant, art thou O love, for +delights." This sentence he scrawled several times, and then taking up +the piece of paper, he tore it into small fragments, and scattered +them on the floor, after which, composing his face into an austere +seeming, he placed his high steeple-crowned hat on his head, and, +leaving the building, proceeded in the direction of his +dwelling-house. As he advanced leisurely along, he soon heard the +sound of a drum beaten through the streets, to summon the people to +one of those weekly lectures, in which spiritual instruction was not +unfrequently leavened with worldly wisdom and directions for political +conduct. + +Meetings for religious lecture, on week days, were exceedingly common, +and held in high favor; indeed, so attractive were they, that in the +language of an old historian, an actor on the spot--"Many poor persons +would usually resort to two or three in the week, to the great neglect +of their affairs and the damage of the public." To these, the people +were summoned by beat of drum, the martial roll of which instrument +called them also to muster for defence, upon a hostile alarm, a +different tattoo being adopted for the latter purpose. An attempt was +at one time made by the magistrates to diminish the frequency of these +meetings, as a serious inroad upon the industry of the colony; but the +effort was resisted, and that successfully, by the elders, "alleging +their tenderness of the church's liberty, as if such a precedent might +enthrall them to the civil power, and as if it would cast a blemish +upon the elders, which would remain to posterity; that they should +need to be regulated by the civil magistrate, and also raise an ill +savor of the people's coldness, that would complain of much preaching, +&c, whereas liberty for the ordinances was the main end professed of +our coming hither." They were social beings, and loved stimulus like +the rest of mankind, and had no public amusements. These causes are +sufficient to account for the fondness for the weekly lecture; but if +to them be superadded the peculiarity of their civil and religious +polity, which inculcated an extraordinary affection for each other as +God's chosen people destined to communion, not here only, but forever; +and the isolation of their situation, cutting them off from +participation in the stirring events to which they had been +accustomed, we should wonder if they had not met frequently together. +The elders, jealous of their influence, showed in this instance, as +they did in others, a knowledge of human nature, superior to that of +the magistrates, and the latter were glad to retreat from the position +they had taken, "lest the people should break their bonds through +abuse of liberty," if the wholesome restraint exerted by the elders, +by means of the lectures, in order to retain the people in subjection +to the civil power, should be withdrawn. + +As the Assistant walked on, he began to meet persons coming out of +their houses, in obedience to the invitation. There was the staid +citizen, whose sobriety bordered on sternness, with hair closely +cropped to avoid the "unloveliness of love-locks," covered with a +large flapped peaked hat, and arrayed in broad white band and +sad-colored garments, on whose arm leaned his wife, or walked +independently at his side, bearing on her head a hat of similar shape +to her husband's, or else having it protected with hood, or cap, or +coif; a white vandyke neckerchief falling over the shoulders, and +rising high in the neck; long-waisted bodice of velvet or silk, open +in front, and laced down to a point, on which was placed a rosette, +with voluminous fardingale of like material, gathered up in folds +behind, and supplying, though with more modesty and less bad taste, +the place of the more modern "bishop," now happily banished these +regions. Behind came the sons and daughters, attired like their +parents, and imitating them in gravity of demeanor. There were also +some indented apprentices and serving men and serving women, whom +either the zeal of their masters and mistresses required, or their own +tastes or ideas of duty induced to be present, while here and there, +at the corners of the streets, might be seen an occasional Indian, +with bow in hand, listening with admiration to the marvellous music of +the blood-stirring instrument, and gazing with feelings compounded of +fear and envy at the strange people gathering together to a talk with +the Great Spirit. + +The Assistant Spikeman, as he passed the wayfarers, returned their +demure salutations with solemn dignity, as became one in high station, +and in whose ears was sounding a call to a meeting of the +congregation. Thus exchanging greetings, he proceeded to his house, +where, entering the room used by the family as a sitting apartment, he +hung up his hat and took a seat. But his agitation did not permit him +to remain still, and almost immediately he arose and began to pace the +floor. Hearing presently advancing footsteps, he dropped into a +chair, and leaning back and shutting his eyes, assumed an expression +of pain and lassitude. In a moment the door of the room was opened, +and a comely woman of middle age entered, dressed for the "meeting." + +"Dear heart," she exclaimed, "here have Eveline and I been waiting for +thee this quarter of an hour. You must not, if you are so late, +complain of me hereafter, when the lacet of my bodice troubles me, or +the plaits of my hair refuse to keep their place, and so I delay thee +unreasonably, as thou sayest, though it is all to honor thee; for +would it not be unbeseeming for the help-meet of a worshipful +Assistant to appear like a common mechanic's wife? But art thou ill?" +she added, observing his air of dejection, and instantly changing the +tone that had in it something of reproach into one of anxiety; "then +will I remain at home to comfort thee." + +"No, dame," said her husband, "there is no cause to detain thee from +the sanctuary. The godly Mr. Cotton holds forth to-day, and it would +be a sinful neglect of privileges. I feel not well myself, and must, +therefore, for thy sake, as well as my own, deny myself the +refreshment of the good man's counsel. Thou shalt go, to edify me on +thy return with what thou mayest remember of his discourse." + +But the kind heart of dame Spikeman was not so easily to be diverted +from its purpose, and she persisted, with some pertinacity, in a +determination to remain, until her husband laid his commands upon her +to attend the lecture. + +"I will obey," she then said, "sithence it is thy wish; and is it not +written, Adam was first made, and then Eve; and I will pray for thee, +dear heart, in the congregation, that He will keep thee in all thy +ways, nor let the enemy approach to harm or to tempt thee." + +Spikeman winced, and perhaps his conscience pricked him at the moment, +but he betrayed no confusion as he replied: + +"I thank thee, sweet duck, and may the Lord recompense thy love a +thousand fold. But hasten, now, for it would ill-become the wife of my +bosom to lag in attendance on the lecture. Meanwhile, I will meditate +on the holy volume, and comfort myself as a Christian man may." + +Dame Spikeman's ample fardingale swept the sides of the doorway as she +turned to take a last look at her husband over her shoulder--a look +that contained as much of suspicion as of affection. He must be, +indeed, a paragon of hypocrisy who can conceal himself from his wife, +however dull she may be, and the faculties of the dame were as sharp +as those of most of her sex. + +Presently she was heard calling, "Eveline; why, Eveline, art not ready +yet?" to which a sweet voice responded, "here am I, dame," succeeded +by the pattering of quick, light feet, and a young woman, veiled, +glided to her side, and they left the house together, accompanied by a +servant. Spikeman gazed after them through the window, which, as +belonging to a house of the better class, was made of glass instead of +oiled paper, which supplied its place in the humbler tenements, till +they were out of sight. The drum had some time before ceased its +sonorous rattle, indicating thereby that the services had commenced, +and the streets were bare of the last loiterer. Spikeman then resumed +his seat, listening and glancing occasionally at the door, as if he +was expecting some one to enter. At last, as if tired of waiting, he +rose, and going to the door, called softly, "Prudence." No answer was +returned, and in tones a little raised he called again. This time a +voice replied, "I am coming, your worship," and the Assistant returned +to his seat. Perhaps five minutes longer passed, and he was becoming +more impatient, and had risen from his chair, when a young woman in +the dress of an upper domestic, or lady's maid, entered the room. She +was apparently twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, large and +plump, and glowing with health, and altogether of a most attractive +appearance. Her complexion was brilliant, brighter on account of the +contrast with the white tunic which fell over her peach-blossom +colored fustian skirt, and her eyes, which were cast down when she +came into the room, disclosed hazel pupils as she raised them, and +looked red, as if she had been weeping. + +"I have remained behind, according to thy desire," said the Assistant, +advancing toward her, "for there is nothing I would not do to pleasure +thee, Prudence." + +"I know not that I requested you to tarry," answered the girl; "but an +I remember right, you said you had some tidings of Philip Joy which +you did wish to communicate to my private ear." + +"Something have I to tell thee of the poor varlet," said Spikeman; +"but first would I rather speak of one who doth interest me more. But +say, why is thy mind so careworn about this soldier?" + +"He is a friend of mine," said Prudence, blushing; "that is, we were +neighbors, and acquainted in dear old England--a cousin," she added, +telling naturally a little fib, "and so I am sorry to hear of his +misfortune." + +"I hope that you do not long after the flesh-pots of Egypt," said +Spikeman, attempting to take her hand, which, however, she coyishly +withdrew. "What have we to do with England or her cramping ordinances, +which we have turned our backs upon forever? Was it not because of the +yoke she sought to put upon our necks that we abandoned her, here to +enjoy a wider liberty? Believe me, beautiful Prudence, there are +delights scattered all over the world, if there be only boldness and +wisdom to find them; nor is their enjoyment inconsistent with the joys +promised hereafter, whereof, indeed, they are the foretaste." + +"O, sir," exclaimed the girl, "can you tell me anything about Philip? +Have you entreated the Governor, as you promised, to let him out of +that dreadful dungeon?" + +"It is a horrid place," said Spikeman, "and men live not long who are +confined therein. If the soldier be imprisoned there a few days +longer, he is no better than a dead man. Vain has been my +intercession, though I despair not." + +He paused to watch the effect of what he had said upon the girl. She +turned deadly pale, and seemed about to sink upon the floor. Spikeman +took her hand, which she no longer withdrew, but yielded passively, as +if in a state of stupefaction, and pressing it within his own, led her +to a sofa. + +"Lovely Prudence," he said, "thou hast found favor in my eyes. Let not +the distance betwixt us overawe thee. These worldly distinctions are +but the inventions of men to suit a purpose, and there are times when +they are more easily torn away than the withes of the Philistines on +the hands of Samson. Dost thou comprehend me?" + +Prudence raised her eyes, and fixed them with a bewildered stare upon +his face. She was so terrified at the thought of the danger to which +the soldier was exposed, and her mind so confused by the unusual +language of her master, that she was as much in a dreaming as a waking +state. Her lips quivered as she attempted to reply, but they made no +sound, and tears began to steal down. + +"Would that I could stop the current of these tears, more precious +than orient pearls," sighed Spikeman. "Ask of me any other favor, and +I will move heaven and earth but it shall be granted." + +"O, sir, said Prudence," sliding off from the sofa in spite of his +efforts to prevent her, and kneeling at his feet, "I have no other +favor to ask; but if you are truly willing to show kindness to a poor +girl like me, take Philip out of prison." + +"But is it so light a thing to be done, sweet Prudence?" replied +Spikeman, raising her in his arms, and straining her to his bosom +before he replaced her on the sofa. "Nay, kneel not again," he added, +seeing that she was about to resume her attitude of supplication; +"that were a posture as fitting for me as for thee." + +"O, sir," cried poor Prudence, "you are a great man, and can do +whatever you please. If you speak to the Governor again, he will let +Philip out. I am sure he meant nothing wrong. I am certain they told +wicked lies about him." + +"Truly will I remonstrate again," said Spikeman. "So great is my +regard for thee, I will risk losing his favor for thy sake. But for +all the sacrifices I make, what shall be thy return to me?" + +"I will pray night and day for you; I will be your slave; I will +worship the ground on which you tread." + +"Sweet maiden," said Spikeman, passing his arm around her waist, "I +ask not so much. I ask thee only to be happy with me. Thy prayers, +though rising like morning incense, I need not. I would rather be thy +slave than have thee mine, and I worship thee already. Turn not away +thy cheek, but let me greet thee with the kiss of charity." + +The girl averted not her glowing cheek, whereon, with these words, he +imprinted a passionate kiss, which he attempted to repeat, but +Prudence drew a little back, and removed his arm. His lips burned like +fire. She felt as if they had left behind a mark to betray her, and +she shuddered with aversion; but she believed the fate of the soldier +to be in his hands, and dared not to offend him. Besides, she was no +delicate lady, but strong and full of confidence, and feared no danger +to herself. As she marked his heightened color and kindling eyes, and +he made another attempt to salute her, she said, with half a +disposition to cry and half to laugh: + +"Is not kissing and toying forbid by the elders and worshipful +magistrates?" + +"They are forbid to them outside of the congregation, and who have no +Christian liberty," answered Spikeman--"to them who make a display of +what should be concealed, to avoid the scandal of the wicked; but not +to the elect and discreet, who can use their liberty as not abusing +it. Therefore, let me kiss thee with the kisses of my mouth, for thy +love is better than wine. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou +art fair," he continued, pressing upon her; "thou hast dove's eyes +within thy locks. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet." + +"Hark!" cried Prudence, pushing him back, "I hear a noise." "I hear no +sound," said Spikeman, after listening for a moment, "save the voice +of my beloved. O, speak, and say unto me, 'rise up, my love, and come +away, for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the time +of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard +in our land,'" + +So saying, he caught her in his arms, and giving license to his fiery +passions, stamped repeated kisses upon her lips and bosom, in spite of +her struggles. But the sounds which the quick ears of Prudence had +detected became more and more distinct, and persons on foot and on +horseback were seen in the street returning from the lecture. Without +difficulty she broke from the now yielding arms of Spikeman, and had +just time to compose her disordered hair and tunic, when the voice of +the dame at the door was heard demanding admission. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + "Oh, give me liberty! + For were even Paradise my prison, + Still I should long to leap the crystal walls." + + DRYDEN. + + +The motives which animated Spikeman to play the part which he did in +the court that condemned the soldier, will now be better understood. +He had cast eyes of licentious desire upon the blooming Prudence, who +was, at the same time, beloved by Philip, and was solicitous to remove +him out of the way. Bold in all his plans, neither honoring God nor +fearing man, unscrupulous in regard to the means, to effect a purpose, +and esteeming the gratification of his evil wishes the highest +happiness, it was yet necessary to the achievement of his objects that +a specious outside at least should be preserved, and this he had +succeeded in doing up to the present time. In pursuance of his cunning +policy, he was unwilling that even Joy should suspect him of +unfriendliness, and for that reason had, in the course of the +examination, excited the temporary vexation of Deputy Governor Dudley, +by an observation which, to the unsuspecting Deputy, seemed indicative +of a desire to screen Joy from punishment, and to Joy himself the +interference of a friend; while, in fact, it was intended to entrap +the prisoner into rash speeches, which would be prejudicial to his +cause. How effectually he undeceived Dudley, after Joy had been +removed, we have seen. + +The Assistant had attained his object. Philip was in the first place +to be imprisoned and fined, and afterwards banished, and the field was +henceforth to be left free to himself. With his rival out of the way, +he did not doubt of succeeding with the girl by means of such +arguments and temptations as it would be in his power to employ. How +he had begun by endeavoring to use the very affection of Prudence for +her lover to make her betray herself, has been told; but thus far her +simplicity and good fortune had been quite a match for his craft. In +the hope to obtain some advantage for Philip, she had granted the +Assistant the interview which we have just witnessed, and wherein he +disclosed his character in a manner he had never done to her before. +She now understood his designs thoroughly, but the knowledge was a +secret which her fears suggested that she had better lock up in her +own heart. What chance would a poor unprotected girl have in a contest +with the rich and powerful Assistant? Who would take her word in +opposition to his? Spikeman well appreciated his advantage, and +calculating with absolute certainty upon her silence, was, in +consequence, the more audacious. + +When the spy of the Assistant found him at his store-house, he was +meditating upon the approaching interview with Prudence, the +contemplation of which it unpleasantly interrupted. The prospect of +the soldier's liberation was exceeding disagreeable. It would +interfere with, and perhaps defeat plans, which in blind passion he +hugged to his heart. But engrossed by his unworthy madness, he could +not then mature any scheme not connected with its immediate +gratification. Machinations for the further accomplishment of his +designs must be postponed for a calmer moment. It came after the +interruption occasioned by the arrival of his wife, and soon his +active brain had shaped his ideas into definiteness. + +Accordingly in the evening, as soon as it became so dark that features +were not readily distinguishable in the streets, the Assistant took +his way to the prison in which the soldier was confined. It stood on +the edge of the settlement, and was a low, one-story building, +strongly made of unhewn logs, within a few feet of which was the +dwelling of the jailer, but little differing from it in exterior. In +those days a very strong jail was not so important as at present. If +one had committed a crime so heinous that he was unfit to live, he was +forthwith put beyond the power of doing mischief; but if the offence +were of a less atrocious character, modes of punishment were usually +resorted to which did not involve the necessity of supporting him at +public charge--such, for instance, as whipping, cutting off the ears, +slitting the nose, and like improvements of the human form divine. If +through defect of the prison, or from any other cause, the offender +escaped, it was pretty certain that he would not make his appearance +in a hurry, lest some worse thing might befall him, and so there was +one malcontent the less, and one disturber of the peace gone, even +though the ends of punishment were not perfectly attained. + +Spikeman, on reaching the house of the jailer, was about to knock at +the door, when his attention was arrested by sounds which made him +pause. The weather being warm, the window was open, and he was able to +hear distinctly what was said within. Motives of delicacy or honor +weighed not much in the mind of a man like him, and he scrupled not to +appropriate any advantage to be derived from eaves-dropping. + +"What made you, Sam Bars, take all the ornaments off Philip but the +bracelets, without saying anything to me?" inquired a voice, which +Spikeman recognized as belonging to the jailer's wife. + +"Why, Margery, to confess, I forgot to tell you," answered her +husband; "but," added he, laughing, "I had no fear on thy account, for +thou art a match for a man any day." + +"When I took him in his supper," said the woman, "there was poor +Philip rubbing his ankles to get the swelling out. Truly I pitied him, +for he is a proper young man." + +"Oh! goody, the women always pity proper young men. I warrant me now +if it had been a grizzled old wolf like me, you would not have thought +so much of his ankles." + +"Say not so, Sam," replied the woman, affectionately, "nor liken +thyself to a wolf. O, how they used to howl every night when we first +came to this wilderness; but the Lord protected his people. I dare say +now, it was thy kind heart made thee take off the irons." + +"That it was not, wife. They were put on by order of one I am bound to +obey; nor durst I take them off but by command of a higher authority." + +"Why do you talk as though you were giving me riddles to guess? Am I +not bone of thy bone?" + +"A big heap of bones we make together," muttered Sam, glancing at the +large frame of his wife, not much excelled by his own, "but she's a +good soul, amiss only in her tongue at whiles; howbeit, saith not +Paul, it is an unruly member? Well, Margery, an thou must know, it was +by order of the Governor's own mouth to me they were taken off, and +what is more, I am to let Philip go free in the morning." + +"Bless his sweet face," cried the woman, "I always said the worshipful +Governor was the sweetest; and virtuousest and excellentest man in the +whole country." + +"There be them among the elders and magistrates who be of a different +opinion. Beshrew me! (may the Lord forgive me," he added, looking +round in alarm. "I hope no one hears me,) but, according to my +thinking, it is only because Master Winthrop asks for no pay, and +spends so much out of his own purse for other folk, that they choose +him Governor." + +"What can anybody have against so sweet-tempered and liberal a +gentleman?" inquired Margery. + +"Well, then, the elders complain that he is not so zealous, even unto +slaying, as becomes a leader of the Lord's host, which he is, like +Moses and Joshua; and some of the deputies pretend that he takes too +much state on him, and means to make himself a king, or least-wise, a +lord." + +"And I trow, good man, I know no reason why, when the Commonwealth, as +they call it, gets big enough, we should not have a king as well as +the folk on the other side of the water. It was always a pleasure to +see his Majesty in the streets of London, with the grand lords and +ladies all in their silks and satins, and jewels and feathers. It will +be long, I am afraid," sighed the good woman, "before we shall see +such fine sights in these woods." + +"Hush, goody," said Sam, "take care your tongue do not get you into +trouble. Speak lower, an you will talk about things you know nothing +about. You love kings and lords better than some folk," he concluded, +with a laugh. + +"Take care of your own tongue, Sam Bars; I warrant you mine will take +care of itself. But wherefore should I not love the king? Is it not +written--touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm? And I +will let you know, Sam Bars? that I will say what I please about him, +God bless him! Marry, come up, a fine time of day truly, if a woman +may not speak her mind! I should like to see the man or woman either, +forsooth, to stop me. My tongue and ten commandments (stretching out +her fingers) know how to take care of one another, I can tell you. My +tongue get me into trouble! O, Sam, why do you aggravate me so? Me, +the quietest and peaceablest and silentest wife in the world! Why dost +not speak? Art as dumb as the bench your heavy carcass almost breaks +down? Speak, I say, Sam, speak, or I shall go crazy." + +But her husband, whom long experience had taught the best mode of +weathering such storms, only shook his head in silence, until the good +woman, after a variety of ejaculations and expletives, finding that +she made no more impression on him than children's pop-guns on a +sand-bank, concluded to cool down, when she asked what the Governor +said to him. + +Sam, glad that the current had taken another direction, answered +readily "a mountain of questions about Philip. And he wanted to know +why I put so many irons on him--how he found it out, the Lord only +knows, unless"--here Bars sunk his voice, so that the words were +inaudible to the listener, and he lost a sentence or two--"and when he +dismissed me, he ordered that I should never do it again without his +consent, and then sent me into the kitchen, where I had a pottle of +sack." + +"A whole pottle of sack!" exclaimed his wife, in a tone of +disappointment; "and here was I at home, as dry in this outlandish hot +weather as the children of Israel at Rephidim, when they did chide +Moses because there was no water to drink." "You might have brought +your own Margery a taste," she added, reproachfully. + +"Did I say I had a whole pottle? If I did, I spoke only in a figure, +as one may say; for there was Ephraim Pike to help me make away with +it, and you know his gullet is like a London sewer. Love your bright +eyes, Margery, a quart of sack stands no more chance with Ephraim, +when his nose once gets scent of the liquor, or his lips touch the +edge of the mug, than a mouse among a dozen cats." + +"Or than it has with you, Sam. But men be all alike; they be always +guzzling; they never think of their poor wives. Here am I, Margery +Bars, thine own help-meet, never away from home; never running about +streets and going to Governor's houses to swill sack; never"--but here +the voice of the discontented woman, who, in her excitement, had risen +from her seat and walked away, was lost in the pantry, or rather +subdued into an inarticulate grumble; and Spikeman, after waiting +awhile, and finding it improbable that the conversation would be +resumed, knocked in a peculiar manner on the door, which was almost +immediately opened by Bars himself. + +"Hath the order for the soldier's release arrived from the Governor?" +inquired the Assistant. + +"It hath, worshipful sir; he is to be dismissed in the morning," +answer the jailer. + +"Hast said anything about it to Joy, as I requested thee not?" + +"He knows no more concerning it than the logs of his dungeon," said +Bars. + +"Then get the keys, and means to strike a light." + +Without replying, as one accustomed to obey such orders, the jailer +provided himself in a few moments with the articles required. He +placed an unlighted candle in the lantern, and the two proceeded to +the door of the jail. + +"He is your only prisoner, I believe?" said Spikeman. + +"None other," answered Bars. + +"Remain outside by the door. I would speak a moment with him." + +The jailer, in silence, put one key into the lock and opened the door, +and gave another to Spikeman, and then stationed himself as directed, +outside. + +Spikeman entered, and closed the door after him; then striking a +light, advanced like one well acquainted with the place. The space +wherein he found himself was an entry or passage-way, some four feet +wide, running along the four sides of the prison, and enclosing the +cells in the middle, The security of the prisoners was greatly +promoted by this arrangement, two walls being necessary to be broken +in order to effect escape, and communication with persons without +being thus made more difficult. + +The Assistant advanced, until he came to the door of a cell which was +closed, and which he knew from that circumstance was occupied, and +unlocking it, stepped within. He stopped, and throwing around the +light from the lantern, beheld the form of the soldier extended on +some straw spread in a corner, and apparently asleep. Philip was +indeed in a profound slumber. Relieved from the painful incumbrance of +the irons which had prevented his lying down, and kept him +consequently in a constrained posture, he was enjoying a luxury hard +to be realized except by one in a condition as wretched as his own. +Spikeman threw the light full upon his face, but it failed to awaken +him. He only smiled, and muttering something indistinctly, turned upon +his pallet, the irons on his wrists clanking as he moved. The +Assistant stood looking at him awhile, and then pronounced his name, +at first in a low tone, and afterwards louder. Even this did not +banish sleep, and Spikeman was obliged to shake him by the shoulder +before he could be aroused. It was then the soldier, without opening +his eyes, demanded, drowsily, what was the matter. "You waked me, +Bars," he said, "from such a grand dream. I wish you would let me +alone." + +"Arouse thyself and look up," said the Assistant. "It is not the +jailer, but a friend, who desires thy good." + +"It is Master Spikeman," said the soldier, sitting up and rubbing his +eyes, "but I wish you had not disturbed my dream. I thought I was free +again." + +"I came to restore to thee that liberty whereof thou wert only +dreaming." + +The soldier, now thoroughly awake, got upon his feet as quickly as his +swollen ankles and the manacles on his wrists would permit. + +"Then," said Philip, "all the world hath not deserted me." + +"Strange that such a thought could enter thy mind. Who was it, at thy +trial, when the fierce Dudley would have silenced thee, demanded that +thou shouldst be heard? To whom thinkest thou is owing thy release +from thy heaviest chains?" + +"I was blind," said the soldier, apologetically, "and this weary +prison must have weakened my brain. But you came to free me. Let us +leave this dismal place." + +"I wish it were possible to take thee with me, but that cannot be. Yet +will I so order things that thou mayest be far away and in safety +before the dawn." + +"Show me the way; undo these handcuffs, and I will be your bondman +forever. But wherefore," inquired Joy, as if some sudden suspicion +sprung up in his mind, "do you take this trouble and risk on my +account?" + +"Do I not know that the villains, thine accusers, lied? Should I not +feel an interest in a brave man unjustly condemned by the artful +Winthrop? Have no suspicion of me, Philip," said Spikeman, in a tone +as if he were grieved at the thought. + +"I entreat your pardon, and will allow of none," answered the soldier, +and his frank face abundantly confirmed the truth of his declaration. +"But how am I to escape?" + +"I have considered many plans," replied Spikeman, "but only one doth +seem capable of execution. Yet I fear me much thy courage will fail, +even when thou hast but to extend thy hand to grasp thy freedom. The +thing is not unattended with peril." + +"Doubt not my courage, nor talk of peril to a man confined in a place +like this, when the chance of freeing himself is offered. Try me, and +see whether heart or hand fail." + +"These are brave words, Philip, yet have I seen them who talked as +boldly, and yet flinched at the decisive moment." + +"Who ever dared to call Philip Joy a coward?" cried the soldier, +impatiently. "Methinks it is so long since I struck a blow worthy of a +man, that I long to be doing, if only to keep my hand in practice." + +"Then listen," said Spikeman, lowering his voice, and supposing that +he had got the soldier sufficiently worked up and committed by his +language. "With this key"--taking one from his pocket--"will I unfasten +thy manacles, and under pretext of unwittingly leaving open the door +of thy cell, direct the jailer to enter and lock it, when thou, being +a strong and active man, may, on his entrance, overpower him, and +grant thyself free passage, and with five minutes' start, who is there +could find thee in the woods?" + +But Joy hesitated. "Liberty is sweet," he said, "yet would I be loth +to do aught to harm Bars." + +"What favor owe you him?" demanded Spikeman. "Has he not evil +entreated thee, and loaded thee with unnecessary and cruel bands of +iron, till compelled by me to remove them?" + +"I do suppose he was acting by order of his superiors. In all other +matters, Sam has been kind to me, and he did almost weep when he +placed the iron bands around my body. Nay, but to lay hand on him, +goes mightily against my stomach." + +"Then remain to rot, if you like it better, in spite of all your +boastful speeches, for the darkness and damp seem to have sucked all +manhood out of thee; or shouldst thou survive a month, to have thine +ears cropped and thy back scourged, and after that--" + +"By all the devils in hell," interrupted Joy, "that shall never be. +Unlock my irons.. I will do the part of a man." + +The tempter applied the key, and unlocking the gyves, removed them, +and placed them on the ground. + +"They are heavy," he said. "A well-directed blow on the head would +confuse a man's thoughts. It is time to depart. When thou art free, +Philip, as, if possessing courage, thou art sure soon to be, forget +not the friend who helped thee to thy liberty." + +With these words, the Assistant took up the lantern, and leaving the +door ajar as he had proposed, proceeded to the outer entrance, Here he +found the jailer waiting, who, after locking up, attended him at his +request a short distance on his way homeward. + +"This Philip Joy," said the Assistant, as they walked together, "is a +malignant and desperate villain. I did but visit him in order to get +to the bottom of certain plots which I am well advised are hatching +against our Commonwealth, whereunto he is privy, and which, indeed, he +doth partly confess. Have thou him in strict charge, Bars. May the +Lord forgive me," he cried, suddenly stopping, "if I have not, in my +amazement at his venomous audacity, left open the door of his cell. +Hasten, good Bars, lest by means of some confederate he escape in +thine absence." + +The jailer turned instantly, as Spikeman had anticipated, and rapidly +retraced his steps. As for the Assistant himself, deeming his presence +no longer necessary or convenient, he pursued his way, leaving further +events to themselves. + +When Bars returned, he found the door of the cell open. He looked in, +and by the help of his lantern, seeing Joy extended on his straw, was +about to close it without speaking, when the soldier called, and he +stepped into the dungeon. + +"Sam Bars," inquired Joy, "wherefore did you at first load me with +irons, and afterwards take them off?" + +"It was by order." + +"And it was not of thine own head?" + +"Truly," said Sam, "I would not of my own will lay a feather on thee, +Philip,". + +"These be feathers, Sam, heavier than a bird's," said the soldier, +rising and approaching his keeper. "And being a friend, doubtless it +would please thee to see me at liberty?" + +"Assuredly, and that you will soon be." + +"Thou art a prophet," cried Joy, springing upon the jailer; and +seizing him with a powerful grasp, he hurled him to the ground, +letting fall at the same time the manacles which he had loosely put on +to deceive. "Make no noise," he added, "and I will not hurt thee, but +to-night the words of thy prophecy must be fulfilled; so give me thy +key." + +The man thus treated made no resistance, nor attempted to cry out, nor +did he seem desirous to speak. + +"What art in amaze about?" said the soldier. "Hast lost thy wits with +fright? I tell thee I would not hurt thee, for all thy iron feathers." + +"I am pondering," answered Bars, composedly, "whether it were better +to allow thee to reap the fruit of thy folly, or to give thee good +counsel." + +"Speak quick, man," said Joy, "I have no time to spend in long talks +like sermons." + +"Be not profane, Philip; but there is that in the pocket of my +doublet, and which, if my arms were loose, I would give thee, might +make thee willing to abide till morning." + +"A dagger, perhaps. Nay, I will search before I trust thee." So +saying, the soldier proceeded to investigate the other's pockets, but +he found nothing in them or about his person except his keys and a +strip of paper. + +"I see nothing," he said, "but thine arms and a worthless bit of +paper." + +"And that is an order for thy release on the morrow. Read and satisfy +thyself." + +Philip retreated a few steps, and still keeping his attention on the +jailer, read the writing with some difficulty by the aid of the dim +light. + +"Why told you me not this before?" he demanded. + +"Because it would have broke your sleep, and for another reason. And +now, Philip, will you ruin yourself and me, or will you remain?" + +"Good Sam," said Philip, extending his hand and raising the other up, +"let thou and I be sworn friends. There is some mystery behind this +matter which it behooves us both to have cleared up. Answer me a +question. Did Master Spikeman know of that paper?" + +"Surely he did. He inquired of me concerning it." + +"Umph!" grunted Philip. "Now tell again, what is that other reason why +thou didst say nothing of the paper to me before?" + +"Answer for answer; tickle me and I will scratch thee. I will answer +that question if you will me another." + +"There is reason in thee. I promise." + +"Because Master Spikeman commanded me not." + +"And canst tell why he wanted to speak to me alone?" + +"To get to the bottom of sundry plots wherewith you were acquainted, +and which you had partly confessed. And now it is my turn to ask +questions, so tell me how gattest thou rid of the irons?" + +"Master Spikeman unfastened them." + +"I might have guessed as much before," said Bars, scratching his head. + +"Hark ye, Sam, that same canon-ball of thine which thou seemest to +take so great delight in digging with thy fingers, would have been a +bloody coxcomb had I followed the advice of our friend, Master +Spikeman." + +"How!" exclaimed the jailer, did he counsel injury to me?" + +"Thou hast said. At any rate, to my thinking, there was not much +difference from that." + +"The accursed Judas!" burst out the excited jailer; "the blood-thirsty +Joab, who would have had me smitten under the fifth rib. Profane +Korah, Dathan and Abiram, whom the earth swallowed up for their +bitterness against Moses, were children of light compared with this +horrid Philistine." + +"I suppose she was sick at the stomach, and so gulped them down for +bitters, just as my good mother used to give me wormwood when I was +weakly in the spring," said Philip, laughing. At any other time this +speech would have drawn down a serious remonstrance for its impiety, +but at the present moment Sam was too much engaged with the treachery +of Spikeman to bestow upon it any attention. + +"Philip," he said, "I accept thy offer to be sworn friends. This +Satan, this Pharaoh, this platter with the inside unwashed, shall not +have another chance to set on honest men to murder one another. +Hearken, and thou shalt have another secret. It was this hell +incarnate who commanded me to load thee with irons, and to starve thee +besides, but that I could not do." + +One revelation led to another, until the whole wickedness of the +Assistant was laid bare. Philip also learned in addition that it was +Bars himself who had communicated a knowledge of his condition to the +knight, by whom directions had been left to have him come to the Mount +of Promise as soon as he should be liberated. Prudence, too, he was +told, had been at the prison to inquire after him, but the +instructions to the jailer forbade the carrying or delivering of +messages, for which reason Philip had hitherto remained ignorant of +the interest betrayed by her. + +With the discovery of the villainy of Spikeman there was mixed up some +comfort for the soldier in reflecting on the affection of Prudence and +the friendship of the knight; but for the jailer there was no such +solace. He dwelt resentfully on the exposure of his person and the +loss of office which would probably have been the consequence had +Philip escaped, and meditated schemes of revenge. + +When the jailer took leave, the soldier stretched himself again on the +straw, and in spite of the prospect of liberty and the scenes he had +just passed through, was soon asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + "Wherefore adew, my owne Herte true, + None other red I can; + For I must to the greene Wode goe, + Alone, a banishyd man." + + THE NUT-BROWN MAID. + + +The uppermost desire in the heart of Philip Joy upon being liberated +in the morning by the order which, while it opened his prison door, +exonerated him from no other part of his sentence, was to see +Prudence; but his late experience of the wiles of Spikeman, although +he could think of no motive, for his hostility, had taught him +caution, and he determined to advance warily to gratify his wishes. + +The occupation of Philip was that of a blacksmith and armorer, in +which capacities he had been of some utility to the colony. Between +whiles, also, whenever any desperate service was required in order to +strike terror into the savages, he had been employed in his military +character, and always with credit to himself. In consequence of his +skill in his handicraft and bravery, he had at first been a man of no +little consideration, but as the population of the settlement +increased, and fears of the Indians diminished, and blacksmiths and +armorers became more numerous, the importance of the stout soldier +gradually waned. To this result contributed, in no small degree, the +fact that he had never joined the congregation, and sometimes indulged +in a freedom of speech on interdicted topics, which was unpalatable to +those around him. Hence it happened that slight offences, which were +at first overlooked in consideration of his usefulness, were no longer +passed by when that usefulness was no longer prized, and there were +even some who were disposed to visit him with punishment for +transgressions of the kind, of years previous. Spikeman, who by his +wealth and cunning, had lately succeeded in getting himself for the +first time elevated to the dignity of an Assistant, had always +appeared to be a friend, and indeed had truly been so, until he sought +to pluck the apple of discord, the too fascinating Prudence, out of +the soldier's hand. So deep was the impression of the Assistant's +good-will to him, and so long had he been in the habit of regarding +the magistrate as a patron, that without exactly disbelieving, he +found it difficult to give full credence to the jailer's +representations. His mind was so confused that he hardly knew what to +do. He wanted to see Prudence before he departed for the knight's +residence, and yet, with a vague dread of Spikeman's power for +mischief, wished to avoid him. + +Meditating upon these embarrassments, Philip mechanically took his way +in the direction of the Assistant's house, unconsciously obeying the +hope that some kind chance would enable him to see his mistress +without being discovered. With this view, and as if believing that she +would be able to see through a disguise impenetrable to others, and +with some sense of shame at having been confined in a dungeon, Philip +drew his slouched hat over his eyes, and muffling his face in the +folds of his short cloak, walked in front of the dwelling, casting +frequent glances at the windows. It was in vain, however; and fearful +of attracting an attention which he desired to shun, he started at +last for the forest, through which he was obliged to pass on his way +to the knight's place. Wearily he dragged his steps along, for the +confinement he had suffered, and the irons he had worn, had diminished +his strength and chafed his limbs. Pondering sadly his unfortunate +fate, he was slowly advancing, and had only just entered the wood, +when he was saluted by a well-known voice, that made him start with a +joyful surprise. It was that of Prudence, who was following him. She +had seen him whom it would have been difficult to disguise from her, +pass the house, and had allowed him to suppose himself undiscovered, +and then pursued, in order to enjoy, undisturbed, a meeting which she +desired as much as he. She was so overjoyed and confused at seeing him +again, that somehow she stumbled as she came near, and would have +fallen had not Philip caught her in his arms--for which benevolent +deed he rewarded himself with a couple of smacks like the report of a +pistol. + +"Fie, for shame, Philip," cried Prudence, all in a glow, and looking +wonderfully, as if she wanted the offence repeated; at any rate the +soldier so understood it, and clasping her again in his arms, refused +to release her till her lips had paid the penalty of their sweetness. +"Oh, fie," said she, once more; "what would folk say if they saw +thee?" + +"There's only birds or a chance deer to see us," said Philip, "and it +can do them no harm to take a lesson," and he attempted to renew his +demonstrations of affection. + +"Be quiet now," said Prudence, pushing him away. "I must soon hurry +back, or I shall be missed, and I want, first, to hear all about thee, +and then I have something to say on my part." + +Thus rebuked, Philip seated himself, with the maiden by his side, on +the trunk of a fallen tree, and narrated the circumstances of his +trial and condemnation, and the occurrences at the prison. Some tears +pretty Prudence let fall over parts of his story, while at others her +hazel eyes flashed with indignation, and upon its conclusion she +disclosed in turn the conduct of Spikeman to herself. + +"I tell thee all Philip," said Prudence, "because thou dost seem to +doubt about the wickedness of this bad man, who is trying to ruin us +both." She stopped, and hid her face in her hands. + +Great was the rage of the soldier at what he had heard. + +"By the head of king Charles," he swore, "I will drive my dagger into +his black heart." + +He rose in anger, as if about immediately to put his threat into +execution, but the girl threw her arms around him and drew him down. + +"That would be certain death to thee, Philip," she said. "We must find +other means to punish him. Besides, I must keep thee safe to serve my +young mistress." + +"Thou art right, Prudence, and I am hot and hasty; but does not the +villain deserve the warmest place in Beelzebub's dominions who would +harm thee? Prudence, thou shalt not remain in his house." + +"That will I," replied the girl. "Why, who is to wait on my mistress, +and take care of her but me? If mistress Eveline were to hear thy +speech, she would not be over obliged to thee, Master Philip, for +wishing me to desert her." + +"You misunderstand me, and that is not my desire. But art not afraid +of the old villain?" + +"Me afraid!" exclaimed Prudence, contemptuously, curling her lips; "I +am not half as much afraid of him as I am of thee." And as she uttered +the words, she drew herself a little back from him on the log where +they sat. + +"But tell me, my brave robin red-breast," said Philip, casting a look +at the gay cloak which she had thrown around her person, and not +seeming to pay much regard to the latter part of her answer, "how am I +to serve mistress Eveline?" + +"O, I know not, yet I dare say we shall be able to turn thee to some +good purpose; men are sometimes so useful!" + +"I will recollect thy speech," said the soldier, laughing, "and +promise to teach thee, on a future occasion, how maidens also may be +useful. But hast never a message from mistress Eveline to Master +Arundel, should I chance to see him, for he is often at the place of +the Knight of the Golden Melice, and it is my purpose to go thither +to-day?" + +"Young ladies affect not to send messages to thy over bold sex," said +Prudence, tossing her head, "but an' thou dost see the gentleman, thou +mayest tell him, as from me, that she is well, and desires his +prosperity." + +"A cold message, truly, and it is well the weather is warm, else would +poor Master Arundel be in danger of being frozen into an icicle." + +"A hundred such messages would not, I fear, cool thy hot blood; but +Master Miles is gentle born, and less presumptuous than thou; thou +mayest therefore say, rather than hurt his feelings, that my mistress +would have no objection to seeing him." + +"What a buttermilk kind of a message is that!" said the soldier. Dost +think that a man of any spirit is going to be satisfied with an errand +that runs like a stream of cold water down one's back? Come, Prudence, +perk thy red lips into more reasonable and comforting words." + +"Thou art thyself unreasonable, Philip. Dost suppose it becomes a +young woman to let her gallant know all she thinks about him? He ought +to be ravished to believe that she does not hate him like the rest of +them who wear beards; at any rate, thou wilt get nothing else from +me." + +"I must perforce, then, be content," said Philip, "since it may not be +otherwise; and the less unwillingly because having had some experience +in the nature of women, I know they mean more than they say. So I will +even translate thy words into thy mistress' intention, and say she is +dying of melancholy till she sees him." + +"Thou wilt be a false varlet an' thou dost, and I will never trust +thee with message more. Such leasing will only harm thee, for Master +Miles knows there is not in America nor in dear old Devonshire a +modester or properer young lady. O dear, how glad I should be just to +step into the grand cathedral in sweet Exeter, and see the brave +knights who died so long ago all lying cross-legged, so decent on +their marble tombs by the sides of their ladies." + +"Take care, my little Puritan," said Philip, "this is no fitting +country for such talk. The reverend elders have long ears, and for +aught I know, there may be one in the tree overhead listening." + +Prudence jumped hastily from her seat, and cast a frightened glance at +these words into the tree, while Philip burst into a laugh. + +"Why, how you scared me," said the girl, recovering from her +trepidation. "This is the way you treat me, you vile man, for putting +myself to all this trouble on your account. But I would have you to +know that I am no more a Puritan, Philip Joy, than thyself, if I do +wear a close-fitting cap, which is none of the most becoming either. +If I do give into their ways, it is for the sake of my mistress, whom +no Geneva cloak, nor bishop's sleeves, for that matter, shall make me +desert." + +"Bravo, bravissimo, as the outlandish fellows say," exclaimed the +soldier; "thou art of the genuine game breed, Prudence, and were it +not that thy pretty person might come to harm, I would desire no +better front rank man than thee. But this is a dangerous litany, and I +beseech thee, dear Prudence, to remember how thou art named." + +He said this in a tone of emotion, which, if anything were wanting, +would have been sufficient to convince the girl of the interest he +felt for her; but she needed no such supplementary proof. It had the +effect, however, of making the conversation assume a more serious +aspect, and the girl more gravely replied: + +"I will be careful, Philip, for my mistress' sake and mine own, and--" + +"And for mine, too," interrupted the soldier. + +"And for the sake of all them," continued Prudence, "who find anything +in me to take an interest in. O, Philip, I tremble lest you should do +or say something again that these dreadful solemn folk, who look sour +enough to curdle milk, and hate you because you laugh, may get hold of +to do you an injury. O, Philip, pray be prudent about laughing." + +"Nay, Prudence," said he, drawing his illustration from what he +happened to see at the moment, "you might as well bid yon squirrel not +to jump from bough to bough. It is our nature, and you cannot change a +squirrel into an owl, or a man into a block. But," he continued, +taking her hand, "I have not told thee all. I know not when I shall +see thee again, for I am a banished man." + +"Banished!" repeated Prudence, turning pale; "I thought they had +already wronged thee enough for a few innocent words--and now +banished! What will become of thee, Philip, and of me?" + +"Never fear, sweetheart; we will turn their flank yet. I have been +thinking, as I came wandering along, that this Master Spikeman, who +keeps mistress Eveline as a sort of prisoner on parole, has an object +in getting me out of his way, so as better to carry on his wicked +plans. My jealous pate at first could think only of thee; but now I +begin to fancy he may have designs upon pretty mistress Eveline as +well as upon thyself. Nay, never bite your sweet lips till they bleed, +nor dart the sparks out of thine eyes, or you may singe my doublet, I +do suspect this from the equal desire he hath shown to remove Master +Miles Arundel from the colony. He did threaten him, as I have heard, +with some law they have here forbidding a man to pay his court to a +maid without license from the worshipful magistrates." + +"Did ever mortal hear the like!" exclaimed Prudence. "O, the weary +magistrates and elders! what is the world coming to?" + +"To nothing but Indians in these parts, if they go on in this way, and +not let young folk court, unless they keep sending people from England +to replenish the stock, and they will get tired of coming when they +hear how things are going on. But, Prudence, banish or no banish, law +or no law, they shall not, if thou art agreed, prevent my seeing +thee." + +The girl looked affectionately at her lover, and gently returned the +pressure of his hand. + +"I will hie me to the knight," continued Philip. "I happened once to +be of use to him, and he is not a man to forget a favor, though he is +somewhat changed since the time I first saw him. He was then a fiery +youth, for all he can look so grave at times now. He hath some credit, +for it was by his intercession with the Governor that my imprisonment +was shortened. I will hie me to him, and hear what he advises, more +especially as he hath sent for me. And I bethink me, Prudence, it were +no bad thing, if he can do so much, to get him to speak a word for +mistress Eveline." + +"An' thou couldest, it were a good deed, and heaven will reward thee +therefor." + +"I will look to thee, instead of heaven, for my reward," said the +soldier. "Meanwhile do thou have thine eyes like those in a peacock's +tail, all around thee, for this Master Spikeman is cunninger than all +the foxes whose tails Samson tied together." + +"Trust me, Philip, and be thou discreet. And now must I be going back, +for I would not abuse the liberty the kind heart of dame Spikeman +gives me by loitering too long; so good-bye." + +"And is this the way you take leave, when perhaps you may not see me +again for a month? Not one salute?" + +"Methinks thou hast been firing salutes enough already to welcome a +ship from England. Be content, Sir Malapert, with their discharges;" +and Prudence began tripping it away. + +"I'll not be content with such a discharge," muttered the soldier; +then raising his voice, he called after her, "Prudence, Prudence, +hasten not away so fast; there is one thing I forgot." + +The girl at the sound of his voice retraced her steps a little, and +met Philip. + +"Harkee in thine ear," said he, "for I must speak low. I did omit to +put my seal to our covenant;" and before Prudence was aware, he had +imprinted a smack upon her cheek. + +"And there is mine," cried Prudence, hitting him a box upon the ear, +"and I warrant it will be as red as thine," and with that she bounded +like a deer away. + +"The foul fiend fly away with me, an' I love not the girl dearly," +exclaimed the soldier, looking after her with admiring eyes, as like a +red-winged butterfly she flew through the green bushes. "If I ever +have the luck to get her, I shall have a dame strong enough to carry +her part of our bundle. Well, go thy ways, Prudence Rix, for as +comely, and as sweet-breathed, and as kind a lass, notwithstanding the +weight of thy hand, as ever milked a cow in the old country." + +The frame of mind in which the soldier now pursued his walk was very +different from that in which it had commenced. The dampness of the +prison which had begun to affect his health was forgotten, as the +genial sun gradually dried the clamminess out of his clothing, and he +inspired the reviving morning air. It seemed to him he could not drink +deep enough draughts of the woodland scents, which flowed so +deliciously through his lungs, as almost to compensate for the +suffering which he had endured. His unexpected interview with +Prudence, after he had given up all expectation of it, conduced also +to impart vivacity to his spirits, and he advanced, not with a rapid +pace, for of that his treatment in the jail had made him incapable, +but cheerfully and resolutely. + +It was perhaps an hour afterwards, when Philip, as he was walking +slowly on, heard the sounds of a person coming after him, and looking +round, he beheld the man whom of all the world he least desired to +see. The whole temper of his spirit was at once changed. The peace +which, like a stream of perfumes, had been flowing into his soul, was +checked, and the atmosphere became hot and suffocating around him. It +was Spikeman approaching, who was on his way to a plantation he had in +the neighborhood, for there were few things promising profit to which +the adventurous speculator had not directed his attention. + +Philip strove to keep the horns of the rising devil out of his heart, +and averting his head, stepped on one side to allow the other to pass. +Spikeman noticed the desire,--for it was too marked not to be +observed; and in a new country, even strangers are not in the habit of +passing one another without greeting,--but he paid no attention to it; +and as he came up, laid his hand on Philip's shoulder, and bade him a +good morning. + +The soldier started as though pierced by a thorn, and shaking off the +hand roughly, requested the Assistant to go on his way and leave him +to himself. + +"How now," exclaimed Spikeman. "Methinks this is cold welcome for a +friend." + +"Pass on thy way," said the soldier. "I desire not thy company." + +"Verily, am I amazed," said Spikeman. "Surely, to confer a favor on +the unthankful, is like pouring water on sand." + +"I do advise thee, Master Spikeman," said Philip, "to cease thine +abuse. I am no longer a fool stumbling along with his eyes blinded." + +The curiosity of the Assistant had been aroused at the beginning, and +he determined to ascertain how far Philip's knowledge of his conduct +extended, for his guilty conscience whispered that some discovery of +the soldier occasioned the changed behavior. It might be caused only +by suspicion, and if so, he trusted by his ingenuity to dispel it; but +if he had been betrayed, it was important that he should know it. The +Assistant, moreover, was curious to learn from the soldier himself, +why he had not broken jail as advised. He concluded that the soldier +had not; for had he done so, the escape would probably have been known +by morning; yet was Spikeman confident that Philip at the time of +their interview in the jail had no knowledge of the order for his +release. Perhaps Bars had overcome in the struggle, and disregarded +it. With doubts like these floating through his mind, he began to +probe Philip. + +"What ails thee?" he inquired. "It would seem as if you took me for an +enemy, and yet have I not always approved myself thy friend, even +jeopardizing my position as a magistrate no longer ago than +yesternight to release thee from jail?" + +"Master Spikeman," answered Philip, "thou dost well know, I doubt not, +that I am at liberty, not because I did by thy advice knock out the +brains of harmless Sam Bars, but by the grace of the Governor's +order." + +"I counselled no more violence than was necessary to effect thy +purpose; but who moved the Governor in thy case? + +"Not thou, as I am well advised, but the noble Knight of the Golden +Melice, a man as much superior to thee, as I am to an Indian." + +"Thou art mad and vituperative, Philip, and were it not so early, I +should think thou hadst been indulging too liberally in drafts of aqua +vitć. It is a vile habit. But as the Archangel Michael returned not a +railing accusation, but said, the Lord rebuke, thee, Satan, so say I +unto thee. Truly, I comprehend thy game. Thou art weary of thy old +friends, and being desirous to propitiate new, dost seek a quarrel to +mask thine ingratitude. But see whether this famous knight prove not a +broken reed." + +The soldier, in spite of his conviction of the villainy of the other, +was touched at the taunt, and hastened to defend himself. + +"It is false, Master Spikeman," he cried. "If thou wert truly a +friend, wherefore advise me to break jail, and thus expose myself to +be hunted as a malefactor, when I had but to wait till morning for +deliverance?" + +"It is much, Philip Joy, for one in my condition to condescend to +explain, especially after thy rudeness of speech; yet will I do it, +that no fancied cause may be left for thy base suspicions. Shortly, +then, I knew not of Gov. Winthrop's intention, for when I did entreat +him in thy behalf, he spake in such ambiguous phrase as effectually to +cloak his thoughts. I doubt not, now, that it was to make the surprise +the more agreeable." + +This was said with such an appearance of innocence, that the +simplicity of the soldier was confounded, and he began to doubt more +and more the truth of his suspicions. But the communication of +Prudence rankled in his mind, and though disposed to acquit the +Assistant of treachery against himself, he could not forgive the +treatment of the girl. He did not doubt her word, and yet desired to +hear the Assistant's excuse, if he had any. He shrunk from the +subject, and yet was drawn to it, like a moth fascinated by a light. + +"There is another thing I like not," he said, hesitatingly. + +"And pray, what may thy wisdom have discovered now?" + +"That it is not becoming in a grave magistrate to try to cozen servant +girls," burst from the soldier. + +"Has Prudence--?" but here the Assistant, sensible that he had already +said too much, suddenly checked himself, while his sallow cheek looked +still more yellow. But the escape of the girl's name, even without the +embarrassment, was a confession of guilt to the soldier, who, with +rising passion, exclaimed-- + +"Away, or I shall be tempted to do that whereof I may repent." + +Spikeman marked his agitation, and hesitated whether to come to an +open breach, or continue his system of deception. The craft of his +nature preponderated, and he determined to adopt the latter course. + +"Gently, Philip," he said. "Thy prison hath strangely affected thee; +but because I pity, I will not be angry. At least let me finish the +sentence which I begun. I did desire to know whether Prudence, whom, +that thou dost affect, I have for some time known, (nay, never blush; +I have been young myself,) whether Prudence, I say, gained access to +thy prison to tell thee of my exertions in thy behalf?" + +"Thou exert thyself for me! Go to, thou wert more busy for thyself." + +"I understand thee not; yet hearken, for the whole truth must be +revealed. I say that I have done all that man could do, and as the +event proves, not in vain. As for Prudence, I will confess to one +impropriety, if it be thy pleasure to call it so, though I meant it +not, and whereof thou art in some sense the cause. Knowing thy regard +for her, I did speak one day of my hopes for thee, whereat the tears +did stand in her eyes, and I was so moved thereat, that I did salute +her cheek, but only as a father might caress a child." + +The soldier was more bewildered than ever. He was incapable of +conceiving of such falsehood as the other's. It seemed to him now that +Prudence might be mistaken, and have converted a mere compliment into +an insult, so contrary appeared, the intimations which she had made to +what was to be expected from the years and gravity of the Assistant. +The freedom with which Spikeman spoke of kissing the girl confirmed +the idea, and Philip fancied that he had been harsh. + +"Master Spikeman," he said at length, "if I have unjustly suspected +thee, I crave pardon. There may be something in what you said, but the +prison hath clouded my mind." + +"Think no more of it, Philip, though doubtless it is so. I have known +many a one who, by confinement, hath irretrievably lost his wits. +Therefore will it be wise in thee not to be arrested again." + +"Wherefore arrested, since I have an order of release?" + +"Alas, thou dost forget thy banishment. If thou art taken within the +forbidden boundaries, severe will be thy punishment. Attempt not for +Prudence's sake, or any cause, to return without apprising me thereof, +when I will endeavor to provide for thy safety." + +The soldier extended his hand. + +"This is kind," he said, "and be assured, Master Spikeman, that I will +not soon conceive suspicion of thee again." These women be notional +things, he murmured to himself. + +Spikeman took the hand. + +"Now this is like thyself, Philip," he said--"a brave soldier--true as +a Toledo blade--one who loves his friend, and hates his enemy, +although this latter part should not be so. Thou art journeying, I +see, to the knight's place. Mayst thou find in him a patron, but it +will do no harm to say--be on thy guard; one old friend is better than +a dozen new." + +He turned away, and the soldier, as he looked after him, said-- + +"There is truth in thy words, but thou art ignorant that the knight +and I were friends long before I knew thee." + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Nature I court in her sequestered haunts, + By mountain, meadow, streamlet, grove or cell, + Where the poised lark his evening ditty chaunts, + And Health, and Peace, and Contemplation dwell. + + SMOLLETT. + + +So long had the soldier been delayed by his interviews with Prudence +and the Assistant, that it was not until past noon that he reached the +knight's residence. It was a large, irregularly built log-cabin, or +cottage, covered with thatch, resembling somewhat, except in the last +particular, and in being larger, the log-cabins one meets in the new +settlements of the West, with a sort of piazza or porch, which seemed +to have been lately built, running across the front. Such was the rude +exterior; though the interior, as we shall presently see, when we +enter the building, was furnished in a style indicating both wealth +and refinement. + +The house stood near the bottom of a hill, upon a piece of cleared +land of perhaps half a dozen acres, upon which not the vestige of a +stump was to be seen. The ground sloped gently away from the building +to the southeast, until it met a small stream, which meandered at the +base of the hill, and running in an easterly direction, was lost to +sight in the forest. In front of the house, at the distance of a rod, +bubbled up a bright spring, which, dashing down the declivity, fell +into the first-mentioned stream. Except this cultivated spot, which +had been an old corn-field of the natives, selected by them for the +fertility of the soil, its advantage of water, and the favorable slope +of the land, which enabled it to engross more than a common share of +the genial heat of the sun, and expedite the maturing of its harvests, +all was one unbroken extent of forest. In the soft autumnal days, when +the maize leaves rustled yellow on their stalks, it must have looked +to the soaring eagle, gazing from his "pride of place," like a vast +nest in a green leafy frame. + +Around this building, at some little distance, viz., at the edge of +the encircling forest, were scattered some four or five wigwams, or +Indian lodges, made of the bark of trees, from some of which smoke +curled lazily up into the blue sky, imparting assurance thereby of +their being inhabited, though the presence of some naked children near +the entrances, who were shooting with little bows at marks, and +amusing themselves in other ways, made any such indication +unnecessary. + +As the soldier drew near, he heard more and more distinctly musical +sounds, and presently could distinguish the tinkling of a guitar, +accompanied by a female voice. He stopped and listened. The air was +slow and solemn, the notes were soft and clear, and the words sweet, +but not English. There was a rich luxuriance, yet pathos in the music, +like the utterances of a spirit whose hopes were mingled with +reminiscences of joys which it had lost. How long Philip listened, he +knew not, so entranced was he by the sounds. It was a long time since +he had heard such delicious strains, and the effect upon him was +therefore the greater. Suddenly they ceased, as if his approach had +been discovered, and immediately thereafter, a man stepped out upon +the piazza. Philip recognized him at once as the young man to whom +Prudence had sent a message, and whom he himself had called Master +Arundel. + +He was a fair-haired youth of some twenty-three or four years, with +that clear, bright complexion so common among the English, and which +they owe to their foggy climate and habit of exercise in the open air. +Dark blue eyes looked out joyously from a handsome face, which would +have been effeminate, so delicate were the features and rosy the tint +of the cheeks, but for a brown moustache, which shaded the lip, and +redeemed it from the imputation. His doublet and hose were of a dark +green cloth, as was also the cap he held in his hand, and he wore +boots made of yellow leather, reaching above the knee, and full at the +top. Around his neck was a white band, like those worn by the +wealthier colonists. This young gentleman first spoke. + +"Ha! Achilles, or Coeur de Lion from captivity," or to fashion my +speech more into the humor of this new world, "O, Daniel from the +lion's den, greatly doth my heart rejoice at thy deliverance." +"Welcome, good Philip," he added, in a more natural tone, betraying +some sympathy, and taking him at the same time by the hand; "welcome +to your friends." + +The tired soldier sank down upon a bench before he was able to speak. + +"Thy tongue is dry, and moves slowly, and, now that I regard thee more +closely, art pale. We must cheer up thy drooping spirit" + +"Having thus spoken, the young man entered the house, and presently +returned with a flagon and drinking cups. + +"Drink, man," said Arundel, filling a cup with wine, "and wash all +sorrow out of thine heart. The suns that ripened the grapes out of +which this juice was crushed, were bright and joyous. May they impart +their own happiness and vigor unto thee." + +The soldier put the cup to his lips, nor withdrew it until the +contents were drained. + +"I feel," he said, "the good wine tingling through all my veins, and +am a new man again." + +"Fill once more," said the young man, suiting the action to the word; +"one shower is not enough for so thirsty a soil." + +The soldier did not refuse, and having drank a second time, he felt +refreshed. + +"Pleasant enough quarters, Master Arundel," he said, looking around; +"and I see ye have some red-skins camped near by." + +"They are the knight's particular friends, whose society it seems to +be his sovereign pleasure to cultivate. He has persuaded them to +gather round him, forming what may be called his body-guard." + +"Or outposts of the main garrison. Well, for runners or scouts they +may answer, but for hand-to-hand action, they are naught. But where is +Sir Christopher?" + +"He started on a hunt this morning, our larder having run low. Hark!" +he added, as suddenly the blast of a bugle was heard echoing through +the forest, "that is the sound wherewith he is accustomed to announce +his approach, and you will presently see him coming out of the wood." + +Sure enough, in a few moments the tall form of the knight, arrayed in +a deer-skin hunting-shirt, with leggins of the same material, and "a +piece" in his hand, was seen emerging into the open space. He was +followed by a couple of Indians, each of whom bore on his shoulders a +deer. + +"Quecheco," the two white men heard him say, as he came out of the +bushes, "carry thou thy deer to my lodge, and do thou, Pococke, divide +thine with thy brother Quecheco." After speaking these words he +advanced toward them. + +"So, ho, Philip," cried Sir Christopher, "again under my banner. Fate +hath decreed us I think for buenas camaradas, and for my part I +heartily rejoice thereat. A braver heart than thine never beat under +steel corselet, or truer hand wielded a sharp sword." + +"I thank you, Sir Christopher, for your good opinion," said the +soldier, "but I have seen little service since we parted among the +Turbans, of whom somehow your wine sets me a thinking, at all to my +mind. As for fighting these naked savages, who have nothing but +children's bows and stone hatchets, while our men-at-arms are clad in +bullet-proof steel from head to heel, methinks there is little manhood +required therefor, and for what I have done in that way, I confess +myself somewhat ashamed." + +"It doth please me to hear thee speak thus, Philip," replied the +knight. True valor is ever joined with generosity, and despises to +take advantage of superior strength to crush the weaker. But fear not +that I have any service of the kind for thee. I came not among these +innocent natives to bring a sword, but the olive branch of peace. I +would see them peaceful, and united, and happy, not broken into +hostile clans, and delighting in murdering one another." + +"I spoke not," said the soldier, "as desiring to make terms with you, +Sir Christopher, well knowing that you would ask nothing which an +honest man would be unwilling to perform, and am only too happy to +enter your service." + +"So be it, Philip," said the knight. "Henceforth be here thy home." + +"Truly," exclaimed the soldier, stretching out his legs with a sigh of +relief, "there is some difference between lying in a prison, or even +talking with Master Spikeman in the bushes, as I did but just now, and +being with good wine and noble gentlemen." + +"Didst meet on thy way that most puritanical of Puritans, the praying, +cheating, canting, hypocritical, long-faced Master Spikeman?" cried +Arundel. "I wonder what new mischief he hath now on foot, for it is +his meat?" + +"Master Miles Arundel," said the knight, "thy language is too +intemperate to be excused even by thy youth. Check the bitterness of +thine expression, and know that he who rules his own spirit is greater +than he who wins a kingdom." + +A flash of haughty resentment lighted up the eyes of the young man at +the reproof, but as he saw that no offence was designed, he answered: + +"I expect never to win a kingdom, but as for this villain--" + +"Peace, I entreat thee, my young friend," interrupted Sir Christopher. +"I am curious to hear of Philip's treatment in his confinement, if he +will favor us with an account thereof?" + +Hereupon the soldier recounted to them all that had passed in his +prison, including his interview with Spikeman, and attack on the +jailer, and also the conversation in the wood, except those parts +which had relation to Prudence. + +"I see not," said Arundel, upon the conclusion of the narrative, "why +the wily Assistant should be thine enemy, but he clearly is. Thou art +honored in this respect as well as I." + +"My mind doth misgive me that you are right," said Philip. "Away from +him. He seems an arch villain, though in his presence the feeling +changes, for he hath a tongue to wile a bird from the bough." + +"Be sure I am not mistaken. See now whether Sir Christopher be not of +the same opinion." + +Thus appealed to, the knight answered: + +"I fear that your judgment, Master Arundel, is correct, though caring +not to enter into the reasons which have forced me to this conclusion. +But we will endeavor to use such caution that any mischievous designs +of his shall be defeated. Happily my homestead is not comprised within +the limits of the colony, and the sentence of banishment is complied +with, Philip being here." + +Hereupon Sir Christopher rose and entered the house, and the soldier +took advantage of his absence to deliver the message of Prudence, +which, as he had threatened, he colored a little. With all his efforts +he was unable to conceal the interest which he felt for the girl, but +the young man good naturedly allowed him to suppose it unnoticed. In a +short time the knight reappeared, and invited them in to dinner. + +The apartment which they entered opened immediately upon the porch, +and was a room some twenty feet square, constituting somewhat more +than a quarter of the building. The walls were merely unhewn logs, +divested of the bark, and filled in with a tenacious clay resembling +mortar. Against them were nailed, or supported by wooden pegs, in +divers places, branching horns of the moose and deer, over which were +hung hunting-shirts and skins of various wild animals, tanned with the +hair on. The antlers also, in many instances, supported guns, and +swords, and hunting pouches, and powder-horns, and, in short, whatever +might be necessary for attack or defence in war, and success in the +chase. In the centre of the room a table for four or five persons was +set, and a squaw was busy near a fire preparing the meal. + +It was not long before the simple dinner, consisting principally of +venison steaks and bread made of Indian corn, was placed by the squaw +on the board, and the three men drew up, Philip manifesting some +modest reluctance, until pressed thereto by the knight. + +"The vain distinctions of the world," said Sir Christopher, "are out +of place here. My soul sickens at the servile respect paid to stars +and garters. The jewel of the spirit is to be prized, not by the +setting, but by the degree of its own splendor it darts around." + +Nor simple though the dinner was, were there wanting draughts of wine +like that of which the soldier had drank upon his arrival. Of the +three, he drank the most freely; Arundel moderately, and the knight +almost abstemiously. As the last regarded the pale face of Philip, and +marked the kindling lustre of his eyes, he pardoned the poor fellow, +in consideration of what he had endured, the freedom of his libations. + +At the conclusion of the meal, Arundel, turning to the knight, said: + +"Philip has brought me word, Sir Christopher, which will necessitate +the abridgment of a visit I did intend should be longer. My purpose is +to return to Boston in the morning." + +"May a friend inquire after the cause of your sudden departure?" asked +the knight. + +"It hath some connection," answered the young man, slightly blushing, +"with a matter wherewith you are already acquainted, I know not why I +should hesitate to aver before yourself and Philip that it hath +reference to mistress Eveline Dunning." + +"Fear not to speak the honest impulses of thine heart, Master +Arundel," said the knight, "nor deem that I can take amiss thy +preference of the starry eyes of pretty mistress Eveline to a +hermitage in the wood." + +"She desires to see me," returned the young man, "and I hold it a +sacred duty to watch over her, for she is a lamb in the jaws of a +lion." + +"My opinion of the worshipful Master Spikeman," said the knight, "is +not much more favorable than thine own, though mine eyes be not +blinded by the deceitful mists of passion. Be wary, however, else +mayest thou incur an enmity which it were well to avoid." + +"What wouldest have me do, Sir Christopher?" demanded the young man, +rising with some impatience. "Detains he not my affianced bride? +Refuses he not even to allow me to see her, and must not our meetings +be stolen? Does he not deny the solemn obligation he took upon himself +by the death-bed of his too confiding friend, to unite Eveline with me +in marriage, and is he not thereby a perjured wretch, regardless alike +of his vow to God and of duty to the dead and living? I care not for +his enmity, but prefer it to his friendship, nor will I tamely permit +him to triumph in his villainy." + +"Calm thyself, Master Arundel," said the knight; "truly I counselled +no such thing. My heart is with thee, and my hand at thy service in +this matter, for I esteem thee wronged, but neither violence of speech +nor precipitancy in action will avail to right thee. All means of +persuasion are not exhausted. Why not endeavor to interest Governor +Winthrop in thy behalf?" + +"To what purpose? Suppose you he would take my word in opposition to +that of a fellow saint and magistrate?" + +"Unjust! Master Arundel; degrade not the noble Winthrop, a pattern of +many Christian virtues, and some knightly qualities, by such +association. But to thy word would be superadded that of the young +lady. He must believe her." + +"Nay, Sir Christopher, your eagle glance at once detects falsehood +wherewith it has no affinity, and you judge of others according to the +standard of your own nobleness, but I am persuaded the attempt would +be in vain. The case stands thus: there is really but witness against +witness, for what know I of what occurred at the death-bed of +Eveline's father, except what she herself has told me? Kind though may +be the heart of the Governor, and sound his judgment, the false +asseveration of the Assistant would outweigh the declaration of +Eveline; and, did it not, and were he ever so favorably disposed, no +court in this New Canaan, as they call it, would decide against one of +the congregation in favor of an orphan girl not protected by their +magic covenant, and whose hand is sought by an intruder into their +fold." + +"I deny not the force of thine argument," replied the knight, "and yet +have I remarked an omnipotence in truth, that doth make me insist on +having recourse to Governor Winthrop. As is the God-like sun, +animating and vivifying all things, searching into dark recesses and +driving out bats and impure vermin by his intolerable presence, and +unveiling ugliness and hatefulness, so is Truth. Withersoever she +turns her shining mirror there Error may not abide, but like a +dastardly coward, flies from the glory. Believe, Master Arundel, that +He who is uncreated, Truth will magnify that wherein He delights." + +"To pleasure thee, Sir Christopher, there is nothing which I would not +undertake, convinced though I am of its inefficacy." + +"So please you then, represent your grievance in the highest quarter, +before you further proceed. And now, I propose to present Philip to +Lady Geraldine, if her leisure serve. You will accompany us." + +Passing through a vestibule, which separated the two rooms, the knight +threw open a door, and admitted them into an apartment of smaller +dimensions than the first, but fitted up with far more regard to +comfort, and with even some pretension to elegance. The floor was +covered with matting made by the Indian women, on which strange +figures were drawn, stained with brilliant dyes; the sides of the room +also were hung with matting, over which fell folds of scarlet cloth +reaching to within a couple of feet of the floor, imparting an air of +gayety, while overhead was tightly drawn and fastened to the rafters a +light blue cloth, approaching in color the hue of the sky. Some chairs +were scattered around, and on a table lay a guitar, on the top of a +book. No person was in the apartment at the moment of their entrance, +and, upon the invitation of the knight, they took seats to await the +arrival of the lady. + +They had been seated but a short time when another door opened, and a +comely gentlewoman entered, ushered by a little Indian girl. The age +of the lady appeared to be about the same as that of the knight, and, +to judge from her complexion, she was not of English extraction. Her +features, though not regular, were handsome; the eyes large and black, +with hair of the same color, confined by a white cap; her figure was +tall and slender, and her carriage dignified and noble. Her dress +consisted merely of a black gown, without ornament, and rising high +into the neck, and as she approached she looked like one oppressed +with sadness. + +Her little swarthy attendant seemed to be a pet which she took delight +in adorning, and truly, the little girl was not unconscious that her +childish beauty was enhanced by richness of attire. A crimson satin +tunic, like a basque, was fastened around her waist by a golden band, +beneath which fell a blue silk skirt as far as the knees, while high +upon the ankles were laced deer-skin buskins, profusely bedecked with +shining beads and colored porcupine quills. Around her arms, above the +elbows, were strings of colored beads, her wrists were clasped by +bracelets of the same description, and about her neck was twined a +gold chain. + +As the lady thus attended advanced, all rose to pay the respect due to +her sex and station. + +"Behold, Lady Geraldine," said the knight, presenting to her the +soldier, "the valiant man to whom I once owed my life." + +"He is very welcome," replied the lady, in an accent just foreign +enough to impart a strange interest to her speech. "The savior of my +cousin's life is very welcome." + +The embarrassed soldier, confounded at the presence of one who looked +to him like a superior being, could find no words to return to her +greeting, and only bowed low to conceal his confusion. + +"I have heard, Sir Christopher," she continued, "speak of the daring +feat of arms whereby he was rescued from the foe, and longed to behold +his valorous deliverer to return my soul-felt thanks. Be seated, most +welcome gentlemen. And thou, Master Arundel, I trust, hast received +intelligence from Boston which will chase away the cloud that +sometimes gathers on thy brow." + +"Honored madam," answered the young man, in the inflated style of +gallantry which the custom of high-bred society not only permitted but +enjoined, "when the beautiful majesty of the heavenly sun appears, +clouds have no place above the horizon, but fly away, chased by his +golden shafts." + +"Would that I had the power," said the lady, "as the beneficent sun +dispels the clouds, so to drive away all sorrow and disappointment. +There is no grief-laden heart that should not be cheered." + +"Recount now, Philip, to Lady Geraldine, the adventure which causes +the colony to lose a valiant soldier, and me to gain for our solitude +an old friend and companion in arms," said the knight. + +The soldier, upon being thus addressed, found his voice, and narrated +to the lady the circumstances of his enforced departure from Boston. +She listened with an appearance of interest, and upon its conclusion +spoke a few words expressive of her sorrow for his imprisonment, and +of congratulation for the knight, to whom she hoped he would be for +the future attached. + +"I do begin to consider my banishment as no misfortune," said the +soldier, whose confidence in himself was now restored. "The labor of +my forge and exposure of life for folk who know not how to excuse a +hasty word or two, are well exchanged for the service of so noble a +master and mistress." + +"Be sure, thou shalt not rust like a sheathed sword," said the +knight, "and it shall go hard, but I will find for thee employment to +content an undegenerate spirit. But, Lady Geraldine, while we gain one +to our company, we lose (only for a short time, I hope) another. +Master Arundel purposes to leave our solitude to-morrow." + +The lady looked inquiringly at the young man, who answered with a +blush: + +"A message brought by Philip doth constrain my departure." + +"A sweet constraint," said the knight, smiling. "Fear not, Master +Arundel, that Lady Geraldine will blame thee for obeying an impulse as +natural as the love of a bee for a flower. The diamond eyes of +Mistress Eveline would furnish apology for a deeper crime." + +"I trust all is well with sweet Mistress Eveline," said the lady. + +"All well, may it please you, madam, save for the injurious durance +which, in despite of his promise, and regardless of all honor as a +man, the villain Spikeman, who calls himself her guardian, imposes on +her." + +"He will relent," said the lady. "It may be he desires only to try the +strength of thy devotion. The flame of thy love will burn the brighter +for the trial." + +"I have no hope of such result, Arundel. He is so wedded to evil, +that to do a good action would be to him a pain." + +"Nay," said the lady, "it cannot be there is a creature who loves evil +for its own sake. That were quite to extinguish the heavenly spark. +Judge not unhappy Master Spikeman so harshly. Commend me to the love +of Mistress Eveline," she added, rising, "when you see her, and say +that I wear her sweet image in my heart." + +So saying, she bowed and left the apartment, preceded by the little +girl, the others rising, and remaining standing as long as she was in +sight. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Thinkest thou that I could bear to part + From thee and learn to halve my heart? + Years have not seen, time shall not see, + The hour that tears my soul from thee. + + BRIDE OF ABYDOS. + + +It was early on the morning of the next day when Arundel started on +his way to Boston, whither the message delivered by the soldier had +somewhat hastened his return. There was, indeed, to one not in love, +nothing in it to require such haste, and the explanation of his +departure is to be found only in the natural desire of a lover to be +near his mistress. Something might happen; he would seek an occasion +to see her; perhaps a plan might be devised; at least, his wishes +could not be promoted by keeping himself at a distance. While the +young man, musing on sweet hopes and vague unformed designs, is +threading his way through the forest, we will take advantage of the +opportunity to explain in a few words what the reader, as yet, only +imperfectly suspects. + +Two years previous to the time when our story commences, Edmund +Dunning, a landholder and gentleman of consideration, in the county of +Devon, in England, having recently adopted the creed and practice of +the Puritans, (as a sect dissenting from the Church of England, +somewhat in doctrine, and wholly in outward observances, was called; +from asserting, as it was thought, pretentions to superior purity of +belief and strictness of living,) left the shores of his native island +with an only child, a daughter, then between seventeen and eighteen +years of age, to seek that freedom for his faith in the new world, +which, as he conceived, was denied him in the old. His whole family +consisted of this daughter, Eveline, his wife having deceased several +years previously. His departure was hastened by a circumstance which +had for some time occasioned him no little uneasiness, and the evil +consequences of which he could think of no other means so effectually +to avoid. This circumstance was an intimacy between the beautiful +Eveline and a young gentleman in the neighboring town more tender than +the father approved, who looked upon the hopes of the suitor as +presumptuous, and was, besides, opposed to an union, on account of a +diversity of religious sentiment betwixt himself and the aspirant. + +This young man was Miles Arundel. A year before Master Dunning and his +daughter left England, he had come to the town of Exeter, near to +which the Dunnings lived on their estate, and opened a studio as a +landscape painter. It was not, however, until a month after his +arrival, that he seemed at all decided as to his intentions, the time +being spent in wandering over the beautiful country, and making +occasionally a sketch; nor after he had offered his services to the +public in a professional capacity did he work very diligently. Yet was +it remarked that he was never in want of money; and the citizens of +Exeter thought that he must get high prices for his pictures in London +to warrant his expenditure. + +Among the families to which he was introduced as an artist, was that +of Edmund Dunning. Eveline was no indifferent sketcher herself, and +accompanied her father one day on a visit to the rooms of Master +Arundel. It is said that the young people blushed at the meeting, but +however that may be, the blush was unobserved by Master Dunning. + +So agreeable did the young artist make himself, that one visit led on +to another, and he was invited to the house of Dunning, and soon found +himself, he hardly knew how, on a familiar footing in his family, and +giving lessons in painting to his daughter. Edmund Dunning had no +intentions that any other lessons should be given, and it accordingly +grieved him when he discovered the terms on which the young people +stood to one another, and which their ingenuousness could not conceal. +With this relation he had made himself acquainted as soon as he +suspected it, by inquiring of Eveline, who frankly told him the whole +truth. Arundel loved her, but dared not, on account of the distance +that separated him from her father, make known his feelings. The +father demanded of his child why she did not, at the beginning, check +such aspiring thoughts, and whether it was proper to allow of the +continuance of such a state of things. Poor Eveline could only reply +with tears, and that she could not prevent Miles loving her, but +confessed that she had done wrong, and promised to break off the +intimacy. + +"I am unacquainted with his family, which is probably obscure," said +Edmund Dunning; "but were the blood of Alfred in his veins, he should +have no daughter of mine so long as he favors the persecuting Church +of England, which I know he does, notwithstanding his constant +attendance at the meetings of the congregation, the reason whereof I +now understand." + +The promise which Eveline made to her father she kept, nor from that +moment would she consent to see Arundel. He pleaded hard for a single +interview, if only to take leave, and though her heart strongly took +his part, she replied that she would not increase the reproaches of +her conscience by advancing a step further in an intimacy which she +had wrongly concealed from her father, and was disapproved by him. All +intercourse between the lovers ceased from this time, and shortly +after Arundel disappeared from the neighborhood. + +But it was at the risk of her health that Eveline obeyed her parent. +The rounded form began to become thin; the cheeks, in which red roses +were accustomed to bloom, faded, and the lovely blue eyes lost their +lustre. The anxious father noticed these signs with apprehension, and +in the hope that new scenes and a change of climate might improve his +daughter's health, hastened their departure. + +Almost immediately on his arrival in the new world he formed an +acquaintance with Spikeman, who used every effort to ingratiate +himself into his confidence. So successful was Spikeman, that he +persuaded Master Dunning to embark a considerable portion of his +property in the business wherein Spikeman was engaged, and on the +death of Dunning, which happened only six months thereafter, to +appoint him the guardian of Eveline. But as the shadows of this world +were settling on the eyelids of the dying man, the light of another +and a better dawned upon his mind. The differences of opinion which +had separated him from the friends of his youth and manhood, and the +distinctions of rank, assumed less and less importance. He regarded +with pity the sadness of his daughter, and determined that he would be +no obstacle in the way of her happiness. He called her and his friend +to his bed-side, and after kissing her pale cheek, gave his full +consent to her union with Arundel, and made Spikeman promise to favor +her wishes in all things. Having thus settled his worldly affairs, +Edmund Dunning turned his face to the wall and gave up the ghost. + +The tears of Eveline, left an orphan far away from the only spot which +she considered her home, flowed bitterly at the loss of her father. He +had been a gentle and sweet-tempered man, and an indulgent parent, and +she thought of him with a grief and yearning affection, the pain of +which the removal of the interdiction to her marriage with one whom +she loved, served at first, but in a slight degree, to mitigate. But +time had its usual effect. The swollen eyes of poor Eveline at last +resumed their brightness; the color returned to her cheeks; her step +became lighter, and she looked forward wish pleasure to the time when +she should give her hand to one who already had her heart. + +But Spikeman was far from sympathizing with her views, nor had he any +intention to keep his promise. At the time when he inveigled Edmund +Dunning into entrusting property to his hands, his affairs were in an +embarrassed condition, and he needed then and now the funds to save +him from ruin. And again, hypocrite though he was in some respects, he +was not altogether so. A man of violent passions, and unscrupulous in +their gratification, deluding himself with the idea that having once +tasted the sweets of justification, (as he fancied,) his condition was +one of safety, and that the sins which reigned in the members of his +body could not reach his soul, he was yet zealous for the faith which +he had adopted, and devoted to the interests of the colony. It was to +this devotion mainly that he owed his dignity of Assistant. As a +Puritan, he was, or at least believed himself to be, opposed to a +marriage between Eveline and Arundel on the same principle which had +at first influenced her father, and been corrected only by the dawning +light of eternity. Shortly before the decease of his friend, Spikeman +had frequently, though never in the presence of Eveline, combated +Dunning's resolution with which he had been made acquainted, but in +vain. Had he dared, he would have resorted to one or more of the +elders to exert their potent influence, but this would have been to +betray the secret, and in case of their failure, might have placed +himself in an unpleasant predicament. He concluded it was better to +lock it up in his own breast, and so remain master of his actions and +of her destiny, at least till her majority, which lacked two years +before attainment. During that time, his circumstances might +change--she might decease--no one knew what was in the future. + +It is not, therefore, surprising that the Assistant did not write to +England to inform Edmund Dunning's relatives of his death; much less +that he did not inform Arundel of the fact. Months slowly dragged by, +and yet the expecting girl received no word from home. At first +Spikeman accounted for it by the length of time required to make the +passage between the countries; afterwards by the supposition that the +letters might have failed, or intimating that Arundel had probably +changed his mind. A cold pang, as if she had been stabbed by an +icicle, pierced the bosom of Eveline at this cruel suggestion, and she +felt utterly desolute. What, however, frightened and depressed her +spirit, only roused the indignation of Prudence Rix, her attendant +from England, who even then had a sharper insight into the character +of the Assistant than her mistress. + +"Hey-day!" she exclaimed; "to think that Master Miles, the handsomest +and darlingest young gentleman in Devonshire, and who, if he was only +a painter, looked grander and gave away more gold pieces than many a +lord she'd known, and who worshipped Mistress Eveline like some pagans +she'd heard of did the sun, should think of forgetting her! It was +precious nonsense. For her part, if she was Mistress Eveline, she +would write to him herself, without letting old vinegar-face know +anything about it." + +The advice was not thrown away on the young lady, though with an +instinctive delicacy she did not follow it literally. Instead of +addressing Arundel directly, she wrote to a female friend, and +communicated the change in her circumstances, and the relenting of her +deceased father, rightly judging that the information would not long +remain unknown to her lover. She did this without the knowledge of +Spikeman, else it is probable that the letter would never have reached +its destination. The event answered her expectations, and with the +arrival of the first ship after her epistle was received, she had the +gratification of greeting Arundel. But what was her astonishment, +when, upon the demand of the young man that her guardian should carry +into effect the wishes of his deceased friend, Spikeman denied that +any obligation was imposed upon him. He would not admit that there had +been any change of opinion in the dying man, but insisted, on the +contrary, that he had remained steadfast in his purpose to the last. +He affected surprise at the declarations of Eveline, and while not +pretending to say what might have taken place in his absence, +persisted in asserting that nothing of the kind had occurred in his +presence. The young lady was surely in error. The bewilderment +occasioned by excessive grief on account of her father's condition, +and partiality for her lover, had caused her to mistake the meaning of +the former. He could not, however much desirous to please his ward, +violate the instructions of his deceased friend. + +The remonstrances of Arundel, and gentle expostulations and entreaties +of Eveline, were without effect; and when once the young man, in a +moment of anger, threatened Spikeman with an appeal to justice and +punishment by the government in England, the latter grimly sneered at +his threats, and bade him beware lest he himself might be sent, as a +malcontent, out of the country. It was, indeed, far more probable that +such would be the result of Arundel's persistency, than that he should +succeed in carrying off his mistress; and, blinded as he was by love, +he could not conceal from himself the danger. To this was to be added +another peril, which the Assistant, in one of their conversations, had +hinted at, and of which we have also made mention, viz: that he might +incur the punishment provided for those who paid court to maidens +without the consent of the guardian or magistrate. + +But the young couple had, besides Prudence, a powerful friend, Whose +kind heart pitied their misfortunes, and by whose means, assisted by +the faithful serving-maid, they had many stolen meetings, unknown to +their persecutor, and this was no other than dame Spikeman herself. +Destitute of children, she had been early attracted by the beautiful +orphan, for whom she soon learned to feel the affection of a mother. +Into her tender bosom the unprotected girl poured her griefs, and +always met with sympathy and good counsel. At first, the good dame +attempted to alter the determination of her husband, but finding her +efforts in vain, she finally abandoned them, and contented herself +with favoring the lovers by every means in her power, without his +knowledge, trusting to the chapter of accidents for the result. +Perhaps a few pieces of coin, distributed by Arundel now and then +among the servants, contributed to preserve the knowledge of their +meetings from the Assistant, who, whatever he might suspect, found it +difficult, engaged in his business, to detect them. + +While we have been making this tedious but necessary explanation, the +young man has had time to reach the thickest part of the forest, lying +midway betwixt the residence of the knight and his place of +destination. He followed a narrow path made originally by the Indians, +as they traversed the woods in the manner peculiar to themselves, +known by the name of Indian file, now skirting the edge of a morass, +now penetrating through a thick undergrowth, and now walking in more +open spaces and under the shade of enormous trees. + +Arundel, as he walked along with his piece in his hand, had kept +watchfully looking round to discern any game within range, when, as he +reached one of these open spaces, his eyes fell upon a dark object +crouched upon a lower limb of a tree immediately over the path before +him, and he instantly recognised the animal as the cougar or American +panther. It is the habit of the creature thus to conceal itself in +trees, waiting till its prey passes along, when, with one bound, it +springs upon its back, and quickly succeeds, by its own weight, and by +tearing the veins and arteries of the neck, in bringing it to the +ground. + +The youth stopped, and gazed upon the motionless beast, whose +half-shut eyes he could see winking at him. He lay extended upon the +limb, his forward feet spread out at full length, on which rested his +small round head, with little ears falling back almost flat, his hind +legs drawn up under his body, and his flexible tail hanging a short +distance beneath the bough. The dark reddish color of the hair of his +skin, dashed with blackish tints, harmonized and blended well with the +hue of the bark, so that at a distance, to an unpracticed eye, he +appeared like a huge excrescence on the tree, or a large butt of a +branch that had lodged in its fall. + +The young man did not hesitate what to do. He had come prepared for +meeting with wild animals, and felt too much confidence in himself to +fear the encounter. He approached so as to be just without reach of +the spring of the creature, and levelling his piece, while he could +see the cougar shut its eyes and cling closer to the limb, fired. The +sound of the gun rang through the ancient forest, and in an instant +the beast, jumping from the limb, fell at his feet. So sudden was +this, that Arundel had hardly time to withdraw the weapon from his +shoulder, before the animal had made the spring. The first impulse of +the youth on finding the ferocious brute thus near, was to club his +gun and strike it on the head; and now he discovered that it was +wounded in one of the forward legs, which hung helplessly down. But +the wound, instead of disabling or intimidating, only inflamed the +ferocity of the creature. It made repeated attempts to jump upon its +foe, which, in spite of the crippled condition of its leg and the loss +of blood, Arundel found it difficult to elude. Active as he was, and +though he succeeded occasionally in inflicting with his hunting-knife +a wound upon the beast, he soon began to suspect that, notwithstanding +he had thus far escaped with some inconsiderable scratches, the powers +of endurance of the formidable forest denizen were likely to exceed +his own. The combat had lasted some time, when, as the young man +endeavored to avoid the leap of the panther by jumping to one side, +his feet struck against some obstacle and he fell upon his back. In an +instant the enraged beast, bleeding from its many wounds, was upon his +prostrate person, and his destruction appeared inevitable. With a +desperate effort, he struck with the hunting-knife at the panther, who +caught it in its mouth, the blade passing between its jaws and +inflicting a slight wound at the sides, so slight as not to be felt, +and stood with its unhurt paw upon his breast, powerless to do +mischief with the other, and glaring with eyes of flame upon its +victim. At the instant when the panther, shaking the knife out of its +mouth, was about to gripe, with open jaws, the throat of the young +man, it suddenly bounded with a cry into the air, almost crushing the +breath out of the body of its antagonist, and giving him an +opportunity to rise. When Arundel stood upon his feet, he beheld the +panther in the agonies of death--an arrow sticking in one eye and an +Indian striking it with a tomahawk upon the head, for which great +agility and quickness were necessary in order to avoid the paw and +teeth of the creature in its dying struggles. These soon became less +violent, until, with a shudder, the limbs relaxed, and it lay +motionless and harmless, + +Arundel now advanced to thank for his timely succor the Indian, who +stood quite still looking at him. He was apparently less than thirty +years of age, tall and well formed, with a countenance expressive of +nobleness and generosity. His attire consisted only of breech-cloth +and leggins, with no covering for the upper part of his person--a garb +offering fewest obstructions to his movements through the forest. In +his hand he held a bow; a quiver full of arrows was slung across his +back; the tomahawk was returned to the girdle around his loins, and a +knife hung by a deer-sinew from his neck. + +"The arrow was well aimed," said Arundel, "that saved my life. How can +I thank my brother?" "Waqua is satisfied," replied the Indian, in very +imperfect English, which we shall not attempt to imitate. + +"You are my preserver," said Arundel, "and shall not find the white +man ungrateful." + +"Enough," answered the Indian. "Let wild beasts find some other food +than men." + +"It was a strong hand as well as true aim that sent this arrow," said +the young man, drawing the shaft out of the animal's brain, in which +the barbed point, coming off, remained behind, "and I must furnish you +at least another arrow." + +"Waqua has plenty of arrows in his quiver, and can get more." + +"Thou art an independent fellow," exclaimed Arundel; "but there is one +thing I have to offer thee which thou must accept--that is, my hand, +and it is a sign that I will be thy brother." + +There was something in the action and expression of Arundel's face +that was irresistibly attractive to the Indian. He took the offered +hand into both of his and replied, "Waqua gives his two hands to the +white man. He loves the white man, and the Great Spirit sent Waqua to +protect his brother." + +"Thou hast established a claim to, my friendship stronger than often +exists. Be sure we will be friends. My brother is on a hunting path. +What success has he?" + +"A deer," replied Waqua, stepping into a bush, returning with the +carcass on his shoulder, and throwing it upon the ground. + +"Is my brother's lodge distant?" + +"It would not tire a new born fawn to run the distance. My white +brother shall see the wigwam of Waqua, and rest his limbs, and then +Waqua will go with him to the lodges of the white men at Shawmut." + +It was yet early in the day. There was no need of hurry, and the wish +of the Indian of itself was enough. It would have been indeed +ungracious to deny acquiescence to one who had just saved his life, +and Arundel therefore at once signified his assent. But before they +started, the Indian with the knife which he took from his neck, +despoiled the panther of its skin. Throwing it then across his +shoulders on top of the deer's carcass, he led the way out of the path +in a direction different from that in which Arundel had been +travelling. + +It was truly as Waqua had said, and a few moments sufficed to reach +his habitation. It stood by itself, near the margin of the Charles +river, which empties into Massachusetts Bay, and was merely a rough +hunting lodge, made of bark, yet so constructed as effectually to +answer the purpose for which it was designed during the milder months. +Doubtless in winter it was deserted for the more comfortable wigwam in +the village. + +Arrived at his dwelling, Waqua took down some skins suspended on one +side, and spreading them upon the ground, courteously invited his +companion to a seat. Arundel was glad to rest after his late violent +conflict, and availed himself of the opportunity to brush off the +dirt, and re-arrange his torn and disordered dress. Meanwhile, Waqua +kindled a fire, and cutting off some bear steaks, threw them on the +glowing coals. The exercise and danger of Arundel had given him an +appetite, and with no little interest he watched the process. The meal +was soon ready, and justice done to it by both; and upon its +conclusion, it became apparent that it was not on its account only +that Waqua had desired to return to his wigwam. It was also to make +some alteration in his toilette, therein betraying that fondness for +ornament which is equally active in the savage and in the civilized +exquisite. For the garments he had worn, others were substituted of +finer quality, and more showy appearance. Over his shoulders was +thrown a robe of beaver skins; in his hair were stuck some red +feathers, and from his ears hung pendants carved out of bone, into a +rude imitation of birds. Belts of wampompeag encircled the arms above +the elbow, and fell over the robe, hanging down the shoulders. The +preparation was completed by painting the cheeks and forehead +vermillion. Thus decorated, with bow in hand, an ornamented quiver on +his back, and tomahawk in girdle, Waqua considered himself fit to be +presented at any court in the world. + +Nor when he advanced, conscious of the improvement in his appearance, +and stepping as though he were lord of the unbounded wilderness, did +Arundel attempt to conceal his admiration of the forest Apollo. Waqua +remarked it in the other's eyes, and a gleam of satisfaction lighted +up his face. Throwing the deer he had killed over his shoulder, and +taking a small bundle of skins in his hand, the Indian preceded his +companion on their way to the settlement. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + "Absit, quoth the doctor." + + DON QUIXOTE. + + +Upon arriving at the little town of Boston, Arundel made the Indian +promise to return to him at the ordinary or inn where he had his +quarters, after the furs and venison should be disposed of. Waqua was +glad to make the promise, and the two separated; the one, directing +his steps towards his lodging; and the other, to seek a purchaser for +his commodities. Arundel was anxious to express his gratitude, and, +besides, was interested by the talk of the child of the forest; while +Waqua, on his part, was evidently disposed to meet any advances. + +Eleazar Nettles, the worthy host of the Ship-tavern, who Stood at the +door of the low rambling building, welcomed his lodger with all the +cordiality he could throw into a face originally not ill-looking or +unpleasing, but which, in consequence of practising an appearance of +mortification, (in order to stand well with the grave citizens), which +neither belonged to the calling wherein he was engaged, nor by nature +to itself, seemed an odd mixture of earthly depravity and of heavenly +grace. Not that Eleazar was a bad fellow. Nature had originally +enclosed in his dumpy body a good-humoured soul enough, and, in a less +austere community, where the bent of his disposition might have had +fair play, he would have been a rather jolly dog. He was, however, a +victim of fate. By what disastrous chance his lot was cast in that +grim-visaged region, has never been satisfactorily explained, but +being once in it, and a publican by profession, it was necessary to +conform to the habits and manners of those about him, unless he +desired to see his license taken away, and himself a suspected person, +as well as without employment. These prudential considerations +contending with Eleazar's nature, had sobered the otherwise mirthful +features of his face, and made him present the appearance of a merry +and a sad man rolled into one, each striving for the mastery, and each +alternately achieving victory, according to circumstances. The merry +man was safe in the presence of Arundel, and, therefore, his mouth +dissolved into a pleasant chuckle as he welcomed him. + +"It is a joy and an honor, Master Arundel," he said, "to see again a +discreet young gentleman like yourself, whose spirits--ahem!--are +lively as my own ale, and yet chastised by a godly 'havior. You must +have had something of a walk this morning. What refreshment may it +please you to take?" + +While uttering this speech, he had been busy ushering into the tap or +common reception room the young man, who, by the time it was finished, +was seated. + +"Thy guess hits the mark, mine host," he said? "but what is fitting I +leave to thy discretion. Thou shalt prescribe like a physician." + +"Thou art a sweet-tempered gentleman, and easily satisfied," answered +the host, "and I should be no better than a heathen salvage to abuse +thy goodness. To begin, I have some of the famosest malt liquor that +ever ran down throat with a relish." + +"Avaunt, with thy detestable malt liquors. You inveigled me once into +tasting the decoction, and methinks that should satisfy thee, if not +me. Thou wilt hardly succeed a second time. It will never do. Thy +cellar contains something better, to my knowledge." + +"As you say," replied the landlord, (whose habit was to recommend his +ale to those who he knew would not take it, in order, perhaps, to make +his wines taste the better, by consideration of the contrast)--"as you +say, Master Arundel, my malt liquor, though the best in the country, +is not for high-bred gentlemen like yourself. I have Spanish wines, +and French wines, and wines from Italy, and from the Canaries, and"-- + +"Any will do," said Arundel, knowing that a single kind was made to +play the part of vintages from all parts of the world; "so be prompt, +good man, for my thirst increases." + +While the publican, whose business was not sufficiently large to +warrant him to employ a tapster, was absent, Arundel looked round the +apartment to see what company was present. At no great distance from +where he sat were half-a-dozen persons, some of whom, by their dress, +seemed to be sailors, and others citizens. As he turned to look at +them, two or three, who were his acquaintances, saluted him; and the +conversation, which his entrance had a little interrupted, flowed +again with a full current. + +"A queer bit of a town, good-man Fairweather, the saints have built up +for themselves," exclaimed a man in a sailor's jacket. "Do you know +what it looks like to me?" + +"How should I know, Capt. Sparhawk, how Boston looks to you?" answered +the man addressed. + +"That depends upon the strength of the liquor, methinks," said a +third. + +"That answer, Billy Pantry," said the Captain, "for a lubber that +knows not the difference between the futtock shrouds and Jacob's +ladder, and whose head is so little and his paunch so big, is what my +old schoolmaster called a Lucy--Lucy--damn the other part of the +name--there I miss stays, by Neptune!--anyhow, it begun with a Nat, +but there was more of it." + +"Natwood," suggested Billy Pantry. "I know a Polly Natwood in Suffolk, +one of the completest wenches"-- + +"If she was not completer than thy wit," interrupted the Captain, "her +figure-head was left unfinished. But, avast there; we are drifting off +soundings. Where was I? Aye; belay, I have it. I was telling you what +your beggarly town looks like." + +"Aye, but about Lucy," said another, who had not spoken before, and +whose perception looked dimly out of his hazy eyes! "I should like to +hear first about her. I always liked the women." + +"Hear old Wheat," cried the Captain--"the wicked villain. All the +knowledge he has of the women, I'll be qualified on the main brace, is +what he got from Betty Quickfist when she hit him a cuff on the ear +for his impudence, and twisted it out o' shape, as ye may see without +taking a quadrant for the observation." + +"Why," said Billy Pantry, turning his mess-mate's head about, "his two +ears are much alike, and, as you say, Captain, lop damnably; so he +must have caught it on both of them, though this one here, away to +windward, looks as if it had been cut off and stuck on again." + +"Shut up your duff-trap," said Wheat, gruffly, "or I'll send your +teeth on a cruise down your throat." + +"Come, come," cried the Captain, "I choose to do all the quarreling +for this company. How now, my masters, is there to be no discipline +when my foot is off the quarter-deck? If another man speaks above his +breath, by the beard of father Neptune, I will stop his grog. Where +was I? Let me take the latitude once more. Aye, here away bearing up +to tell how I liked this prig of a town." + +"Blast my tarry top-lights and to'gallant eyebrows. Do you call this a +town?" demanded Bill. "Folk does not call a thing like this a town in +old Hingland." + +"Aye, old England forever," cried the Captain, standing up. "Boys, +fill your cups all round, and we will drink a health to our dear old +mammy." + +"I should like to pleasure you, Captain," said one of the citizens, +"and will drink in all reason till sundown, but there is a law against +drinking healths." + +"I suppose there will be a law next," exclaimed the Captain, "against +eating, and that will finish the job. The rest of you may do as you +like, but Jack Sparhawk never yet was afraid of any man, and is not +going now to strike his peak to Admiral Winthrop. So here's a toast +for ye: + + "Prosperity to England's friends! + Perdition to her foes! + Heaven to herself! to hell she sends + All Spaniards and Crapeaua!" + +Saying this, he drained his cup. "And now, boys, about this little +starched old maid of a town--" + +"There you are, in a fog, Captain," interrupted Pantry. "How can it be +an old maid, when, on every tack, half a dozen children, like so many +porpoises, come across your bows?" + +"Any wit but thine own would easily box that compass," answered the +Captain. "But talking is thirsty business, and we will have up another +bottle. Halloa, old Nettletop, bear a hand with some more of your +weak-waters. What do you stand gaping there for, like a chicken with +the pip? Off with you. And now, while old Thistle is rummaging the +locker, I will give you my mind about this matter of--" + +But, alas! an incident now occurred which has deprived posterity +forever of the invaluable opinion of Captain Sparhawk respecting the +appearance of Boston in 16--, and of his explanation of the phenomenon +suggested by Bill. + +Some five or ten minutes before, a grave looking personage, with a +long staff in his hand, had stolen quietly into the room, unnoticed by +any one but Arundel--the landlord being absent at the time--and taken +a seat where he could overhear the conversation. Upon mine host's +return, and noticing the stranger, he exhibited some embarrassment, +and endeavored to catch the attention of the drinking party without +attracting that of the new comer. His efforts, however, were in vain, +and assuming an air of deep mortification, he waited for what should +happen. Upon being required by the Captain to supply more wine, he had +shaken his head, which it seems was not taken much notice of by the +sailor, and was preparing to reply, when he was anticipated by the +stranger. Lifting up his staff, and pointing with it at the table, he +said, + +"Furnish no more strong liquor, good man Nettles, to these carousers. +Methinks they have already had more than enough for their souls' or +bodies' health." + +"I will not gainsay thee, master Prout," said the host, "and will +obey, as becometh a man who respects Thee and thine office; but the +wine is good and can do no harm, as thou mayest convince thyself by +trial. I will pour thee out a cup." + +"Nay," said Master Prout, "I need it not. I do stand amazed," he +added, bending his brows severely on the host, "that, a man professing +godliness, and one of the congregation, shouldst administer to the +carnal appetite till the graceless sinner is converted into a swine." + +"Dear Master Prout, be not so hard on a friend. I knew not the +strength of my wine, or that these strangers were so unaccustomed to +drinking. The wine hath been but lately bought, being part of the +cargo of the Abstemious, and thou knowest I A indulge not, else I +should have been acquainted with its potency, and regulated things +accordingly. But thou seest the six have drunk only so many poor +bottles." + +"Enough, goodman Nettles," answered Prout. "Remove, now, these +incitements to temptation, and after that will I drop a word of +friendly advisement into the ears of these offenders." + +During this conversation a profound silence had prevailed at the +table--the three citizens recognising in the intruder one whose +authority it would be folly to resist, and the sailors apparently +confounded at the boldness of the interference, and curious to hear +what should pass between the landlord and his dictatorial visitor. But +when mine host, in obedience to an order from the latter, began to +take away the bottles and cups, Captain Sparhawk, who had sat leaning +on his elbow upon the table and eyeing the two, now seemed to think +that his dignity required some interference on his part. + +"How now, my masters," he exclaimed. "What coil is this? Are we to be +boarded in this piratical way, and see all our stores and, provisions +captured without a blow? Run up the red cross, Wheat. Call all hands +to repel boarders, and follow me." + +"Cease thy papistical babble; it doth vex my soul more even than thy +drunkenness," cried Master Prout. + +"Papist in thy teeth and drunkenness to boot," exclaimed the excited +captain, at the same time striking at Master Prout, who, however, +easily eluded the blow of the intoxicated man. + +The other two sailors now manifested some intention of coming to the +assistance of their superior, but were held back by the citizens, and +restrained, moreover, by a knowledge of the formidable power of Master +Prout, who was well known as a sort of censor or guardian of the +morals of the place, appointed by the magistrates. + +"Keep quiet, man," said Prout, pushing the obstreperous captain back +into his seat, "or thy mazzard and my staff may become better +acquainted than will be altogether agreeable. Do thou hold him, good +man Nettles, as being in some wise accountable for his condition. So +shalt thou, also, partake of the savory crumbs of advice which it is +my intention to bestow on this man of Belial and his companions." + +Master Prout, thereupon drawing a chair, placed it immediately in +front of the captain, and seated himself, while mine host held the +delinquent fast. The functionary paid no attention whatever to the +exclamations and ejaculations of the sailor, which, furious at first, +gradually died away until they ceased entirely, but went on steadily +with his speech. + +"Thou art a stranger," he said, "and therefore am I the more disposed +to overlook thy transgression, seeing that thou art not acquainted +with the manners of the godly town of Boston, and art not yet prepared +to realize thy privilege in being permitted to visit it. Moreover, I +see by thy garments and speech that thou art one of those who go down +to the sea in ships, and who, though they behold the wonders of the +deep, are, for the most part, unaffected by the mighty works of Him at +whose word the stormy wind ariseth, or at His rebuke chasteneth itself +into a calm. But thou art a man having within thee an immortal soul, +and my spirit is troubled exceedingly, and my bowels are like to burst +within me, when I behold thee given over to folly. Hearken thou, for +my lips shall utter judgment, and thine ears shall drink in +understanding. + +"Behold here, in this Boston, have godly fugitives from oppression, +men whose faces are set as steel against all evil, set up their +habitations, to be an enduring city unto the Lord; and, within our +borders, may no scoffer or profane person, as was Esau, nor riotous +liver, abide. But the necessities of our position do in some wise +constrain us, for trade and other useful purposes, to allow +communication with them who are not of our way of thinking. Therefore +do we grant unto them free entrance, for a time, into our Canaan, +sobeit they observe the limits of decent moderation, and vex not our +souls beyond Christian patience, hoping, moreover, that, seeing our +righteous example, they may be converted from their evil ways, and +trusting that the Lord will preserve us from defilement. But we hold +not ourselves bound to tolerate rioting and drunkenness, which are not +convenient, but contrariwise, to restrain them by the sword of the +magistrate, if need be. Of both these thou art, unhappily, guilty, +inasmuch as thou didst forget where thou art, and wert mindful only of +the customs of thy heathen companions at home; and were I extreme to +mark what is done amiss, surely thy punishment were heavy. But this is +thy first offence, and I hope will be thy last; therefore say I unto +thee, go and sin no more, especially as thy fault is not of public +notoriety, and goodman Nettles and thy friends, for their own sakes +and this good youth (turning to Arundel) and myself, to avoid scandal, +will keep silence thereupon. I pass over thy rude and silly speeches +as proceeding not from thyself, but from the evil spirit of wine that +mastered and made a fool of thee. Henceforward, while remembering our +mercy, dread our justice, shouldst thou be tempted a second time to +offend." + +Having thus spoken, Master Prout rose, and deliberately clapping his +steeple-crowned hat upon his head, stalked demurely out of the +apartment, satisfied that after his rebuke the company would be unable +to obtain any more strong potations. In this supposition he was +perfectly correct--goodman Nettles too thoroughly understanding his +own interest and the character of the man to venture to disobey him; +for though Master Prout felt friendly to the publican, as was evident, +there were some things he would not overlook, and no offence could be +committed more heinous than disregarding his orders. Captain Sparhawk, +who toward the close of the Puritan's address, had been subdued into a +most unwilling silence, manifested, as soon as it was finished, a +desire to reply; but the host placed his hand on the recusant's mouth, +and compelled him to be silent. + +"Art mad?" he whispered. "Dost wish to ruin me, and have thine ears +nailed to the whipping-post, and perhaps cut off? Remember thou art at +Boston, and not in old England. Here, men drink in a godly manner, and +use the gifts of Providence as not abusing them; and not like blinded +papists, or as some say, like them of the Church of England; but I am +more liberal, as becomes one of my profession. Be thankful for the +clemency of Master Prout, a worthy man, and a considerate, whose +advice is like silver nails driven in by the master of assemblies." + +Thus continued, in this strain, the astute landlord, until Master +Prout had left the house, and was out of hearing, when he released the +captain, and allowed him liberty of speech. + +If the publican had expected a burst of angry language from the +sailor, he was agreeably disappointed. So far from venting his +feelings in that way, the worthy captain seemed now to consider all +that had happened as a capital joke, and broke out in a hearty laugh. + +"Queer country, my men, this," he said, "where a meddlesome tipstaff +will not let a true-blooded Englishman pay toll to his Majesty's +excise. But old Sour-chops is gone, and we will have 'tother bottle +now to drink better manners to him; so bear a hand, Nettle, Thistle, +or whatever you call yourself." + +"I dare not give you more wine for the present," said the host. +"Master Prout's authority is absolute in this matter, and not a drop +from spigot or bottle runs on your account. Be reasonable, noble +captain," he continued, seeing that the sailor was disposed to insist +on his demand, "and consider that in refusing thee, I do in some sort +prejudice myself for our mutual benefit." + +Here the companions of the captain interfering, and the citizens, in +particular, insisting that on no account would they drink more, the +refractory Sparhawk, after some growls at the "queer country," was +obliged to submit, and soon after, paying the reckoning, took leave +with his company. + +The scene was not altogether new to Arundel, who had looked on with +amused interest. It was not the first time when he had seen the +official in the exercise of his somewhat arbitrary authority, order +away, like the physician of Sancho Panza in his famous government of +Barrataria, the goblet, just as it was about to be carried to the lips +of the expecting guest. He had before laughed at the stare of +bewildered disappointment of the astonished toper, and the subdued +humor of Master Prout, hardly concealed by his austere exterior, but +he felt no disposition to censure the severity of the regulation. It +was of the utmost importance, as well for the peace and good order of +the colony, as in accordance with the principles of self-denial and +virtuous living on which it was founded, that every disorder should be +checked in the bud. Considering the variety of adventurers, of all +shades of character, from the religious enthusiast, seeking in unknown +regions, invested with strange charms by a heated imagination, the +kingdom of saints upon earth, which he had vainly hoped to erect in +the old world, down to the reckless freebooter, whose life had been +passed in wild indulgence, unrestrained by law, human or divine, whom +chance or design had thrown upon their coast, it is obvious that a +vigilant eye and strong hand were necessary to note and repress every +incipient sign of irregularity or turbulence. + +Yet did the host sigh as he dropped into a seat at the departure of +the company. With one eye fixed upon a heavenly and the other on an +earthly treasure, he was counting up in his mind the crowns he had +lost by the intrusion of Master Prout, and at the same time lamenting +the depravity of men who could bear no more than a bottle of wine +apiece. + +"Master Arundel," he said at length, "I do admire the wisdom--ahem--of +the worshipful magistrates in the care they take of the citizens and +visitors of our godly town. By the appointment of Master Prout to the +office which he doth sometimes exercise with somewhat of rigor, they +do, too, in a manner avouch the value of my calling, and their desire +to countenance it, and that in agreement with Scripture, for is it not +written that He hath given wine to gladden man's heart? Nevertheless, +methinks, being one of the congregation, a modicum might be left to +mine own judgment in regard to the capacity of my guests. Not that I +care about the two or three pieces whereof his interference hath +deprived me--ahem--but the feelings of godly men who know best what is +good for them, are hurt needlessly oftentimes. The wine is good, as +can be proved by our own virtuous citizens, who have not injured +themselves by early rioting, and are able, as a reward of their +youthful temperance, to drink twice as much as this Captain Sparhawk, +who hath probably, in a measure, injured his constitution by +indulgence in bad liquors. Man is truly a fallen creature," concluded +goodman Nettles, heaving a deep sigh,--"ahem--or such wine could never +affect him." + +Arundel felt no inclination to discuss the subject, and soon retired +to his apartment. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + "With wild surprise, + As if to marble struck, devoid of sense, + A stupid moment motionless." + + THOMSON'S SEASONS. + + +A couple of hours elapsed before Waqua made his appearance, after +disposing of his skins and venison. He had exchanged them for such +articles as his savage taste fancied, among which Arundel noticed a +small mirror, in a brass frame, hung like a medal on his breast, and a +red woollen sash tied around his waist. As the Indian, thus bedecked, +entered the room, it was with an increase of dignity becoming one +possessed of such splendid ornaments, whereat, however, Arundel found +it difficult to repress a smile. But it was important to the +maintenance of their new friendship that no such levity should be +perceived, which might have aroused the resentment of the savage. +Suppressing then the feeling, and regarding his tawny friend with a +face of welcome, the young man said: + +"You look bravely, Sachem; it is a pity the Indian girls do not see +you." + +"They will see," said the Indian, "when Waqua returns to his village. +Look," he continued, presenting the mirror to Arundel, and, unable to +conceal his admiration, "it is a still spring in an open plain." + +"You will not be obliged now to leave the wigwam and seek the clear +water when you wish to paint your face." + +"Waqua thanks the white man," said the Indian, gazing admiringly at +himself in the mirror, "for the clear frozen water which he can carry +with him wherever he goes. Waqua will never more be alone, for +whenever he pleases he may look into the bright frozen water and see a +warrior. Let me behold my brother in the wonderful medicine." + +He held up the glass to Arundel, and laughed, as he saw the +reflection. + +"My brother's face is now in the frozen water," he said, "and whenever +I look into it, I shall see my brother as well as Waqua." + +"And trust me, Waqua, that I will be a true friend unto thee. I do +begin to think that the extraordinary liking of the knight for thy +race is not misplaced." + +"Speaks my brother of Soog-u-gest, of the white chief who lives away +from his people in the forest?" + +"I speak of the Knight of the Golden Melice, of him whom the Indians +call Soog-u-gest, or the eagle. I had left his lodge but a short time +when Heaven sent thee to my aid." + +"The tall, white chief, men say, is not like other white men. He loves +the forest children, and they love him." + +"Love begets love, and one noble quality attracts another. But it is +my turn, Waqua, to show you hospitality; and to a strong, healthy +fellow like you, dinner, methinks, can never come amiss." + +The meal which, upon the order of Arundel, was served up, seemed to +meet with the unqualified approbation of the Indian. Yet this is an +inference derived, not from the manner in which he partook of the +repast, but from the quantity which he ate. Although unacquainted with +the mode of using a knife and fork, and, therefore, compelled to +depend upon the instruments furnished by nature, there was nothing in +his conduct that resembled ill-breeding. He accepted, with a grave +courtesy, whatever was offered, eating deliberately, and expressing no +preference for one thing over another. His entertainer fancied that, +from time to time, he cast a stolen glance, as if watching motions in +order to accommodate himself to them. However that may be, the young +white man was greatly pleased with the untutored politeness of his red +companion, and desirous to please him in all respects, did not deny +his guest the stimulus of strong water; taking care, nevertheless, +that the wine drunk should be in too small quantities to affect him +injuriously. Of this, Waqua partook with peculiar zest, and it is +fortunate that he had one more prudent than himself to stop him before +temperate indulgence became excess. For so great is the delight which +the Indian temperament derives from the use of intoxicating drinks, +that it is difficult to regulate the appetite. Brought up without much +self-control, if civilization be taken as a standard,--regardless of +the past, heedless of the future, and mindful only of the +present,--the wild child of nature quaffs with eager joy the +fire-water, which seems to bring him inspiration, and to extend the +bounds of existence. + +"Waqua knows," said the savage, holding up his cup at the end of the +meal, "that the Great Spirit loves his white children very much, else +never would he have given them the dancing fire-water that streams +through me like the sun through morning clouds." + +"Beware," said Arundel, "that it be not more like the lightning, which +marks its path with destruction. But, Waqua, come thou now with me. I +saw no red cloth in thy lodge, and there was but little paint in thy +pot, and I know where there is plenty." + +"My brother is an open hand, and will make Waqua's wigwam as gay as +the breast of the Gues-ques-kes-cha." + +With these words, the Indian followed Arundel into the street, walking +in his tracks, and the two pursued their way in the direction of one +of the principal store-houses. + +The street led directly by the house of the Assistant Spikeman, and, +as they passed, the eyes of the young man were busy, as was natural, +to discover traces of his mistress. Nor was he doomed to +disappointment. As he came opposite, a casement opened, a small white +hand was thrust out, and beckoned to him. Thus invited, Arundel +stepped within the door, whither he was followed by the savage. In +those days, the simple forest children thought there was no harm in +asking for a hospitality they were ever ready to grant themselves, and +which they considered a duty; nor inasmuch as they never attempted to +take away anything by violence, but thankfully accepted whatever was +offered to them, were their visits generally discouraged. Indeed, the +importance of treating them with indulgence was sedulously inculcated +by both elders and magistrates, as being conducive to their own +security as well as from higher motives. The expediency of such +conduct was so obvious that few were found to disregard it. Hence the +Indians, on their visits to the settlement, were accustomed, if they +wanted food, or to enter the houses for any other purpose, to step in +with the same freedom almost as into their own wigwams. If now and +then a circumstance occurred inconsistent with the sacred duty of +hospitality, it was not considered as reflecting disgrace upon the +whole community, but only on the sordid churl who was the occasion of +it, and whose domicile was ever afterwards carefully avoided. + +The young man and his dusky companion were met by Prudence, who, while +conducting them into a room, whispered: + +"Why, Master Miles, who expected to see you? People said you was ever +so far away in the woods, living with bears and wolves. Have you got +one here?" + +"Poh, poh! pretty Prudence, no one hath better reason to look for me +than thyself, seeing thy message brought me. As for my copper friend, +he is the gentlest savage that ever took a scalp. Do not be +frightened, and clap thy hand on thy head: he will none of thine. But +thy mistress, where is she?" + +"I declare, Master Miles, you have scared almost all the breath out of +my body. Oh! how my heart beats! Follow me quick, for I want to get +out of the way." + +"Waqua will wait for his brother here," said the young man, turning to +his follower, whose eyes he noticed were fastened on a full length +portrait hanging on the wall; "for which reason," he added "and, +during my absence, may make acquaintance ith the venerable ancestor of +Master Spikeman, who hath followed his descendant's fortunes across +the sea." + +He waited for no reply, such was his impatience to see his mistress; +but, preceded by Prudence, hastily left the apartment, and was ushered +into the presence of the young lady. + +One who saw Eveline Dunning would never have wondered that her lover +had followed her to the new world. She was one of those charming +beings who are irresistibly attractive--whom to behold is to love, and +whose presence "clothes the meanest thing in light." Her features were +regular, her complexion delicate and brilliant, her eyes blue and +sparkling, and her hair of a rich brown. Those blue eyes were commonly +calm and soft, though there were times when they could kindle up and +flash, and the full red lips became compressed, hinting at an energy +of character which required only circumstances to call it forth into +exercise. Her person was of the ordinary height, and most perfectly +formed, and she moved with a grace which only faultless proportions +and high breeding can impart. + +"My Eveline, my best and my dearest," said Arundel, imprinting a kiss +upon the blushing cheek she nevertheless offered him, even before the +considerate Prudence had retired, shutting the door after her, "how +blessed am I, once more to breathe the air sweetened by thy breath." + +He led her to a seat, and, retaining her hand, sat down by her side. + +"And how dearly I love to have thee near me, Miles," she answered; +"the perils I make thee encounter for my sake too plainly tell." + +"Nay, sweet, the danger is only in thy imagination. Conscious that the +right is on our side, we may defy Master Spikeman and all his wicked +devices, certain that we shall yet triumph over them." + +"Would that I felt thy confidence, but sometimes I am quite sad." + +"Dearest Eveline, why thus cast down?" exclaimed Arundel, looking at +her anxiously and kissing off a tear. "Has anything happened? What +makes thee unhappy? Of what art afraid?" + +"Not cast down, not unhappy, not afraid, Miles, but anxious on thy +account, and weary of imprisonment. My jailer hath lately dropped some +threats respecting thee which have filled me with apprehension, and it +was in consequence of my grief thereat, and of something I said, that +Prudence, without my knowledge, sent thee a message, as she afterwards +told me." + +"And I hope thou art not angry with her for being the cause of my +present happiness?" + +"I feel not like chiding her or any one," answered Eveline, smiling, +"but would speak seriously during the few moments we are together. Oh! +Miles, I have it from a sure hand, (though thou must not inquire +thereafter), that Master Spikeman is endeavoring to poison the minds +of the Governor and of the Assistants with false reports against thee, +such as that thou art disaffected against the government. Oh! Miles, +be prudent; for if anything were to happen to thee it would make me +very unhappy." + +"The lying varlet! the cozening knave!" exclaimed the young man, +indignantly. "So this is the way whereby he designs to accomplish his +purpose! But I defy his machinations. I have an advantage over him +whereof he knows not." + +"What is that, Miles?" inquired Eveline, seeing that he hesitated. + +"He, whose the right is, hath every advantage over him in the wrong," +answered her lover, rather evasively; "but would that I could persuade +thee to cut the Gordian knot and put an end to this torturing +suspense, by flying with me, and giving me a lawful right to be thy +protector according to the wishes of thy father." + +"Cease, Miles, and do not importune me in a matter wherein the +impulses of my heart make me but too ready to forget the suggestions +of prudence." + +"But how long mean you to submit to this unjust violence?" + +"I know not. Be assured, however, that nothing but dire necessity +shall induce me to take a step, the thought of which burns my cheeks +with blushes." + +"Do you distrust me, Eveline?" said Arundel, reproachfully. + +"No; but it becomes Eveline Dunning; it becomes one whom thou hast +thought worthy to be sought for across a stormy ocean; it becomes the +descendant of a long line of honorable ancestors; it becomes a woman, +whether in the thickly peopled city or in the wilderness, among +strangers or with her own kindred, to avoid even the appearance of +evil. Much will I endure, and long will I bear my thraldom, before I +will allow the thought of such a mode of deliverance to harbor in my +mind." + +"My judgment tells me thou art right, Eveline, however much my heart +rebels; but is there no emergency which can make thee cast off this +slavery?" + +"None such has arisen, and whatever difficulties may harrass me, I +hope to be equal to them." + +"And years, long years, may drag along with weary feet, while we are +wasting our youth in hopeless sighs over the tyranny of a heartless +villain, lingering in this dreary land, where a smile is a vanity and +a light heart a crime." + +"Does it pain thee so much," inquired Eveline, half reproachfully, "to +remain in the wilderness?" + +"Nay, lovely one, where thou art is no wilderness, but a paradise. +Hither I came, attracted by the love that binds my soul to thine, and +this land will I never leave alone. A cabin with thee in these wilds +were better than a palace ungraced by thy presence." + +"I thank thee, Miles, and thy words strengthen my courage. So long as +thou feelest thus, I cannot be unhappy. But shouldst thou ever change; +shouldst thou weary of the delays and vexations which thy love for +Eveline Dunning doth impose, hesitate not to avow it, and thou shalt +be free, though my heart break in bidding thee farewell." + +"Eveline, dearest Eveline," cried her lover, catching her to his +bosom, "how canst thou speak thus? He who hath found heaven will never +voluntarily resign it." + +But why pursue a discourse which can have but little interest except +for the speakers? The reader will suppose the further conversation +which would naturally take place between two young persons in their +situation. Owing to the vigilance of Spikeman, it was a long time (so +at least it seemed to them) since they had met, and the interview was +sweeter for that reason. While the precious moments are flitting by +them unheeded, let us return to Waqua. + +The Indian was so absorbed in the contemplation of the portrait, that +he paid no attention to the jesting observation made by Arundel as he +left the room, but continued motionless, gazing fixedly upon it. It +represented a man of middle age, of a stern and somewhat forbidding +countenance, standing with the open palm of the right hand thrown +forward, as if he were addressing the spectator. It was exceedingly +well done,--so graceful was the attitude, so boldly stood out the +figure, so admirable was the coloring, so illusive the air of life. It +was the first portrait that Waqua had seen, and he very naturally +mistook it for a living person. + +Seeing, as he supposed, a man with eyes fastened on him, standing in +an attitude soliciting attention, and as if only waiting until the +conversation between those who entered should cease, to address him, +Waqua, with instinctive politeness, had stopped, and looking full at +the painting, awaited the speech. He was somewhat surprised and +scandalized, under the circumstances, at the garrulity of his +companions, and, to confess the truth, Arundel sunk considerably in +his estimation. However, he made all allowances for the rude manners +of the whites and differences of customs, though hardly restrained by +such considerations from uttering a rebuke for the others' want of +respect to age, and to the master of the house, for whom he took the +picture. As, after Arundel and the girl left the apartment, the figure +remained standing, with eyes fastened on Waqua, and his hand +continually extended, the Indian, considering it an invitation to be +seated, sat down in a chair. He expected now to be addressed, and +modestly dropping his eyes waited for what should be said. Thus sat +Waqua, until, surprised at the continued silence of the other, he +raised his eyes, and beheld him still in the same position, with lips +partly open, yet emitting no sound. The situation of the Indian now +became more and more embarrassing, and he hesitated what course to +pursue. Greatly perplexed, he turned the matter over and over, until +finally he reached the conclusion that this was a mode of welcome +among the white men, and that the politeness of the other kept him +silent, in order that the visitor should first take up the word, in +which opinion he was confirmed by the sedate and unmoved expression of +the face. With such a notion occupying his mind, he rose from his +seat, and throwing the beaver robe a little off the right shoulder to +allow opportunity for gesticulation, he stood before the picture, and +after a moment of grave thought addressed it. + +"Waqua," he said, "is a young man, and ashamed to speak first in the +presence of his elder; but the customs of the white men are very +different from those of their red brethren, and perhaps among his +white brothers the young men speak first that their folly may appear. +Because he thinks his white brother desires him to speak, he will make +a very little speech." + +"The silent chief (so he called the picture, not knowing what other +name to use) knows that Waqua is a friend, because he sees him in +company with the white man who went away with the chief's daughter +with the strawberry lips. Waqua only asks the hospitality of the +silent chief, and permission to remain in his lodge till his friend +returns." + +Thus having spoken, Waqua gathered up his robe upon his shoulder, and +awaited a reply. + +But in vain. Still the figure preserved silence, and maintained the +same immovable attitude, gazing on him with eyes from which there was +no escaping, and which seemed to pierce into his soul. The uneasiness +of Waqua increased. He felt no fear, but a confusion of thought which +threatened to obscure entirely his faculties. The idea crossed his +mind that the man was dumb, but that accounted only for the silence. +Why the immobility? If he were dumb, at least he could walk, for +well-formed limbs were visible. But the man was quite still, not even +winking, only fastening his eyes steadfastly on his own. To the +excited imagination of the Indian, the eyes began to assume a deeper +sternness, and he found it more and more difficult to withdraw his +own. Suddenly, a thought darted through his mind, which made him +shiver all over, and spring from his seat. The idea of fascination +caused the start. He had more than once beheld the black snake +extended on the ground, charming, with his glittering eyes the +anguished bird which, with fainter and fainter screams, striving to +delay a fate it could not escape, kept flying round and round in +constantly diminishing circles, until it fell into the jaws of the +destroyer. The same fatal influence he had seen exercised upon rabbits +and other small game, the prey of the snake, and he did not doubt that +a like fascination was attempted to be practiced on himself, and that +the man was a conjurer. The thought threw him into a rage, and he +determined to take vengeance for the insult. Drawing, therefore, his +tomahawk from his girdle and brandishing it over his head, he +exclaimed, + +"Waqua is a warrior, and not a bird to be made weak by a white +medicine." + +But before the enraged Indian could cast the weapon from his hand, he +felt his arm suddenly arrested, and, turning, beheld the laughing face +of Prudence Rix. + +"Stop, stop!" cried the girl, hardly able to speak for merriment; +"what are you going to do? It is not a man, but only a painting." + +It is not probable that the Indian perfectly comprehended the +explanation of Prudence, who, in spite of her affected fears, had +been, without his knowledge, an amused spectator of his conduct; but +her interposition had the effect to prevent any violence, especially, +as upon looking again at the portrait, he felt no longer the awe which +had oppressed him, and therefore knew that the charm had lost its +power. He lowered the tomahawk to his side, and addressed himself to +her. + +"What white man ever entered the wigwam of Waqua and was not invited +to a seat on his mat? Who can say that Waqua fastened his eyes on him +like a snake?" + +"But see," said the girl, advancing to the portrait, and passing her +hand over its surface; "it is nothing but a cunning painting. Come and +satisfy thyself." + +Waqua complied, in part, with Prudence's invitation, feeling some +contempt for a man who would permit such an indignity and advancing to +the picture regarded it with keen and inquisitive glances. He refused, +however, to touch the figure, until Prudence, taking his hand in hers, +placed it on the canvas. But no sooner did he feel the flat surface, +than, uttering a cry of astonishment, he leaped backward, almost +overturning Prudence in his haste, keeping his eyes on the picture, +and ejaculating twice or thrice the expression, "Ugh!" + +"What a simple savage thou art," exclaimed Prudence, "I tell thee it +cannot bite. It can neither hear nor see, and thou art a man to be +scared by it!" + +The Indian felt the taunt, conveyed quite as much in the tone as in +the words, and without replying, but as if to show that he was above +the feeling of fear, holding the tomahawk in one hand, he passed the +other over the whole surface, as far as he could reach, winding up the +achievement with eyes wild with wonder, and snorting out divers +astonished "ughs!" + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + "Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, + And shook his very frame for ire, + And--'this to me!'--he said." + + MARMION. + + +At this moment the Assistant Spikeman entered the room. His advance +had been so noiseless that it was unobserved by either the girl or the +Indian, so entirely were they engrossed by the adventure of the +portrait. + +"Whom have we here?" he exclaimed. "Methinks, Prudence, there are +other parts of the dwelling more fit for such visitors." + +"I desired to see," said the girl, evasively, "how a savage would act +who never had beholden a painting. There is no great harm in that," +she added, pouting. + +"And doubtless he mistook it for a live man. Master Vandyke had skill, +I trow, to deceive more learned eyes than those of a wild Indian. But, +Prudence, thou knowest that I mean not to chide thee. Far different +words arise spontaneously to my lips. But go, now, and I will pay the +honors to thy red friend." + +"He is no more friend of mine than I hope all the world are my +friends," answered the girl, glad to get away to acquaint the lovers +that Spikeman was in the house. + +"I wish," she muttered, as she closed the door, though not so loud as +to be overheard, "that some folk were not so great friends of mine." + +"Have my people given my friend anything to eat?" inquired the +Assistant, on the departure of the girl. + +"Waqua is not hungry," answered the Indian. "His white brother has fed +him until he has no place for more." + +"What thinks Waqua of the painted man?" asked the Assistant, observing +that the eyes of the savage wandered every now and then to the +painting. + +"It is a great medicine," replied the Indian, noticing with admiration +the resemblance between it and the Assistant, (whose father's portrait +it was.) "My brother loved his father very much, and so, before he was +called to the spirit land, my brother put him on a board, even as +white men put faces in frozen water. But my brother is wiser, because +he makes his father stay on the board, instead of disappearing like +faces in frozen water." + +"My brother is right," said the Assistant, not unwilling to avail +himself of an opportunity to impress on the mind of the savage the +superiority of the whites; "but he has seen little of the wisdom of +the white man. It is a light thing to put a man upon a board, though +at the same time he may be in the spirit land. It is wonderful to +Waqua, but a white child understands it. If Waqua remains the friend +of the white man, greater and more wonderful things shall he learn." + +"Waqua is an Indian, with an Indian head, and he is afraid it is not +big enough to hold all these things. It makes his head ache to think +of them." + +"My brother's head will grow. But will he follow me now into another +part of my dwelling?" + +The Indian made a gesture of assent, and the Assistant preceding him, +the two went in the direction of the room where were Arundel and +Eveline. + +Prudence, when she left Spikeman and Waqua together, had rushed in +upon the lovers to apprise them of the Assistant's presence. The proud +spirit of the young man revolted somewhat at the idea of stealing out +of the house like a felon, and a little time was spent before the +expostulations of Prudence and the entreaties of Eveline could +prevail. And when he rose to leave, some time longer was consumed in +tender leave-takings, which, though they seemed instants to the +lovers, were lengthened almost into hours to the anxious waiting-maid. +Hence it happened that when the door was opened, Arundel was +confronted by the Assistant. Surprise and indignation were both +expressed in the countenance of Spikeman, as he demanded to what +circumstance he was indebted for the honor of the young man's company. + +"Master Spikeman knows," answered Arundel, "without any averment on my +part, that I came not to see him." + +"It needs no declaration of thine to assure me of that," said +Spikeman. + +"I do nought," said Arundel, "which I will not avouch by both deeds +and words. Plainly, I came to see Mistress Eveline Dunning, and +strange indeed would it be, were I in this strange land to avoid her +presence." + +"Speak out the whole truth," said Spikeman, with rising passion, "and +avow that like a thief thou didst steal in to corrupt the affections +of my ward, and teach her undutifulness to her guardian." + +Before the young man could reply, Eveline interposed. + +"You do Master Arundel wrong, sir," she said, "to charge him with +aught unbecoming. He comes hither in open day, and that by my special +invitation." + +The eyes of the spirited girl flashed, and her cheeks were crimson, as +she made the avowal. + +"This from you, Eveline Dunning," exclaimed Spikeman, with +ill-suppressed rage. "Have you so far forgotten the modesty of your +sex as to make this declaration in public? I knew before, that this +boy had bewitched you, but dreamed not that he had triumphed over all +maidenly reserve." + +There was something insufferably insulting, both in the tone and in +the insinuation concealed in the language, which was not entirely +understood by the pure mind of Eveline, but which was maddening to her +lover. + +"Only a base ingrate and liar," he cried, "would slander celestial +purity. Master Spikeman knows that what he utters is false." + +"Ha! darest thou, malapert boy," said Spikeman, advancing to Arundel +with his arm raised, as if about to strike; but Waqua stepped between +them. He had gravely listened to the heated conversation, and supposed +he understood its purport. + +"Let not the wise white man," he said, addressing Spikeman, "imitate a +mad wolf in his anger. Give to my brother for his wife the girl whose +cheeks are like the summer morning, for her heart has hid itself in +his bosom." + +The fury of Spikeman, thus bearded in his own house, was now directed +to the savage. Anger appeared to have completely deprived him of +reason, for turning upon the Indian with glaring eyes and exerting his +strength to the utmost, he hurled him with irresistible force across +the room against the wainscot, where his head struck a post, and he +fell bleeding on the floor. + +Waqua was instantly on his feet again, and his first motion was to +clutch the tomahawk, but Arundel catching his arm, compelled him to +desist from his revenge. Holding the savage by the arm, Arundel passed +out of the apartment, leaving the Assistant standing as if petrified +by his own violence, while Eveline, pale, yet resolute, had sunk upon +a seat, and Prudence was hysterically shrieking. As soon as they stood +in the street, Arundel said: + +"I am grieved, Waqua, that thou, on my account, shouldst have been the +object of the ruffian's rage. Its possibility occurred not to me." + +"Let not my brother grieve," said the Indian. "It is nothing; not so +much as the scratch of a bear's paw." + +"I take blame to myself for this day's unhappy violence, and hope that +no further mischief may spring out of it. Will my brother grant me a +favor?" + +"The ears of Waqua are open," said the savage. + +"Promise me, for my sake, to seek no revenge, but to leave it in my +hands." + +But the Indian looked moodily on the ground. "Waqua," he said, "will +kill his enemies himself." + +"If," continued the young man, "my brother knew that an attempt to +punish the bad white man would bring ruin on the maiden and on me, +would he be willing to destroy them too?" + +"Waqua will do no harm to his brother." + +"Waqua's heart and mine are one, and he has a wise head. He sees that +the arms of the English are very long, and their hands strong, and he +will not run into them, for they will crush him." + +"My brother shall see the inside of Waqua. Let him look up. Behold, +the sun shines because he is the sun, and the wind stirs the forest +leaves because he is the wind, and water runs, and fire burns, because +the Master of Life made them thus; and so the Indian will never +forgive, for then would he cease to be an Indian. But Waqua will do +nought to injure his brother." + +With this unsatisfactory answer the young man was forced to content +himself as well as he could, though his mind misgave him as to the +possible consequences of the insult. He trusted, however, that +Spikeman's knowledge of Indian character would place him sufficiently +on his guard to make abortive any attempts against him, and determined +to keep a watchful eye upon his wild companion for the present, and +until time should have blunted sensibility to the injury. For this +reason, and in order also to counteract, as far as might be, the +effect of the incidents at the house of the Assistant, after +purchasing the articles which they came out to procure, he took the +savage with him on the visit to the Governor, which he had promised +the knight to make. Nor is this a circumstance that should excite +surprise; it being the policy of the colonists to cultivate the best +understanding with the natives, to accomplish which object the latter +were not only admitted into their houses, but sometimes even invited +by the principal inhabitants to seats at their tables. They found +Winthrop at home, and were admitted to his presence. + +"Welcome, young friend," he exclaimed, "with England's red rose still +blooming in thy cheeks; and a welcome, too, to my Indian brother." + +"This, right worshipful sir," said Arundel, "is Waqua, to whom I owe +my life, which he saved this morning from a panther." + +"Ah!" said Winthrop, "one of the hazards not uncommon in our +wild-beast-infested forest, and young blood is rash. But relate to me +thine adventure." + +Arundel was obliged to detail the circumstances of his escape, which +he did with the greater pleasure, as contributing thereby to recommend +his companion to the favorable consideration of so powerful a person +as the Governor. At the conclusion of the narrative, Winthrop devoutly +said: + +"The praise be to Him to whom it justly belongs, and whose unsleeping +Providence perpetually watches over us. Yet," he added, turning to the +Indian, "be not the instrument forgotten by whom He manifested his +favor. The life of a white man is very precious, and Waqua may ask +much because he saved it." + +"It is a small thing," replied the Indian. "My brother would have +killed the beast himself without Waqua's arrow; it only saved him a +little trouble." + +"How modest is ever true merit, Master Arundel," said Winthrop, "and +that is noticeable in both civilized and savage. This community of +feeling doth, as I take it, evidence, in connection with other +matters, the truth revealed in the Scripture, (nature herself +thereunto bearing witness,) that we are descended from one common +parent, of whose qualities all do partake, even to the remotest +generations. But, however desert may be disclaimed by thy preserver, +it were shame, morally, as also censurable in another view, were I to +show myself no sense of the obligation." + +So saying, the Governor opened the desk before him, and taking +therefrom a medal attached to a glittering chain, presented it to the +Indian, + +"Take it," he said, "and wear it in testimony that the white chief +knows how to estimate thy service, and desires to cultivate thy +friendship." + +But the Indian held not out his hand to receive the proffered medal. + +"Why dost hesitate?" inquired Winthrop, in some amazement, (for never +had he known before an ornament, of which the savages are usually so +fond, refused.) "Is there aught else that would pleasure thee more? +Speak freely thy thoughts." + +"Waqua thanks the white chief," replied the savage, softly, "but he +wears only one totem, and that is one which cannot be taken from his +neck. See!" + +So saying, he threw open the folds of the robe of skins that covered +his chest, and disclosed upon his naked bosom the picture of a turtle. +It was painted upon or pricked into the skin in divers colors, so as +to be indelible, and though rudely done, was sufficiently well +executed to convey an idea which could not be mistaken of what was +intended to be represented. + +"Waqua," he continued, "will have but one totem, and it is that of his +ancestors; but if the white chief desires to please Waqua, let him +recollect and teach his people that the same Great Spirit made red men +and white men, and wishes them to be brothers." + +The sagacity of Winthrop penetrated the motive of the savage, and +wonder at the refusal to accept the token was lost in admiration of +the other's jealousy of whatever might imply a want of exclusive +devotion to his tribe, or a placing of himself in a position +inconsistent with perfect independence. He scrutinized the Indian with +much more attention than he had at first bestowed upon him, and +fancied that in his daring face he read an air of nobleness and +command which at first he had not remarked. + +"It troubles me, Waqua," he said, "to have thee refuse this badge of +my friendship, and which would be a declaration to the world that thou +wert my friend, and the friend of the white man, but sith it may not +be, receive my promise that I will inculcate the maxim on my people, +that we are all descended from the same heavenly father, and bound to +love and to practice actions of mutual kindness. I were less, indeed, +than Christian man were I to do otherwise." + +"And now I have a petition to proffer to your excellency, and which +lies very near to my heart, and without the granting whereof the life +saved by Waqua will be of little value to me," said Arundel. + +"A thing of moment, indeed; and with such a consequence following its +rejection, a prayer which I cannot refuse." + +"It is your reputation, honored sir, for justice, which emboldens me, +who am but a comparative stranger, with no further claim to your +consideration than one man has upon his fellow to do him right, to +address you, and endeavor to secure your all-powerful interest in my +behalf." + +Here the eyes of the Governor fell with an inquiring look upon the +Indian, and the mute appeal was understood by the young man. + +"I care not," he said, unwilling, by any appearance of a want of +confidence, to hazard an interruption of the friendly relations +existing between himself and the savage, in whom he already felt a +considerable interest--"I care not if Waqua hears my story; he is my +brother and may look into my heart." + +A gratified expression crossed the countenance of Waqua, but, without +a remark, he rose from his seat, and, with a delicacy little to be +expected among the wild children of Nature, withdrew to a distant part +of the room. + +"It is better thus," said the Governor, "if thy complaint, as I partly +suspect, touch a member of the Government. The secrets of a family +should not be blazoned to the world. Our little Commonwealth is a +family, and it becometh each one tenderly to guard the good repute of +all." + +"I crave your Excellency's pardon," said the young man, casting down +his eyes at the rebuke, "for my imprudence; but your sagacity has +already divined what forces me to fly to you for succor. It is of the +unjustifiable conduct of the Assistant Spikeman I would speak." + +"It is as I supposed. Something of this have I heard, but only as +flying gossip, which it were unmanly in any one to heed; and which, as +such, it were disgraceful in the ruler of a people to regard. But, if +the charge come, bearing upon itself an authentic stamp, it is a +different matter." + +"The words which I shall utter I will avouch with my blood. A great +and grievous wrong hath been committed and is continued, against which +both Heaven and earth cry out." + +"It is a heavy charge, and now to the proof." + +Hereupon Arundel entered upon the particulars of the breach of faith +on the part of Spikeman, and of the restraint exercised by him over +Eveline; to all which Winthrop listened with profound attention, by +neither word nor sign interrupting the narrative. Upon its conclusion, +however, he began in the spirit of the profession wherein he had been +educated, to ask questions and urge objections, + +"Thou hast truly, Master Arundel," he said, "made out a case of great +hardship, if the view taken by thee be correct; and, understand me, I +doubt not thine entire sincerity. But what further testimony than that +of the young lady hast thou, her representations being contradicted by +Master Spikeman?" + +"What!" cried the young man, with some warmth, "is not the word of +Eveline sufficient to outweigh the prevarications of a thousand +tricksters like this Spikeman?" + +"This is no proper language," said Winthrop, a little sternly, "but +_Amor semper coecus_," he added, smiling, "This rule I take to be +without exception. Am I to understand that thou hast no further +proof?" + +"There is the asseveration of Eveline Dunning, met only by the denial +of the Assistant Spikeman, who would deny every truth, so only it were +necessary for his purpose." + +"Thou dost prejudice thy cause by want of moderation. It seemeth me, +however, that Master Spikeman hath no necessity to join issue with +thee on the facts, and that a bare demurrer were all-sufficient to +throw thee out of court. Forgive me for inflicting this pain, but I do +it not without a motive, which is to possess thee fully of the manner +in which this matter is viewed by others." + +"There is then no justice in this land," cried the young man. + +"I have thus far," Winthrop went on without heeding the exclamation, +"considered the case, under the supposition of a denial on the part of +Master Spikeman (whom thou dost not deny to be the rightly constituted +guardian of Mistress Dunning) of the facts which, in thy opinion, +impose on him a duty to give thee his ward in marriage. But suppose, +as I have said, he were to demur to thy declaration, that is to say, +admit the truth of all thou hast said, but deny that any obligation +resulted therefrom to comply with thy wishes, would thy condition be +thereby bettered?" + +"Admitting the facts, I see not how he could do otherwise than hasten +to perform the desire of his deceased friend; but this he will never +do, forsworn and treacherous that he is." + +"Thus may passion speak, but not so the unprejudiced reason concerning +thy difference with Master Spikeman. Might he not reply to thy +reproaches--that it was only when Master Dunning was weakened by +sickness that he did yield to importunity; but that in the days of +unclouded health, and when the mind sat like a king upon his throne, +he did steadily oppose thy union with his daughter, and then ask thee +which he was in duty bound to obey--the settled purpose of his friend, +as demonstrated by his daily life and conversation, or a chance word +of sickness, perhaps, of delirium? That Edmund Dunning did at first, +even till his death-bed, deny thee his daughter, thou dost admit; and +this is a weighty argument, hard to be overcome by a dying whisper. +The reason thereof will satisfy most, for is it not written, 'Be ye +not unequally yoked with unbelievers?' Seest thou not that it is only +thyself who dost stand in the way of thy happiness? Oh! that the light +of Divine truth might penetrate thy mind, and make thee, in all +respects, worthy of the lovely lady." + +"Eveline Dunning would despise me, were I, even for the sake of her +hand, to renounce the faith of my fathers." + +"Not for the sake of her hand, (that would be only a collateral +blessing,) but for other and worthier motives. Very precious and +encouraging is the promise in the Scripture, 'Seek ye first the +kingdom of heaven, and all other things shall be added unto you,' +Doubt it not, and consider also how sweet is the tie that doth bind +consenting hearts with one true faith--a faith consoling +exceedingly--a faith to lift high above the tempests of adversity--to +heal the wounds of earth, and to be crowned with glory and immortality +in heaven." + +"Were I even to join the congregation, which, in my present way of +thinking, I might not do without guilt, Master Spikeman would, +doubtless, find means to make vain my suit." + +"Judge him not so harshly. What motive can he have, other than to +perform his duty to the living and to the dead? Think, rather, that +Providence hath, in its own wonderful way, determined to lead thee by +the silken cord of thy affections unto grace. Be not disobedient unto +the heavenly impulse." + +"I perceive that I have failed in my prayer, and can have no hope of +your intercession, honored sir," said Arundel, rising, "and will +therefore take my sorrowful leave." + +"It pains me," said Winthrop, also rising, "that, under present +circumstances, I am compelled to deny it. I may not do aught to +contravene a resolution of the deceased Edmund Dunning, which seems to +have been inspired by Heaven; but, the cause of that resolution being +removed, no one will be happier to promote your purpose. I say this +the more cheerfully, because thy happiness is within reach, to be +wisely seized or unwisely refused." + +"With thanks for your Excellency's good will, and lamenting that it is +fruitless, I will now depart." + +Hereupon, the young man making a sign to his companion, the Indian +approached. The sight of the latter seemed to suggest an idea to +Winthrop, for, turning to him, he said: + +"On the morrow I expect an embassy from some of your countrymen, +Waqua. Will not the chief remain to witness it?" + +On the quiet countenance of the Indian only an inquiry was to be read. + +"The Taranteens," said the Governor, in answer to the look, "desire to +brighten the chain of friendship between the white men and themselves, +and it ought to give pleasure to a wise chief to behold it." + +"Waqua is a young man," replied the Indian, "and is not wise; but he +has heard the old men of his tribe say, that no faith was to be placed +in the word of a Taranteen." + +"Let them beware," said Winthrop, who, from obvious motives of policy, +adopted this tone in the Indian's presence, "how they attempt to +deceive me. The friendship of the white man is like the blessed sun, +which brings life and joy; his enmity, like the storm-clouds, charged +with thunders and lightnings." + +"Listen!" said the Indian, laying his hand on the arm of the Governor. +"The beavers once desired the friendship of the skunk. They admired +his black and white hair, and thought his round, bushy tail, which was +different from theirs, very beautiful; so they invited him into their +lodges; but when he came, his scent was so bad that they were all +obliged to abandon them. The Taranteens are the skunk." + +"I have no fear that they will drive us away," said Winthrop, with a +smile. "They have every reason to conciliate our favor, and we would +be at peace, if we are permitted, with all men. We came not into these +far off regions to bring a sword, but the blessings of civilization +and of the Gospel." + +"Waqua will come," said the Indian, "but the Taranteens are a skunk. +The white chief will remember the words of Waqua, and will say, before +many days, that he spoke the truth." + +"We know how to deal with the treacherous," answered the Governor, +"but anticipate no evil now." + +With these words, and, as if striving by extraordinary courtesy to +palliate the pain which he had inflicted on Arundel, he accompanied +the two to the door of the apartment, where he dismissed them. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Oh! he sits high in all the people's hearts. + + SHAKESPEARE. + + +It was evident that, so far from anything being to be expected from +the interposition of the Governor, he was opposed to the marriage of +Arundel as long as the latter should remain outside of the charmed +circle of the Church--a full communion with which was necessary, even +to the exercise of the rights of a citizen. But the young man was +incapable of deception. His ingenuous mind turned, displeased, away +from the bait the wily Governor had presented; and, dearly as he loved +his mistress, he would have preferred to renounce her rather than play +the hypocrite to obtain the prize. He was not much cast down, for, +having sought the interview, not from the promptings of his own +judgment, but out of deference to the wishes of the knight, he was not +greatly disappointed. He remained firm in the resolution, whatever +might be the risk, to release Eveline from the constraint exercised +over her by her guardian. Silent, with the Indian silent following in +his footsteps, he returned to his lodgings to brood over his prospects +and to devise schemes. + +The next day was the time fixed for receiving the Taranteens; and not +without interest, notwithstanding the pre-occupation of his mind, did +Arundel look forward to the event. Such deputations or embassies were, +indeed, not uncommon, and the young man had already been present at +more than one occasion of the kind; but great consequence was attached +to the present, and unusual preparations were made to convert the +ceremony into a scene that should be imposing to the imagination of +the savages, and forcibly impress them with an idea of the power of +the English. + +The name Taranteen was given to the natives living on the banks of the +river Kennebec, in the present state of Maine, and embraced a number +of tribes, among whom were those called by the French Abenakis. They +were a fierce and proud race, and had spread the terror of their arms +to a wide distance from their hunting grounds. There was a perpetual +feud betwixt them and the Aberginians, as the Indians on Massachusetts +Bay were styled, who, in consequence of wars with their northern +neighbors, as well as of the pestilence which had desolated their +wigwams, had become reduced from the condition of a powerful people to +comparative insignificance. These Taranteens had, at the beginning of +the settlement of the colony, occasionally done some mischief, +descending these rivers in canoes in small bands, plundering the +cabins of exposed settlers, and sometimes murdering the inmates. As +the power of the whites increased, and their name became more +terrible, these forays had almost ceased, and in most instances the +colonists were able, in one way and another, to obtain satisfaction +for the wrongs committed. There was no defined state of hostilities +existing betwixt them and the Taranteens, nor could it be said they +were strictly at peace with each other, and it was felt that great +advantages might result from an interchange of activities and a formal +establishment of friendly relations. The efforts of Winthrop and of +his council had been for some time directed to this object, but +hitherto they had been frustrated by the intrigues of the French, who +found it for their interest to discourage intercourse between the +Taranteens and the colonists, lest the lucrative trade with the +former, of which they enjoyed the monopoly, might be diverted from +them entirely, or diverted into other channels. In these exertions the +French traders were not a little aided by the Jesuit missionaries +scattered among them, who naturally favored their countrymen, and +besides were afraid of the spiritual influence which the heretical +Puritans might exercise over their dusky neophytes. For even at that +early period, the zeal of the Romish Church had penetrated the wilds +of North as well as of South America, and erected the sacred crucifix +where before stood the stake of the victim. Solitudes which, until +then, had only trembled to the horrid war-whoop, were now tranquilized +by the soft sounds of the lowly muttered mass. The ferocity of the +natives began to be softened, and if not christianized and practising +only the outward ceremonies of Christianity, they had at least taken +the first step towards civilization. In this state of things a +circumstance had occurred, which made abortive any further opposition +of the missionaries and traders. + +A shallop, or small vessel employed by the colonists in fishing, had +picked up at sea, at a considerable distance from the land, a canoe +containing some half a dozen Indians, who were on the point of +perishing from hunger. They were Taranteens, who had probably ventured +out too far from the Main, and been caught in a storm, and swept out +by currents, until they lost all knowledge of their situation, and had +been for some days paddling about in the fogs, which prevail in those +latitudes near the coast, in a vain attempt to retrace their course to +land. The starving wretches had been taken on board the shallop, and +instead of being destroyed as they expected, had been kindly treated, +and brought in safety to Boston, where they were presented to +Winthrop. The Governor, politic as well as humane, seized the +favorable opportunity to cultivate a better understanding than had +hitherto existed between his own people and the eastern tribes. He was +completely successful in making the impression he desired upon the +rescued Taranteens; and when they took their departure, loaded with +presents, it was with a lively regret that they had not sooner become +acquainted with a people so hospitable and generous. Among their +number was an inferior chief, endowed with the gift of eloquence, +which often exists in a high degree among the red men. His eulogies of +the colonists on his return were so glowing, and his representations +were so well confirmed by his companions, that the exertions of the +Frenchmen were no longer able to stifle their curiosity to know more +of their neighbors, especially as the report of their returned +tribes-men effectually contradicted the monstrous fictions which had +been invented to deter them. Such was the origin of an embassy which +was a source of fear to the French, and of hope to the English. + +It is not surprising that Winthrop, thinking highly of the importance +of the occasion, should avail himself of all the means at hand to +produce a striking and imposing spectacle, and that he should be +seconded, to the best of their ability, by the colonists. As Arundel +walked along he could observe indications of the approaching +ceremonies. The roll of a drum, mingled with the shriek of a fife, and +the blast of a trumpet was heard; an occasional passenger either on +foot or horseback, with a musket on his shoulder, and whose face was +not to be seen daily in the streets of the town, loitered on his way; +the guard at the door of the Governor's house was doubled, more for +show than for any other purpose, and a greater number of the +assistants than usual was to be seen. Several of these gentlemen lived +in the town, but some resided on their plantations in the +neighborhood, and came to Boston only for purposes of business, or +diversion, or pleasure. Several men were also engaged in drawing a +couple of culverins to the place of audience, which was to be in the +open air. Waqua, as he walked demurely after Arundel, doubtless +noticed all that was passing, but he made no remark, nor through his +appearance of indifference was the interest which he really felt +perceptible. + +When they reached the inn, they found an unusual number of persons +there collected. Here were to be found not only the captains and +inferior officers of the vessels, who, while in harbor, were +accustomed to make this a place of resort, but divers colonists from +the country round, who, upon the requisition of the Governor, had +assembled, provided with military equipments. The heart of the +landlord, goodman Nettles, rejoiced, and his contradictory face beamed +with pleasure, as, surveying the increasing crowd, he calculated what +quantity of ale and wine and victuals they would put down their +throats, and how many pounds, shillings, and pence, into his own +pocket. On such occasions the large circle of his benevolence +comprehended all mankind--Indians as well as whites. As the two +entered the public room of the inn, they heard rising above the +confused din of voices, that of Captain Sparhawk, who seemed objecting +to the preparations. + +"If they were good Christians," he said, "the sail would fit better to +the yard. If they were even your frog-eating mounseers, with their +popery and d----d wooden shoes, ('I hope,' he added, 'a man may curse +the Pope,') I wouldn't care about touching off a culverin or two by +way of good fellowship; but as for these whopping red skins, it will +all be no better than so much powder thrown away." + +"Canst not let the Indians alone, Captain?" cried mine host. "Ahem! +for my part I believe there's many a proper man among them, though +'tis a grievous pity," he added, sighing, "that they be'nt +Christians." + +"Avast, and belay there with a double turn, goodman host," exclaimed +the Captain. "Of what use do ye think would it be to make the red +skins Christians? Keep your weather eye open, and tell us if ye don't +see breakers ahead. Hark ye! do ye think it would be so very pleasant +to have the sharks swim into heaven and go jumping and yelling round +like so many red devils as they are?" + +"But, Captain, if divine grace once entered their hearts, they would +give up all such ways, you know," sighed the host. + +"Tell that to a landsman," answered the Captain, "and not to a man who +was with Jacob Le Maire the first time when them harricanes that +dances the devil's hornpipe the whole year round Cape Horn ever had a +chance to split an English jib. (Old Jacob--the Dutch, do ye see, the +ignorant beggars, capsize it into Yacob),--old Jacob, or Yacob, as the +Mynheers spoil it, was a stout fellow, if he was a Dutchman. He was +like a grampus when he set his teeth, and a southwester couldn't blow +harder if he chose. But where away was I when I begun chase after old +Jacob Le Maire? Aye, aye, here away with Indians on the weather bow, +bearing up into heaven. What does the Scriptures say, goodman Nettles, +about an Ethiopian changing his spots?" + +But mine host was at the moment too busily engaged with new guests to +attend to questions of theology. + +"You're out o' your reckoning there, Captain," said Bill Pantry. "It +is a leopard--a sort o' wild beast, as one may say, that finds it +unhandy to get rid of his spots. They are pricked in by natur', I take +it, in a manner, with Indy ink, so that it isn't scrubbing will take +'em out." + +"And why should not an Ethiopian have a right to spots as well as a +leopard, or yourself, Bill, with a big anchor settling in the mud, on +your right arm, and the Union Jack flying on 'tother. Answer me that, +man, before you interrupt your superior officer again." + +"Why, do ye see, Captain," Bill began. + +But the impatient sailor waited for no answer to his question, for +looking round, his eyes happened to fall on Arundel, with the Indian +near him, and immediately rising, he approached them. + +"How are ye, once more, my hearty?" he inquired, extending his hand to +Arundel, while he looked at the Indian. "Is this one of the +plenipo-po-pothecaries? That's not it, but it's as much like as +children generally are to their fathers." + +"Plenipotentiaries you mean," answered the young man, with a smile. +"No, this is not a Taranteen; he is one of our own Massachusetts Bay +countrymen." + +"I thought," said the Captain, "he looked too young for such a line of +business, though he looms up as grand as a king's ship. But these +Indians, if they be heathens, have some wit as well as other folk, and +they know that older chaps are fitter for the like of this here +navigation. Howsoever, there's something that pleases me in the cut of +your dark colored friend's jib. Would it be asking too much for the +honor of an introduction?" + +"Captain Sparhawk," said Arundel, "this is my noble friend Waqua, to +whom I am under the greatest obligations." + +The Captain offered his hand to the savage, who, acquainted with this +custom of the whites, extended his own. As for what the seaman had +been saying, Waqua had but an imperfect conception of it. + +"Do ye see, Master Arundel," said the Captain, "I think there is some +difference between the red skins and the blackamoors. To be sure they +are all heathens, and for that reason not much better than so many big +monkeys; and there's a comfort in that, do ye see, because that gives +us a right to catch and make them do our disagreeable work. Anyhow, +I've read in Scripture that Ham, who was the old ringleader of the +niggars, was made black on purpose. Now, according to my notion, these +red skins are a sort o' cross betwixt Ham's and Japhet's children, who +were cousins, you know, for do ye see, though they're darkish, they +have got long hair like us white men. But come, let us sit down and +splice the main brace to better acquaintance." + +Arundel accepted the invitation to a seat, for he knew not how better +to pass the time than in watching the humors around him, but declined +participating in any potations. The Indian too, much to the surprise +of the Captain and of Arundel, refused to drink, and to the pressing +entreaties of the former only answered, + +"Waqua is not thirsty." + +"I believe," said the Captain, peevishly, "that the bad manners of +these crop ears will spoil the very heathens themselves at last. +Whoever heard of an Indian before who refused drink when he could get +it?" + +"Noble Captain," said Arundel, "be not offended at our friend, who is +not accustomed to wine, and therefore is probably afraid of the effect +upon himself; nor with me, who never could bear more than half a dozen +glasses, and have already sufficiently indulged." + +"Well, if there is anything I pray for more than for another," +exclaimed the disappointed Captain, "it is that I may never become a +milksop (saving your presence, Master Arundel)." + +"There is not much danger of that," said the young man, laughing. "But +what is the difficulty across the room?" + +A group of some dozen persons had been engaged for a considerable time +in animated conversation, the tones of which had gradually been +growing louder, until at last they could be heard above all other +noises. As the sounds increased, the general hum of conversation died +by degrees away, until the whole interest was centered in the group +above mentioned. + +"I will stand by stout Capt. Endicott," said a strongly built man in +citizen's dress, and holding a musket in his hand, "resting assured +that he does nothing without a reason, and that his conduct doth +spring from a godly zeal." + +"And I will maintain, in any proper mode," replied an officer-looking +personage, "that it was a deed insulting to his majesty, and +disgraceful to a British subject. If not treason, it is something very +like." + +"Bethink you, Colonel McMahon," said the first speaker, "that this is +not England. I trow we left her to but little purpose, if we are to +enjoy no more liberty here than there." + +"What kind of a liberty call you that, Capt. Larkham," demanded the +other, "which authorizes Endicott, or any other man, to cut out the +cross from the King's colors? Call you yourselves loyal subjects who +tolerate such an outrage?" + +"And by what authority," retorted Larkham, "was the Papistical sign +foisted into the standard of England, except by that of the scarlet +woman, whose robes are red with the blood of the saints?" + +"Methinks," said the Colonel, "that the flag which waved at Cressy and +Poitiers deserved a better fate." + +"I pray thee to take to heart and perpend," answered Larkham, with +some solemnity, "that I will yield in loyalty to no man, and that the +last drop of blood I have is at the service of my country. In this +matter a distinction is to be taken. It was not as a contemner of the +flag of England, and of the glorious memories connected therewith (he +would deserve my dagger in his heart if it were so,) that Capt. +Endicott cut out the cross, but as one who is zealous against +error--What! is it reasonable to ask us to march to battle with the +sign of Rome flaunting over our heads? Shall we do anything which may +induce the poor savages (whom, as I am told, the emissaries of Rome +are deluding, taking good care to keep out of our reach) to recognize +her errors, and admit her power?" + +"Such scruples," said the Colonel, "neither you nor I ever heard at +home. It required a foreign soil to give birth to them," and as he +uttered the word foreign, he threw an emphasis on it which offended +the other. + +"I shall entreat of your courtesy," said Larkham, slowly, "to weigh +well the words which it may be your pleasure to apply to any opinions +of mine, I will resent any imputations upon the loyalty of the colony, +or upon mine own." + +"Think not to affect me by any threats, sir," answered the Colonel, +standing up, and looking sternly at his opponent. "I say that it was +the act of a rebel, and will avouch my words against you, though the +whole colony were at your back." + +The last sentence was spoken in a defiant tone, and some mischief +might have been the consequence, had not Master Prout, who for some +time had been listening to the conversation, placed himself with his +long staff in hand, between the two, and commanded the peace. + +"I pray ye, gentlemen," he said, addressing them in a manner very +different (as becoming their quality) from the style he had adopted +toward Capt. Sparhawk, "to consider the great scandal ye occasion by +this unseemly altercation. Who is there doubts the godly zeal of Col. +McMahon, or the loyalty of Capt. Larkham, or the valor of either? +There is no cause of enmity betwixt ye, but contrariwise of peace and +good will. How sweet it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It +is like the precious oil that ran down Aaron's beard, yea, even to the +skirts of his garment. I pray ye to be reconciled one to the other." + +Master Prout was exceedingly fond of hearing himself talk, and a +shrewd man withal, he had purposely applied to each gentleman the +quality in which he was deficient, and spun out his speech with great +deliberation, in order to give time for the passion of the opponents +to subside. At its conclusion he was startled to hear a voice just +behind him exclaim, + +"Well done, Master Prout. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold +in pictures of silver." + +All turned to the voice, and there stood Endicott himself, who, in the +height of the interest excited by the controversy, had entered +unobserved, and overheard a part of the dispute. There he stood, with +his left hand caressing the tuft of hair on his chin, looking grimly +round him. + +"Capt. Larkham," he said, as soon as the commotion occasioned by his +sudden appearance abated, "I do appreciate thy well meaning love, but +hold it an unprofitable thing to engage in debates which can lead to +no useful results. What I have done, I have done, and that not in the +inconsiderate heat of youthful blood, but with the thoughtful +deliberation that becometh manhood. If there be any who impeach the +deed, they do it ignorantly, as not understanding the meaning on +bearing thereof." + +"I impeach it," cried the impetuous Colonel, "and shame it is that so +unsoldierly and disloyal an act should pass unpunished." + +Here Master Prout advanced, first looking at Endicott for approval, as +if about to arrest the audacious speaker. + +"Nay, good Master Prout, by thy leave I desire no offices of thine," +said Endicott, putting him aside. "I might, with justice, take offence +at thy language, which is harsh," he continued, addressing the +Colonel; "but I will not, seeing that it springs out of an honorable +but misguided apprehension of the matter. Is it possible that a +gentleman of Col. McMahon's intelligence, and whose spirit hath been +enlightened to see the truth, even to casting in his lot with ours, +should condemn an act which me-seems ought to command his sanction? +Had it been told me by another, I would have disbelieved what but now +mine own ears have heard." + +"I repeat," said the Colonel, "it appears to me no better than +treason." + +"If thou dost esteem me a traitor, step forward and arrest me in the +King's name. But no; surely thou dost speak hastily. For the sake of +the respect I feel for thee, I will explain the motives of my conduct. +Not from any disrespect to King Charles; not because I honor not the +flag of my country; but because I owe a higher allegiance, even to the +King of kings, cut I out the sign of Papistical idolatry; not as +designing to be deficient in any earthly duty, but as intending to +make known to the world my protest, and, as far as may be, the protest +of this godly colony against a corrupt church, which is no church; and +against all, though not calling themselves of her communion, who drink +of the cup of her abominations, desired I to remove from before our +eyes that which, whenever beheld, only reminded us of a damning +delusion and daily oppression. If this were sin, then have I sinned; +but I will abide the consequences without flinching, whether in this +world or in the world to come." + +A deep, stern murmur ran round the room, and it was evident, from the +countenances of the company and from the expressions that could now +and then be caught, that by far the greater part of them entertained +the sentiments of the audacious sectary. Such, it is highly probable, +were the sentiments of a majority of the government of the colony, +notwithstanding their disavowal, afterwards, of all sympathy, with the +act, and public censure of the bold Puritan. Not that a democratical +feeling lurked therein, as some may fancy, but for the very reasons +manfully proclaimed by Endicott--reasons, not of a political, but +entirely of a religious character. + +Endicott, a sagacious and daring politician, as well as zealous +religionist, heard the sounds and beheld the faces of those around him +with satisfaction. It pleased him publicly to vindicate his conduct, +and to test the feelings of his countrymen. + +"Thou hearest," he resumed, "those sounds and seest these faces, and +dost thou believe that all these men are also disloyal? Review thy +judgment, I pray thee, and believe that attachment to the Crown may +not be inconsistent with hatred of Papistical baubles." + +"Capt. Endicott will find it difficult, in my judgment, to satisfy the +Privy Council of the propriety of the outrage, as easily as he has +satisfied himself and these people," replied Col. McMahon. + +"Be assured," replied Endicott, "that whether here or in +England--before the Court of Assistants or the Privy Council, I will +avouch the deed, even though it should build the steps to a scaffold." + +So saying, and looking deliberately around, and with an inclination of +the body, which hardly amounted to a bow, he placed upon his head the +slouched hat he had taken off on his entrance, and left the apartment. +Upon his departure, the company became broken up again into various +groups, and began once more to busy themselves with the mugs and cans; +and Arundel, tired of the confusion, left, with Waqua, for his own +chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Alas! for them, their day is o'er, + Their fires are out from shore to shore, + No more for them the wild deer bounds-- + The plough is on their hunting grounds. + + SPRAGUE. + + +When Arundel awoke the next morning, he found that the Indian, who had +coiled himself upon the floor and there passed the night, was nowhere +to be seen. It was, indeed, no wonder, since the rays of the sun had, +for more than an hour, been striving to penetrate the oiled paper, +which served instead of window glass; and no sooner did the young man +realize the lateness of the hour than he sprang from his couch, +thinking all the while what Waqua would say to his dilatoriness. After +making a hasty toilette, he descended the stairs, and, crossing the +public room to the door, looked out upon the street. There was quite a +number of persons passing backward and forward, many of whom were +dressed in the accoutrements of soldiers, and at these he stood gazing +awhile and looking round, if perchance he might discover anything of +the Indian. But, as he did not appear, the young man turned back to +await his coming. + +Hour after hour passed away, but Waqua returned not; and Arundel began +to fear that his companion had taken some offence, either at himself, +or at what had occurred the evening previous. He ransacked his memory, +for the purpose of discovering if he had said or done anything to +which exception could be taken, or had omitted any courtesy or +attention; but he could find nothing to reproach himself with. He was +unable to believe that Waqua would steal away without formally taking +leave, on account of any slight or impertinence from another, after +the command of himself he had exhibited following the violence of +Spikeman; and, finally, tried to avoid thinking of the subject, +expecting that the truant would turn up at some time during the day, +and explain his absence. + +Meanwhile, it was understood that the expected deputation of the +Taranteens had arrived, and been received at the house of the +Governor. Armed men had been constantly coming into town; their wives +and children, in some instances, accompanying them; until the +settlement had become a scene of gay and animated confusion. The place +fixed upon for the reception of the ambassadors (there being no +building sufficiently large to contain the number present, and who +were anxious to witness the ceremony) was an elevation near the +village, commanding a view of the buildings, of the green rolling bay, +and of the ships tossing on its waves. Here, under the shade of a +patriarchal elm, spreading like an umbrella its immense and gracefully +drooping branches over a wide extent of green turf, Winthrop was to +give public audience to the dusky delegates. + +The hour for the reception had nearly arrived, when Arundel strolled +to the place appointed. He found it covered with a crowd of five or +six hundred persons, including the women and children. The number of +armed men might have been two-thirds of the whole. The women were +gossipping together, and the children amusing themselves in sports +becoming their age, while the soldiers were ranged in double files, +extending from a large chair or kind of throne placed near the body of +the tree, thus forming a lane, only by passing through which could +access be had to it. The spot where the chair was placed was covered +to some little distance around with scarlet cloth--the chair itself as +representative of majesty, with cloth of gold--and on either side +stood grimly a culverin or small cannon, capable of carrying a ball of +seventeen or eighteen pounds in weight--silent, but eloquent orators, +to convince of the ability of him who might occupy the seat to enforce +his words. Other chairs, to the number of perhaps twenty, were ranged +in a semi-circle on either side of the seat intended for Winthrop; +while against the body of the tree were leaned partisans and halberds; +and it was hung about on nails driven in for the occasion, with +shining corslets, and swords, and daggers. + +Arundel had barely time to run his eyes over the preparations, when a +salvo of cannon announced that the Governor was starting from his +house, and presently appeared the procession, preceded by martial +music. First came the musicians, whose number it must be confessed was +not very large; next followed twenty stout men bearing halberds or +staves of about five feet in length, finished off at the end with a +steel head in the shape of an axe; immediately after these marched the +Governor, attended by his Council of Assistants, all wearing swords at +their sides, and several "ministers;" after whom followed the +Taranteen embassy, consisting of about a dozen noble looking Indians +of various ages, from thirty to seventy; and the whole was closed by +two or three hundred men, completely armed with both the offensive and +defensive arms of the period. The steeple-crowned hats, the slashed +sleeves, the red stockings, russet boots, and rosettes on the shoes, +made a combination which, if it would be quaint and grotesque in our +eyes, was striking to those who witnessed it. + +As the procession came nearer, Arundel could see among those in the +immediate neighborhood of Winthrop, the Knight of the Golden Melice, +conspicuous for the richness of his habiliments, adopted either to +heighten the general effect of the ceremonial, or to increase his +authority with the Indians, over some tribes of whom it was known that +he possessed considerable influence. The Knight, indeed, well +understood how much manner and external adornment affect not only the +savage but the civilized man. A perfect master of the former, he was +uniformly courteous. No frown ever deformed his face, nor even wrinkle +ruffled its placid surface, on which was stamped the expression of a +sweet and confiding nature; and, when circumstances required, he knew +how to resort to the latter with an effect which seldom failed of +achieving its purpose. + +When the procession reached the files extending from the throne, the +soldiery composing them presented arms, and the musicians stepping on +one side, the Governor, preceded by his halbadiers, and accompanied by +the Knight, his Council, and the Indians, walked between, and seated +himself on the chair of State, while those who were with him occupied +the other seats, and the halbadiers posted themselves around. + +As Winthrop took his place, the ranks in front were further opened, +and the two culverins belched out with fire and smoke a loud and +sudden welcome. So near were the Indians to the guns, and so +unexpected to them was the discharge, that some of the younger sprung +to their feet, as if to repel an attack, dropping again into their +places with abashed looks, as their eyes met the reproving glances of +their elders. + +Arundel, at this moment, felt a hand upon his shoulder, and turning +round, beheld Waqua. He was instantly struck with the changed +appearance of the Indian. Instead of the few dashes of paint of the +day before, exactly one-half of those portions of his face and person, +which were visible, beginning at the top of the forehead, and +descending down the middle of the nose, was painted with bright +vermillion, the other half remaining of its natural color; his hair +was gathered carefully up into a knot on the top of his head, and bore +a single eagle's feather, and in addition to the light tomahawk which +he had worn before, a heavier one was hanging at his girdle. + +"Welcome, my brother, exclaimed Arundel, I did not know but that I had +lost thee. Where hast thou been, and what means the change in thy +appearance?" + +"The great white chief invited Waqua to listen to his talk with the +Taranteens, (may the wolf crunch their bones,) and Waqua is here. He +has painted himself according to the custom of his tribe. This +(touching the paint) is for my enemies, and this (in like manner +touching the unpainted portion) is for my friends." + +Arundel remembering the strong expressions of dislike towards the +Taranteens which fell from the Indian the day before, and connecting +them with his present preparation, felt some apprehension for what +might happen from his boldly uttered aversion, and determined to keep +close by him, in order to restrain him from imprudences, and to +protect him, if need should arise, from danger. He took care, +therefore, during the rest of the day, to carry Waqua with him +wherever he moved, or to follow the Indian, when the latter's +curiosity tempted him into different parts of the assemblage. + +It was seldom, if ever, that the Puritans undertook anything of +importance, either of a private or public character, without invoking +the blessing and guidance of a superior power. There was good policy +as well as piety in the practice; for by admitting the ministers into +their councils, and giving them conspicuous parts to perform therein, +the magistrates secured their good will and powerful influence with +the people; and, indeed, it may well be imagined, that this spiritual +aid in a theocratical commonwealth was a part of the system. On the +present occasion, the whole assembly rose at a signal from Winthrop, +and Mr. Eliot, afterwards known as the Indian Apostle, asked for a +blessing. The prayer was like the man himself, earnest and simple, and +listened to with a fixed attention, that indicated the religious +reverence of the hardy men who were gathered around. The Taranteens +themselves, following the example of the others, stood up and fastened +their dyes intently on the speaker, as if, though not understanding a +word he uttered, they expected to gather some meaning from the motion +of his lips. + +When the prayer was ended, Gov. Winthrop rose, and requesting Mr. +Eliot (who was sufficiently familiar with the Algonquin language to +make himself understood in it) to interpret, he commenced an oration +to the ambassadors, each sentence, as it was spoken, being translated +by Mr. Eliot. + +Confining himself to such ideas as he thought would be most +appreciable by the rude intellects of the forest children, he began by +expressing his pleasure at the visit, and at the pacific spirit which +was manifested by his red brethren. He spoke of the happiness of +himself and of his people in being able to succor the storm-tossed +Taranteens, and of their readiness to extend kindness to the whole +nation. He pointed out the reciprocal advantages which would result +from the establishment of trade between them, each parting with what +he valued less for what he desired more. He dwelt upon the vast power +of his own nation, living beyond the sea, toward the rising sun, and +riding in safety at pleasure over the mighty waves, in great canoes +with wings, some of which were in sight. He adverted to the pestilence +which had swept the land just previous to the coming of the whites, +hinting that it was the breath of the great Spirit which destroyed the +inhabitants, to make room for his more favored people. He concluded by +saying, that they were all children of the same parent, who was most +pleased at seeing them living together in harmony. + +It was impossible to judge, from the countenances or manner of the +Indians, how they were affected by the speech,--only the gutteral +"ugh," responding from time to time to the translation of Mr. Eliot. +This was designed as a sign of attention, or of approval, or the +contrary, but it was difficult to the English to determine in any case +which. In fact, like skilful diplomatists, the ambassadors preserved +their dignity, and concealed their feelings. + +When the Governor had resumed his seat, one of the oldest Indians, +after a considerable pause, rose, and stepping forward a few feet, so +as to separate himself from all around, turned his face to Winthrop, +and began a speech in return. It was pronounced with great +deliberation, and rendered into English by the interpreter, as the +orator proceeded. + +"The Taranteens," he said, "are a great nation, who having heard that +a people of the same color, but speaking a different language from +their friends the French, had taken possession of the country of the +Aberginians, had sent him and his companions, that with their own eyes +they might see, and with their own ears might hear, if what had been +told them was the truth. Besides, they desired to return thanks for +the kindness shown to their countrymen, which they would not forget. +Let this belt," said the orator, taking a piece of wampompeag from +the hands of one of his companions, and laying it on the ground, +"preserve my words. It is very pleasant," he continued, "to plant the +tree of peace. May the sapling which we shall plant to-day become a +bigger tree than the great elm under which we are assembled, and may +we, for many seasons, dance together in its shade. The Taranteens are +a great people; they have many warriors, and big canoes, and are so +strong, that when they talk of peace, it is not so much for themselves +as for the sake of others; and as my white brother hath said, hath not +the Great Spirit made all men, and doth he not love to see them +playing like children in the grass? + +"Now let my white brothers open wide their ears, for I am going to say +a thing which much concerns them and us. We have heard that our white +brothers are very fond of land, and that if we make friends with them +they will try to steal away our land. We care not if they take all the +land of the Aberginians, but they must not think to have any part of +our hunting grounds. We want them all for the game to run in. These +two black belts preserve my words. + +"But the Taranteens are a great people, and know how to defend +themselves, and if Owanux attempt to dispossess them, there will be +talk of taking scalps. These three red belts preserve my words. + +"My brothers, Owanux will recollect that if the Great Spirit was +offended with the Aberginians, and breathed a hot breath upon them and +so they died, he smiles upon the Taranteens and increases their +number, and makes sharp the points of their arrows, and directs their +tomahawks, and subdues all the tribes around unto them. These two +belts preserve my words. + +"As for trade, the Taranteens enjoy already a good trade with their +friends and allies the French; but if they have anything which their +brothers Owanux want, they will not refuse to exchange with them. This +one belt preserve my words." + +Having thus spoken, and been greeted from time to time with an +ejaculation from his companions, the old warrior resumed his seat, +amid a shower of "ughs." + +He was replied to, at the request of Winthrop, by Eliot himself, who +gladly seized the opportunity to disabuse the Indians of any +prejudices that might have tainted their minds, and to open them for +the reception of that Christianity which he had so much at heart. + +"It was on account of the wickedness of the Aberginians," he said, +"that they were swept off from the face of the land, and it was not +merely for the purpose of trade that Owanux or the English had been +sent by the Great Spirit to take their places. If the English became +wicked, they, also, would be destroyed in like manner, and so would +all who should imitate them. But the English were sent to the Indians +with a message which was not painted on bark or handed down with +pieces of wam-pom-peag, but put into a book whence it spoke always the +same words, and they were those which the Great Spirit himself had +spoken with his own voice. The message was to make them better and +happier; and, he hoped, that they would allow him, at another time, to +tell it to them. He heard with great pleasure, and so did the +Governor, how much they loved peace. The English loved peace too, and +would water the young tree they should plant that day, and fence it +round, so that no bear or other wild animal should trample upon it +while it was small. The Great Spirit said in the wise book which He +had given to the English, that He loved peace; and contained many +things, besides, which it would be useful and pleasant for the Indians +to know. The book was called Good Tidings; and he hoped that it would +rejoice the hearts of his Indian friends." + +When Eliot had ended, another Indian arose, and said: "That their +friends, the long robes, among the French, had also books, and he had +seen them; but he had never seen a book which could speak the Indian +language. He thought if the Great Spirit had a message in a book for +them, it would be in the Indian language, and that the Great Spirit +would teach the Indians how to read it. He hoped his white brothers +would not be offended if he said, that he should doubt whether the +Great Spirit had a message for them in a book, until he saw the book +itself and heard it talk Indian. That was all he had to say." + +It was then that Eliot formed the resolution, by God's grace, to +translate the Bible into the language of the Indians, a work to which +he devoted so many years of his life, and which, in connection with +his unwearied labor of love among the natives, conferred upon him the +honorable and well-merited title of "The Apostle of the Indians." + +Various speeches were made after this, on both sides, of which it is +necessary for our purpose to record only one. This was made by one of +the youngest and finest looking of the Taranteens. His roving eyes, in +wandering over the assemblage, had detected the figure of Waqua; and, +as they fell on him, they lighted up with an ominous gleam. He +directed the attention of the Indian next to him, a young man like +himself, to the discovery, who seemed in like manner disturbed. The +two fastened their eyes full on Waqua, but their gaze was returned by +him with a look as bold and stern as theirs. At the first opportunity, +the one who had first observed Waqua rose and spoke. + +"Pieskaret," he said, "is a young man, but this is not the first time +his nation has thought him worthy to speak in her councils, and the +winds have blown his name through the forests of Canada, and many days +travel along the margin of the great salt lake. When the deer and the +Aberginians hear it, they fly, though they are afar off." + +While uttering these words, he had kept his eyes fastened on the face +of Waqua, as if to watch their effect; and he paused. But the features +of Waqua remained undisturbed, and he steadily returned the fiery +glances of the speaker. + +"Pieskaret asks," resumed the Taranteen, "what have the Aberginians to +do with our treaties? Who invited one of them, or did he slink without +being whistled for between the legs of men into our midst?" + +Again the speaker paused, but yet the calm Waqua moved not from his +place, nor did he betray emotion. + +"The Aberginians," begun the Taranteen again, with a gesture of +contempt, "are cowards and dumb dogs: if spoken to, they dare not +reply, even with a whine: the Taranteens have put petticoats on them, +and there is nothing baser than themselves except their allies, the +Pequots." + +The hitherto undisturbed mien of Waqua changed at these last words, as +by magic. With a clear, steady voice, while his stature seemed to +increase, he suddenly cried out: + +"Pieskaret, if that be the name of the scolding squaw, is a liar. He +knows that when the Taranteens hear the steps of a Pequot they run +like wood-chucks to their holes. Sassacus says that they are old +women." + +Of course, the whole of these speeches was unintelligible, except to +the interpreter, to whom no opportunity was given to translate them, +and to the Indians. Great surprise, therefore, was felt as the +Taranteens all sprung to their feet at the name of Sassacus, and +attempted to push through the dense circle that surrounded them. So +solid, however, was the mass, that this was a work of some difficulty; +even although the politeness of the angry warriors had restrained them +less than it did from jostling others out of the way; and, by the time +when the foremost Indian had reached the spot where Waqua or Sassacus +had stood, the Pequot had vanished. They returned, disappointed, to +their places, snorting the name of the redoubtable warrior who had +ventured from his distant river to intrude upon a council of his +enemies, and shaking their heads with resentment. When Mr. Eliot had +explained to the Governor and Assistants the cause of the excitement, +Winthrop endeavored to appease their indignation by expressions of +regret, and protestations that he was ignorant that the famous +head-sachem of the Pequots was among them; but his words were not +attended with much effect, and it seemed that the council was about to +be broken up, when Sir Christopher asked permission to speak to the +Indians. It was granted; and to the surprise of all the Knight began, +with great fluency, to address them in their own language. The tones +of his voice were as sweet as those of a bubbling spring, and they +seemed to fall with a soothing effect upon the irritated spirits of +the sons of the forest. What he said Eliot himself could not +understand, for the Knight spoke in the peculiar dialect of the +Taranteens, which varies considerably from the Algonquin tongue before +used. For, besides the general language which received from the French +the name of Algonquin, and was nearly universally spoken all along the +border of the Atlantic and far into the interior, the various tribes +had dialects of their own, intelligible indeed to a native familiar +with the parent speech, but strange to one who, like Eliot, had only +an imperfect knowledge of it. As the Knight proceeded, those whom he +addressed became more and more quiet; and when he ended, they +signified their satisfaction at what he had said by the usual, and now +unmistakable "ugh." + +By this time, the last red rays of the setting sun were lighting up +the calm, green surface of Boston harbor, and the council shortly +broke up, to resume its sitting on the morrow. The procession was +formed again, and in the order in which they came, Winthrop, attended +by the Taranteens, was escorted to his house. As Arundel was +departing, he felt his arm grasped by some one, and turning round, he +beheld the Knight. + +"Where is Waqua?" he inquired, in a low tone. "He was standing near +thee when he spoke." + +"I know no better than thyself," answered the young man, "and would +gladly be informed. He vanished suddenly, and without warning." + +"I know thee to be his friend, and how thou becamest so. Thou hast now +an opportunity to requite him in kind." + +"Show me the way." + +"Hie thee, then, to his wigwam, for there likeliest mayest thou find +him, and warn him against peril from these Taranteens, and, it may be, +from the Governor himself." + +"Be pleased to explain more clearly, Sir Christopher." + +"Waqua is Sassacus, the great head-sachem of the Pequots, between whom +and the Eastern Indians is perpetual hostility. He has given them +deadly cause of offence, and I fear that they mean to revenge +themselves, or that he may commit another imprudent act. It were +better that Sassacus should remove himself away for the present. But I +may not stay longer talking with thee. Adieu." + +Arundel, satisfied of the friendship of the Knight to the Indian, +determined at once to follow his counsel. As, however, Sassacus had +undoubtedly sought the forest, he considered it most prudent to +retrace his steps to his lodging, to procure his gun before venturing +into its recesses, where, the prospect was, that he would have to pass +the night. This occasioned some delay, and it was not until the +twilight of the summer evening had faded, and stars were beginning to +twinkle in the sky, that he found himself on the verge of the woods. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + For thou wert monarch born. Tradition's pages + Tell not the planting of thy parent tree, + But that the forest tribes have bent for ages + To thee and to thy sires the subject knee. + + HALLECK. + + +The young man knew not whither to turn his steps, except to the hut of +Sassacus, which, however, he felt doubtful of his ability to find at +night. No better plan occurred to him than to make the attempt; he, +therefore, pressed forward, guiding himself as well as he could by the +stars, glimpses of which he caught from time to time through the +branches. He had, however, proceeded but a short distance, when, +without a warning sound, silent as a shadow, the Indian stood at his +side. + +"I sought the great chief," said Arundel, contemplating the renowned +warrior, whose name was a synonym with whatever was generous and +daring, with more curiosity than he had regarded the obscure +Waqua--"to warn him of danger." + +"Sassacus fears no danger," replied the Indian; "it is for the +Taranteens to tremble when they are in his neighborhood." + +"What will the chief do?" + +"He will return to his wigwam, but his brother must not go with him; +for the Taranteens desire to carry back with them to-night the scalp +of Sassacus." + +"Nay, I will go with thee to partake the danger, if there be any, but +I see no probability thereof. The Taranteens will not seek the scalp +of Sassacus, if he hunts not for theirs." + +"My brother knows not that they are owls who fly in the night. The +eyes of Sassacus can pierce the skin on the bosoms of his enemies, and +he saw in them men wandering in the dark, and looking for the chief of +the Pequots." + +"But how are these strangers to find the way?" + +"When did Sassacus ever make a secret of his lodge? He is not a +beaver, or a wretched wood-chuck, to burrow in the ground, but an +eagle who makes his nest on the highest trees." + +From this reply Arundel could only understand, that the place where +the hut stood was too well known to make it difficult for the Indians +to discover it. There was no knowing what their audacity, thirst for +revenge for the insult, and the opportunity to capture or destroy so +famous an enemy, might tempt them to undertake; but he trusted that +the want of a medium of communication (for only the Knight and Eliot, +among the whites, as he supposed, could make themselves intelligible; +and the Aberginians were not likely to approach the Taranteens) would +be an insuperable obstacle in the way of their purpose, should they +entertain any such as that intimated by his companion. It was evident, +however, that Sassacus expected an attack during the night, and that +so far from shunning the danger, he rather courted it; for it was +easily to be avoided, by leaving the wigwam to its fate. There would +not be much loss in that, the cabin being rudely built of bark: and +the few articles of value which it contained might, in a short time, +be removed to a place of safety. Arundel could scarcely be expected to +participate in the feelings of the wild warrior in the contemplation +of a fight with savages in the dark. Besides, he knew not by how many +they might be attacked; and the prospect of a contest betwixt himself +and Sassacus, on the one side, and half-a-dozen or more Taranteens, on +the other, may well be conceived to have had in it nothing alluring. +He would not, however, desert his friend; and, despairing of changing +the chief's resolution, he walked in silence after him, turning over +in his mind the possibilities of a night skirmish. Sassacus had, +probably, an idea of his thoughts, for presently he resumed his +attempt to dissuade Arundel from accompanying him. + +"My brother," he said, "has no quarrel with the Taranteens. They have +come to smoke the calumet with his people, and not to plunder his +villages and burn his corn fields. Why should my brother expose his +life?" + +It was partly to try the courage of the young man, perhaps, and partly +to ascertain how far he might be depended on, if there should be a +fight, that the Indian asked the question. At any rate, a suspicion of +the kind passed through Arundel's mind, and he answered: + +"My life belongs to Sassacus. It is no longer mine." + +"Sassacus gives his brother back his life. Will he not now return to +his big lodge, where he will hear no war-whoop, but only the pleasant +song of the gues-ques-kes in the morning?" + +"Cease," said Arundel. "Not if there were as many Taranteens in the +woods as there are leaves on the trees will I desert thee." + +"It is well; and my brother shall see the difference between a Pequot +and a wretched Taranteen." + +All this time they had been walking without haste in a straight line, +the Indian leading the way, and seeming to follow a particular course +by instinct; for he looked not at the stars nor at any signs, so far +as his companion could judge, to direct his steps. In this manner, +they continued to advance, not much conversation passing until they +reached the hut of Sassacus. This they entered: and, to the surprise +of Arundel, the Indian, after throwing down a few skins for seats, +began leisurely to prepare a meal. He lighted a fire outside of the +lodge, which, of course, threw a light all around, and served to guide +the steps of any wanderers, whether friends or prowling enemies; and +waiting until the wood was reduced to glowing coals, threw upon them +pieces of meat, whose pleasant odor soon pervaded the atmosphere. The +confident bearing of the Indian had, by this time, produced such an +effect upon Arundel, that he did not even ask him why he so +unnecessarily exposed the place of his retreat, but partook of the +viands from the coals, and of the parched corn, which his host +produced from the wigwam, with a hearty appetite. His entertainer +observed his execution upon the meal with marked satisfaction; and, +upon its conclusion, presented him with a pipe, and, taking one +himself, was soon under its soothing influence. Arundel, unaccustomed +to the use of tobacco, could only inspire a few whiffs, out of +compliment to the other, and then sat watching him. The fire light +shone full upon the face of the bronze statue--"the stoic of the +woods, the man without a tear"--before him, but no ferocity was +discoverable in its lineaments. It seemed impossible to suppose that +thoughts of bloodshed were passing at that moment through the mind of +the handsome youth, dreamily closing and opening his eyes, as the +clouds from the pipe floated away over his head, apparently +unconscious of danger, intending no ill to others, and not +anticipating it for himself. + +After smoking his pipe, the Indian, instead of extinguishing the fire, +threw additional wood, in considerable quantities, upon it; thereby +still further increasing the wonder of Arundel. He next invited the +guest into the wigwam, and heaping up several skins in a corner for a +couch, said, that he was about to be absent for a short time, but that +his brother might sleep meanwhile in perfect security. With these +words the Pequot departed, leaving the young man reclined upon his +bed, but not to slumber. + +Sassacus was gone, it might be an hour, and on his return he threw +himself upon the ground; and, in a short time, as was evident from his +breathing, was asleep. Arundel could not understand how any one, who +was anticipating an attack from enemies from whom he could expect no +mercy, was able to rest so calmly. Had he entrusted the keeping of his +life--for in a struggle he could expect no more quarter for himself +than for his companion--to any other one than the bold and adroit +warrior whose fame for cunning was as great as for bravery; or had the +relations betwixt himself and the savage been different, he would not +have remained in the cabin a moment longer. But he shrunk from the +betrayal of a want of confidence, and preferred even to risk life upon +the judgment of his wild friend. There lay the chief, softly +breathing, his limbs dissolved in sleep, and wearing in the subdued +light from the fire outside a placid expression, more like that of the +timid deer than of the cougar, whose nature his own resembled. As for +Arundel, so highly were his nerves wrought up, that had he ever so +much desired it, he would have been unable to sleep. Interminable +seemed the anxious hours, and, as the night waned, he became at last +almost incapable of mastering his apprehensions. But as more than once +he was on the point of waking the sachem, the thought arose that it +might look like cowardice, and he forbore. + +At last he heard a sound, which seemed to come from just by the side +of the wigwam, like the whirring noise which the night hawk makes with +its wings. Instantly Sassacus sat up on his couch, and listened. The +sound was repeated, and he rose. He looked toward Arundel, and with a +smile, inquired how he had rested. The young man, unwilling to confess +the state of his mind, answered in an evasive manner, and the Pequot, +after regarding him a moment with a pleased expression, stepped to the +entrance and cast his eyes up to the stars. After considering them he +returned, and motioning to Arundel to arise, said, with some humor, +that he was sorry to disturb his brother, but that the skunks he had +spoke about were coming, and as he knew that his brother did not like +their smell, he would ask his brother to go a little way off. Arundel, +without altogether understanding the purpose of his companion, got up, +and after examining the priming of his piece, followed his steps. + +The chief led him in a direction opposite to that from which they +came, to a distance of near a hundred rods, when their course was +arrested by the river Charles. Here he stopped, and said-- + +"My white brother will remain here, while Sassacus goes back to give +the welcome of a great chief to the Taranteens." + +Arundel now comprehended the design of the other, but it was far from +being agreeable to him. The idea of letting the Pequot fight the +battle alone was derogatory to his honor, and besides, his curiosity +was stimulated to witness the conduct of the savage, and he therefore +answered with some asperity-- + +"For what does the chief take me? Am I a deer to be frightened at the +whizzing of an arrow, or the sight of a tomahawk?" + +"Sassacus would be grieved should his brother lose his scalp." + +"No more. Where the chief is I will be. I am a warrior as well as +Sassacus," replied the young man, beginning to retrace his steps. + +"It is well," said the Indian, following after him; but when the +Pequots go to war in the night they make no noise. My brother must not +make thunder (and he touched the gun). + +"As thou wilt. I have my dagger." + +"It is enough. Sassacus is a great chief, and my brother will obey him +for one night." + +"In all things, save deserting thee." + +"Let my brother come, then," said the chief; "the arrows of the +Taranteens shall pierce my bosom before they reach his." + +The two now returned together, and upon re-entering the wigwam, +Sassacus again invited Arundel to repose, but not before he had +removed the skins on which his guest had been lying, into the back +part of the lodge, while he made his own couch near the entrance. +Determined to see the adventure, if there was to be one, to its +termination, Arundel laid himself down to wait for what should happen, +while the chief stretched himself out, with his face to the opening. +Some brands were smouldering in the ashes, and they threw an obscure +light into the wigwam. + +As they were thus lying, Arundel thought that he could hear once in a +while a faint rustling, but whence it proceeded he was unable, with +all his attention, to discover, and at last concluded it was caused by +the wind among dry leaves. + +He had now become so accustomed to this state of things, that the +anxieties which he felt in the first part of the night were gone, and +he began to fancy that the expectation of Sassacus was unfounded. The +face of the chief was turned away, so that it was impossible to +determine whether he were sleeping or not; from the manner of his +breathing, however, Arundel judged that he was awake. But suddenly the +respirations became long and deep, and he exhibited the indications of +a profound slumber. An instant afterwards Arundel, whose eyes were +constantly turned to the opening, beheld the face of an Indian peering +in. His first impulse was to cry out, but before he could make a +sound, he saw a naked arm emerge from behind some skins which hung +from the upper part of the lodge quite down to the ground, and bury a +tomahawk in the head of the intruder, who fell dead upon the spot. At +the same instant, the dreadful war-whoop rung through the air, and the +chief leaping to his feet, and accompanied by the warrior, who had +been concealed, the two sprung into the open space in front. Arundel +too, hastened after them. In the star-light no objects were clearly +discernible, but dark figures could be dimly seen, engaged in hand to +hand contests, and the cracking of dry branches under trampling feet +could be heard. These sounds were mingled with thick panting breaths, +and occasionally the fall of a body on the ground. They lasted but a +few moments, and then a silence succeeded, as deep as if no living +thing were in the forest. As the eyes of Arundel became more +accustomed to the darkness, he beheld a tall form near by, which he +recognized for that of Sassacus, and immediately approached him. + +The chief was standing near the body of a huge Indian, who was lying +prostrate on the earth. He was in the last agonies of death, and while +Arundel was looking on, the sinewy limbs quivered into immobility. Nor +had Sassacus escaped without a wound. The blood was streaming from a +gash in his side, indistinctly seen by light from the fire, but he +paid no heed to it, and the result proved it not to be dangerous. + +When the dusky warrior had breathed his last, the chief uttered a +peculiar cry, and immediately half a dozen stalwart men, several of +whom had each a fresh scalp hanging at his girdle, surrounded him. He +addressed them in their own language, and from his gestures, and the +looks of his companions, Arundel supposed that he was speaking of him. +He next pointed to the dead body, and seemed to be giving orders +concerning it. One of the Indians stooped down, and with his knife +made a motion as if to take off the scalp, but being rebuked by the +chief, he desisted, and then lent his assistance to two others in +bearing away the corpse. Arundel had the curiosity to follow. The +three bore the body to the bank of the river, where, binding it with +withes to several large limbs of trees, they thrust it into the +stream, and left it to find its way to the ocean. A few earnest words, +unintelligible to the young man, were on their return spoken by +Sassacus, who had meanwhile had a styptic applied to his wound. When +he had finished speaking, the Indians dispersed in various directions +in the depths of the dark wood, and the chief beckoning to his friend, +they entered the wigwam, and disposed themselves to sleep, which +delayed not long to close their eye-lids. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + They spake not a word, + But like dumb statues, or breathless stones, + Star'd on each other. + + SHAKSPEARE. + + +The time fixed for the audience of the ambassadors on the next day, +was in the afternoon instead of the morning, that all things might be +done with dignity, and an opportunity afforded to show them the fort +erected near the water, and the shipping, and whatever else might +impress them with the power of the whites. With this view, the Indians +had been committed to the charge of the deputy Gov. Dudley, and of Sir +Christopher Gardiner, the latter of whom acted as interpreter. The two +gentlemen accordingly employed themselves in the course of the +forenoon, in exhibiting to their red friends whatever might, in their +judgment, best subserve the object, and at the moment we meet them, +were standing on the deck of the ship commanded by Capt. Sparhawk, +which lay alongside of the wharf. Of the dozen Indians who had been at +the audience on the yesterday only seven were present, and they were +all the oldest. The whole group appeared, to a careless observer, +stolid and unmoved by what they saw; but one who watched them might +notice that they cast inquisitive, though stolen glances, on every +thing around. Moreover, upon closer examination, he might fancy an air +of uneasiness among them, as ever and anon they turned their eyes +toward the houses of the settlement, and the forest that lay beyond. + +The jolly Capt. Sparhawk was endeavoring, to the best of his +abilities, to do the honors of his vessel, quite unabashed by the +presence of either Dudley or Sir Christopher. + +"What will ye have to drink, my hearties?" he cried, slapping one of +the biggest Indians on the shoulder, who merely turned round and +stared at the questioner. "To you, gentlemen," he said, addressing +Dudley and the Knight, "I can offer some of Mounseer's, or Don +Spaniard's wine, though to my liking, your Rosa Solis is the only +drink fit for a man; and I will wager the good ship Rule Britannia +against a cock boat that these devils will say so too." + +"There is no need," said Dudley, roughly. "It were to obscure the +little intellect these savages have, with that which serves no +purpose, save to convert them into brutes." + +The Knight's reply was more courteous. + +"At another time, worthy Captain, it were a pleasure to accept thine +invitation, but bethink thee that it is early in the day." + +"It is near upon twelve," answered the Captain, looking at the sun, +"or I never squinted through a quadrant; and may it please ye, +Governor, wont ye let the red skins speak for themselves?" + +"Nay," said Dudley, "so long as they are within my charge, nothing +stronger than water shall pass their lips." + +"But," persisted the Captain, "if all I hear on shore be true, I take +it ye are trying to drive a bargain with them imps. Now, have ye never +noticed that the best time to trade with a man is when half a dozen +glasses have warmed his heart?" + +"Peace," said Dudley, "no more of this. We came to see the ship and +not to trespass on thy mistaken hospitality." + +"The lubberly milksop!" muttered the Captain betwixt his teeth. "But +what," he added aloud, "are the red skins looking at so sharp out to +sea?" + +While this conversation had been going on, the attention of the +savages had been arrested by an object floating on the water. It rose +and fell on the heaving sea, at one moment visible, and at the next +hid from view. At first it had been impossible to say what it was. It +might be a spar, or plank, or any part of a shipwrecked vessel. The +tide was coming in, and the object became more and more distinct, +until an old sailor, whose experienced eyes had also been attracted +sea-ward, exclaimed, + +"Captain, I'm a green hand, and never weathered the Cape, if there +ben't a man lashed on yon spar." + +"By St. George's cross, but I believe thou art right, Dick Spritsail," +cried the Captain. "It's some poor fellow, I warrant me, whose ship +has gone down, and who made a raft to try his luck. Johnny Shark, do +ye see, is no pleasant customer to become acquainted with, and so he +took a venture on the spar for a Christian burial, instead of making +Jonah's viage." + +"It's no Christian," replied Dick, "unless the waters in these +latitudes have the faculty to turn a man black." + +The sailor had hardly pronounced the last words, when one of the +Indians, divesting himself of the skin that covered his shoulders, +leaped from the side of the ship, and swam in the direction of the +object which had attracted their attention. It would seem that his +keen eyes, like those of the sailor, had detected the body, and that, +unable to repress his curiosity, he had taken this method to satisfy +it. Amid the loud and wondering exclamations of the white men, and the +subdued gutturals of the Indians, whose straining eyes betrayed their +interest, the swimmer, with lusty strokes, breasted the green billows +as they came rolling into the bay. When he reached the floating mass +he carefully examined it, and then raised a wail sadder than the cry +of the loon over the dark waves, when it anticipates the coming storm. +It was responded to by his companions on board the ship, in a yell of +mingled rage and grief, that was heard in all parts of the village, +and far over the water. + +"What possesses the imps now?" cried the Captain, as two more Indians, +following the example of their tribesman, plunged into the water. "I +wonder what they have found?" + +"Send a boat after them, Captain, if thou wilt do me a pleasure," said +Dudley, "It seems to be something wherein they take a great interest, +and it will be only friendly to furnish them assistance." + +"O, ho! old bear, canst growl sweetly enough an' it suits thy +purpose," said the Captain to himself. "But it shall never be said +that Jack Sparhawk was an unmannerly lubber. Halloo, half a dozen of +ye," he cried aloud, "run aft and lower the boat. Bear a hand, men; +move quick," he added, as they came running from the bow, where they +had been standing, toward the stern. "Jump in Bill," he continued, as +the keel of the yawl touched the water, "take a couple of men, pull +after them red skins, and bring 'em ashore, with whatever they have +found in the offing." + +In a very short space of time the boat was pulling away into the +harbor, and soon reached the object of the search. It turned out to be +an Indian, being no other than the warrior Pieskaret, whose corpse the +wily Sassacus had committed to the river Charles, wearing the unshorn +honors of his scalp, in order to avert suspicion from himself, and fix +it on the whites. For rightly did the sagacious chief judge that no +Taranteen could be induced to believe that an Indian would forbear to +possess himself, if he were able, of the coveted prize, especially +that of so mighty a warrior as Pieskaret. And with regard to the +Pequot in particular, he, of all, after the provocation of yesterday, +would be the last, if he had slain Pieskaret, to be supposed capable +of an act of so great self-denial. + +The sailors found the Taranteens around the raft, and pushing it +ashore, In spite of the remonstrances of the savages, which the white +men did not half understand, they unlashed the body from the boughs, +and taking it into the boat, pulled for the land, closely followed by +the swimmers. As they approached the vessel, they were ordered by +Dudley to take it to the wharf, and he and the Knight, followed by the +natives, descended the side, and advanced to the spot where the boat +was to land. Here, when they arrived, a considerable group of persons +had collected, and were examining the corpse. + +So short a time had passed since the breath left the body, that it +still looked fresh and life-like. There, extended on the sand, lay the +strong, bold man, who but a day before had boasted of his prowess, and +of the terror of his name; now a dog might insult him with impunity. A +deep wound gaped upon his breast, and the water had not washed all the +clotted blood from his head. His countenance wore a look of deadly +ferocity, and it was evident that he had died as a brave man should, +with his face to the foe. + +The Taranteens, after the first burst of feeling, looked on in gloomy +silence, and began to cast glances of distrust and apprehension +around. The scalp-lock of Pieskaret was untouched. He had fallen then +in no conflict with Indians. His companions had escaped with the body, +and launched it on the water in order to apprise them of what had +happened, and of their own danger. In low tones they addressed each +other, and drew aside for consultation. + +Meanwhile a thousand comments were made by the bystanders. A cloud +rested on the weather-beaten face of Dudley, and over the whole group, +except the Knight, whose equanimity no circumstance seemed able to +disturb. + +"I suspected mischief," said Dudley to the Knight, "when this morning, +only half the number of the savages presented themselves; and now doth +it pass my understanding how this miserable wretch lost his life." + +"It is seldom that a brawl disturbs our peaceful settlement," said Sir +Christopher, "and I have heard of none during the night. Has your +worship obtained knowledge of any such?" + +"Of none. And now will great scandal, and even infamy rest on us, by +reason of this most untoward event, I fear me that our position with +reference to these Taranteens will be worse than it was before, and +that now they will be converted from indifferent neighbors into +relentless enemies, unless we discover and deliver up to them the +murderer, and even that will hardly restore confidence." + +"Nor can we say that the man was murdered. It is hard to get a limit +to the unbridled passions of savages; and it may be that it was in +self-defence, or in the endeavor to prevent some other grievous wrong, +that whosoever killed him took his life." + +"A mystery doth enshroud the affair. Where lost the man his life, and +by whose hand, and for what cause? It could not be where they camped +in the night. We heard no disturbance, no signs of violence are to be +seen, and the other Indians would have known. If Indians killed him, +why took they not his scalp, and why set they him floating on the +water? Herein it looks like the foolish prank of drunken sailors. But +then what cause of such enmity could there be? for all was done very +quietly. And what has become of the missing Taranteens? Are they too +killed, or in the forest on their way home? Has Sassacus any hand in +this matter? Be it as it may, the bold partizan of the Pequots must be +looked after." + +"It is as thou sayest, hard to determine," answered the Knight; "but +if Indians were concerned in this most lamentable deed, strange has +been their conduct. Such truly is not the customary manner of the +natives to dispose of their enemies. Wonderful forbearance indeed, and +disregard of the traditions and superstitions of the tribes must it +require, to allow an enemy, when it can be prevented, to step upon the +happy hunting grounds, bearing the unviolated honors of his head." + +"It may be," replied Dudley, "that his foes were unable to tear away +the bloody trophy; that before they could do so his body was rescued +by his companions." + +"But how account for his being launched upon the deep? Is this an +Indian mode of disposing of friends?" + +"My mind is as perplexed as thine. I will consider the thing more +maturely hereafter. Thou knowest their heathen tongue. Step forward, +may it please thee, and try to calm their irritated spirits, assuring +them of our friendship and grief at what we cannot explain." + +Thus requested, the Knight advanced, and commenced a speech to the +savages, to which they listened in moody silence. What he said was of +course unintelligible to all except the Indians, but it appeared not +to produce a favorable impression. No sound, whether of approval or +the contrary, escaped their lips, as, surrounding the corpse of their +companion, they regarded it with ominous brows, until the Knight +concluded, when an Indian addressed him in reply. + +"How hast thou prevailed?" inquired Dudley, when the Taranteen +stopped. + +"Alas!" replied Sir Christopher, "no representations which I can make +are sufficient to soothe their exasperation or allay their +suspicions." + +"Ask them," said Dudley, "after their other companions." + +A howl of rage, and a few rapid words, were the return to the inquiry. + +"What means that?" said the Deputy Governor. + +"They say that they suppose they are following the footsteps of +Pieskaret." + +"If such be their belief, then farewell to any treaty or relations of +amity with them. They will soon turn their backs upon both our +hospitality and friendship." + +The words of the Deputy Governor were indeed prophetic, for the +Taranteens, now stooping down, raised their friends' corpse from the +ground, and bearing it in their arms, proceeded to their canoes, which +were lying at a little distance on the beach. In one of them (not +without efforts on the part of the whites to induce them to change +their determination) they deposited the body, and covering it with +skins, took their paddles into their hands and pushed from the shore. + +"They are gone," said Dudley, as they receded from view; "and many a +weeping wife and mother may rue this miserable day. Better that the +tawny heathen had remained in their trackless forests, listening to +the deluding lies of the French emissaries, than come hither as spies +upon our condition, and to take advantage of our supposed weakness." + +"Is it possible," inquired the Knight, "that thou believest not in the +sincerity of the professions of peace made by these poor savages?" + +"I trust them not," answered the suspicious Dudley. They are of the +seed of the serpent; and as well might one expect light from the +caverns of the earth, as fidelity and truth from Indians." + +"I pray thee, be not so harsh of judgment," said Sir Christopher. "I +have some knowledge of the tribes, and have observed that they are +ever mindful of favor, however studious of revenge; nor is it their +wont, without provocation, to break their word. Canst thou say that +the Taranteens have departed without seeming justification?" + +"I suspect that these savages know more of the fate of their +companions, and of the cause of the death of this Pieskaret than they +choose to disclose. The longer my mind broods over the subject, the +more am I convinced that, without fault on their part, they would not +have drawn upon themselves destruction." + +But this was a view of the case which seemed to find no favor with Sir +Christopher. With a courtly grace and insinuating address, without +contradicting the other, but rather by the recital of acts of +generosity and evidences of nobleness of spirit which had fallen under +his own observation among the Indians, he endeavored to dispose the +Deputy Governor to a milder judgment. But the prejudices of Dudley +were too deeply rooted to be removed by persuasive manners, or tales +however skilfully framed. + +The unfortunate result of the embassy was deeply regretted by the +colonists. They had looked forward to it as a means of increasing +their security, and establishing a trade from which they hoped to +derive large profits. They must now renounce both expectations. +Henceforth their cabins were to be guarded with greater vigilance than +ever, and the courted trade was to remain monopolized by the French. +Moreover, the evil would probably not end there, but distrust and +apprehension spread among the tribes; and if such a feeling were to +become universal, and a general union be the consequence, the +condition of the colony might become one of extreme danger. The +character which the whites would then sustain would be that of men +disregardful of the most sacred obligations; of wretches who, after +offering the rights hospitality, had taken advantage of the +unsuspecting confidence of their guests to murder them. It was true, +that the whole twelve ambassadors might have been destroyed, and a +part were suffered to leave; but it was feared that the +undiscriminating minds of the savages might not give proper weight to +the consideration, or might ascribe it to some policy which was the +more dreadful because so mysterious. It was seen now how great had +been the mistake in permitting Sassacus, the terrible chief of the +Pequots, the most dreaded and implacable foe of the Taranteens, to be +present at the council. Him the Taranteens had seen in apparent good +understanding with the English, and been made the subject of his +taunts in their presence. Might they not justly consider this a +strange way of courting an alliance? True, the English knew not that +Waqua was Sassacus, but would the Indians believe it? Nor had they +known, until the interpreter explained, and until it was too late to +seize the offender, what he had uttered; but would the Taranteens, +amid the excitement of feeling mourning over the loss of friends, much +regard that? + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. + + CHILDE HAROLD. + + +When Arundel awoke after that fierce night, Sassacus had already left +his couch and was preparing their breakfast. The young man stepped to +the door-way of the lodge, and looked out upon the sylvan scene. + +Nothing to remind of what had occurred was visible. A shower had +fallen at daylight, and obliterated all traces of violence. The rays +of the early sun were shining in the rain drops glistening on the +leaves or falling in showers to the ground, as the branches were +agitated by the breeze, or shaken by a bird flying from one perch to +another. No sounds other than those made by the feathered musicians, +or the rattling drops, disturbed the tranquillity of the forest. After +gazing round a few moments, while the contrast betwixt the serenity of +Nature and the passions of man forced itself on his mind, he threw +himself down by his red friend, and together they shared the morning +repast. The curiosity of Arundel induced him to inquire, what had +become of the Indians, who had rendered so timely a service the night +before. + +"The breath of Sassacus," replied the chief, "called them out of the +ground, and his breath bade them depart. My brother will forget what +he saw in the dark. It will be to him like a dream." + +Arundel understood by this, that he was desired to be silent +respecting what had happened, and indeed no caution was necessary. He, +therefore, said, in answer: + +"None shall know the exploits of Sassacus till he tells them himself." + +"If Soog-u-gest asks, my brother may tell. He and Sassacus lie under +one skin." + +Thus betrayed itself the simple vanity of the savage, who, with all +his caution, was unwilling that his prowess should remain concealed; +yet preferred its announcement from some tongue other than his own. It +was the first intimation to Arundel that the Knight and chief were +acquainted, though Sassacus had once before spoken of Sir Christopher. +But the words of the Pequot implied more, viz: that an intimacy +existed between them, and this stimulated his curiosity. The anxiety +of Sir Christopher that the Indian should be warned of the danger +which threatened him, was now explained. They were friends, but why +should the Knight conceal the fact? + +"Has my brother been long acquainted with Soog-u-gest," inquired +Arundel. + +"Ne-ka-tunch nee-zusts," (six moons), replied the Indian, holding up +six fingers. + +"Will the chief tell me what he pleases about him?" said the young +man, whose ingenuous nature revolted at any attempt by insidious +questions to extract from the savage a knowledge which he desired to +conceal. It appeared unworthy of himself, and a wrong to both his +friends. "I know little of Soog-u-gest, and would like to learn more." + +The fine, bold face of the Indian looked pleased at the frankness of +Arundel, and, it is probable, that he was more communicative than if +he had been adroitly questioned. His native subtlety might then have +taken alarm, and cunning been met by cunning. But Sassacus felt no +desire, on his own account, for concealment. The two young men had +been strongly attached to each other from the first, and on the side +of the Indian, at least, was springing up a friendship for the other, +more like that which Plato celebrates among the Greeks, or Cicero +dilates upon, than the feeling of modern times. + +"Listen, my brother," said the chief. "It is more than six moons since +Soog-u-gest came into the woods. Sassacus was laughing when he said +that six moons only had lighted the path betwixt him and Soog-u-gest, +but he is not laughing now. The white chief built his wigwam in the +woods because he loves the Indians and the sound of their language, +and Sassacus loves him for that reason, and because he has sat in the +lodge on the pleasant bank of the Pequot river, and ate venison with +Sassacus from the same fire. All Indians love to hear him tell how +great and happy they might be. He knows more of the tribes than any +other white man, and has been far toward the setting sun, even beyond +the country of the Maquas. Soog-u-gest is very wise, and his eyes +pierce far into the darkness. And now let my brother bend down his +head, so that not one of my words may be lost. Soog-u-gest has +promised to teach the Indians to become wise and powerful like the +white men. Perhaps now that my brother knows that, he will help." + +"But Governor Winthrop and the ministers will teach all that can be +taught you, and so will all the English." + +"My brother is mistaken," said Sassacus, earnestly. "Sachem Winthrop's +men are jealous of their great Manito, and do not wish to teach the +Indians how to talk with him, lest he should like us better than +themselves. Now, we want to know how to talk with the Manito who +instructed them in so many things. If they are good for Owanux, they +may be good for us too." + +"Certain am I, Sassacus," said Arundel, "nothing would delight the +noble heart of the Governor more than to have you Christians." + +"Sassacus wishes not to be a Christian. He was born an Indian, and +will live and die true to the traditions of his race. Christian is +good for Owanux, but is very bad for the red men. The beavers build +dams in the streams, while the eagle flies among the clouds. The +English are beavers, but Sassacus is an eagle." + +"But how can you attain to the knowledge of the white men, without +becoming like them?" + +"My brother must not be angry when Sassacus says, that is a pappoose +question. See! I can teach my brother to make bows and shoot arrows. +Can he not instruct Sassacus how to make guns, and the little black +seeds which cause the lightning?" + +"That is not so easy as thou thinkest. I know not myself how to make +guns, and the powder which thou callest seeds." + +"Toh!" replied the Indian, shaking his head, "my brother is afraid +Sassacus might hurt himself with the lightning." + +"Why should the chief doubt my word? I tell thee that only certain men +among us make guns. They are all brought from a great island beyond +the sea." + +"The English are very cunning. They make them in secret, so that the +Indians may not learn." + +"It grieves me that my friend thinks I speak to him with two tongues. +But I will not be offended. Are we not brothers?" + +"When my brother loves Sassacus more he will tell him all about these +things, and they will then have one head and one heart." + +"They both belong to Sassacus now. But what does he intend to do? Will +he return with me to Boston?" + +"Let my brother go to Shawmut, and if there is any danger he will let +me know, Sassacus will remain." + +"You judge rightly. There were peril in showing thyself there now. But +how shall I find thee again?" + +"When my brother journeys in the forest, and would see Sassacus, let +him make a noise like the Gues-ques-kes-cha, and Sassacus, or one of +his sanops will find him." He whistled the peculiar note of the bird, +(the robin,) and smiled at the awkward imitation of Arundel. + +"Good for Indian. My sanops, when they hear, will know who is the +Gues-ques-kes-cha." + +Thus parted the two friends. As Arundel pursued his lonely way, he +kept running over in his mind the events of the day before, and of the +past night. He admired the sagacity and courage of the Pequot Sachem, +who, assisted either by his own men, or friendly Aberginians, had been +able to take a bloody revenge for the attempt on his life. But no +satisfactory reason occurred to him why the body of Pieskaret should +have been fastened to the raft. It seemed a wanton act of bravado, +which he could not reconcile with the known qualities of Sassacus. +Concealment and not exposure, he thought, should have been the policy, +but on the contrary, the very course had been adopted most likely to +lead to discovery. Why again, he thought, is the chief of a distant +tribe lurking in these woods? He surely can cherish no evil design +against the colony, for there is no misunderstanding betwixt the +English and the Pequots. + +His thoughts then dwelt upon the Knight, and upon his connection with +the savage. Who was this man, who, in the flower of his age, and with +all the accomplishments of a gentleman, chose to retire from the +world, and with his sad companion, immure himself in the woods? He was +no sour anchorite, who regarded with displeasure the innocent +enjoyments of life, nor did he appear to be an unprincipled +adventurer, who had fled from restraint in the old world, in order to +give license to his passions in the new. He was evidently a man of +consideration in the colony. He was treated with attention by all, +courted by the whites, and held in high estimation by the Indians. +That such a man as Sir Christopher Gardiner should adopt that wild +life of seclusion, did not indeed strike the mind of Arundel with the +degree of surprise wherewith our own are affected, for it was a time +of adventure and romance; the poetry of life was not bound up +principally in books, but was acted out in deeds; and the occurrence +of daily wonders, while it destroyed their singularity, abated +curiosity on their account. Hence men expressed no astonishment at the +course of life of the Knight; hence, when Arundel became acquainted +with him, he felt none, and it was only upon more intimate +acquaintance--after Sir Christopher began to take an interest in him; +after he had noted the influence exercised by the Knight over the +ambassadors; and after he had discovered, as he supposed, a community +of aims betwixt the Knight and Sassacus, that his curiosity awoke. To +judge from the communication of the Indian chief, it would seem as if +the Knight were a sort of missionary among the natives, to teach them +the arts and practices of civilized life; but nothing that Arundel +himself had noticed, justified any such suspicion. All he knew of Sir +Christopher was, that he was passionately fond of the chase, which +frequently led him deep into the forest, and had been known in some +instances to detain him several days away from home. + +As for the pale lady who, always clothed in black, appeared to be +devoured by some secret sorrow, and whom the Knight called his cousin, +it did not seem at all strange that she should love retirement, to +indulge the sad luxury of grief. A bruised heart loves darkness and +silence. + +The conclusion to which Arundel came was, that it was partly affection +for his fair cousin, and partly a love of adventure, which had brought +Sir Christopher for a season to America, and that his kindness to the +Indians, and familiarity with them, had induced Sassacus, and perhaps +others, to indulge hopes as wild and improbable of execution, as their +ignorance was boundless. Pursuing these meditations, he proceeded on +to the settlement, and arrived at the wharf, whither he was attracted +by the little crowd a short time after the departure of the +Taranteens, who were still in sight. + +It was at the moment when the Knight was about to part from the deputy +Governor, that the young man came up. He remarked the disturbed +countenance of the latter; but that of the former, whatever he felt, +betrayed no emotion. + +"Young sir," said Dudley, "I have not seen thee for a long time. How +continues Master Arundel to like the new world?" + +"Indifferently well," replied Arundel. "Of every land, new or old, +something favorable may be said." + +"I observe thou dost hanker after the flesh pots of Egypt, and art +lean in the midst of abundance. It is because thou lackest those views +of truth, and that sustaining faith which can make all trials welcome +for their sake." + +"Methinks," said the Knight, with a smile, "that the fair rosy cheeks, +and rounded limbs of our young friend, indicate no want of the +reasonable comforts of life." + +"I doubt not," said the rough Dudley, without heeding the observation, +"that to them who come hither through an idle curiosity, or for wanton +pastime, or for purposes still more unworthy, this fair land possesses +only temporary attractions; but for those who, with faith in the +promises, have cast in their lot with the people of God, it is the +land of promise. Here from altars unpolluted by the abominations of +Rome, and free from the besotted mimicry of the Church of England, so +called, shall ascend hosannas from the Church and the armies of +Israel. Here, into the congregation, shall enter nothing that telleth +a lie, or causeth to offend." + +He bowed formally, and involuntarily grasping with his left hand the +sword that hung at his side, departed. + +"Rude, unjust, fanatical, I had almost said blasphemous," exclaimed +the Knight, looking after him. "Ungracious Dudley! success crown all +thy plans, whereon the true church shall indeed set her seal, and +confounded be the devices of her enemies." + +"Softly," with no heightened color, with no elevation of the voice, +with eyes turned up to heaven as if he were uttering a benediction, +spoke Sir Christopher. "And now, Master Arundel," he inquired, taking +the young man's arm, "hast found Sassacus?" + +Arundel did not hesitate, after the permission given by the Indian, +which rightly seemed more like a request, to acquaint his friend with +the adventures of the night. Sir Christopher listened attentively, +making no comment till the narrative was concluded. He then said: + +"The mystery of the morning is explained." And now, in his turn, he +related the discovery of the dead body and the indignation of the +Indians, and pointed to their canoes fading in the distance. + +"The circumstances," he added, "in which we have obtained knowledge of +the secret locks it per force in our breasts; and, besides, Sassacus +is faultless, having only protected thy life and saved his own, which +is an additional reason. But, aside from these considerations, I see +not how the disclosure could be attended with any advantage. The chief +hath not shown himself hostile, or done aught to make himself amenable +to our jurisdiction. Were the story to get wind, it could only excite +more the revengeful feeling of the Taranteens and the ill-will of +malignant spirits among us, who, through the Pequot, have been +disappointed in expectations of trade." + +There was no difference of opinion between the two, and it was +understood that they should be silent on the subject. + +"Master Spikeman," said the Knight, addressing the Assistant who now +met them, "it is a pity we had not the benefit of thy prudent counsels +in a matter that hath just happened; yet do I trust that our conduct +will be approved by thy better judgment." + +"Sir Christopher Gardiner stands in no need of the sanction of my poor +opinion for anything it may please him to do," answered Spikeman. "But +resolve me your riddle." + +"Know you not that the ambassadors have left in anger?" + +"I know it, and the knowledge fills me with foreboding sorrow." + +"Whether we should have detained or allowed them to depart in their +present frame of mind, is the question which I would submit to thy +decision?" + +"I presume not to arraign any conclusion, whereunto either the +worshipful deputy or Sir Christopher Gardiner may arrive. Doubtless, +they acted after grave consideration." + +"Yet, being asked, tell me, with thy usual candor, Master Spikeman, +what you yourself would have done in like circumstances?" + +The Assistant saw the snare, and determined that the Knight should +derive no advantage from the question. He perceived that the object +was to estop, by his admissions, any objections to the course pursued +in permitting the Taranteens to leave, which he might afterwards be +disposed to make. He, therefore, replied: + +"Never be it said that I officiously obtruded an opinion; but, Sir +Christopher, thus urged, I confess that it had better pleased me had +the savages been detained. Opportunity might then have been afforded +to disabuse their ignorance and convince them of our innocence." + +"I will not say thou art in the wrong, but if the excellent Dudley +erred, it is a strange departure from his ordinary admirable +judgment." + +"I pray thee to understand that I impugn not the action of the +judicious Deputy Governor; but wherefore gave you not--you who are so +well acquainted with the nature of these heathens--advice to stop them +for the present?" + +"And how know you I gave it not? But truly, Master Spikeman, I did +not. I trust I am not forward to speak before princes. For what saith +Holy Scripture: 'Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted +wise; and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of +understanding.' Yet had I seen any imminent danger from allowing the +departure of the savages, believe me I had spoken, even at the risk of +incurring the dishonor to see my counsel rejected." + +"It is evident, Sir Christopher, that you have grave doubts on the +subject. Now, methinks, it had been well to remember (casting aside, +as an inconvenient garment, these scruples) what the wise king of +Israel also said, in another place: 'Where no counsel is, the people +fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.'" + +"It pains me," answered the Knight, whose courtesy increased with the +other's coldness, "not to obtain thine approval. But, Master Spikeman, +now that we are alone, (for Arundel, at the very beginning of the +conversation, without greeting, or in any wise noticing, the +Assistant, had passed on and was out of sight), I avail myself of the +good chance to avow my anxious desire to secure thy friendship." + +"If such truly be the wish of Sir Christopher Gardiner," returned the +Assistant, "it is a thing easy to be compassed." + +The countenance of the Knight lighted up, as he replied, "I rejoice +greatly at thy words." + +"But," continued Spikeman, "I am a man of deeds and not of words. I +will be plain with you, Sir Christopher, and show you that it is no +fault of mine that I have been unable (however much desiring it) to +look upon you as a well wisher of mine, but your own. Have you not +interfered in favor of, and harbored, that Philip Joy, convicted of +contumelious language against the magistrates and elders, and whom, I +have reason to believe, is specially evil-disposed toward myself; and +are you not now in open familiarity with, and a supporter of this +young man, who but just now parted from you; who deigned not, even by +a look, to notice me; and whose business here seems to be to scatter +reports intended to work detriment to my character? It is conduct like +this which hath separated us one from the other." + +"Master Spikeman," said the Knight, deprecatingly, "the relation +wherein I stand to Philip is of public notoriety, and, therefore, +cannot be unknown to you; and, meseems, is sufficient to excuse the +slight favor I show him. Yet, herein will I approve myself loyal unto +my regard for thee. I believe thou errest in ascribing an evil intent +on the part of Philip, but if he cherish any such, I will take order +with him, which shall redound to thy satisfaction. As for this Master +Arundel, thou layest more stress upon a casual acquaintance with him +than it deserves. I countenance him not. I attach no more consequence +to what he may say than belongs to the prattle of a beardless boy. +Wouldst have me rude to one who enlivens my solitude, being fresh with +news from the old world, and who visits me only through a like love +with myself of sylvan sports?" + +"I presume not to dictate to Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Spikeman, +coldly, "who shall be his associates, or what course in any respect he +shall pursue. You will remember that your exculpation (such as it is) +was volunteered by yourself." + +The eyes of the Knight fell to the ground at this ungracious reply, so +that his resentment, if he felt any, was hid under their drooping +lids. A faint suffusion passed over his face, but after the pause of a +moment, he extended his hand with a smile, while he said: + +"I will find means to dissipate this delusive cloud that interposes +itself betwixt us. Meanwhile, accept my hand, in token that, however +changed thyself, I remain the same." + +It was impossible to refuse to take the hand so offered, but it was +with no cordial grasp the Assistant received it: and the two parted +with feelings of aversion to one another, strengthened by the +interview. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + And, Douglass, more I tell thee here, + Even in thy pitch of pride,-- + Here, in thy hold, thy vassals near, + * * * * + I tell thee thou'rt defied. + + MARMION. + + +Three weeks followed after the events recorded, without the occurrence +of anything deserving special mention. The life of the colonists went +on as usual, in erecting new tenements, in cultivating their farms, +and in such other occupations as their situation made necessary. But +little was seen of the Knight in the settlement, it being understood +that he was amusing himself as usual in the sports of the forest. He +did occasionally, however, make his appearance in the village, in the +prosperity of which he manifested an interest. Notwithstanding the +slighting manner in which he had spoken of Arundel, and the +displeasure of Spikeman at the favor which he showed the young man, +his conduct toward him remained unchanged. As before, Arundel was +frequently at Sir Christopher's place, and often accompanied him on +short expeditions, though never on distant excursions, which required +several days. + +The interest of the young man in the Knight increased daily. Sir +Christopher's manners were so gracious, his temper so sweet and +equable, and the sentiments he expressed so noble, that it was +impossible an ingenuous youth should escape their fascination. Yet did +Arundei fancy that the attachment which he felt was hardly returned. +It might be a mere fancy springing from a jealous sensitiveness, which +is disappointed if it be not paid in the full measure of its own coin. +Perhaps the inexperienced youth was unreasonable in expecting from his +senior, schooled to greater caution by intercourse with the world, the +demonstrativeness which characterized his own conduct. Be it as it +may, upon more acquaintance, the Knight seemed to his young friend to +resemble nothing so much as a polished rapier, which, while it shines +to the eye, is cold to the touch. Of the pale lady Geraldine he saw +little. He had noticed accidentally a circumstance in reference to +her, for which he was unable to account. Having arrived late one +afternoon at the residence of the Knight, he found, upon inquiring +after him, that he had been absent several days, and was not expected +to return for two or three more. Arundel then asked to see the lady, +but was answered that she was confined sick to her room and unable to +receive any one. Late as it was, for the sun was setting, he was +preparing to return to the settlement, when he heard sounding from the +edge of the forest the Knight's hunting horn. He stepped to the outer +door, and beheld Sir Christopher advancing with the lady. + +The former was habited in his usual hunting gear, while the dress of +the lady Geraldine consisted of an over-coat of dark cloth, falling +just below the knee, fitting tightly about the chest, and rising high +into the neck. On her feet were moccasins, of the natural russet shade +of the leather, laced up the calf of the leg, so that they nearly +reached the skirt, and on her head she wore a black leather cap, +ornamented with an ostrich's feather, beneath the protection of which +her hair fell down in plaits upon her back. The dress was a mixture of +the civilized and of the savage, and as she approached, with a little +color in her cheeks, occasioned by the exercise, Arundel thought that +she looked even beautiful. Her manner appeared to him to betray +confusion, but there was no embarrassment on the part of the Knight. +He welcomed his visitor with his customary politeness, merely +inquiring how long it was since he had arrived, adding, that his +cousin had been persuaded to accompany him on a hunting expedition, +for the sake of her health, which would account for the disorder of +his house. The two were accompanied by several natives, among whom was +the little girl; but their hunt it would seem had been unsuccessful, +for they had not much game. A falsehood had been told by the domestic, +evidently to conceal the absence of the lady, which Arundel could +explain only on the supposition that it was designed to mislead others +and not himself, and was said to him only because the servant was +unable to discriminate. + +In spite of the vigilance of Spikeman, Arundel, aided by the cunning +of Prudence, and the connivance of the Assistant's wife, had two or +three times seen Eveline; and the lovers, with protestations of +eternal fidelity, encouraged each other to look forward to happier +days. Philip Joy too, though in disobedience to the orders of the +Knight, who had strictly commanded him not to put foot upon the soil +under the jurisdiction of Winthrop, continued to keep up a +communication with his mistress. Pretty Prudence, like a beleaguered +city hard bested, kept the enemy Spikeman at bay; nor did he, with all +his parallels and circumvallations, make any progress. Not so, +however, thought the Assistant, (for what man cannot the cunning of a +coquette deceive?) who every once in a while fancied the fortress was +about to capitulate. Whenever he began to despair, a few sweet smiles, +or a word of encouragement, were sufficient to re-kindle hope; for +though the girl hated him, she yet took a mischievous pleasure in +practising her caprices on him, and keeping him dangling at her apron +strings. + +Such was the state of things, when one morning a canoe was seen +entering the harbor of Boston, containing a couple of Indians. They +paddled directly up to the wharf, where several persons were standing, +looking on, while others were engaged in various employments connected +with commerce, and sedately stepping on shore, one of them hauled the +canoe upon the beach, beyond the rising of the tide. This being done, +they advanced in the direction of the group of white men. The one who +was evidently the leader, as well from his walking first, (the other +stepping in his track,) as well as from the superior richness of his +dress, which was the skin of a moose loosely disposed over his +shoulders as a robe, and that of a deer divested of its hair, +beautifully tanned, and painted in bright colors, for a breech cloth, +with the feathers of some bird in his scalp lock; while the garments +of his follower were merely deer skins dressed with the hair; +pronounced, as soon as they came within about a rod of the white men, +the single word "Taranteen," and then both stopped. So similar were +the dress and general appearance of the Indian tribes to one another, +that the eye alone would have been insufficient to detect a +difference; but the utterance of the word indicated at once to which +one the new comers belonged, and their desire to have it immediately +understood. Various questions were now asked by the curious, who +thronged around the savages, but no answer was returned save the word +Taranteen, and some words that sounded like an attempt at French. + +The gallant Captain Sparhawk, who, to judge from the part he took in +the conversation, and the emphasis wherewith he expressed his +opinions, was the principal personage present, having exhausted his +stock of Spanish, and German, and French phrases which he had picked +up in his trading voyages, as well as sundry uncouth sounds it was his +pleasure to call Indian, in a vain attempt to make himself understood, +at last decided that the only proper course was to take them before +the Governor. At the mention of Winthrop's name, the Indian's face was +lighted up with a look of intelligence, and he made a motion With his +head as though he knew for whom it was intended. + +"Do ye see now, my hearties," cried the gratified Captain, "the +ignorant beggar understands me after all. I mistrusted, from the +beginning, that he was only playing 'possum, as they say down in +Virginny. For look ye, ye lubbers, it would be strange if a man who +has been buen' camarada with the Spaniard, and guter Gesell with the +Dutchman, and parleywood with Mounseer, and made the weight of his +ship in gold for his owners, out of these here salvages, shouldn't be +able to speak their gibberish. It's not so hard after all, do ye see, +when one gets the weather guage of it. But here, some o' ye, gallivant +the red skins up to the Governor, (a good enough fellow in his way, I +dare say, if he were not so d----d hard on drinking healths,) with my +compliments, with the compliments of Capt. Sparhawk, (do ye hear?) and +let him know how they drifted ashore. And hark ye, if he should be +inclined to a little agreeable conversation with the tanned hides, +just let him send me an invitation, and I shall be happy to officiate +as interpreter. Heave ahead, Bill Pantry, and take command of the +squad. You've been long enough under my command to know how to do the +honors in a gentlemanly way." + +Accordingly Bill Pantry, in obedience to the Orders of his Captain, +which seemed to the bystanders the most sensible suggestion, took +possession of the Indians, and escorted them to the Governor's house. + +It so happened, by an accident, that the invaluable services of Capt. +Sparhawk, as a linguist, were not needed on the occasion, for upon the +strangers being announced by one of the soldiers on guard at the door, +the Knight of the Golden Melice was found to be with Winthrop. + +As the Indians entered the room, Winthrop rose, and with great +urbanity, offered his hand to him who appeared to be the principal. To +his astonishment, however, the Taranteen extended not his own. + +"How is this?" exclaimed Winthrop. "Is this intentional discourtesy, +or are ye ignorant of the customs of the English?" + +Hereupon the principal Indian uttered a sentence or two, +unintelligible to Winthrop. + +"Thou dost understand the language of the Taranteens, Sir +Christopher," he said. "May it please you, who are so happily here, to +explain his meaning?" + +"He says," replied the Knight, "that he has been sent as a messenger +by his nation, and that he hopes you will respect his character." + +"Surely," said Winthrop. "How could he imagine the contrary? Who can +impeach our faith?" + +"You forget," said the Knight, "what suspicions must have been +engendered by the unhappy termination of the late embassy." + +"It will be difficult to persuade me," said Winthrop, "that it was +other than a broil, wherein our people had no part. I cannot be +deceived," continued he, waving his hand, observing that Sir +Christopher was about to reply, "by the cunning stratagem resorted to, +for the purpose of averting suspicion. But a truce with this. Say to +him he is as safe as his child, if he has one, in his wigwam. What +says he now?" he inquired, after the Knight had interpreted his words, +and the Indian replied. + +"He asks where are the four companions of Pieskaret." + +"Tell him I know not, but suppose they have either returned to their +homes, or been destroyed by hostile Indians." + +When this was explained, the stately savage sadly smiled, and shook +his head. He then spoke again. + +"He says," answered the Knight, to the look of Winthrop, "that it is +not the custom of Taranteen ambassadors to run away, and that they +know how to protect themselves from the Aberginians." + +"I protest," said Winthrop, "that, however different my own opinion, I +do half believe that these blinded savages in fact imagine their +tribes-men were murdered by the whites. To be deplored is it that such +an opinion should get footing among them, staining as it doth our good +name and pregnant with many possible evils. Assure him, Sir +Christopher, of my grief at what has happened; of my sincere desire to +discover how Pieskaret lost his life; of what has become of his +missing people; and of my readiness, if it can be shown that an +Englishman has in anywise connection therewith, to render to the +Taranteens perfect satisfaction." + +The Indian listened to all this with the deepest attention as it was +explained to him, and then replied: + +"Pieskaret is gone, and his kindred will see him no more The eyes of +his wife are swollen with weeping, and his children, like little birds +in the nest, open their mouths for food; but Pieskaret comes not to +fill them. His feet were like those of a deer, and his voice like the +shouting of the great salt lake on the rocks. Woe is me, for I shall +see my brother no more. But he is glad on the happy hunting grounds of +brave warriors. It is well with him: we know where he is, but we know +not where are our brothers who were with Pieskaret. We know that the +English love slaves, and we fear that they have made slaves of our +brothers. We will turn away our eyes from the widow of Pieskaret and +his little children, and will stop our ears so that we cannot hear +their crying, and forget the fate of Pieskaret, if the white chief +will return our brothers." + +"Alas! unhappy that I am," said Winthrop, "that this new suspicion +should fill the minds of the savages. Assure him, upon my faith as a +Christian--upon my honor as a gentleman--make the asseveration as +solemn as thou canst--that he suspects us falsely." + +But the grave chief abandoned not the idea. With eyes searching the +countenance of the Governor, he said: + +"The Taranteens will give many belts of wampompeag and will heap up +their canoes with skins for Owanux, as a ransom for their tribes-men." + +"Tell him," said Winthrop, "that, overlooking the insult of doubting +my word, if they were to give me belts of wampompeag extending from +here to the sun, and skins to cover the ground from Shawmut to his +country, I could not restore his tribes-men, for I know nought of +them." + +"When my brothers came to visit the white chief, they placed +themselves in his keeping and feared not the darkness, for they knew +that he was very powerful. They slept like a pappoose on its mother's +bosom." + +"I understand," replied Winthrop, "thou wouldst make me responsible in +particular for the misfortune of thy friends; but my conscience +reproaches me not If they are dead, it is probably in consequence of +their own default; and, I repeat, I believe not that an Englishman had +a hand in their destruction." + +Here the Taranteen, who acted as spokesman, turning to his companion, +uttered a sentence; whereupon the other, feeling in the folds of his +deer skin robe, produced a pipe, the bowl of which was made of a +reddish clay, into which was inserted, for a stem, a reed beautifully +ornamented with black and white shells, and bright colored feathers of +various birds. This the orator received from the hands of his +follower, and again addressed the Governor: + +"The Taranteens are a great nation, and they love peace. It pleases +them to see the smoke as it ascends from the calumet. It is more +beautiful to their eyes than the white summer clouds which protect +them from the heat of the sun. They would be glad to smoke with +Owanux, but they cannot do it now, because should they attempt it, the +blood of Pieskaret would put out the fire and the groans of his four +brothers would agitate us so that the pipe would fall from our hands. +I want the white chief to strengthen our hands, so that we can hold +the calumet firmly, and perhaps that will satisfy Pieskaret too." + +"I understand him," said Winthrop, after the Knight had interpreted, +"but let him proceed." + +"If the white chief will deliver to us the murderers of Pieskaret, and +release our brothers from slavery," said the Taranteen, slowly and +impressively, "it is well, and we will smoke with Owanux and forget +what has happened; but if he will not,"--and here his voice sounded +like the growl of a bear, as, putting his hand into his bosom, he took +out a small package and handed it to Winthrop,--"we speak to the +white chief thus:" + +The Governor received the package, and saw that it consisted of a +tomahawk in the centre, around which were placed several small arrows +tipped with a red dye, and tied together with the stuffed skin of a +rattle-snake, the rattles of which sounded as he took the ominous +present into his hand. He waited composedly until the Knight had +explained the words, though he comprehended at once the meaning of the +savage, and then answered: + +"If the Taranteens are a great nation, they are a nation of fools, +else why do they not listen to my words? I tell thee a white English +chief cannot lie; the Great Spirit will not permit a Christian chief +to lie. In vain have I asserted our innocence in this matter; in vain +have I expressed sorrow, and humiliated myself to thy reproaches. But +the English know how to treat those who, faithless themselves, believe +not in the faith of others. Behold!" + +Winthrop drew his rapier, and cut the snake skin so that the tomahawk +and arrows fell apart. Placing the skin upon a table, he next took up +the arrows, and, breaking several at a time, let the pieces drop at +his feet. Then seizing the tomahawk, he dashed it with such violence +on the hearth of the fire-place, that the handle flew off and the +stone head was broken. Lastly, taking down from a nail in the wall +whereon they hung, a powder-horn and pouch of bullets, he filled the +skin with powder and ball, and held it out to the Taranteen. + +"Return now to thy people," he said, looking at the Indian with a +stern aspect, "and tell them what thou hast seen and heard. Tell them +that, though the English love peace, they fear not war. Tell them that +we have never wronged the Taranteens by word or deed, nor is it our +intention now to punish them for their injurious suspicions. But tell +them, also that, as I have broken their arrows and dashed their +war-axe, in pieces, so will I serve them, if the north-wind brings to +my ears a whisper of evil designs from them. And as I have stuffed the +snake skin with powder and ball, so will I fill their bodies with the +same. Return." + +As Winthrop uttered these words with a firm voice and imposing +manner--words so explained by his actions that they needed no +interpretation--he was confronted by the Taranteen with a dignity +equal to his own. The demeanor of the savage was as calm as if he were +smoking a pipe in his wigwam. He quietly followed every motion with +his eyes, listened with all attention, as if he understood what was +said, and, when Winthrop had concluded, took the loaded skin and +handed it to his follower. The inferior Indian shrunk as he received +the portentous powder and shot in their strange envelope, but whatever +apprehensions he felt, he succeeded in conquering them, taking care +however to hold the missive at a little distance from his person. + +"Tender now our hospitality," said Winthrop to the Knight, "so long as +they remain among us." + +"But the Taranteens showed no disposition to accept the offer. +Something was growled by the principal one, which Sir Christopher +interpreted to intimate a desire to depart. + +"Be it so," replied Winthrop. "Moulton," he added, calling a soldier, +"take with you Gamlyn, and escort these savages with all civility to +their canoes. And should they desire anything to promote the comfort +of their return, let it be furnished and placed to my account." + +The orders of the Governor were explained to the Indians by the +Knight, and they left the room in the care of the soldiers. + +"Sir Christopher," said Winthrop, on their departure, "this is a +miserable coil. Now will these misguided savages, instigated I doubt +not by the emissaries of Rome, soon be yelling upon our borders, and +seeking to imbrue their hands in our blood. Were we dealing only with +the natives, there might be some hope of soothing their ferocity and +averting an outbreak of their insane rage; but nothing can be done +with the Jesuit--more subtle than the serpent, more fell than the +Hyrcanian tiger." + +"Have the disciples of Loyola penetrated to this fierce tribe?" +inquired Sir Christopher. + +"Art thou ignorant that the cunning father Le Jeune, the daring +Brebeuf, and I know not what instigators of mischief besides, are said +to be among them? Pity is it truly that so much learning and so great +zeal should be expended in so bad a cause." + +"It was known before I left England that these men had made some +little progress among the natives in Southern America, where gold and +silver abound; but who would have looked for them in these colder and +comparatively inhospitable regions? May there not be some error in +this matter, and our fears of the dreaded Order have converted +interested and malignant traders into members of the so-styled Company +of Jesus?" + +"It may be so, for our information is not so accurate as I wish; but +this we do know, that a strange activity hath of late manifested +itself in the movements of these foul conspirators, against +uncorrupted Christianity the world over; and only a short time since +was it that godly Mr. Eliot discovered, on the neck of a squaw, one of +their brass idols made into the image of the Crucified, which, in +righteous indignation, he took away from the woman. Deluded and +deluding, alas, if they have found their way into this land!" + +"It is not necessary to suppose the presence of any member of the +Company of Jesus, in order to account for the image on the neck of the +Indian woman. The French traders are Catholics, and one of them might +have given it to her." + +"True; yet doth my jealous mind connect these men with every +perversion and corruption of Gospel truth. They are at this moment as +well the plotting mind as the executing arm of the rotten Church of +Rome. The spirit of Loyola would seem lately to have left Hades, to +animate his followers upon earth. Be sure, Sir Christopher, that where +error and mischief are, there is the Jesuit." + +"It is ever a consolation," said the Knight, devoutly, "and in +especial in these troublous times, that the Founder of the Church hath +promised to be with her to the end of the world, and that the gates of +hell shall not prevail against her." + +"If they have stolen among the innocent natives to intercept that +knowledge of divine truth which it is our purpose to impart, we will, +by God's grace, defeat their designs and bring to naught their +inventions. In this Christian work it may be my desire to engage your +services, Sir Christopher." + +"It needs not that I should make protestations of zeal, or offers of +my poor self; yet do my feelings prompt me to say that my badge 'the +honey-bee,' is not more diligent in collecting his precious store than +I will be in such a cause." + +"Then expect to have thy zeal and courage put to the test. Should I +request thee to visit the Taranteens in their own country, what would +be thy reply?" + +The Knight paused, as if the question was of importance sufficient to +require consideration, so long, indeed, that Winthrop thought it +proper to resume. + +"I know," he said, "that it is a service not unattended with danger; +yet did danger never frighten a noble soul, but doth ever act as an +incentive. There is no one save thyself well acquainted with the +tongue of these savages, (Mr. Eliot's knowledge thereof, I observe, is +imperfect, and he is in other respects but poorly qualified for the +enterprise), and who would be able to make the impression upon them +and obtain the information which I desire." + +"Disclose more perfectly your wishes, right worshipful sir," said Sir +Christopher. + +"I call thee to a danger which, possessed I thy marvellous skill in +languages, I myself would meet. I will unbosom myself. The thought of +a conflict with the Taranteens distresses me. It can result only in +ruin to them and injury to the budding prospects of our colony. Our +interest is peace. We want trade with the natives. We want their +confidence. Without the latter there can be no trade, neither can we +counteract the plots of our enemies, nor find opportunity to introduce +the Gospel among them. The mysterious calamity which befel the embassy +hath sadly shaken my expectations; but I am unwilling to abandon the +field. What means are in my power I will apply to restore a good +understanding. Moreover, I would be more fully assured of the truth or +falsehood of the reports that there are Jesuits among the Taranteens. +Where is the man more competent to take upon himself this important +trust--one which hath for its object to prevent effusion of blood--to +detect the traitorous plots of a wily and deadly foe, and to advance +the cause of unadulterated religion, than thyself?" + +The Knight bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment, but said +nothing. + +"I seem to see the finger of God displayed," continued Winthrop. "For +this very purpose wert thou sent among us; yet, noble sir, +notwithstanding the importance of the object to be attained and the +honor to accrue to him who shall secure them for us, let me not urge +thee unreasonably. Seest thou imminent danger in the enterprise, +undertake it not. I pray thee, without regarding aught that I have +said, to act according to thy better judgment." + +"It was through no apprehension of peril that I was silent," said the +Knight. "Danger and I have been too long acquainted to distrust one +another. I did but turn over in my mind the proper means to accomplish +your designs. I place myself at your disposal, and am only rejoiced +that (lamenting the occasion) I can be employed in any manner to +advance a good work." + +"Heartily I thank thee, Sir Christopher, for the cheerful tender of +thy service, though it was only what was to be expected from a man of +thy chivalric temper. I will take this thing into further +consideration, and will shortly acquaint thee with my conclusion." + +"And, meanwhile, I will prepare myself to fulfil the wishes of your +worship," answered the Knight, preparing to take leave. + +"Commend me," said Winthrop, "to the friendly thoughts of Lady +Geraldine, with sincerest hopes that the peace which surpasseth +understanding may nestle into her heart to chase away her melancholy, +and may her steps be guided unto the true fold, where only safety is +to be found." + +"With many thanks," returned the Knight, "I seek my hermitage in the +woods." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + "A something light as air--a look-- + A word unkind, or wrongly taken-- + Oh, love! that tempest never shook, + A breath, a touch like this, hath shaken." + + MOORE. + + +Sir Christopher, on leaving the Governor, proceeded in the direction +of the hostelry, where he had left his horse; and on his way was +greeted with one of those sights to be seen only in this strange +commonwealth. It was a woman in the stocks, being no other than an old +acquaintance, Dame Bars, the wife of the jailer. The good woman +possessed a kind heart, but she was not perfection. She had a weakness +for a pot of ale; and, if justice had in anywise been done to the +proportion of malt therein, it was very apt to make her eloquent to an +extraordinary degree. On these occasions, feeling herself to be +clearly in the right, she found it difficult to endure contradiction, +considering it excessively unreasonable and rude, and expressing her +sentiments thereupon with great freedom. In one of these moods, she +had been overheard by Master Prout, in a colloquy with one of her +gossips, contrasting the "wearyful and forlorn" condition of women in +the colony with the merry times she used to have in England; and upon +her friend suggesting a few words in favor of the change, bursting out +with sundry epithets more sounding than musical, and more energetic +than complimentary. + +We will not pretend to say whether Master Prout was more scandalized +by the sentiment of dissatisfaction at the colony, or by there +proaches lavished on the other goody, who, indeed, to do her justice, +was not slow in the use of that formidable weapon wherewith Nature, as +if to make amends for physical weakness, has armed the lovelier sex. +It may be that both combined roused his righteous indignation, in +consequence whereof Dame Bars had to expiate the sins of her tongue by +silencing its eloquence in a cleft stick, and cooling her heels in the +stocks. + +But the appearance of the poor woman was now anything but belligerent. +So far from manifesting a refractory disposition, her face was covered +with her hands, and tears of shame and mortification were stealing +through the fingers. Her husband was standing by her side, and +endeavoring to comfort her, while Master Prout, with his long staff, +was threatening some idle school-boys, who, with the mischief natural +to their age, were showing an inclination to proceed to extremities +against the captive, which was not approved by the grave _custode_ of +order. + +As the Knight drew nigh, a feeling of pity was excited in him, and he +stopped, and addressed some words to the officer of the law. + +"I am unwilling," said Master Prout, in reply, "to refuse any thing to +a gentleman so highly esteemed by the Governor, as yourself, Sir +Christopher, and therefore will I release the woman; but truly was it +my intention to detain her an hour or two longer, in order that she +might have time for serious and profitable reflection. Verily, as +saith James, in his epistle, the tongue can no man tame; it is an +unruly evil, full of deadly poison." + +"Methinks then," said the Knight, smiling, "thou hast performed an +achievement which holy St. James himself might deem a miracle, for the +good dame's tongue is tame enough at present." + +Master Prout's demure features ventured as near to a smile at the +jest, as his principles would permit, and then approaching the woman, +he unfastened the stocks, and allowed her to withdraw the imprisoned +members. + +"Good woman," he said, "thank this noble Knight for thy deliverance, +and may this be the last time that these wooden bars shall contract a +friendship for thee." + +So spoke Master Prout, with a twinkle of the eye at the Knight, on +account of the good thing which he fancied he had said, and the woman +lost no time in extricating herself from durance. Her face was +crimsoned with blushes; she dropped a curtsey to the Knight, and +hurried off with her husband. + +"Master Prout," said the Knight, as he turned away, "accept my thanks +for the courtesy, and believe me that thou hast made me so much thy +friend, thou hast only to express a wish, and if it is in my power it +shall be granted." + +On arriving at the inn, Sir Christopher ordered immediately his horse, +and mounting, rode homeward. At a slow pace he proceeded through the +streets, and allowed the animal, with the rein lying loose upon his +neck, to follow the winding path in the forest. No adventure befel him +on his solitary ride, and in due time he reached his home. He was met +by Philip Joy, to whom he delivered the horse. + +"Is the Indian whom I left in thy charge safe?" he inquired. + +"He is, Sir Christopher," answered the soldier. + +"Sassacus has not seen him, I trust." + +"No one has seen him but myself. I have faithfully followed your +orders, and kept him like a rat in a trap. He takes to eating and +sleeping prodigious kindly, and has shown no disposition to do any +thing else." + +"It is natural he should do so, and you have acted with discretion." + +With these words Sir Christopher entered the house, and straightway +proceeded to find the Indian. He was lying on the floor, apparently +asleep, but at the noise of the opening door, roused himself and sat +upright. + +"How have my people treated Mesandowit in my absence?" inquired the +Knight. + +"Well," answered the savage. "Mesandowit has eaten, and drank, and +slept, and is refreshed." + +"Is he ready to return to his own country?" + +"Mesandowit is ready." + +"When the trees cast long shadows he shall return, and I will go a +little distance with him, lest he should meet the Aberginians." + +"Good--and now Mesandowit will sleep." He stretched himself again upon +the skin, which served for a couch, probably not entirely rested after +the long and rapid journey he had made, and disposed himself to +slumber. The Knight, on leaving him, went to the door of the lady's +apartment, and gently rapped. + +It was opened by the Indian girl, and he was immediately admitted. + +"Celestina," said the Knight, looking first at her and then at her +little attendant, "I have something to say to thee." + +"Neebin," said the lady, addressing the child, "may run about in the +woods a little while." + +When the girl had departed, the Knight, seating himself at some +distance from the lady, opened the conversation. + +"Celestina," he said, "there has been of late a want of that frankness +which characterized our intercourse at our arrival in this country, +and for some time thereafter. Will you not tell me the cause?" + +"Sir Christopher," replied the lady, "a suspicious mind is ofttimes +deceived by its imaginations. Wherein, pray, has been a change in my +conduct?" + +"Nay. I know not that I can say, in this and in that thou hast not +trusted me, but I feel that it is so." + +"Look into thyself, Sir Christopher, and there wilt thou find the +cause. The outer world is but a reflection of the inner." + +"I protest, Celestina, I am not altered. Thou art to me as ever, my +trusty and valued associate, bound to me by ties of peculiar +significancy, and as sacred as those which commonly unite man and +woman. + +"It is my dearest wish that thou shouldst feel the full force of the +obligation they impose on thee." + +"Do I not?" Have I not labored with untiring diligence to promote the +end we both have in view? Wherein have I failed? Point out the error, +and I will correct it." + +"I do not presume to be so bold. The masculine energy of Sir +Christopher Gardiner is not to be guided by a woman." + +"Alas! Celestina," said the Knight, with some feeling, "were we not +joined in this holy enterprise because it was supposed the fulness of +the one might supply the deficiency of the other? O, turn not away so +coldly." + +"My warm devotion, my active zeal, shall never be wanting to the work +whereunto we are pledged; and if any feeling hath arisen inconsistent +with the harmony that should unite us, I am not sensible that it +springs from any fault of mine. But you exaggerate," she added, +smiling, "my momentary sadness into unnecessary importance--a sadness +wherewith thou mayst have no connection." + +"Thou canst not deceive me, Celestina. I have profited little by the +lessons of this world, and feeling was given me in vain, were I +incapable of noticing the change in thee. There was a time when thy +spirit, like a musical string in accord with another, vibrated in +harmony with mine--but it is no longer so." + +"Thou art importunate, Sir Christopher. Wilt thou not believe what I +say?" + +"Pardon me if I am over urgent, and ascribe it to the value I attach +to my lost treasure. It sweetened the solitude of exile, and made me +almost forget the attractions of stirring Europe. But thou dost not, +and canst not deny my complaint." + +"Is there not enough in the circumstances wherein I am placed, to +agitate the timid heart of a woman, and account for her unreasonable +caprices? Why persist in connecting them with thyself as the cause?" + +"This is not the first time that I have vainly endeavored to discover +wherein I have offended, that by the humiliation of myself, or by any +other means, I might restore the unison that before existed between +us. I conjure thee, Celestina," he said, approaching and taking her +hand into one of his, while with the other he drew back a curtain on +the wall, which, on being withdrawn, exposed to view the carved figure +of Christ extended on the cross, "by the Captain of our faith, whose +soldiers we are, to put away this estrangement, which if it does not +defeat, may hazard and retard our mutual plans." + +The lady withdrew not her hand, but allowing it to remain in his, +stood up. She bowed her head before the crucifix, and murmured--_Domino +Jesu speravi in te_. Turning then to the Knight she said-- + +"Sir Christopher, look upon that sorrowful face, and that drooping +head, bleeding under the points of the accursed thorns. Thy sins and +mine gave them their sharpness. Gaze upon the hideous nails that +pierce those blessed hands and feet, and upon the blood trickling from +that divine side, and say, canst thou be untrue to him?" + +"Woman! Celestina! what meanest thou? Why this solemn adjuration?" + +"Thou wert dedicated to a service," she continued, her pale face +flushing with enthusiasm, "to which nobles and kings, the proudest and +noblest of earth, might aspire. Do thy devoir, and incalculable will +be thy reward; fail therein, and the doom of Judas were heaven to thy +fate." + +"Thou art mad, Celestina. Some dreadful delusion hath blinded thy +understanding. Hear me now"--and he bent down and kissed the feet of +the image of the Saviour, and then raising his head fixed his eyes +upon it--"per adventum tuum, per nativitatem tuam, per baptismum et +sanctum jejunium tuum, per crucem et passionem tuam, per mortem et +sepulturam tuam, per sanctam resurrectionem tuam, et per admirabilem +ascensionem tuam--I am guilty, truly, of weakness and ignorance, and +unintentional sin, but not of want of faithfulness to that whereunto +thou hast called me." + +"Sir Christopher! Oh! Sir Christopher," cried the lady, falling at his +feet, "Wherefore, when I besought thee before to explain thy conduct, +did you treat me so slightingly? Wherefore ever refuse to satisfy my +questions?" + +"Because I considered them unworthy of thee and me; because I regarded +them as the petulance of a passing feminine curiosity; because I knew +not how serious was thy desire? + +"_Deus adjuva me!_" sobbed the lady. + +"Rise, my sister," said the Knight, assisting her to a seat. +"Henceforth let no distrust exist between us, and, that it may be so, +inquire, and I will answer as at the confessional." + +Of the conversation which ensued we shall give no account, save that, +at its conclusion, tears were flowing plentifully from the eyes of the +lady, while the Knight seemed puzzled at her extraordinary emotion. + +"Celestina," he said, "thou art moved beyond what thy venial fault +requires. Forgive thyself as freely as I forgive thee." + +"Thou knowest not all my sin," she answered, "nor dare I trust it to +the air, lest my own words should strike me dead. _Sancta Maria, ora +pro nobis!_" + +When the Knight left the room, she fell upon her knees before the +crucifix and buried her face in her hands. She remained in this +position for perhaps a quarter of an hour, during which time only an +occasional sob escaped her, and then rising, passed into an inner +chamber. + +As for Sir Christopher, neither did he make his appearance until late +in the afternoon, when he emerged from the house in the company of the +soldier Joy and the Indian, whom he called Mesandowit. The course they +took was in a northerly direction, and as they proceeded, the Knight +was engaged in earnest conversation with the Indian. In this manner +they went on long after the sun had set, even until the position of +the stars announced that the hour of midnight was at hand. There must +have been some danger to the savage feared by the Knight to induce him +to lend his escort thus far. But they met nothing to excite +apprehension. Silence reigned throughout the unviolated forest, +unbroken save by the cry of a night bird, or the stealthy step of some +wild beast stealing through the thickets, or the cracking of dry +branches under their own feet, or their murmured conversation. It was +at least six hours since they left the house of the Knight, and the +distance passed over could not be less than eighteen or twenty miles. +The three stopped, and, before parting, it seemed that the Knight was +desirous of impressing more strongly on the mind of his red companion +something which he had already been urging. + +"Has what I have said sunk into the ears of Mesandowit?" he asked. + +"It has sunk very deep, even as a stone when it falls into the great +salt lake." + +"Will he remember the place?" + +"He will remember it. Mesandowit once took two scalps there." + +Self-possessed as in general was Sir Christopher, the reply startled +him; but the association in the mind of the savage was too obvious to +excite alarm long, and it was without feeling any he replied. He +thought proper, however, to remind the Indian of the friendly relation +he stood in to his tribe and of the favor he had done them. + +"The Sagamore and his Paniese," he said, "who brought the defiance of +the Taranteens to the English, have returned safe to their people. Let +not the Taranteens forget when I come to visit them that they spoke +through my mouth, and that I stood between them and the anger of +sachem Winthrop." + +The Taranteens never forget. Mesandowit will tell them how Soog-u-gest +flew to Shawmut, when Mesandowit, of the swift foot, brought a message +from the sachems of the Taranteens, that they desired him to take care +of the two warriors who brought the red arrows tied up with a snake +skin as a present to Owanux. The Taranteens are a great people and +forget not a benefit." + +"I am unable to fix the exact time;" said the Knight; "but the young +moon that looks now like the eye brow of Mesandowit, will probably not +be round before we shall meet again." + +They parted at these words, and while Sir Christopher and Philip +turned their faces homeward, the Taranteen pursued the same direction +in which they had been traveling. Fatigued with the distance they had +come, it was now with a more leisurely pace the two proceeded, and, +walking for the most part in silence, the sun had risen before they +reached home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + When shaws beene sheene and shrads full fayre, + And leaves both large and longe, + Itt is merrye walking in the faire forrest, + To hear the small birdes songe. + + BALLAD OF ROBIN HOOD AND GUY OF GISBORNE. + + +The project of Governor Winthrop of sending an embassy to the +Taranteens met with general favor among his councillors. All agreed +that war with the ferocious savages was, if possible, to be avoided +under any circumstances, but especially now when the English must +appear to the natives to be stained with the crime of a dastardly +breach of faith and murder unparalleled in atrocity. The conduct of +Winthrop in returning a bold defiance to their threats, was also +approved, (for in treating with them, an exhibition of a want of +confidence would be considered a confession of weakness, and only +serve to precipitate the calamity to be avoided,) but it complicated +the difficulty, if that were possible, and embarrassed any attempt at +reconciliation. The Taranteens were felt to occupy a position of great +advantage, and likely to attract the sympathy of the Indians +generally, and even to unite tribes before hostile to one another +against the perfidious Owanux. To the Taranteens no blame could be +attached. They had been guilty of no breach of faith; they had acted +like brave and honorable men. Even after the outrage upon them they +had respected their wild code of honor, nor would commence +hostilities, until like the snake, whose warning rattles they sent, +they had apprised the enemy of their intention. But the challenge had +been given and accepted, and a state of war initiated. Soon might +their war-parties be expected to fill the forests, cutting off +stragglers and attacking any bodies of men which they should deem +inferior in strength to their own. Hence the danger of traveling in +the woods, and especially of attempting to penetrate into that remote +region, the habitation of the hostile tribe, was greatly increased. +Where was the man daring enough to encounter the peril unless +supported by a military force, which would give the embassy more the +appearance of a foray than of a tender of peace? Such an armed band +would only invite attack. Besides it was inconvenient, and indeed of +the highest detriment to the colony, to take off so many able-bodied +men as would be necessary for the purpose, from the cultivation of the +fields, and those other industrial pursuits upon which the existence +of the colonists depended, even though they should all return safe to +their homes--a result by no means to be expected. + +When, therefore, Winthrop suggested Sir Christopher Gardiner as a +proper person, from his familiarity with the habits of the natives, +and his knowledge of their language, to undertake the enterprise, it +is no wonder that the proposition was favorably received. All felt it +to be a service of danger; it was highly desirable that it should be +attempted; no one was so well fitted for it as the Knight; and were +the effort at reconciliation to terminate fatally, the loss of no one +would be less regretted by several of the Assistants. For there were +among them some who were no friends of the Knight, and would gladly +have had him out of the colony; either not liking his intimacy with +the natives, or suspicious of the circumstance, that, although he had +offered to unite himself with the congregation, he had, somehow or +other, never done so, either in consequence of doubts entertained +respecting the soundness of his faith, or some unknown cause. This +feeling was heightened by a jealousy of the favor enjoyed by the +Knight with Winthrop--a favor which, some declared, warped the better +judgment of the Governor. In proof of this, they pointed to the +remission (at the intercession of Sir Christopher) of a part of the +punishment of one Ratcliffe, who had incurred the vengeance of the +law, and also of the indulgence shown to Philip Joy. At the head of +these malcontents was the Assistant Spikeman--one who, by his evil +propensities and incapacity to appreciate the noble sentiments of +Winthrop, stood to him in a certain relation of hostility. For there +is no law more prevailing than that evil hates good, compelled thereto +by the very constitution of its nature. Indeed, it is evil by reason +of that hatred; when that ceases, evil ceases also. + +By no one was the proposal to entrust the business to Sir Christopher, +if he would accept it--for the cautious Winthrop did not allude to the +understanding betwixt himself and the Knight--received with more favor +than by Spikeman. He was eloquent in praise of the qualifications of +the proposed envoy, and derided the danger, expressing a conviction +that it would be easy for him, if he chose, to restore peaceable +relations. The qualification in the speech of the Assistant was +noticed by Winthrop, and he intimated astonishment at the suspicion, +and wonder at the willingness of one who felt it, to entrust the +commission in such hands. But the artful Spikeman easily extricated +himself from so slight a difficulty, alleging, as the cause of the +doubt, the want of that Christian bond on the part of the Knight, +without which no one could be entitled to the entire confidence due to +one in full communion. + +When the Assistant left the Council, he debated with himself how, if +Sir Christopher accepted the service, he might join Arundel, and the +soldier Joy with him. Could he succeed, he considered that he would be +in a fair way to rid himself at once of three persons who interfered +with his designs. The heat of his animosity was directed indeed +principally against Arundel and Joy, the Knight coming in for a +portion as their favorer and abettor. But in the pursuit of an object, +no scruples of conscience ever interfered with the plans of Spikeman, +willing to involve alike friend and foe in one common destruction, if +so only his purposes could be accomplished. He calculated somewhat +upon the bold temper of Arundel, and also upon his regard for the +Knight, by whose side he doubted not the young man would be willing to +defy any danger to which the other would expose himself. + +With this view he took care, by means of his spy, Ephraim Pike, to +acquaint Arundel with the honor intended for Sir Christopher. The +expedition was represented by Pike as a mere party of pleasure, and as +affording fine opportunities for observing the tribes in their native +haunts. The good sense of the young man, and the experience he already +had, taught him better than to regard it exactly in the light wherein +the spy exhibited it; but, though conscious that there must be danger, +in the excited condition of the Taranteens, he could not believe it to +be great, else neither would Winthrop ask such exposure of life, nor +would the Knight accept of the enterprise. As for what danger was to +be encountered, it rather stimulated than deterred in the desire to +partake of it, as the lion hunt has greater attractions for the hunter +than the chase of the deer. Some words dropped from Pike about the +woodcraft of Joy, and his bravery; but he dared not speak plainer for +fear of betraying himself. + +The information of Pike, it seems, was not without effect, for early +on the morning of the following day, Arundel started for the +habitation of his friend, taking with him what he considered necessary +for a distant journey in the woods. The distance was passed over in a +couple of hours; but, early as it was, he found that a messenger had +anticipated him. This he discovered, as well from the language of the +Knight, who stood in the porch of his house with a letter in his hand, +as from the appearance of the man with whom he was conversing, whom +Arundel perceived was one of the soldiers who ordinarily mounted guard +before the door of the Governor. + +"This," said the Knight, handing the letter to the messenger, "to +Governor Winthrop, and a fair return to thyself." + +The man took the letter, and, after making the military salute of the +period, turned on his way to Boston. + +"Here has come," said Sir Christopher, after the usual greetings, "a +request from the Governor that I would undertake an embassy to the +Taranteens, to soothe their excited minds and prevent an outbreak." + +"May I inquire what is your reply?" asked Arundel. + +"How canst thou doubt? Surely, where honor and good deeds invite, no +true knight can turn back." + +"I am to understand, then, that you have accepted the office of +mediator?" + +"I have accepted the trust, hoping that good may grow out thereof." + +"And when is it you purpose to depart?" + +"Incontinently. The matter brooks no delay." + +"Then have I a petition to prefer, which, I hope, will meet with the +same favor as the Governor's. Let me attend thee on this journey." + +The suddenness of the request appeared to embarrass the Knight for an +instant; but it was only for an instant. + +"Hast thou fully considered," he asked, "the perils whereunto thou +dost expose thy young life? What would be the condition of Eveline +Dunning shouldst thou never return?" + +"My life is not more valuable than thine, and the situation of Eveline +would be no worse than that of thine own relative." + +"Aye, but consider the difference in our positions. Glory, duty, +summon me irresistibly; whereas, thou hast no calling other than +curiosity." + +"Say not so," exclaimed the young man, with feeling. "I will not deny +the motive assigned; but believe me there are others, whereof you +would not disapprove." + +"May I know them?" + +"Needs it that I should say how greatly I admire thee; how gladly I +would follow in thy knightly footsteps; how any peril would be +welcome, if partaken with thee?" + +Sir Christopher turned away. "I did not think," he said to himself, +"his affection was so great." + +"Master Arundel," he replied, walking back, "I do prize thy friendship +more than precious jewels; but I were untrue to that love, should I +expose thee to danger. For myself, I were a recreant, and no knight, +could I, because of danger, refuse to obey a call to benefit my +fellow-men; but, for thee, it is a reckless and unneeded temptation of +peril. Deem me not unkind, but think it is my love and anxiety that +speak in your behalf." + +"It is the first request I have made to thee," said Arundel, "and, if +refused, it shall be the last. I shall be compelled to believe you +consider me unworthy of your friendship, too effeminate to bear a walk +of a few days in the forest, and unreliable in the hour of trial." + +The voice of the young man trembled, and his whole manner betrayed his +wounded feelings. + +"Hear me, my young friend," urged the Knight; "hast thou well weighed +the terrors thou wouldst seek? It is not merely death thou dost defy; +but, holy Mary, holy angels, what a death! Canst thou endure to have +thy tender flesh pierced with splintered sticks; thine eyes torn from +the sockets; the flames greedily dashing over thy head, and licking +up, as with the forked tongues of serpents, thy blood, hissing as it +drops upon the glowing brands? And this for the poor satisfaction of +being with me; for thou canst not afford protection, should the +Indians attempt outrage. Alas! how bitterly would the sorrow of my own +fate be enhanced by the consciousness of thine!" + +"I have considered all these things, and they move me not. I admit the +possibilities of the painting, but no more. The conduct of the +Taranteens proves how high stands with them the point of honor and the +sacred estimate wherein they hold an embassy; else never would they +have ventured upon one like the second, after the unhappy termination +of the first. I partake not of thy fears." + +"Then, if not with the unthinking heat of youth, but with thoughtful +deliberation, thou hast well weighed the matter, I will not deny thee, +and thou shalt visit with me these savages, if Providence spares our +lives to reach them. But I start this day, within a few hours; the +time is short; thou canst not be ready." + +"I am ready. I came prepared, anticipating all things save thine +objections." + +"Enter, then, my poor house, my dear young friend, and refresh +thyself," said Sir Christopher, leading the way. + +The persistency of Arundel having thus wrung a consent from the +Knight, the subject was not again referred to by either of them; but +both considering the matter settled, addressed themselves to the +preparations remaining to be made. A small quantity of dried deer's +flesh, and corn parched and pounded, was packed up, sufficient, as was +supposed, to supply the wants of the travellers, should they be at any +time unfortunate in procuring game, upon which their chief reliance +rested. The guns were carefully cleaned, the locks seen to be in +order, and store of bullets and powder was provided. These +preparations being completed, refreshed with the noonday meal, Sir +Christopher called on Arundel to follow him. An Indian was to go with +them as far as it was judged safe for him to proceed into an enemy's +country. The journey it was calculated would require a week to +accomplish to the principal village of the Taranteens; so that, +allowing an equal length of time for coming back, and the necessary +delay among the Indians, a period of at least three weeks might be +expected to elapse before their return. The two white men, then, +habited in closely-fitting hunting garments, made of dressed +deer-skin, as pliable when dry as silk, their guns slung over their +shoulders, followed the Indian, dressed in native costume, with bow +and quiver, and carrying the provisions, and commenced their journey. + +The first two days were unmarked by any incident. Their course lay +over the hills and through the valleys of the pleasant State of +Massachusetts, now blooming under the hand of culture, ornamented with +cities and villages, and supplying the world with the products of her +joyful and free industry; then, an interminable forest, roved by +fierce animals, and by red men scarcely less savage, divided into +tribes sparsely scattered, living in mutual distrust, incapable of +labor, supporting themselves by the uncertain issues of the chase, +already daunted by the whites, and perhaps dimly descrying the fate +that awaited them. + +Crevecoeur, in the description of his journey in Upper Pennsylvania, +tells us how accurately the native sagacity of the wiser Indians could +discriminate between their own characteristics and those of the white +strangers, and foresee the consequences that must follow. + +"Seest thou," said one of them, "that the whites subsist on grain, +while we depend on flesh; that the flesh requires more than thirty +moons to mature, and is often scarce; that each of those wonderful +grains which they deposit in the ground gives back more than a +hundredfold in return; that the meat whereon we subsist has four legs +to run away, while we have only two to catch it; and that the seeds +planted by the strangers remain and increase, and never run away? That +is the reason why they have so many children, and live longer than we +do. I say unto each one of you who will listen, that, before the +cedars of our village shall die of age, and the maple-trees of the +valley cease to yield sugar, that the race of the sowers of little +seeds will have exterminated the race of the flesh-eaters, provided +our hunters do not also resolve to sow." + +Through the vast solitude, impressive by its silence and its +loneliness, guiding their course by day by the position of the sun and +the mosses on the trunks of the trees, and at night by the stars, the +three men pursued their way. On the afternoon of the third day, the +Knight, after a conversation with their guide, came to the conclusion +that it was better the Aberginian should return, as they had now +approached too nearly to the haunts of the Taranteens to suppose that +they should long remain undiscovered. Accordingly, the Indian took his +departure, leaving to the white men all the dangers of a further +advance, and to find their way as best they might. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + "Mery it was in the grene forest, + Amonge the leves grene; + Whereas men hunt east and west, + Wyth bowes and arrowes kene." + + BALLAD OF ADAM BELL, "_Clym of the Clough, and William of Cloudesly_". + + +As the Knight, with confident steps, led the way, Arundel expressed +surprise at the skill which he displayed. + +"You forget that I may be said to be half an Indian myself," said Sir +Christopher, "and am therefore entitled to a knowledge of the woods. I +know not how many times I have accompanied the natives in their +distant hunting expeditions, and it would be strange if the experience +were thrown away." + +"But surely you could never have penetrated so far in the direction of +this fierce tribe?" + +"Farther, my young friend. I have wandered more than a week's journey +to every quarter of the compass from my lodge; and it is the knowledge +of the country thus derived, and intimacy with Indian character, that +inspire me with resolution in our enterprise. It might be considered a +perilous accomplishment," he added, with a smile, "since it +recommended me to the consideration of the Council, to whom, moreover, +the life of one not of the congregation is of less value." + +The Knight had never before shown a disposition to be so +communicative. Perhaps the isolation of the two from the world, and +the devotion which Arundel had manifested, heightened his feeling of +regard, and drew out his confidence. The young man's interest in the +conversation increased, and he said: + +"Surely, you would not impute to the Governor, or to a majority of his +counsellors, a design to expose you to probable destruction. +Unutterable baseness were therein." + +"I said not so. I pray thee, Master Arundel, to attach no such +construction to my words; you would thereby do foul wrong to my +thoughts. Nay, I thank the Governor for honoring me with the +commission, and doubt not that he acted only in obedience to a higher +prompting than his own. I did but point to a feeling which thine +enlightenment must lament as much as mine, and which contracts +Christian love into very narrow and erroneous boundaries. Dost thou +understand me?" + +"I think I do. You refer to the jealous retainer of power in the hands +of their Church." + +"Of their Church, so called. Here are we, for example: we may desire, +with that natural longing whereby men are sometimes animated, to enter +into closer relations, and to bind ourselves by more intimate ties +with those around us, (oftentimes, I fear me, for purposes of worldly +advancement, as well as encouragement in holy living); and, lo! a very +slight difference of opinion--a sublety whereon a casuist shall batter +his brains for days in vain--shall build up a wall of exclusion, +especially if there be some within the enchanted circle who are +jealous of our influence and distrust their own." + +"I doubt not you are right. My own observation partly confirms these +views, though I have been too short a time in the colony to form an +undistrusted opinion. My youth and inexperience admonish me to express +myself doubtfully; but I think myself safe in agreeing with you, that +this is scarcely the best way to establish that universal Church to +which the ambition of the Puritans aspires." + +"Have a care, Master Arundel," said the Knight, laughing, and his +laugh rang out joyously through the forest, as if he were glad to +escape from restraint, and in strong contrast with the caution which +he recommended, "lest thy treason be carried by some bird to the +enthusiastic Endicott, or the stern Dudley, and thou be made to atone +for thy _lese majesté_." + +"I bear them no ill will, and they know it. I am but a stranger among +them, seeking at their hands a jewel most unjustly detained, and +which, if given up, will hardly endanger the common weal. But, Sir +Christopher, explain your sentiments more perfectly on the point +whither our conversation converged." + +"Master Arundel, I am a soldier, and no casuist, and, therefore, +hardly so well prepared to answer as good Mr. Eliot, or grave Mr. +Wilson; yet do thoughts on such subjects sometimes puzzle the brains +of a soldier in a steel helmet, as well as those of a teacher in a +Geneva cap; and, sworn brothers as we are, proving our affection by a +voluntary community of danger, I will not hesitate to avow my secret +reflections, knowing that they are safe in thy keeping. All Christians +must acknowledge Holy Scripture, when properly understood, as the +imperative rule of faith, without a belief of which there can be no +salvation. Now, in Scripture I do find the Church likened unto a net +let down into the sea, and when drawn up containing within itself a +diversity of fishes. This similitude teaches me that the Blessed +Founder of our religion did contemplate variety, and not that strict +and tame uniformity which would compel every curve into a straight +line, and make the Church more like a platoon of point device Spanish +soldiers than reasoning men variously organized." + +"I have heard the text differently explained, to wit: that the Church +is thereby intended to be represented as a receptacle of all men, +without distinction of Jew or Gentile--of color, or of whatever +separates man from man." + +"They who interpret it thus, do limit the Word of God, and make vain +the text itself. For, was it not designed that all should be brought +within one fold, that there might be one shepherd? Now, how may this +be done, if respect be not had to the prepossessions and prejudices of +mankind? See the infinite differences that prevail all through the +world. These it is the sacred prerogative of the Church to guide and +control--not violently tearing them up by the roots, but making them +subservient to her advancement." + +"That, it seems to me, were little better than encouraging heathenism +under the forms of Christianity." + +"Nay, it is more like the manoeuvre of a skilful helmsman, who, when +a flaw that may not be resisted strikes the sails of his ship, doth +not luff, and thereby increase the power of his enemy, and risk +destruction, but, by a gentle turn of the rudder, glides by the +danger, making its very violence facilitate his advance; or it may be +compared to the progress of a wise traveller, who, when he encounters +a steep hill, doth not always press straight forward, but, influenced +by its shape, sometimes turns aside and encircles its base, thereby +diminishing the labor and not increasing the distance." + +"It doth look to me," said Arundel, "more like the crooked track of +the serpent, which cannot advance to its object without twisting its +body into contortions." + +"And can anything be more graceful than its lovely curves? Doth not +Scripture in some manner commend the sagacious reptile, holding him up +to us as an example, and bidding us be wise even as serpents? The +children of Israel, moreover, when in the wilderness, were cured of +their wounds by merely looking at the brazen serpent, thereby +typifying the value of wisdom, whereof the snake is an emblem." + +"You are more skilled in dialectic than I," said Arundel, laughing, +"and were I to hear you with shut eyes, I should think a monk's cowl +would fit your head better than a morion." + +Sir Christopher stole a sharp, quick glance at his companion at these +words, but he could notice nothing in the youth's handsome features +save the light-heartedness of a happy spirit. He seemed to think it +necessary, however, to explain more perfectly the meaning of what he +had been saying. + +"Harbor not the thought," he continued, "that I, in any wise, approve +the damnable doctrines which, by many zealous Protestants, are +ascribed to the Catholic Church, viz: that religion consists in the +mumbling of unmeaning forms and performance of unnecessary ceremonies; +in the gaudy decoration of temples with pictures and statues, which +some consider an incitement to devotion; in an entire abandonment of +the soul of the layman to the care of the priest, as if the laic +himself had no part in working out his salvation. As a good +Protestant, I am bound to condemn and anathematize these errors; but, +more distinctly, I hold that our Puritan brethren (to come back to the +point of departure) are over-strict and unwise in applying a +Procrustean measure in their discipline, and, for that reason, if for +no other, they cannot be a Church universal. Too stiff, unbending and +unforgiving are they to the weaknesses of human nature, and, +therefore, (without more,) I predict utter failure to every attempt of +theirs to make the natives like themselves. They do forget that milk, +not flesh meat, is the food for babes." + +"Hold you these Puritans to be, in any true sense, a Church at all?" +inquired Arundel. + +Again the Knight looked sharply at the other, and this time he burst +into a laugh, wherein, it seemed to the young man, a sneer was mingled +with the gaiety. + +"That were a dangerous question," he answered, "anywhere else than +three days' journey from Winthrop, and to ears less forgiving than +mine. But here we are, debating, as thou didst intimate a moment ago, +more like two pattering monks than journeying like merry cavaliers. +For my part, the dissensions of Christendom weary me, and I prefer to +leave to the holy men vowed to the service of the altar, the labor of +unloosing the knots of controversy, rather than perplex my brains with +them. Come, Master Arundel, hast never a song wherewith to waken the +echoes of the virgin forest and shorten the toils of our way?" + +"I esteem not myself a singer, though I can troll a stave or two," +replied the young man. "But I fear that my minstrelsy would be rude +and uncouth to the cultivated ears of one who, like you, Sir +Christopher, hath listened to the lays of many lands, and so, refined +and perfected his taste." + +"It is true," said the Knight, "that I have heard the songs of many +countries, warbled by beauty to the accompanying sounds of divers +instruments, from Spain to Persia, from the Andalusian guitar to the +Turkish lute. But fear me not. I am no supercilious critic. Thy +modesty hides merit. I will be bound now that thy performance will +exceed thy promise." + +"But is there no danger of attracting wandering savages, and so being +taken prisoners, or shot with their arrows?" + +"The danger of being treated as enemies is less, for what Indian would +suspect such of going singing through the woods?" + +"Then here is my song," said Arundel, "but I shall look for a like +complaisance on thy part." + + "Who loves the greenwood cool and sweet, + O! let him come with me! + No harsher sound his ears shall greet, + Than songs of birds so free; + No sight less fair his eyes shall view, + Than trees, and ferns, and flowers, + Sun, stars, the branches shimmering through, + To light the flying hours. + + "Ambition hither cannot come, + Here Pomp is out of place, + And fawning Flattery finds no home + With Simper and Grimace, + But Nature, in her artless dress, + (A greenwood nymph is she,) + With eyes so wild and flowing tress, + And bare ungartered knee. + + "Then come, O, come! O, come with me! + Forgot be toil and care; + O! come beneath the greenwood tree, + For happiness is there. + The sun shall shine with tempered ray, + The moonbeam soft, yet bright; + O, come! Joy beckons us away, + To revel in delight!" + +"Good!" exclaimed the Knight. "Thy voice is as sweet as a sky-lark's, +and runs with marvellous cunning through the harmonious changes of the +tune. Why, never preface thy song again with an apology, or I shall +begin to doubt thy sincerity." + +"Wild woods and savage life have not tarnished the courtly polish of +Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Arundel. "And now for my guerdon, +though in truth I feel shame for the little I have been able to do, in +comparison with what I expect." + +"By my troth, thou art a master in the science of delicate +compliments. There was, I confess, a time when, with youthful vanity, +I did esteem myself possessed of some skill, and could step along the +gamut with any Don or Signor of them all; but that is long since, and +I fear me that the gutturals of Northern Germany have quite driven out +of my throat the liquids and vowels of Italy. However, to pleasure me, +thou hast sung with infinite discretion and wonderful sweetness, a +most delectable song; and now it were boorish not to attempt at least +to repay thy musical favor." + +So saying, the Knight sung in a manner and with an expression that +proved him to be an accomplished musician, and in some contrast with +the less artful style of Arundel, the following song: + + "On golden Guadalquiver's banks + Are tinkling gay guitars, + To hail with song and smiling thanks, + The soldier from the wars. + + "When glowing youth and beauty met, + Blush at each other's glance, + And, bounding to the castanet, + Entwine th' impassioned dance. + + "And purple Xeres sends her wine, + To laugh in those dark eyes, + Whose flashing orbs the stars outshine, + Of Andalusia's skies. + + "Red lips repeat the hero's name, + White hands are scattering flowers; + Honor be his and deathless fame, + And gratitude be ours! + + "Delightful land of orange blooms, + Of chivalry and song, + Whose memory the past perfumes-- + O! how for thee I long! + + "Where'er may stray my wandering feet, + I never will forget, + Or Guadalquiver's maidens sweet, + Or merry castanet. + + "When sun, and moon, and stars turn pale, + On Nature's funeral pyre, + O'er all Spain's glory shall prevail, + An eagle soaring higher." + +"You have well profited by your opportunities, Sir Christopher," said +Arundel, at its conclusion. "By mine honor, such sweet and artful +notes never waked the echoes of a mighty forest. I seemed to mingle in +the graceful fandango, and to taste the exhilarating Xeres in your +song." + +"Ah!" replied the Knight, with a half sigh. "It is only a reminiscence +of youthful follies. But now it is thy turn again. I warrant me there +is store of ravishing melodies in the treasury whence thou didst take +thine." + +"I dare not," said the young man modestly, "sing after thee. My poor +notes would sound like those of the croaking raven, in comparison with +the warblings of the yellow minstrel of the Canaries." + +"Out with thee, hyperbolical flatterer! Believe me--I set a higher +value on thy nature than on my art. Come, pipe up once more, and I +will, meanwhile, try to recall another ditty." + +"If such is to be my reward, I will not refuse, although I do thereby +only expose my own incapacity. Here is a serenade: + + "I stand beneath thy window, love, + To tell my pleasing pain: + O, flowers below, and stars above, + Bear to her heart my strain! + Say that the charms of earth and sky + Are waiting for her company, + And all sweet things my fair invite, + To rise and perfect make the night. + + "Yet, no! I would no earthly sound + Might mar that tranquil sleep, + O'er which the angels, standing round, + Admiring vigil keep. + With these bright guards I choose to share + The watching of my jewel rare; + For though their love may be divine, + I know it cannot equal mine. + + "I see her as she chastely lies + Upon the linen white; + Was ne'er to man's or angel's eyes + So beautiful a sight! + O, mark her bosom's fall and swell, + (Profane it were of more to tell.) + While hover round her rose-leaf mouth, + Sweets that excel the Arabian South. + + "Listen! she murmurs in her dreams, + And music puts to shame: + O, can it be I she breathes, meseems, + My too--too happy name! + O cease, bliss-crowded heart, to beat + So fast, lest like some India fleet + Surcharged with spices, thou outright + Founder, o'erfreighted with delight!" + +"Excellent," exclaimed the Knight. Never talk to me of the wonderful +little birds of the Canaries, unless to call thyself one. I fancy thy +verses a tribute to the celestial attractions of Mistress Eveline +Dunning." + +"And now let me hear thee," said Arundel. + +"I did match my first lay," said Sir Christopher, "to thy youthful +blood. Now will I give thee one more befitting my years and gravity," +and adapting the words to a wild foreign air, the Knight sent his rich +full voice ringing through the wood. + + "Who, on Glory's pinion, + Shall mount the upper air, + And write his name with sunbeams + Sublimely there? + + "Blare of trumpets shivering + Above the reeling fight, + Proves the inhuman challenge-- + The warrior's right? + + "Son of thoughtful Science, + Unthinking of renown, + Is thine the name to thunder + The ages down?" + +"Hist!" he said, interrupting the song. "What is it I see gliding in +yonder thicket? Stand fast, Master Arundel, while I go forward to +reconnoitre." + +The young man would have accompanied him, but this Sir Christopher +imperatively forbade. "Thou art under my lead and protection," he +said, "and foul shame were it, should I expose thee to a danger which +I should face myself alone;" and in spite of his urgency, Arundel was +obliged to remain behind. + +The Knight was gone, perhaps, a quarter of an hour, and Arundel began +to be anxious at the length of his absence, and had stepped forward a +few rods to seek him, when he made his appearance. + +"If it were a wild beast, or anything that could harm us," he cried, +as he approached, "it has glided off into the bushes." + +"Then shall I entreat the continuance of thy song. I would like to +hear resolved the question which it pleases the poet to ask." + +"I care not to sing more now," returned the Knight. "My voice, I +perceive, begins to roughen, and brawls along more like a shallow +brook, over pebbles, than the flow of a deep, equable stream, It were +to shame the brave words." + +This determination Arundel was unable to alter, and he could not avoid +ascribing it quite as much to a change of opinion in his companion, +respecting the prudence of singing in that wild region, as to any +assumed roughness of voice. Thinking thus, he unslung his gun, and +examined carefully the priming, holding himself in readiness for any +emergency. He noticed, however, to his surprise that no such +precautions were adopted by Sir Christopher, who, though in silence, +walked with as fearless a step as ever, and allowed his piece to +remain upon his back. + +The shades of evening were now beginning to wrap objects in obscurity, +and it became necessary to look out for a place of rest. In finding +one fitted for the purpose, the Knight betrayed no embarrassment. + +"There should be," he said, "a small cave in the neighborhood, wherein +we may be sheltered. I will lead thee thither in a short time." + +Accordingly, they descended the side of a pretty steep declivity, and, +at the bottom, forming a sort of miniature valley, found the object of +their search. It was certainlyf a very small cave, if, indeed, the +recess, which was not twelve feet deep, made by the jutting out of +some huge rocks from the side of the hill, deserved the name. A brook +came dashing round before the cave, separating it as it were from its +surroundings, and deepening its privacy; and over the entrance hung +immense hemlock branches, sweeping with their evergreen plumes the +rocky roof, and almost hiding the aperture. It seemed impossible to +have selected a place better adapted for concealment. + +"We need not fear," said the Knight, "to make a fire in this secluded +spot. It will serve to keep off wild animals, and as for Indians, they +can hardly be expected to stumble on us." + +Arundel, as being only a follower, and inferior in experience of +wood-craft to his elder friend, made no objection, but addressed +himself to prepare for passing the night. The two, with their hunting +hatchets, cut from the moist land, watered by the brook, a quantity of +hemlock boughs, wherewith to compose their beds, making couches more +comfortable, and even luxurious to a tired wanderer, than one would +suppose who had never tried them. Next, they kindled a fire, whereupon +supper was prepared--some small game, consisting of partridges and +rabbits which they had shot in the course of the day. These, together +with the parched corn they brought from home, not without a draught or +two of aqua vitae tempered by the pure stream, satisfied the cravings +of appetite. + +"And now, Master Arundel," said the Knight, after the repast was +finished, during which he had looked with admiring eyes on the +achievements of his companion, "tell me, didst ever, at princely +banquet in courtly hall, enjoy with keener zest the artificial dishes +of cunning cooks, designed to tickle the delicate and difficultly +pleased palate?" + +"Never," answered Arundel. "Knew the epicures of Europe the efficacy +of a forest tramp, we should meet them oftener than Indians in the +woods." + +"Thus deals boon nature with her children," said Sir Christopher. "Out +of the richness of her abundance doth she prodigally supply what man, +with all his devices, cannot obtain. The scent of the woodland, the +winged minstrelsy, the murmur of the brook, and tripping of the deer, +say I, before the inventions and appliances of dissatisfied man, +whereby he vainly tries to procure to himself pleasures which he might +have for the asking. But how fares it otherwise with thee? Art not +tired? With me, who am an old campaigner, our tramp should be a +trifle, and yet I confess my limbs are not as supple as in the +morning. Thou wert excusable shouldest thou feel it more." + +"I feel no fatigue now," said Arundel, "though an hour ago I might +have confessed it. But what is that?" he exclaimed, grasping his gun. +"Methought I saw two eyes peering from the thicket. Shall I fire?" he +added, bringing the piece to his shoulder. + +"For thy life, no!" interposed the Knight quickly, striking up the +muzzle of the gun. "That were to inform any wandering savages of our +retreat." + +"I will then explore the bush to find out what it is, whom curiosity +has attracted--whether beast or Indian." + +"It were well not to do so," said the Knight. "It would only be +unnecessary exposure; and an enemy, if it be one, would have every +possible advantage in waiting for thee--he knowing thy position, and +thou not his." + +"Nevertheless, it were a great satisfaction could I discern the +creature. Perhaps I may bring back a buck for breakfast. Thou art +acquainted with the stupid habit of deer to gaze on fire. It may be +one of them." + +"For all that, I counsel thee to remain. A prudent soldier exposes not +himself to danger without cause." + +"By Heaven!" exclaimed Arundel, "I see the eyes of the animal again, +in the light of the fire. I will shoot, come what will of it;" and +before the Knight could interfere, he had discharged his piece in the +direction of the object. The dark woods echoed to the report, and some +birds disturbed from their perches began to flutter blindly round, but +no other sounds were heard, and presently silence, as profound as +before, brooded over the forest. + +"Thou hast been guilty of a sad imprudence, Master Arundel," said the +Knight, "and I hope no evil consequences may result therefrom. What +art thou about now?" + +But the young man, who, from the instant he had discharged his piece, +had been busy reloading it, and whose preparations were now completed, +paid no attention to the question; but, excited by what he had seen, +rushed out of the cave into the open air. + +"_Santa Madre de Dios!_" exclaimed the Knight. "I hope nothing evil +will befall him. Were it better now to follow or to remain?" + +While Sir Christopher was deliberating, Arundel, holding his piece in +readiness, cautiously took his way toward the thicket, whence he +fancied the eyes had looked. As he was groping along, not yet +recovered from the blinding effect of the fire-glare, he suddenly felt +his gun seized, and several strong arms thrown round his person. He +cried out for assistance, and struggled, but in vain. The gun was torn +away, a hand placed over his mouth, and a tomahawk brandished at him, +as if to intimate his doom, should he continue his outcries. In this +state of things nothing was left but to yield himself to his captors, +and, resigning himself to his fate, he waited for what should follow; +nor was he kept long in suspense, for presently an Indian came gliding +up to the group in whose midst he stood, and spoke a few words, +whereupon he was led to the cave, and directed by signs to enter it. +Here he found Sir Christopher lying quietly on the ground, without +apparently having received any injury, and his piece in the possession +of some Indians by whom he was surrounded. Arundel was permitted to +sit down by his side, admiring, as he did so, the wonderful composure +of the Knight. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + "There have been holy men who hid themselves + Deep in the woody wilderness." + + BRYANT. + + +Arundel had now an opportunity to look round and observe the state of +things. Besides the Knight and himself, there were seven or eight +Indians in the little cavern, armed with bows and arrows; and he +remarked with pleasure that these persons were not stained with +war-paint, indicating that they were on no hostile expedition, but +engaged in hunting. So far from offering violence, or even rudeness, +the savages treated them with marked deference, keeping at a +respectful distance, and yielding to them the piles of hemlock +branches which they had arranged for couches. Arundel listened to the +conversation between the Knight and the Indians with that strained +attention with which one unacquainted with a language will sometimes +hang upon its sounds, as if by a concentration of the faculties to +wring a sense out of it; and if he was unable to make out the meaning +of the words, he at least satisfied himself, both from the intonation +of the voices and expression of the faces, that no immediate injury +was designed. To the appealing looks which Arundel from time to time +directed to him, the Knight at length replied: + +"I know not, Master Arundel, whether we should consider ourselves more +fortunate or the contrary, in falling into the hands of these +copper-colored cavaliers. We are their prisoners, and, as such, bound +to obey their motions; but their presence will guard us from attack, +and in that way be a shield; and their treatment in other respects +will shame, I doubt not, the conduct of more civilized men in like +circumstances." + +"Know you," inquired Arundel, "the name of their tribe, and their +intentions towards us?" + +"They are Taranteens, and, as far as I can learn, mean to take us to +one of their villages. It was fortunate your shot took not effect; +for, otherwise, I know not what would have been the consequence." + +"I confess now its rashness; but it is manifest that we were tracked, +and, in any event, would have been prisoners." + +"Perhaps not prisoners. Perhaps, after making our acquaintance, they +would have offered us their company as an escort. As it is, we must +submit to close watchfulness on our journey, and, afterwards, take +what fate may come. I counsel thee (and speak as one knowing the +habits of these people) to betray no distrust or apprehension. We must +show that we rely with perfect assurance on our character as +ambassadors, not only for immunity from danger, but for courteous +treatment. And now," he added, disposing himself to rest, "we had +better court that sleep which will be so necessary to prepare us for +the fatigues of to-morow." + +Arundel followed his example, and, as if it had been a signal for the +Indians, they all left the cave, with the exception of two, who +stretched themselves out by the fire at the mouth. + +It was long after it had fallen upon the lids of Sir Christopher, that +sleep visited the eyes of Arundel; but tired nature at last yielded to +the solicitations of the drowsy influence, and he forgot both his joys +and his sorrows. + +When he awoke, the daylight was streaming into his retreat, and, +sitting up on the hemlock boughs, he looked around. The couch of Sir +Christopher was deserted, and no Indian visible. Wondering what had +become of them, he rose and walked to the entrance, and beheld +standing on the margin of the brook, the Knight in conversation with +the savage, who, the night before, appeared to be the leader of the +party. They were so interested with their subject as not to notice his +presence, and he had an opportunity to observe their bearing to one +another. To judge from that, the Knight looked to Arundel more like a +conqueror than a captive, and rather giving than receiving orders. The +attitude of Sir Christopher was commanding, and he engrossed the +principal part of the conversation. From the frequency with which it +was repeated, Arundel, as he fancied, could make out one word, which +sounded like "Mesandowit," but its meaning he was unable to divine. He +stood looking at them until the Indian discovered him, who, +ejaculating the word "ahque," (beware) the Knight turned and also saw +him. + +"Thy appearance dispenses with the necessity of asking how thou hast +passed the night, Master Arundel," cried Sir Christopher. "Well, there +is nothing like a trust in Providence, whereto I commend thee, to +inspire with courage. Courage may, in a certain sense, be said to be +piety." + +"Truly, Sir Christopher," said Arundel, catching confidence from the +cheerful tone of the Knight, "I begin to regard thee as a sort of +Providence, for wherever you move, you seem to exercise a command. Now +would I give something to know the secret whereby you have tamed yon +savage." + +"It is no astonishing mystery. I did but elucidate to him clearly our +sacred character and thy mistake in firing." + +"Is he content with the explanation?" + +"He seems to be. The natives are not so unreasonable as is sometimes +represented. Difficulties between men do often arise from an ignorance +of each others intentions; and one grand cause of contention is, +doubtless, an inability to comprehend their diverse languages. Now, I +suffer under no such disability. I can impart my ideas, and receive +their own in return, and thus is language a bridge of reconciliation +betwixt us. Believe me--a common cord vibrates through the hearts and +minds of all men, and skilful words are the fingers wherewith to touch +it." + +"Thou art a skilful musician in more than one sense," said Arundel, as +he turned to the brook to wash his hands and face. + +No very strict, certainly not obtrusive surveillance, was exercised by +the Taranteens over their captives. They were allowed to move about +where they pleased, and their escort began to assume the appearance of +a guard of honor, rather than a band of suspicious enemies; nor did +the savages seem at all disposed to hurry, or take any measures to +prevent a surprise, feeling, probably, a consciousness of security in +being on their own hunting grounds. Their breakfast, of which the two +white men partook with them, was leisurely prepared, and eaten with +equal deliberation, and the sun was high when they resumed their +journey. All these circumstances were noticed by Arundel, and tended +to increase his confidence. However, he made no remark respecting +them. + +But when, soon after the commencement of their march, their guns were +returned, he could not forbear from uttering his surprise. + +"They know not how to use the weapon," replied Sir Christopher, "and +it suits them not to carry loads not their own. Besides, I have +pledged our honors that the pieces shall not be used against them. +Methinks, moreover, were we inclined to play false, it were fruitless, +in view of their superior number." + +Nothing of importance occurred during the couple of days longer their +journey lasted, and before it was completed, both the prisoners lost +all apprehension of violence. They were even permitted to shoot the +game which was started, and the Indians manifested no little pleasure +when the shots proved successful. They watched closely the loading of +the pieces and priming, and the manner in which the lock trigger was +raised, and sometimes took the guns into their own hands, and brought +them up to the shoulder, as they had seen the white men do, as if +desirous to be taught their use. Something also, in reference to the +subject, they said to the Knight, but he shook his head, and showed no +disposition to instruct them. An unlucky experiment made with the +piece of Sir Christopher, by one of the Taranteens, at length put an +end to their importunities. + +The Indian took the gun, after he had seen it loaded by Sir +Christopher, and imitating his actions, discharged it at a bird +sitting on a bough, at no great distance. + +He had failed to remark that the Knight placed the piece firmly +against his shoulder when it was fired, and ignorant of the propriety +of doing so, held it with a natural feeling of timidity at a little +distance from his body. The consequence was, that the recoil +prostrated the savage on his back, and the gun dropped from his hands, +while the fortunate bird seemed to deride the unskilful marksman, and +to challenge him to another trial, by paying no other heed than +hopping on another bough. His companions gathered round the fallen +savage, and two or three took hold of the white men, as if to prevent +escape; but when they saw no wound upon his person, nor expression of +pain in his face, (for the pride of the unfortunate warrior forbade +the betrayal of what he felt,) their words of sympathy and intentions +of revenge were converted into jeers and laughter. As for the unlucky +fellow himself, on rising from the ground, he retreated a little way +from the gun, and regarding it with a look, wherein awe and aversion +were combined, took care not to approach nigh to it again. + +On the evening of the seventh day after their departure, they +approached the village of the Taranteens. The whole company halted at +a little distance from it, and the returning Indians shouted a +peculiar cry, after which they proceeded more leisurely on their way. +The yell had been heard and understood, for soon were seen advancing, +groups of men, women, and children. These, upon joining their friends, +manifested none of that stolid indifference, which it has been the +pleasure of certain writers to ascribe to the natives, forgetting that +by nature the same feelings animate the hearts of all men, whatever +may be the degree of their civilization, or the color of their skin. +On the contrary, there were smiling faces and tones of welcome, and +other demonstrations, that proved the existence of affection. The +squaws and children looked askance at the strangers, but their glances +were rather timid than obtrusive, and augured no unfavorable +prepossessions. Accompanied by a constantly increasing number, our +friends were conducted to a lodge in the centre of the village, which +they were told they would occupy during their stay. It was carefully +covered with bark, and, as usual, skins were hanging on the sides, and +lying on the ground for couches, and there were some cooking utensils, +made of clay, on one side. Such were all the articles constituting the +simple _ménage_ of the child of nature, and completed his idea of +necessary furniture. Here the strangers were left by their guides, +though several of the tribe remained lingering around the wigwam. + +"Thus far," said the Knight, stretching himself out on a skin, for in +whatever circumstances he might be placed, he was always at his ease, +"hath heaven breathed favoring airs into our sails. We will accept the +omen and be hopeful for the future." + +"No more skilful ambassador, it seems to me," said Arundel, "ever +mediated betwixt mighty governments than thyself, Sir Christopher. +Why, Ephraim Pike was right, and I did injustice to his hang-dog look +when I distrusted him." + +"What said he?" inquired the Knight. + +"That our journey would be a mere pleasure flight, unattended with +danger." + +"He would have found it different had he undertaken it," muttered Sir +Christopher. "And was it Ephraim who advised thee to associate thyself +with me?" + +"He did not presume to advise. I scarcely know how it happened, but as +I accidentally met the man, the conversation turned upon thy +enterprise, of the dangers whereof he made light." + +"There is some mystery," said the Knight, "connected with this. Be +sure the obscure varlet would not have sought thee out for such a +purpose of his own motion, but was instigated thereto by another." + +"Who could that be, and with what motive?" + +"Nay, I judge no man; but, perhaps, it so happened that they who +intended harm conferred a favor." + +At this moment they saw approaching through the opening in the lodge a +couple of squaws, bearing in their hands earthen pots, from which a +warm steam was issuing. These they brought straight into the wigwam, +and, placing them before the white men, invited them to eat. After a +few words from the Knight, which the smiling faces of the women showed +were well received, they retired, and the two friends addressed +themselves to a business seldom disagreeable, and specially pleasant +to them. In the one vessel they found pieces of broiled venison, and +in the other a composition at that time peculiar to the Indians, but +which has since become a favorite in New England, and still retains +its Indian name of "succotash." It is a dish consisting of sweet corn +and beans boiled together, and savored with some kind of meat, +according to the taste. The meat preferred by the vitiated taste of +the whites is pork; but inasmuch as swine were unknown at the time in +the country, except in the civilized settlements--the unclean animal +having been introduced by the Europeans--its place in the present +instance was supplied by the more wholesome bear's meat, for such the +experienced palate of the Knight pronounced it to be. At the +completion of the meal, although it was early according to our habits, +the unbroken silence that reigned around indicated that the Indians +had retired to rest, and the two weary travelers, imitating their +example, threw themselves on their couches. + +Some hours had passed since they laid themselves down to sleep, when +the Knight arose, and, after glancing at his companion, started, with +a light and noiseless step, to leave the wigwam. At the opening he +found a Taranteen, whom his stirring had wakened. With him the Knight +exchanged some whispered words, and then took his way in the moonlight +toward a lodge situated near the centre of the village, and +conspicuous for its size. He met no interruption, and having arrived +at the entrance, drew aside the skin which served for a door. The +first object which caught his eye was a flame proceeding from some +pieces of a resinous wood, which were supported by a sort of iron +trestle standing on a rude table in the centre, and sending up spirals +of smoke to escape by an aperture above. By means of the light which +this cast, he was enabled to take a view of the apartment. + +It was of an oblong shape, some forty feet long by twenty wide, and +coming to a line at the top, and at first seemed destitute of +furniture and of occupants. As the Knight stood hesitating, a voice +from the remotest part of the wigwam addressed him. + +"Welcome!" it said, in French, "true son of the Church! valiant +soldier of the Cross! servant of Heaven! My soul hath been in travail +to see thee; and now, _laus Deo_, its desire is gratified." + +The Knight advanced in the direction whence the voice proceeded, and +when he had passed on so far that his back was to the light, could see +the speaker. He was one who, whatever were the mistakes of his creed, +seems to have been animated by a purpose lofty to himself, and an +ardent faith in its truth, and, therefore, honor be to his memory, as +well as to all other brave spirits, who, like him, (though erring,) +forget themselves for others. But he is worthy of description. + +He was a man of about sixty years of age, somewhat under the middle +size, but strongly made, and evidently capable of enduring great +fatigue. His eyes were black and piercing, his complexion so dark as +to be almost olive, and his features regular, the mouth being small +and sharply chiseled and compressed. Thick, long, white hair covered +his whole head, with the exception of a small round spot on the crown +which was bare, revealing the mark of the priest, and fell upon his +shoulders. He was habited in a long, closely-fitting robe of some +coarse material, which had once been black, but was now faded and +tarnished by time and exposure, and a hempen rope to keep it in place +was girded about his loins. Such, as we have described him, was the +famous Father Le Vieux, one of the most active and devoted among the +French Jesuits in America. + +Father Le Vieux had risen from his seat, and was advancing toward his +visiter, when the latter first beheld him. As the two men drew nigh, +the Knight sunk on his knees at the feet of the priest. + +"_Salve fili mi!_" said the father, laying his hands on the head of +the kneeling Sir Christopher. "_Beatus qui venit in nomine Domini_. +Arise, my son!" he continued, in French, taking the Knight by the +hand, and assisting him. "Thy companion, I trust, sleeps soundly." + +"He is asleep, reverend father," answered the Knight, in the same +language, "like one who has made a covenant with his eyes not to open +them before morning." + +"May the blessed angels press their palms thereupon, that he awaken +not. Now, then, disclose to me what, for our mutual purpose, it is +meet that I should know." + +With these words, he led the way into that part of the lodge whence he +came, and was followed by Sir Christopher, who sat down by his side on +a sort of bench. + +"First, reverend father," said Sir Christopher, "would I confess my +sins and obtain absolution. It is long since my bosom's stains were +wiped out by authority of Holy Church, and my soul languishes for +forgiveness." + +"Kneel, then, and on peril of thy salvation keep nothing back." + +Sir Christopher, with bowed head, knelt by his side, and, in +low-murmured tones, while the priest bowed down to him his ear, made +his confession. It lasted some considerable time, for which reason the +good father betrayed a little impatience, either because he thought +that the sins were too trivial to be dwelt upon so long, or because he +was anxious to hear the communication of his penitent on other +matters. At its conclusion, he placed his hand on the Knight's head, +and said: + +"The sins which, with a penitent heart and lively faith, thou hast +confessed, not having wilfully concealed anything, and determined by +God's grace to commit them no more, do I, a servant of Holy Church, +commissioned for that purpose by the successor of blessed St. Peter, +whose are the sacred keys, and unto whom and his fellow-servants it +was promised by the Head of the Church, 'whatsoever ye bind on earth +shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be +loosed in Heaven,' absolve thee from, and unbind and remit unto thee, +both in time and in eternity, _in nomine Patris, Filii, et Spiritus +Sancti_. Amen. Rise and sin no more. And now, make thy report." + +The Knight rose from his knees and resumed his seat, whereupon ensued +a long conversation. + +It referred to the condition of the colony under Winthrop, and of the +elder settlement at Plymouth; the prospect of their increase; the +dissensions among them; the relations maintained with the savages, and +influence exerted over them; and, in short, to whatever bore upon the +present circumstances and probable destiny of the two races. The +occurrences at the reception of the Taranteen embassy were also +detailed--the appearance of Sassacus, the excitement of the Indians, +and the consequences which followed. + +"I found it hard," said Sir Christopher, "to allay their wild passion +on the discovery of the Pequot Chief. I had to urge upon them that +they were committed to my care by you (I had before received your +missive from one of them) and that instant destruction would follow +any act of violence. I reminded them that their mission was one of +peace, and endeavored to shame them for exhibiting so much feeling at +the sight of a single warrior. Nor was I blinded by their apparent +submission, but strove to remove the Pequot out of their way. With how +little success you know." + +Father Le Vieux listened with profound attention, and from time to +time made memoranda in his tablets of those parts of the communication +which possessed for him the deepest interest. At its conclusion, he +continued silent awhile, looking thoughtfully on the ground, as if +deliberating over what he had heard. + +"The thoughts of man are vanity," he said, at length. "In a way that +we dreamed not of hath Almighty Wisdom delivered us from this peril. +Vainly, in our ignorance, we strove to prevent a meeting between the +Taranteens and the English heretics; and lo, it was the very thing to +be desired! They were brought together only to be more widely divided, +and a commencing friendship has ended in a confirmed enmity. Blessed +be the Pequot, and mitigated be the pains of purgatory to the poor +savages who fell in the night attack, for the good they have done. We +are now safe from this danger." + +The father paused, as if reflecting, and then again spoke. + +"It would be strange," he said, "and the thought itself seems impious, +if this goodly land, with its thousands of immortal souls, should be +delivered over into the hands of these accursed heretics. My heart is +troubled, and a sacred horror invades me when I think thereupon. This +is a time of tribulation, and our faces gather blackness. Holy Mary!" +he continued, (crossing himself and raising his eyes to Heaven,) +"intercede with thy glorified Son to quicken our faith and shorten the +days of our trouble. Let not these insatiable locusts from the pit of +darkness, whose end is destruction--these deceivers and deceived, who +would tear down thy church, and defile her altars, have, even in +seeming, their will! O, let a strong wind arise and cast them into the +sea, that they may devour thy heritage no more!" + +"Amen, and Amen!" responded the sweet voice of Sir Christopher. "So +may all the enemies of the church perish! But O, holy father, sad is +it to see so much heroism in men, so much resigned fortitude in +delicate women, such wonderful courage, such patience wasted, in +promoting error." + +"_Quam diu Domine!_" exclaimed the father. "The days of man are but as +a shadow and a tale that is told. He cometh out of darkness, and +returneth thither again. But thy years, O Lord, are everlasting, and +thy counsels like the great deep. O, stamp this truth on our hearts, +and it shall cure our impatience. How long Divine Wisdom shall permit +the raging waves of this pestilential heresy of the arch-deceiver, the +licentious Luther, to beat against His church, threatening as with the +jaws of hell to devour her, it is not for man to know; but we do know +that they cannot prevail, for she is founded on a rock, and bought +with a great ransom, and the Word of God is pledged to her triumph. +But it becomes every true son of Holy Church to have his loins girded, +and to let no weakness of the flesh or fainting of the spirit +interfere, to delay that hoped-for time when this miserable delusion +shall disappear. Verily, heavy is the task imposed on feeble +shoulders; but in the strength of One who can supply strength, will we +prevail." + +"Has any information," inquired Sir Christopher, "been received +respecting the new colony to be planted under Lord Baltimore, in +Maryland, or promise of assistance from our friends at home?" + +"The English Catholics," answered Father Le Vieux, "are lukewarm. The +air of their foggy isle is tainted. Not much do I expect from this +Cecil, Lord Baltimore. He is, forsooth, a philosopher--a man who +stands half the time upon his head--for he is one of them who are +puffed up with conceit of worldly knowledge, and who, in contradiction +of Holy Scripture, assert, with Galileo Galilei, that this world is a +ball which daily turns round. His company has not arrived, and never +may arrive. Not on the timorous and doubting English Catholics, but on +my own brave countrymen and the faithful Spaniards, must we rely for +the accomplishment of the heaven-inspired thought of our great +founder, the immortal Loyola." + +"Expect you," inquired Sir Christopher, "to convert these English +colonies into dependencies of France or Spain?" + +"To you and to me, and every true Catholic, it is of little +consequence whether they be French, or Spanish, or English colonies, +so they be gathered into the bosom of Mother Church. Of how little +moment are the transitory things of time, our poor distinctions of +nationalities, our weak prejudices, our loves and hates, in comparison +with eternity and its determinations. Then, in that other world, there +will be neither French, nor English, nor Spanish, but 'the blessed of +the Father,' to enter the kingdom prepared for them; or howling +heretics, whose doom is fire unquenchable." + +"Holy Father," said the Knight, "I pray you to forgive me; but, in my +ignorance, I by no means approve of your design, nor have I confidence +in its success. Consider the consequence, should even a suspicion of +it be entertained by the Government of England. These colonies are now +regarded as only nests of wild sectaries, who have fled from restraint +at home to indulge fanatical imaginations in a wilderness. At present, +they are neglected and despised by the general, none, save those of +their own infatuated faith, thinking of, or countenancing them; but, +let it be once surmised that France or Spain is attempting, either by +fraud or violence, to set foot among them, and you will see the whole +force of the kingdom in arms to counteract your plot, and thousands of +heretic emigrants will arrive, where now only a few make their +appearance." + +"My son, it is easier to crush error in the egg than in the full-grown +serpent. But forget you not that you are only a secular coadjutor, and +therefore bound simply to obey?" + +"_Peccavi_," said the Knight, bending his head. + +"_Absolvo_. I espied this weakness in the confession of sins, and now +solemnly warn thee against it. Attend, my son, and be my words +remembered. I perceive in thee a jealousy of the political power of +other nations, when they conflict with thine own. This, to the +untutored mind of the vulgar, seems commendable, yet do I reprehend +it, and say unto it, '_Apage, Sathanas!_' as the fruitfull seed of +discord betwixt nations, and an impediment in the march of the Church. +As high as the concerns of Heaven transcend those of earth, do the +interests of the true and universal Church those of the petty kingdoms +which, for their own good, she subjects to her control. They are not +to be thought of when her magnificent voice is heard. Who is it speaks +from the chair of St. Peter, but the Vicegerent of God? Who is +Vitalleschi, our chief, but another accredited instrument to +accomplish the salvation of the nations? And if it be the duty of +every Catholic to set the welfare of the Church before all other +considerations, and to die a thousand deaths before abandoning it, how +much more is it the life-business of each member of the Society of +Jesus to sacrifice all things for her! Power, wealth, fame, life, and +honor, which some value more than life, what are they all when weighed +against that one duty and the reward that awaits its observance? The +principles of the blessed Company of Jesus are not the crude fancies +of some crazy heretic, nor suggestions of man's unguided reason, but +they are conclusions of wise men inspired by the Holy Spirit, and +infallibly directed to truth! Such thou and I have acknowledged them +to be by becoming members of the Order, and thereby assuming its +obligations. My faith burns daily brighter--each obstacle but inflames +my zeal. If, by my martyrdom, I could advance our cause one hour, how +gladly would I lay down a life worthless, if not spent in the service +of the Church." + +Father Le Vieux paused, his fine face beaming with enthusiasm, while +the Knight bent again his head, and, kissing the priest's hand, +murmured "_Peccavi_." + +"Thy faithfulness I commend," resumed the father, "but as thy +spiritual guide, I warn thee against human weakness. It is a mighty +discourager of great undertakings. Only by faith and remembrance of +what thou art vowed to, can it be overcome. Nor doubt, though thou +dost not clearly understand, and but little progress seems to be made. +Remember that though we must soon depart, the Society of Jesus +remains. Our Order may be as the drops of water perpetually falling on +a rock, which are dashed into fragments by the fall; yet is the fate +of the repelling body inevitable, and, after centuries, it is doomed +to be washed away." + +"Reverend Father," said the Knight, "I will bury thy words, in my +mind, and often meditate upon them." + +"Do so, my son, and by the aid of Holy Mary, and the Saints, and +blessed Evangelists, doubt not they will profit. But I charge thee to +beware of laic reason and human impulses. Refer all things to the +standard whereby thou hast been taught, for so only will it be well. +Farewell; morning approaches, and I depart, for I would not have the +presence of a white man suspected by thy companion. I will communicate +further with thee as opportunity presents, and, meanwhile, I will +consider how thy mission may be made to redound most to the honor of +the Church. If, by restraining the ferocity of the Taranteens, the end +may be accomplished, gladly will I exert my influence therefor; but, +on the contrary, if I see that a union among the tribes can be +effected, whereby these intrusive Philistines can be driven from the +land, I will put myself at the head of our savage friends, and +Winthrop and his unhappy followers shall be doomed." + +He ceased, and bowed, and the Knight reverently bending his body, took +leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + Low, reverently low, + Make thy stubborn knowledge bow, + Weep out thy reason's and thy body's eyes, + Deject thyself, that thou mayest rise, + To look to heaven--be blind to all below. + + MATHEW PRIOR. + + +On rising, which he did with the sun, leaving the Knight buried in +sleep, Arundel took his way through the village to enjoy the fresh +morning air and examine the Indian wigwams, it being the first +considerable collection of them which he had seen. He found them, to +the number of forty or fifty, extending at a distance of four or five +rods from one another, in a couple of wide avenues, from the edge of a +wood to the margin of a river. The piece of ground on which the lodges +were built seemed to be a bit of alluvial formed by the overflowing of +the river. All along the stream were scattered fields of maize, whose +tall, stout stalks attested the richness of the soil. The cultivation +was of that sluggish and negligent description which was to be +expected from the indolent character of the Indians, it being entirely +entrusted to the squaws, the men considering labor beneath their +dignity. The object was attained, if the plants were sufficiently +protected against the encroaching weeds to enable them to overtop the +latter, after which they were left to take care of themselves. Yet, +notwithstanding all this negligence, prodigal Nature rendered a rich +return. It has been said (with what truth we know not) that the weeds +of a soil depend upon the race which cultivates it--they which spring +from the sweat of an Indian being different from those which embarrass +the toil of the white man or the negro. If it be so, then have we +perhaps another proof of the kind accommodation of mother Earth to her +children, excusing for the reluctant Indian that labor which she +exacts from the hardier white and black man. + +As Arundel passed by the bark wigwams, he was able to form some +opinion of the mode of life of the Taranteens. Indolently thrown upon +the ground in front of his lodge, in the soft summer morning, he +beheld its master inhaling the fumes of that pernicious but seductive +plant, which is one of the few gifts the North American savage has +transmitted to his conquerors, that promise to perpetuate his memory. +Little children, of whom seldom more than two or three were to be seen +in any wigwam, played around him, now and then obtaining a word of +notice, while the patient squaws were either engaged in ordinary +culinary preparations, or, if more than one wife were in the lodge, +dividing their labors among themselves, the one cooking, a second +mending moccasons or robes, and a third preparing to start with her +agricultural tools, made of Quohaug shells, (a large kind of clam,) +for the maize field. Here and there he could see young men armed with +bows and arrows, leaving for the surrounding woods, in pursuit of that +game on which was their principal dependance for food. Only one old +person did he behold, whence he inferred that their precarious life +was unfavorable to longevity. He lounged throughout the whole +encampment without interruption, sometimes regarded with a frown, +sometimes with a smile, but for the most part treated with +indifference. + +The monotony of Indian life affords little to interest during the week +spent by Sir Christopher and Arundel among the Taranteens. It was +passed by the latter in daily hunts with some young Taranteens, with +whom he had contrived to ingratiate himself, and to whom his gun was +no unwelcome assistant in the chase. The Knight had assured him of the +absence of all danger from the Indians, but even without such +assurance, Arundel would have preferred to encounter some peril rather +than submit to the tedium he must otherwise have endured. + +As for Sir Christopher, his preconcerted meeting with Father Le Vieux, +and the conversation betwixt them, prove that he had other objects +besides the establishment of peace between the English and the +Taranteens. The determination of the question of peace or war seemed +to be left entirely with the Father. We may consider his remaining in +the village was for the purpose of waiting for the announcement of the +conclusion to which the Indians, under the direction of the Jesuit +priest, should come, and also to arrange their mutual plans; for, +taking advantage of the absence of Arundel, which, as is seen, he +encouraged, the Knight had frequent conferences with the priest, the +grand object of which was to advance such measures as might obtain the +whole of North America for the Catholics, as South America had already +been secured. It would seem that, although the Knight had the +accomplishment of that result as much at heart as the priest himself, +his national pride and patriotism relucted at the idea that English +colonies should become possessions of the hereditary enemies of his +nation. It was to combat this notion, and to satisfy him of his duty, +to trample upon it at the foot of the cross, that the arguments of the +father were directed. The plan of Sir Christopher was to supplant and +overpower the Puritans with English Catholics, which, by the aid of +the immense wealth of the Church, and the ability of the enterprising +Jesuits, he doubted not might be done, but not to make the colony +French. Devoted Catholic as he was, he was unable to renounce his love +of country. + +Not so with the father. With the sagacity of a priest, he placed no +dependence upon any portion of a people whose councils were ruled by +Protestants, and with the conceit of a Frenchman, he had unlimited +confidence in _la grande_ nation; besides, he had been a witness, and +partaken of the sufferings of his brethren, the French Jesuits, among +the savages, and he relied much on a zeal, the superior of which the +world has never seen, and which he believed sanctioned by heaven, and +in spite of himself, and try as he might to persuade himself of the +contrary, national feeling (as in the case of Sir Christopher) mingled +with the aspirations of the religionist. He would, indeed, rather than +fail, have courted the Turk himself, on whom he looked with eyes about +as favorable as on a Protestant, but he preferred that his own nation, +as well as his own order, should monopolize both the glory and the +advantages of the achievement. These feelings, secret almost to +himself, he carefully kept concealed from Sir Christopher, whom he +regretted was not a countryman, and confined himself to the religious +aspect of the case. No opportunity to remove a doubt, or inflame the +zeal of his coadjutor, did he allow to escape. + +"There is but one Church," he said, in one of their conversations, +"and only through her sacred portals is the kingdom of heaven to be +entered--a truth received by every Catholic--else, vain and unmeaning +was the solemn tradition of the keys to St. Peter. They who are not +for her are against her, and must be subdued to obedience by mild +means if they will suffice--by harsh, if necessary." + +"To these truths I give my entire assent," said the Knight. + +"I doubt it not--I doubt it not; but let all take heed, my son, not to +exhaust belief in the shadowy region of theory. Truth should be an +armed soldier to step out to deeds." + +"Lord! strengthen me," said the Knight, humbly. + +"Such," said the father, "is the prayer of every true Catholic. +Forgive me, my son, if, for the refreshing of my own resolution, and +the strengthening of thy soul, I repeat familiar truths, but which +cannot be too often reiterated, or long enough meditated upon. +Methinks that as I give their vocal sweetness to the air, these old +woods do assume a more reverent aspect, and a tide of holier transport +streams through my heart. Holy Jesus! I would have no will; I would +have no mind but thine. Swallow me up in thine ineffable perfections." + +The two crossed themselves at the sacred name, and the Knight softly +said, "Amen." + +"But let us be cautious," continued the priest, "not to deceive +ourselves as do some, who fancy themselves sound, and yet are +diseased; who mix up the suggestions of the carnal understanding with +heavenly promptings. Said not holy St. Augustine, _credo quia +impossibile et_? There are minds too shallow to perceive the profound +wisdom of the maxim, and scoff at it as an absurdity. By God's grace, +my son, we are not of the number. We see it; we feel it. Thanks to the +discipline wherewith we have been exercised. Our souls do calmly +repose on this truth, and in its strength shall the servants of the +church triumph. What is impossible to man, is possible with God." + +"I embrace this truth," said Sir Christopher. + +"Nor when commanded by a superior is it ours to question, in imaginary +wisdom, as is the manner of the world, the propriety of the order. As +an archangel, commissioned by the Supreme Intelligence to execute his +decrees, and pour pestilence or famine upon a land devoted to +destruction for its sins, may not say what doest thou, so must not a +servant of the Order of Jesus doubt the inspiration of him whom he is +bound to obey. Does he so, he is too weak for the post whereunto his +presumption has aspired, and false alike to himself and the cause he +espoused. Not unto the weak in mind, but to the strong in faith, is +committed the cause of the Church." + +"Holy Father," said the Knight, "your words probe the secrets of my +soul. I do intend, and practice always, perfect obedience to my +superior, knowing that whatever is ordered by him whom the ordinance +of God, and of our holy Order hath set over me, I may not only perform +without sin, but that the same will redound to my salvation; and yet, +in spite of fastings and prayers, do involuntary doubts sometimes +creep into my mind, which I hasten to banish, as the whisperings of +the devil." + +"They are--they are the instigations of Sathanas," said the priest, +crossing himself. "O, my son, whenever these temptations occur, +remember thy vows and obligations, and betake thyself more diligently +to prayer and penance. But, Sir Christopher, it becomes me not to +address thee as a babe in Christ. Though it be thy pleasure to remain +in an inferior position, thou hast a mind which soars with the highest +in the order, and comprehends the theory and working of our regimen. +Upon the divine pattern have we modeled our system, and the operation +of the same must run parallel therewith. As at the head of the +Universe Stands the Law-giver and Ruler, so with us; as obedience to +him is order and truth, so with us; as to accomplish his purposes he +makes use of all influences, tempest, lightning, plague, pestilence, +the sword, as well as of the breeze of health, the refreshing rain and +golden sunshine, now melting with his smile, and now terrifying with +his frown, so do we. Teaches not God by his example how to govern his +world?" + +"Aye, possessed we his wisdom," said the Knight. + +"Doubt not, that if with a holy motive we seek to do his will, He will +furnish the wisdom. Blessed unto the children of Israel was their +obedience, when hearkening unto Moses, God's vicegerent to them, they +did, stifling all suggestions of infatuated reason which would stamp +the deed as a cruelty, put to the edge of the sword thousands of men, +women, and children, of the unhappy Canaanites. Who will doubt it +right? And thinkest thou the authority of Moses over a few wild tribes +more prevailing, and an act sanctioned by him a temporary guide, more +pleasing than one approved by the successors of St. Peter, more +solemnly and extensively invested with the divine power, and destined +to exist to the end of the world? If the offending heathen might +lawfully be slaughtered at the command of the Jewish leader, it is +impious to shrink from sacrifices like those on the altar of St. +Bartholomew, when required by the Vicar of Christ. If by direction of +one entitled to give the order, I slay my brother, my motive being +obedience, and the promotion of the interests of the Church, the +greater is my reward for overcoming the weakness of the flesh, and +forcing it, albeit, reluctant, to obey. Emptied of myself I am filled +with divine grace. The creature is enabled to be made the sword of the +creator. A higher reason, incomprehensible because so high, is +substituted for the lower, and the dogma of St. Augustine becomes an +animating principle and a living power. Try, prove, search, examine +thyself, my son, and thou wilt find these doubts do arise from the +rebellious reason ever ready to set itself up as God, and to demand +the worship which belongs to Him. Each one would be a law unto +himself, and hence as many laws as law-givers. Let the reason of man +prevail, (an impious thought, and an impossible fact,) and the +seamless coat of Christ is rent, a deluge of all manner of heresies +and abominations follows, and Zion in sackcloth mourns her blighted +hopes. Behold the condition of the world, how it confirms my words!" + +"Father, feeling as well as the unsanctified reason, does at times +rebel." + +"Alas, they are conspirators together. How willingly the one echoes +the fancies of the other, while they deal out mutual encouragement! +But it needs not to say, to thee at least, that feeling can be no +criterion of truth; or, rather, that the disturbance of the faculties, +baptized with the name of feeling, and which springs from a corrupt +nature, must be hostile thereto. There is in high contemplations on +man's duties, but one infallible test of truth, viz: the Holy +Scriptures, as interpreted by the faithful witness, the Church. To +them, my son, the one as the record, and the other as the inspired +interpreter, is it our duty, and should be the business of our lives, +to bring into subjection the rebellious passions, the fainting +weaknesses and erring reason. Inspired by this grand truth, behold +thousands of devoted men and women, weak with human infirmity, but +sustained by courage from on high, renouncing the dulcet, but +transitory enjoyments of this life, to encounter, for the salvation of +their souls, and of others, privation and sorrow, and painful death. +_Quoe terra non plena nostri laboris?_ Yet, O how contemptible is +the suffering, when compared with the joy of the hope which is set +before us--of the starry crown that awaits the willing martyr! Feed +thy soul, my son, on these divine contemplations, until they become a +part of thyself, and the path that leads to a bloody grave shall be +strewed with roses. Be the motto of our order forever before thine +eyes. From the mystical words in _majorem gloriam Dei_, shall beam a +light brighter and more blessed than that of the sun, for it flows +from the throne of the Eternal." + +With suggestions and arguments like these did the enthusiastic father +endeavor to animate and confirm the less exalted resolution of his +fellow-laborer. Nor were they without an influence. As the thirsty +traveller, faint and worn with the toil and heat of the day, drinks of +the refreshing spring, and bathes his brow in its cooling waters, and +goes strengthened on his way, so did the Knight derive vigor from his +words. + +At their last meeting, Father Le Vieux announced the conclusion to +which he had persuaded the Taranteens. + +"Hostilities at the present time were premature," he said. "The tribes +are not sufficiently united to make head, with all the assistance we +can afford, against the heretics. We will wait awhile, until the +present supposed outrage is followed by another--and, in the position +and temper of the English, it is inevitable--which shall rouse other +tribes. Be sure, the Taranteens will not forget. The war-whoop must +sound simultaneously, from the Kennebec to the mouth of the +Connecticut, or our labor will be worse than lost. Meanwhile, a great +advantage has been gained. A gulf is now between the proud Englishman +and the Taranteen, over which neither will pass. Your report, then, to +them who sent you will be peace. Thus will their confidence in you and +your influence be increased." [At the same time the father gave a +letter for Sister Celestina.] "Tell her," he continued, "of my +admiration of her devotion. Blessed be she among women!" + +Thus they parted, the priest to return to his self-sacrificing labors +among the Indians, at no distant period to end in that crown of +martyrdom after which his soul panted, and the Knight to his post of +observation near the English colony. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + "So full of passion were his amorous glances, + So artfully the wicked jade dissembled, + So well each sighed ridiculous romances, + That for them both, I vow, I fairly trembled." + + ANONYMOUS. + + +During the absence of the Knight and his young friend, events had +occurred which require us to shift the scene of our theatre to Boston +and its environs. + +The indefatigable Spikeman continued to prosecute his intrigues with +his accustomed audacity. The evil passion which he had conceived for +the pretty Prudence, so far from being checked by the repulses he +received from the wily maiden--repulses which left room for hope--only +stimulated to redoubled exertion. He was like a sportsman, whose +eagerness in the pursuit of game is only heightened by its shyness and +difficulty of capture; and, with no disparagement of the virtue of the +coquettish girl, it must be admitted that, for the want of something +better to exercise her active faculties, (the difficulties of her +interviews with Philip having increased since his banishment,) she +found a mischievous delight in the power she possessed over Spikeman, +and in playing off her caprices at his expense. So far, indeed, by her +blandishments, had she succeeded in blinding his eyes and subjecting +him to her power, that she herself wondered at her success. The path +which she was treading was dangerous, but her youthful presumption, +and the pleasure she derived from the influence which the insane +passion of the Assistant gave her over him, stopped her ears to the +warnings of prudence and the suggestions of propriety. If Philip Joy, +whom with no divided affection she loved in her own way, had known +all, he would scarcely have been so contented at the dwelling of Sir +Christopher. Yet, as we have seen, did Prudence make no secret to +Philip of the admiration of Spikeman; and, after the first +conversation in which she disclosed it, had more than once laughed +with him at the advances of her antiquated lover. But her disclosures +were made in such a manner--with such a half-telling of the +truth--with such a revelation here, and a concealment there, as to +provoke more merriment than apprehension. + +Nor, while indulging a feeling which cannot be called love, was +Spikeman regardless of his hatreds. He strove by every means to excite +distrust and ill-will against Sir Christopher and Arundel. As for the +humble Philip, he hardly looked upon him any longer as a rival, such +had been the success of the deceitful Prudence. With these preliminary +observations, the reader is prepared for what follows. + +It was at the house of the Assistant Spikeman, and there were no +persons in the room save himself and Prudence. The door was closed, +and the girl was standing with a besom in one hand, while the +Assistant, who was seated, had hold of the other, and was looking up +into her hazel eyes. He drew her down with a force which was not +resisted, and imprinted a kiss on the cheek she half averted. + +"Prudence," he said, "how long shall I languish? Verily am I as one +who longs for the dawn." + +"You do not love me half as much as you pretend," said the girl, still +standing by his side, and suffering her hand to be pressed by his. +"There is too wide a difference betwixt us, and I am all the time +afraid you are only making a fool of me." + +"By this palm, softer than the down of the cygnet; by thy lips, redder +than rubies; by thy diamond eyes, I swear I love thee dearer than my +own soul," exclaimed Spikeman. + +"How can you speak of your soul," said Prudence, smiling as she spoke, +"when you know you are talking and acting like a wicked man?" + +"Canst thou not understand the liberty of the saints? Is it not +written, that to him only who thinketh a thing to be evil, it is evil? +Surely, I have explained all this, even unto weariness?" + +"Aye, it may be so with thee; but I am no saint. I am afraid I'm doing +very wrong." + +"If you thought so," replied the Assistant, gently drawing her down +upon his lap, "would you occupy this place; would a smile beautify +those intoxicating lips, and would I read paradise in thine eyes?" + +Prudence threw her arm round Spikeman's neck, and sunk her face upon +his shoulder, as if to evince her tenderness and hide her blushes, but +in truth, to conceal a disposition to laugh. + +"I wish," she said, presently raising her head, and looking Spikeman +bewitchingly in the face, "I knew whether you really mean what you +say?" + +"Thou art unjust to me, Prudence. Have I not given every possible +proof of affection? What hast thou asked that I have withheld? Have I +not treated thee as the elect lady of my soul?" + +"Nay, there be some things which you refuse to tell me. I am foolish," +she added, forcing some moisture into her eyes; "but--but--" + +"But what, O garden of delights?" asked Spikeman, kissing the +hypocritical tears away. + +"When you refuse me anything, I think you do not love--love me." + +"Ask, and thou wilt be convinced of the contrary." + +"I am but a woman," she said, looking at him with a smile so sweet +that we almost pardon poor Spikeman his infatuation, "and I feel like +dying when I know there is a secret, and cannot get at the bottom of +it." + +"What secret? I understand thee not." + +"If you yourself had not dropped a hint, I had never thought of it; +but it was about this Knight they call Sir Christopher Gardiner, whom +Governor Winthrop thinks so much of." + +"We will cure him of that folly. What foolish thing have I said to +this girl?" thought the Assistant. "Prudence," he added, "this is a +matter that cannot concern thee. Thou wouldst not have me speak of +secrets of State?" + +"Said I not right!" exclaimed Prudence, rising, and preparing to leave +the room, "that your love was but a pretext? How, I want to know, is a +secret of State better than any other? Now, had I given poor Philip +half the encouragement which my silly fondness for thee--O, dear!--" +and she put her hands up to her eyes. + +"Come," said Spikeman, pursuing and bringing her back, "name not the +presumptuous varlet. On one condition I will tell thee, even though it +ruin me." + +"What may that be?" inquired the girl. + +"I have long solicited an interview where we should not be liable to +interruption. Grant me that, and I will conceal nothing." + +"Thou dost grant nothing without a condition. I do not know," she +added, tossing her head, "whether I care anything, after all, about +this mystery. I dare say there is nothing in it, and, as you say, it +concerns me not." + +"Be not angry, sweet Prudence. Ask, and I will answer all thy +questions." + +"You know, too, how much I would do to pleasure you," sighed Prudence. +"Ah! me, how weak a thing is a woman's heart." + +"Then you will not deny me? Know then that letters have arrived from +England, charging this knight, or pretended knight, with diverse grave +offences." + +"And what may they be?" inquired the girl. + +"He is complained of as a fugitive from justice," answered Spikeman, +who meant to communicate no more information than he was obliged to. + +"The sweet, handsome gentleman! I do not believe he ever harmed any +one. But what did he?" + +"Of that I am not positively informed, not having seen the epistles, +they being addressed to private persons." + +"Have they anything against Master Miles, too?" asked Prudence. + +"I doubt not that he is the worse of the two, if all were known." + +"These be dreadful lies about the nicest and properest men in the +country," cried Prudence. "And what will be done with them when they +come back?" + +"That I cannot tell; but be sure we shall find some means of getting +rid of them. And now, Prudence--" + +"I do not know that I made any promise," she said, archly; "and you +have told me very little, after all." + +"I have told thee all I know. Keep now equal good faith with me." + +"It would be very improper," said the girl, turning away her face, "to +invite a man to a secret meeting; but I sometimes wander on the edge +of the forest to gather wild flowers, and hear the birds sing, and if +you should come thither by accident, at the same time, nobody, I +suppose, would find fault." + +"But when--but when, lovely Prudence? Ah! you comprehend not the +longing of my soul." + +"That I cannot say now. I am only a servant girl, and must obey the +directions of my mistress, which are often very unreasonable, and +order not my time." + +"Would I were a king, for your sake! But shall it be soon?" + +"As soon as may be, and I will let you know the time and place." So +saying, she broke away from the enamored Spikeman, and ran to acquaint +her young mistress with all that had happened. + +The young lady felt seriously alarmed at the communication of her +confidante--an alarm increased by the vagueness of the information, as +in a dark night the fearful imagination invests with terrors some +object, which, in the light of day, proves to be a harmless bush or +stump--and the two young women consulted together if any thing could +be done to avert the threatened danger. They could think of nothing +better than to acquaint Arundel with it, which Prudence took upon +herself to do. + +"But how," inquired Eveline, "is it to be done?" + +"You forget Philip Joy, madam," said Prudence. + +"I might have known better than to distrust your wiles and stratagems, +you cunning girl," said her mistress; "but have a care of thyself. I +sometimes feel much anxiety on thy account--but I forbid this meeting +with Master Spikeman." + +"An' it be so," answered the waiting-maid, pouting, "you may find some +one else, Mistress Eveline, to tell you about the plots of the old +dragon, who has us in his claws." + +"For shame, thou petulant thing! yet tell me now all thy design." + +"You tell me not all your thoughts about Master Miles, and why should +I acquaint you with mine about Joe?" said Prudence, bursting into a +laugh. + +"There is some difference, methinks, between the cases--have thy way +though. I have confidence in thee, Prudence, and believe thee as witty +as pretty. Thy own goodness and love for the soldier Joy shall stand +by thee like guardian angels, to save from harm. Yet like I not this +tampering with anything that looks like evil." + +The girl knelt down by the side of her mistress, and taking the young +lady's hand, laid it on her heart. + +"Thou feelest," she said, "how it beats. Dost understand what it +says?" + +"Methinks it repeats only, Philip, Philip, Philip," said Eveline, +smiling. + +"Where one fillip belongs to him, a great many belong to thee," +answered the waiting-maid, affectionately. "It will be time enough to +let him have more when I am sure all his are mine." + +The young lady bent down, and, throwing her arms round the maiden's +neck, kissed her cheek. + +"What have I done to deserve such affection?" she murmured. "O, +Prudence, thou art a treasure to me; but be cautious, be cautious, my +girl. Not for all the blessings which thy loving heart would heap upon +me, would I have the least harm befall thee." + +A few days after, as the summer sun was setting, and his last rays +lighting up the tops of the trees into a yellow sheen, and kindling +into liquid gold the placid surface of Massachusetts Bay, a female +figure was to be seen hovering on the margin of the wood in that +neighborhood. In consequence of the inequalities of the ground, and of +some intervening bushes and trees, the collection of houses that lay +along the shore of the bay was not visible from the spot where she was +walking, nor was there a path to indicate that it was a place of any +resort. It seemed to be a spot well adapted to privacy. No sound was +to be heard, save the occasional tap of a woodpecker, or the whirr of +the wings of a partridge, as, startled by the approach of the person, +he suddenly rose into the air, or the songs of the robins, bidding +farewell, in sweet and plaintive notes, to the disappearing sun. The +female walked on, stopping now and then to gather a wild flower, until +she reached a spring which bubbled at the foot of an immense beech +tree. It ran a rod or two in a silvery stream from its fountain, and +then leaping down a miniature fall into a sort of natural basin, +surrounded with rocks, expanded itself into a small pool, as clear as +crystal. Around the basin were gathered companies of such wood-flowers +as love the water, conspicuous among which, both for number and +beauty, were the yellow and orange blossoms of the elegant "jewels," +as boys call them. Advancing to this little mirror, the female took a +seat on one of the rocks, on the edge of the water, and bending over, +appeared to contemplate, with no little satisfaction, what she beheld +there; and to tell the truth, it was a pretty face, and justified some +vanity. Black hair and hazel eyes, red lips and blooming cheeks, and a +well-formed person, composed a whole whereon the eye rested with +pleasure. Prudence, (you have guessed it was she,) after looking at +the reflection of herself awhile, and smoothing down a stray tress or +two, selected from the flowers in her hand some of the most beautiful, +and humming a tune, commenced arranging them in her hair. She was some +little time about her toilette, either because her taste was difficult +to be suited, or because her employment afforded an excuse for looking +at what was certainly more attractive than the flowers themselves. She +was so long about their arrangement, that she had hardly completed it, +and had time to twist her neck into only five or six attitudes, to see +how they became her, when a rustling was heard in the bushes, and +immediately the Assistant Spikeman stood by her side. + +"Verily, sweet maiden," he said, "thine eyes outshine the stars, which +will soon twinkle in the sky, and the flowers around thee pine with +envy at beholding a blush lovelier than their own." + +A sudden and unpleasant interruption put a stop to the fine speeches +of the debauched hypocrite, for he had hardly concluded the sentence, +when, without a warning, a strong hand grasped his throat, and he was +hurled with irresistible violence to the ground. As the Assistant was +lying prostrate on his face, he could hear Prudence, with screams, +each fainter than the former, running in the direction of the +settlement, while, without a word being spoken, his arms were +violently forced upon his back and bound, an operation which his +struggles were unable to prevent. This being performed, he was +suffered to rise, and, upon gaining his feet, he saw himself in the +presence of Sassacus. The blood fled the cheeks and lips of Spikeman +as he beheld the savage, and felt that he was in the hands of one +whom, without cause, he had injured, and who belonged to that wild +race, with whom revenge is a duty as well as a pleasure. His knees +trembled, and he was in danger of falling to the ground, as the +thought of death, whereof horrid torments should be the precursors, +flashed through his mind. But the trepidation was only momentary, and +soon, with the hardihood of his audacious nature, he steeled himself +to dare whatever should follow--and it marks the character of the man, +that the bitterness of the moment was aggravated at the thought of the +vanishing of the fond dreams with which he had idly fed his +imagination. + +His captor called out in his own language, and presently another +Indian came running up. A few words passed between them, when the +latter stepping forward, Sassacus made a motion to Spikeman to follow, +placing himself at the same time in the rear. Resistance would have +been unavailing, and could serve no other purpose than to rouse the +passions of the Indians, and invite immediate injury. Something might +yet happen to his advantage. He might be rescued, or effect his +escape, or the chapter of accidents might have something else +favorable, he knew not what, in store. The Assistant, therefore, +quietly submitted, and followed as ordered. + +Their course lay directly through the densest portions of the forest, +and as the rapidity of their progress was impeded by the constrained +position of the captive's arms, Sassacus, as if in contempt of any +effort to escape, cut the ligatures with the knife that hung at his +neck, intimating the motive at the same time by an acceleration of +speed. As Spikeman was thus hurried along, his thoughts went after +Prudence, and he wondered what had become of her. Notwithstanding his +own peril, he felt (and it proves the deep interest he cherished for +the girl) a melancholy pleasure in the hope that she had escaped, not +that even though she had fallen into the hands of the savages, he +would have entertained fears for her life, but she might have been +doomed to a hopeless captivity, far away from friends, whom she was +never to see again, and condemned, in some distant wigwam, to exchange +the comforts of civilization for a wild life, which, to her, could +bring only wretchedness. Bad as was Spikeman, and lamentable as might +be his infatuation for the girl, there was even in that, something +which redeemed it from being utter evil. + +Daylight had now faded entirely away, but the Indians abated not their +speed, and pursued their course in a straight line, as though guided +by an infallible instinct. In this manner they proceeded for nearly +two hours, and, at the expiration of the time, arrived at a collection +of three or four lodges of the rudest structure. Several of the +natives were lying on the ground, smoking their pipes, but they took +no other notice of the newcomers than looking at them as they came up. +Sassacus led the way into the largest wigwam, and, having directed his +prisoner to sit down, left the cabin. + +Spikeman knew well enough that, with all this seeming inattention, he +was vigilantly watched, yet could he not forbear from walking to the +entrance, looking around at the same time, if, by chance, he might +espy a weapon. He saw none, however, and two stout Indians made +motions to him to return. Meditating on his situation, and casting +about in his mind for expedients, either to evade his captors or to +change the resolution of the Pequot chief, which, he doubted not, +aimed at his life, he resumed his seat. He was unable to remain more +than a few moments in quiet, and presently again approached the +opening, and this time beheld a sight which curdled his blood. + +It was a stake driven into the ground, at a distance of not more than +a rod from where he stood, around which several Indians were heaping +up faggots of dry sticks and broken branches. Spikeman shuddered, and +tasted, in almost as lively a manner as if he were already +experiencing them, the agonies that awaited him, for he could not +doubt that the preparations were made on his account. The conduct of +his keepers, therefore, was unnecessary, who pointed first to the +pile, and then to himself, intimating thereby that one was designed +for the other. The effect produced on him was such that he could +hardly restrain himself from attempting to burst through his guards, +either by some miracle to get free, or to obtain an easier death from +the tomahawk or arrow. But in all the horrors of these dreadful +moments, the mind of Spikeman remained as clear as ever, and he saw +plainly the impossibility of evasion, and the folly of supposing that +the Indians would be tempted to throw a tomahawk, or discharge an +arrow against an unarmed man, whereby they might rob themselves of the +fiendish pleasure they anticipated--besides, thought the miserable +Spikeman, I should be more likely to receive the stroke of death when +their passions are excited, than at present; and with a desperate +calmness, and striving to defy the worst, he awaited what should +happen. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + These the sole accents from his tongue that fell, + But volumes lurked below that fierce farewell. + + BYRON. + + +When Sassacus left Spikeman, it was only to step into a lodge not half +a dozen rods distant. Though smaller than the one into which the +prisoner had been introduced, it was superior in comfort, as was, +indeed, to be expected, being that of the Sagamore himself. Here he +found the soldier, Philip Joy. + +"What means this, Sassacus?" exclaimed the soldier, as the Pequot +entered. "Was it not our covenant that the life of the white man +should be spared?" + +"My brother did not mean what he said when he asked that his enemy +might be permitted to run away. Who, when he catches a wolf, says, +'Wolf, Indian set the trap only to see whether it would hold fast your +legs. The wise hunter talks not so, but strikes the wolf on the +head.'" + +"Sassacus," said Joy, "this may not be. If you had caught Master +Spikeman, by your own cunning, it might have been different; but it +was the white girl and I who devised the scheme, and I told you where +to place the ambuscade, which has been successful. Were you to murder +this man, the guilt would rest more on Prudence and me than on you, +whose savage and un-Christian notions may partly excuse so dreadful an +act." + +"My brother's heart is soft, like moss, but the heart of Sassacus is a +stone. My brother must learn to harden his heart, and he shall soon +behold a punishment becoming a great Sagamore. My brother thinks and +feels like a Christian. Good! but he must let Sassacus feel like an +Indian." + +"Let him go," said Joy, "and he shall pay you store of wampompeag and +colored cloth. Of what use can it be to you to put him to a horrid +death?" + +"Wampompeag and colored cloth are good, but Sassacus is a great chief, +and they cannot make him forget an injury. Before the white men came, +his ancestors punished and rewarded, and he will not surrender the +prerogative of his family." + +"By the bones of my father," swore the soldier, "I will not permit +this cold-blooded murder. Hated I him ten-fold more than I do, I would +defend his life at the hazard of my own. Where is my gun?" he demanded +fiercely, seeking after it. "Who has dared to remove it?" + +"Sassacus took it away, that his brother might do no mischief with +it," said the Pequot. + +"False Indian!" exclaimed the soldier, passionately; "call me not +again your brother. I will have nothing to do with one whose promises +cannot bind, and who loves revenge more than honor." + +"Sassacus never breaks his word, but, if he did, it would be only +imitating the white men. Would my brother speak to my prisoner, whom, +at this moment, he loves more than the justice of an Indian?" + +"Why should I speak to him, when I should hear only curses?" + +"Then remain here to behold the punishment of the bad white man." + +He strode out of the lodge, while the soldier, burning with +indignation, disposed himself so that, unseen, he might notice all +that was done, and determined, unarmed as he was, to interpose. + +Presently Sassacus re-appeared, emerging from the larger lodge, +followed by the Assistant, whose arms were bound again, and who was +conducted by two savages, holding him by either arm. They led him +straight to the pile around the stake, which the Chief ordered to be +lighted, and whose billowy flames were kept rolling up by additions, +from time to time, of the dry wood which lay in abundance around. +Seated on a log not far from the fire, whose heat might indeed be +felt, Sassacus commanded his prisoner to be brought before him. + +"Bad white man," he said, "look on yon flames! Are they like that hell +which thy powaws say is prepared for such as thou?" + +Spikeman turned his ghastly face away from the blaze, with a shudder, +but he said nothing. + +"The white man is silent," said Sassacus. "He acknowledges the justice +of his doom. Lead him to the fire." + +Spikeman, notwithstanding the horror of his situation, succeeded in a +measure in concealing his feelings, and, affecting an indifference to +his fate, advanced a few steps with the two Indians, who held his +arms, when, suddenly making a violent effort, he burst the withes with +which he was carelessly bound, and, throwing them both off, started to +run. The opportunity had probably been given purposely by the savages, +for their diversion, and in order to protract the terrors of the +captive, and knowing that flight was impossible. But, blinded by the +glare of the fire, Spikeman remarked not a trunk of a tree in his +path, and, stumbling over it, fell to the ground, bruised and torn, +and before he could rise, found himself again held fast. Cursing his +ill luck, he made no further resistance, but sullenly suffered himself +to be led back. Philip Joy, on seeing Spikeman break away, started +from his place of concealment; so that the two were confronted on the +latter's return. The sight of Philip awoke a hope in Spikeman's +bosom, who begged him to intercede with the savage. + +"I have done so already," answered Philip; "but he will not listen to +me, and has deprived me of my arms." + +"Speak to him again--he will regard what you say. Save my life, and I +will make recompense a thousandfold for any wrong I have done you or +him." + +The Pequot, smiling, stood by, quietly listening to the colloquy, and +before Philip could address him, said: + +"Did Sassacus promise his white brother to let the dog (pointing to +Spikeman) run away?" + +"You did; but care no more for your word than if you were no chief." + +"My brother's, is a pappoos speech. Sassacus never broke his word; he +only tried whether the dog was as brave as he was bad. White man," he +added, turning to the Assistant, "thou art free. A great chief +disdains to give thee the death of a warrior. Go back to thy people, +and tell them what return the Sagamore of the Pequots makes for thy +breach of hospitality. His promise to his brother saves thy life this +time. But, beware! A Sagamore does not forget. Be a snail that keeps +its head within its shell. If the snail puts it out, Sassacus will +step upon it. Depart." + +He gave directions to a couple of his sanops to conduct the Assistant +to the verge of the forest, and, turning away, walked to his lodge. He +was followed by Philip, who had now recovered from his amazement, and, +understanding the conduct of the chief, felt ashamed at his own want +of discernment and distrust. + +"Is my brother satisfied?" inquired the Pequot. + +"Sagamore," answered Philip, "I wronged thee. It shall be a lesson to +make me more cautious in judging of thy actions." + +"It is well. My brother will hereafter remember that the thoughts of a +chief do not always shine in his face or sound in his words. My +brother will forgive me," he added, smiling, "for shutting his eyes a +little while very tight. It was that my brother might be the more +pleased when he opened them." + +"A trusty friend, this Indian, after all, in his way, (thought Philip, +as he gazed on the face of the Pequot, which had settled into its +usual gravity), and loves a jest, too. Who would have thought it? +Methinks he has the better of it with Master Spikeman, though I +misdoubt if he considers the score as settled." + +As for the Assistant, thus suddenly and unexpectedly reprieved from a +shocking death that seemed certain, he was stupified at the abrupt +change in his circumstances, and, as he hurried on, half doubted +whether it were not a dream. As he threaded the intricacies of the +wood, he had time to compare and weigh events, and was thus enabled to +come to some sort of conclusion. He recollected now many little things +in the conduct of Prudence, which would have opened the eyes of any +one not blinded by an absurd passion, and saw how, while seeming not +averse to his pursuit, she had, in fact, only tempted on from one +folly to another, until his whole being lay disclosed to her, without +herself making any corresponding return. He doubted not that she had +been all the time in correspondence with Joy, and with him had +concerted the plan whereby he had been betrayed into the hands of the +savage, to be outraged and mocked, and made to suffer all but the +bitterness of death. He gnashed his teeth with rage as these +reflections stormed through his mind, and, far from being grateful for +his deliverance, resolved to exert the whole force and subtlety of +which he was capable, to revenge himself on his tormentors. The fire +of his indignation burnt not so fiercely against the Pequot, yet he, +too, was embraced in the schemes for vengeance, for Spikeman fully +comprehended, from his parting words, that the enmity betwixt them +could be satisfied only by the destruction of one or both. Turning all +these things over in his mind, he quickly formed a plan, which he +determined to put as soon as possible into execution. + +The dawn broke before his guides left the Assistant; but it was too +early to venture to return home, instead of which, he sought his +store-house, and there passed, meantime, awhile, brooding over schemes +of revenge. Of himself he was powerless; it was therefore necessary to +set other forces at work, and, in the letters which had been received +reflecting on the character of the Knight, he thought he saw the means +of driving, not only him, but Arundel also, out of the colony; and +they being once removed, he trusted to his ingenuity to rid himself of +the simple soldier and the Indian. The political power of the colony, +in short, was to be compelled to effect his private designs. This, in +the condition of the little State, was no difficult enterprise. In a +strange land, hemmed in by savages, whose power they were unable to +estimate with any degree of certainty, and who, however contemptible +singly, were formidable by reason of their number--upon whose +friendship they could never securely rely--on the eve of a war, +probably, with the Taranteens--distrustful of even some of their own +people, who murmured at the severity of the discipline they were +subjected to--the government felt that they had need of all the eyes +of Argus, and of as many ears, to guard against the dangers by which +they were beset. They were like, in one respect, to the timorous +rabbit, snuffing the faintest hint of danger in the breeze; but unlike +him in that, they sought safety, not in avoiding, but in anticipating +and confronting danger. + +"Dear life!" cried Dame Spikeman, as the haggard face of her husband +presented itself in the morning, "where hast thou been all the night? +You look mightily cast down, and--O Lord! Heaven forgive me!--you have +a wound on the side of your head. Husband, what is the matter?" + +"Why, dame," answered the Assistant, "is it a new thing for me to be +absent one night? Bethink thee how often my occasions call me to the +plantation?" + +"Out upon the weariful plantation! O, sweetheart!" said the jealous +but fond wife, "I like not these absences. But, how got you this +hurt?" she inquired, parting his hair on the temple, and exposing the +dried blood. + +"It is only a scratch I received in the forest, and hardly worthy thy +notice, dame. But where is Mistress Eveline? and I see not Prudence?" + +"The young lady is still in her chamber, and, as for the waiting maid, +I heard her but five minutes since singing away as if there were no +music in the world but her own. Truly, it sounded more like a snatch +from some profane ballad than a godly hymn. I will tutor her about +this levity. Now do not be angry, dear life," added the dame, whose +heart was made more tender, and her tongue more communicative, by the +anxieties she had suffered during the night, on her husband's account; +"but I have fancied that you looked at the girl oftener, sometimes, +than was becoming in a man who had a wedded wife who never said him +nay." + +"Fie, Dame," said the Assistant, laughing, and pinching, and kissing +her still tempting cheek; "what crazy fancies be these? Consider my +years, and profession, and dignity, and, most of all, my love for +thee. Why, this is very midsummer madness." + +"I suppose I am foolish," replied the dame, wiping a tear away, "but I +feared, lest the girl might derive some encouragement from it, though +otherwise, Prudence is a good lass, and obedient, and I have no other +fault to find with her; but I recollect now, when I was a girl, how I +did feel when you came near me, and I have not got over all these +feelings yet, nor do I choose that Prudence should have them. So, dear +husband, it were safer for the girl that you should look oftener at +me, and less at her." + +"My good, and faithful, and loving wife!" exclaimed the Assistant, +enclosing her in his arms, and feeling something like compunction at +the moment, "you deserve a better mate. But trouble not thyself with +such misgivings. Do not this wrong, sweet, to thine own charms, and to +my profession and station, as one of the congregation and a +magistrate." + +"Nay," answered the pleased wife, "I distrusted thee not so much as +the presumption of the damsel; and if the devil goes about as a +roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, as we know he does, from the +precious book, what place is more likely for him to be in than these +awful woods, filled with red heathens, whom I take to be little better +than his children; and whom would he sooner devour, than a pretty +maiden like Prudence?" + +"Enough of this, dame," said the Assistant, with difficulty +suppressing a smile at his help-mate's simplicity. "Bethink thee, that +though thy loving words are a feast to the spirit, the body requires +more substantial fare?" + +"True, and you shall have it forthwith, although, you wicked man, I +did sleep hardly a wink for thinking of thee." So saying, the dame +hurried off to hasten the morning meal. + +The Assistant watched the countenances of Eveline and her attendant +that morning at breakfast, and, in spite of the efforts of the former +to appear unconstrained, and the demureness of the latter, detected, +he thought, sufficient to justify his suspicions. He doubted not that +the girl had betrayed his weakness to her young mistress, and that all +along he had been a laughing-stock for both. "I will teach them," he +said to himself, as he reflected with bitterness on his failure, "how +to offend one who has the power and the will to crush them. The +banishment of her minion, who, a love-sick swain, has followed her +across the sea, only to be sent back a disappointed fool, will answer +for my young lady; and as for the girl, the slitting of Joy's ears and +nose, and an acquaintance of her own pretty feet with the stocks, will +suffice. It shall not be said that the sword of the magistrate was put +into my hands in vain." + +While the Assistant was busying his brain with machinations like +these, the opportune arrival of another ship from London, with letters +to himself, containing accusations against Sir Christopher Gardiner, +filled his heart with joy, and furnished additional means to +facilitate his purpose. Without delay, he took them to Winthrop, and +demanded a private audience. After reading the letters received by +Spikeman, the Governor opened his desk, and handed to his councillor +others addressed to himself, and which had arrived by the same +opportunity. Greedily did the Assistant devour their contents, and +unbounded, though concealed, was his joy at finding them in one +particular of the same purport as his own. His face, however, was sad, +and his voice mournful, as, returning the epistles, he said-- + +"A grievous thing is it, that hypocrisy, so finished, should walk the +earth. It is a day of rebuke and of scandal to us, as magistrates, +that we should be so deceived." + +"I am not altogether convinced," said Winthrop, who, steady in his +friendships, and prepossessed from the beginning in favor of the +Knight, was loth to think evil of him, "that these charges are true. +My own letters mention them only as reports--thine speak of them more +positively. Vouch you for the truth of your correspondent?" + +"There is no man more truthful," answered Spikeman, who, had it been +necessary, would have been a guaranty for Beelzebub himself. "I have +known him long. He has never deceived me, nor can I imagine motive +therefor now." + +"So fair, and yet so false!" murmured Winthrop; "and yet we know that +the evil one appears sometimes as an angel of light. I will not trust +in human appearance more. What shall be done with him on his return?" + +"Let him be sent out of the colony, and they who are leagued in his +plots with him," said Spikeman. "I understand now the wonderful +eagerness of Master Arundel to be joined with him in this embassy. +Birds of a feather, says the proverb, do fly with greatest joy +together. Out upon this false Knight, for his pretended love of +retirement; upon his leman, this lady Geraldine, forsooth; and this +squire of dames, Master Miles Arundel, whose counterfeited affection +for my ward may be only another cloak for most pernicious plots." + +"Thou art becoming suspicious of all the world. Master Spikeman," said +Winthrop, smiling. + +"And is it not time to be suspicious, when those who have been honored +with the confidence of our government, and to whom we have entrusted +an important matter, are discovered to be no better than landlaufers +and conspirators?" + +"Dost distrust the good faith of the Knight in his embassy?" inquired +the Governor. + +"A bitter fountain cannot send forth sweet water, and should even the +undertaking of this false Knight be successful in appearance, would +not my suspicion be quieted." + +"Come, Master Spikeman, remember that you may be called to sit as a +judge on the fate of this gentleman, and that it becomes men in our +positions to keep the mind free from injurious prepossessions, for +only thus may justice, which is a ray from the effulgent countenance +of Him who sits on the circle of the heavens, be attained." + +"This is no private matter of mine own," answered the Assistant, "but +a thing of public concernment; and I humbly trust, should ever my +voice be demanded in its decision, that it will be raised to the glory +of God, and the advancement of the interests of the colony which he +has planted. But I should consider myself derelict to duty, and +unworthy of the trust committed to me, were I to hold back my honest +judgment, in view of the evidence now before me, subject to such +modification as further examination may give rise to, especially when +that judgment is asked for by the honored head of our oppressed +Israel." + +"It is my purpose," said Winthrop, rising, wherein he was imitated by +the other, "to call together, this evening, at this place, for the due +consideration of this subject, such of the Assistants as may be here +present in Boston, and to advise with them thereupon, when and where I +shall hope to be favored with the presence and counsel of my friend, +whose zeal is never slack in aught that may redound to the welfare of +the Commonwealth." + +"My presence, God willing, may be depended on, worshipful sir," +answered Spikeman. + +A meeting of the Assistants was accordingly held at the house of the +Governor the same evening, and the subject of the letters received +from England, and the course to be pursued in view of their contents, +considered in all their aspects. No great diversity of opinion +prevailed in respect to the necessity of caution, in reposing any +further confidence in Sir Christopher; but as for the proceedings to +be adopted on his return, there was a considerable difference of +sentiment. The more moderate, and least prejudiced against the Knight, +at the head of whom was Winthrop, advised that he should be received +with all honor, and the charges laid privately before him, in the +first instance, and an opportunity afforded him to refute them. This +they urged was the more just and honorable mode, inasmuch as the +accusations came not before them invested with any judicial authority. +But an opposite party, headed by Spikeman, strenuously insisted on +another course. They contended, that in a matter of the kind, +severity, and even what might look like precipitation, was better than +a slackness, which might defeat their object. They pressed the point, +that such was the number of letters received (some of them by private +persons) reflecting on the character of Sir Christopher, it was +impossible the information they contained should be concealed from the +public, and that, consequently, even before the return of the Knight, +news of it would reach his house. This, they said, would put the false +Lady Geraldine on her guard, and afford opportunity to destroy papers, +or whatever else might be in existence to inculpate the Knight. It +was, therefore, their opinion, that the lady, with whatever might be +found in the house to assist their judgment, should be instantly +seized, and such other measures taken as to insure the arrest of Sir +Christopher. There was, however, too much nobleness of feeling in a +majority of the Council to relish invading the privacy of a female, on +mere suspicion, while her protector was absent, engaged in business of +the State. Winthrop looked displeased at the suggestion, and even the +brow of the rough Dudley was corrugated into a haughty frown. As +usually happens between differing opinions, a half measure was +resolved upon, which satisfied neither party. It was to keep so strict +a watch, that the moment of Sir Christopher's return should be known, +and a file of armed men despatched by night, who should serve partly +as a guard of honor, and partly as a restraint upon the person, to +escort him to Boston. At the same time, with apologies for its +necessity, his books and papers were to be secured, and the lady +brought in all honor with him. This was the plan, should the Knight +visit his house before coming to Boston; but if he arrived at the +settlement first, he was to be detained and examined, after an account +of his mission had been received. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + "The flying rumors gathered as they rolled; + Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told; + And all who told it added something new, + And all who heard it made enlargement too;-- + In every ear it spread--on every tongue it grew." + + POPE'S "_Temple of Fame_." + + +Ignorant, of course, of the events which had occurred during his +absence, the Knight started from the Indian village in high spirits, +as it appeared to Arundel, at the success of his embassy. + +"These savages are more placable than I anticipated," said Sir +Christopher, "for it must be admitted that, in appearance at least, +they have cause for grievous resentment. One might almost suspect +that, since their late defiance, a suspicion of the truth had somehow +penetrated their untutored minds. At any rate, no war-whoop will be +heard for the present, and we have been received and treated with all +courtesy." + +"A gentler race of wild chivalry," said the young man, "doth surely +nowhere exist. Their free and careless lives make me more than ever in +love with nature, and long shall I remember the noble Taranteens with +pleasure." + +"Admired you them enough to cast in your lot with them," said the +Knight, with a smile, "I doubt not that you might become a king over +regions as extensive as those which owe allegiance to the sceptre of +our gracious monarch, Charles." + +"My admiration soars not to that height; yet, to my imagination, is +there something delightful in the condition of these children of +nature, thoughtful only of to-day, and careless of tomorrow, when +compared with that of the painful delvers of civilization. The former +are birds flying freely in the air; the latter, poultry scratching in +a barn-yard." + +Sir Christopher laughed good naturedly at the sally of his friend. +"Verily," he said, "were it not for thy mistress, I do believe thou +hadst remained amongst the Taranteens. Unfortunate for them is it that +civilization has an ally in love. Were this life all," he added, +gravely, his whole manner changing, "there were some reason in what +you say. It were wisdom, then, to sport like insects in sunbeams--to +sink at night into dreamless sleep. But such is not man's destiny. +What infinite concernments hang on the present moment! How imperative +and urgent is our duty to wean these poor heathen from their wild ways +and false creed, that they may be rescued from the intolerable +perdition that awaits all who are not of Holy Church." + +"It surely is a lamentable future for the poor creatures," said the +young man; "and yet I suppose it must be so, because the learned of +all creeds, which call themselves Christian, do agree therein. Ah, me! +poor Sassacus!" + +"I opine," said the gentle Knight, "that the flames of hell will be +tempered to such poor wretches, in consideration of their ignorance." + +"It is horrible to think of," said Arundel, shuddering; and, as if +desirous to change the subject, he inquired, "May I ask, without +offence, after the country of Sassacus?" + +"Assuredly you may. It is some hundred miles to the south of +Boston--the principal villages of the Pequots being on a river of the +same name, and on a lesser stream called the Mystic, and along the +reverberating shores of the Atlantic. It is a pleasant land of bright +waters, and fair valleys, and towering hills, fit to produce a race of +hardy warriors." + +"Hast thou visited it thyself?" + +"Once, on a hunting expedition, did I wander thus far, and partake of +the hospitality of the Pequot Chief, who, in return, was prevailed +upon to visit my poor quarters." + +"I wonder what induces the noble savage to linger so long about +Massachusetts Bay, after having made his visit to you, and confess to +some apprehensions on his account." + +"Have no fear on that score," said the Knight, cheerfully. "Sassacus +is prudent as well as brave, and, as you saw on the night when he was +attacked by the Taranteens, has some of his men with him; besides, the +Aberginians are at peace with his tribe." + +"It is only the ingenious malice of the Assistant Spikeman that I +dread." + +"Be assured, also, on that head. He will not venture into Boston +during our absence, and will so carefully keep out of the way as to +allow no opportunity for violence." + +How mistaken was the Knight, is already known; but the most consummate +tact and profoundest wisdom are not able to guard against every +possible emergency. + +With conversations of this kind did the two companions beguile the +way, on their journey homeward, which occupied somewhat less time than +it took to reach the Indian village. It was early in the morning--that +is to say, the sun had just risen--when they stood on the edge of the +clearing within which stood the Knight's habitation. Here they were +met by an Indian, who, to Sir Christopher's inquiry if all was well, +answered, sententiously, "All well." On arriving at the house, they +found the soldier, Philip, who manifested his joy at seeing them again +in a manner contrasting somewhat with that of the phlegmatic native. + +After the demonstrations of welcome, Philip said, "I know not, Sir +Christopher, whether you have not got away from one danger, only to +fall into another. According to my thinking, a man of any spirit may +better trust himself with the salvages, whom I find nice, reasonable +people enough, who will not interfere with him if he will let them +alone, than with the meddlesome, crop-eared knaves down on the Bay." + +"Remember in whose presence you are speaking, Philip," said the +Knight, "and that it becomes not me to hear those whose ambassador I +am, evil spoken of." + +"I crave pardon," said Philip; "but, if all tales be true, they +deserve no such forbearance. It was out of no friendship, they sent +you to be murdered by them Taranteens, nor will they fire a culverin +at your return." + +"Out with thy news, at once," cried the impatient Arundel, "nor stand +there hanging fire, like a musket when the priming is wet. What hast +to tell?" + +"Ill news, Master Arundel, folk say can travel a mile, while good is +putting on his boots; but you seem not to be contented with its haste. +Nay," added Philip, noticing that the Knight began to show impatience, +"an' you will have it. It is little less than treason, I fear, they +are charging against Sir Christopher. It is a kind of Guy-Fawks plot +they are accusing him of hatching--that is to say, that he means to +make himself king of both colonies." + +"Is that all, Philip," said the Knight, laughing. "By our lady, I have +heard worse stories about myself many a time, since I lived in these +woods." + +"I tell thee, Sir Christopher," said the soldier, earnestly, "this is +no laughing matter. If I were in thy place, I would either fall back +on Sassacus and his tribe of Pequots, or gather me forthwith a few +hundred salvages, under arms, if you mean to stand your ground. It is +true, bows and arrows are beggarly things against muskets, in a fight +at arms-length, but at close quarters, knives and tomahawks can do +somewhat." + +"But, good Philip," said the Knight, "thy words convey little +information. Canst not be more precise?" + +"All I know," said the soldier, "is, that they say the trouble comes +from certain letters which have just arrived from England, charging +you, Sir Christopher, with I know not what horrid crimes. The person +who told me was sure they were very bad; but what they were, knew, +forsooth, no better than I." + +"Perhaps the Lady Geraldine will be able to clear up the mystery," +said the Knight to Arundel. "Let us dismiss all thought of it for the +present. There will be time enough hereafter to disquiet ourselves." + +"And I will hie me presently," said Arundel, "to Boston, to inform the +Governor of your arrival, and to discover, if that be possible, what +means the nonsense that has taken possession of Philip, unless Lady +Geraldine can explain it, which will save me the trouble. Is it your +pleasure to accompany me, or remain you later?" + +"I have some trifling duties to attend to," answered Sir Christopher, +"and shall remain. It will be enough for thee, with all convenient +dispatch, to inform him of the successful issue of our mission." + +They now entered the house together, and the Knight went immediately +to seek the lady. He was absent but a short time, and, on his return, +stated that the only information she had was derived from the soldier. +"She bade me say," he added, "that her prayers have been earnest on +thy behalf, and that she welcomes thee again to thy friends." + +The young man, (who, meanwhile, had been listening to a communication +from Philip,) as was meet, returned thanks, and desired his dutiful +service to be presented to the lady. + +Upon parting, Sir Christopher instructed him respecting his message. + +"Present to the Governor," he said, in conclusion, "my congratulations +on the successful issue of our enterprise. Now may the husbandman, +fearless, sow his seed, and his wife and little ones look with +confidence for his return. Midnight treachery and savage cruelty shall +not be known, but each one expect with a joyful heart the rising of +the sun. But I counsel no attempt at nearer approach. It is better +that the English and the Taranteens should avoid one another. Only +therein is safety. Say also that I purpose, after needful rest, to +wait upon him tomorrow, to enjoy once more the charm of his gracious +society, and to possess him more fully of our deeds." + +With these parting words, he waived adieu, and, turning, sought the +apartment of Lady Geraldine. + +The door was opened, as before, by the little Indian girl, Neebin, +who, as soon as she had admitted the Knight, ran to the side of the +lady, and, falling on her knees, began with curious eyes to examine a +book which the lady held in her lap. + +The Knight looked affectionately at the child, and, approaching her, +placed his hand upon the raven hair that fell low upon the shoulders, +and, caressing the bent head, said gently: + +"Good little Neebin! Has she learned all about the pretty pictures?" + +The girl turned up to him her bright eyes, and, in better English than +that commonly used by the Indians, and even with a pronunciation that +approached correctness, replied: + +"No--Neebin knows very little now, but the lady says the book will +talk to her by and by." + +It was one of those illuminated missals on which, for want of other +occupation, and sometimes with a feeling of superstitious piety, the +monks spent incredible pains, and often a capricious and wonderful +ingenuity, which the half-reclaimed little savage was looking at. As +if unable to satisfy her curiosity fast enough, she turned the leaves +over with childish impatience, uttering now and then a cry of delight +as she beheld the figure of a bird or of a quadruped, while her eyes +would sadden as they fell upon the mournful face of the crucified +Saviour, whose image was delineated in several parts of the book. + +"She knows all her letters," said Sister Celestina, whose true +character as a Catholic and a nun the reader has long ago divined "and +I permit her, as a reward, to look at the missal whenever she has been +diligent." + +"Your task is something like taming a young hawk," said the Knight. + +"Neebin is not a hawk!" exclaimed the child. "Hawks do not wear +clothes, nor yellow chains, nor can they say _Pater noster_ and _Ave +Maria_." + +"No," said the lady; "nor have they a soul to be saved, like Neebin." + +"What is a soul?" inquired the girl. + +Tears dimmed the eyes of Sister Celestina at the question, and, before +she could reply, the Knight said: + +"Thou hast asked a question, Neebin, which puzzles wiser heads; but it +is something which lives when the body becomes dust." + +"O, yes," said the child. "I have heard the lady (for so she had been +taught to call Sister Celestina) talk about it. How does it look?" + +"There thou askest a question beyond the boundaries of knowledge. No +one has returned from the grave to answer it," said the Knight. + +"I know," said the child; "my mother told me. It is Neebin's soul +which looks at her when she bends over a clear spring; it lives in the +water." + +"I have tried," said the lady, "to impart the idea, but it seems only +to begin to dawn upon her mind. I trust, by Heaven's grace, (crossing +herself,) it will grow and bear fruit to the glory of sweet Jesus's +name." + +"What magnificent results do flow from seemingly insignificant +causes!" said Sir Christopher. "A spark shall light a conflagration of +a mighty city; an acorn shall bear an oak to waft armies over oceans +to conquest; and the conversion of a child to the true faith may +change the destinies of nations. It may be thy blessed lot, Celestina, +to plant a seed which shall grow into a tree, whose branches shall +cover earth with grateful shade, and reach to heaven. There was a time +when, influenced by the example of a king or queen, whose mind divine +grace had illuminated, whole multitudes rushed to be laved in the +saving waters of baptism. Wherefore should not those days return? Now +doth the suffering Church mourn like a pelican in the wilderness, and +though she gives her blood in streams from her torn bosom--alas! how +flows that crimson river, as if in vain!" + +"Not all in vain," said the lady. "Cheering accounts of the progress +of our missionaries in the Southern portions of this vast continent +reach us from time to time, and the prayers of the Church are +sanctifying the land from the flood of the Mississippi to the forests +of Canada. But tell me now, Sir Christopher, of thine adventures." + +The Knight looked significantly at the Indian girl. + +"Neebin," said the lady, "take the book and examine it by thyself. Sir +Christopher and I desire to be alone. But beware that thou show it to +no one, for all are not privileged like thee to see its beautiful +pictures." + +The child took the missal, but lingered, as if unwilling to depart, +and it was not until after a more decided repetition of the command, +that, with a pout, she left the room. + +"Whom of the holy fathers saw you?" inquired Sister Celestina, after +the door was shut. + +"Only Father Le Vieux," answered Sir Christopher, "and he charged me +with a commission which I now discharge." So saying, he took from his +bosom the letter which the Jesuit missionary had entrusted him with, +and handed it to the lady. + +Sister Celestina took it, and, imprinting a kiss upon the epistle +which had come from the holy father's hand, laid it on the table. + +"Let my presence be no restraint," said the Knight. "I have nought to +say, which can be of equal importance with anything that comes from +Father Le Vieux." + +"Thanks for your courtesy," said the lady; and, taking up the letter, +she broke the wrapper wherein it was contained, and which was fastened +together by means of some unknown cement or gum, and commenced its +perusal. + +Perhaps the Knight had some design in desiring her to open it in his +presence, for, during the whole time while she was engaged in reading, +he watched her countenance, as if he expected to see the contents of +the letter there; and though her training had been as complete as his +own, yet, by reason of her more delicate organization, she was unable +so to conceal her emotion that it should be entirely unobserved. The +faintest possible color suffused her face as she proceeded, and when +she raised her eyes at the conclusion, they had in them a look which, +though it baffled the sagacity of her keen observer, betrayed a +something which he did not like. It was not triumph, nor despondency, +nor joy, nor grief, but, according to the fancy of Sir Christopher, a +strange mingling of them all. The two had been in the habit, on their +arrival in the country, and for some time thereafter, to show to each +other their letters--a custom from which the Knight had never +departed, but which, of late, had been observed with less +scrupulousness by the lady; and he noticed now, that, instead of +handing the epistle to him, as formerly, she hid it in her bosom. +Something, indeed, she said about its being from her confessor, but +the explanation, though natural, did not satisfy. He made no remark, +however, but proceeded to give an account of what had befallen him and +his companion. He told her how, by an arrangement with Mesandowit, +(who had been sent by the Taranteens to inquire of him whether their +second, viz., their hostile embassy, would be in danger from the +English, and which, in consequence of Sir Christopher's assurances, +had been ventured upon,) they had been taken prisoners--of the +conversation which passed between himself and Father Le Vieux, and of +the means resorted to, in order to remove Arundel from the Indian +village. The lady listened with a pleased ear to the recital, and, at +its conclusion, expressed her gratification at the dexterity with +which the business had been managed, and the success which had crowned +it. + +"The holy saints and angels have watched over you, to guard you in +your ways," she said, "and it proves the Divine approbation." + +"Truly, Celestina, is such a belief necessary, else would the things I +am called sometimes to do, break me down with their oppressive weight. +Only by its means can I satisfy myself, when the commands of my +superiors seem to conflict with mine honor." + +"Honor!" exclaimed sister Celestina--"what is it but a delusive +phantom, whereby ye men are frighted from the noblest undertakings? +What right has such a consideration to interfere, when you are called +upon to act by them who are set over you, and whom you are bound to +obey? It is a deadly sin to dream that they may err, and granting that +they do, on them and not on you rests the responsibility." + +"True; yet speak not slightingly of a feeling which is ever the parent +of glorious deeds. Was it not inspired by honor, that the Roman +Regulus returned to certain torture and death? that the chivalrous +King of Israel, when fainting with thirst, poured out to the Lord the +water for which his soul longed? that gallant hearts innumerable have +crimsoned the battle-field with their hearts blood, rather than that +even a suspicion should soil their escutcheon?" + +"Were a profane heretic, or an accursed Jew, or a misguided heathen, +to set these up to himself as ensamples, it might be excused," said +the sister, scornfully; "but what has the soldier, who has enlisted +under the banner of the blessed St. Ignatius, to do with imaginations +alike fantastic and full of a sounding frenzy? Was it for the glory of +God that these men died, or because they coveted the praise of the +world, and gratified a ferocious instinct of their nature?" + +"I deny not the superior nobility of the principle of my order," +returned the Knight, "inasmuch as it excludes selfishness, save as it +is of necessity, connected with the aspiration for salvation; still +can I not be mistaken in the admiration of a sentiment which lifts man +above all baseness, and prompts him to achieve exploits that shall +send his name reverberating through the halls of princes and the +cabins of laborers, to be warbled by the lips of beauty at the +festival, or shouted in front of the charging host. Yet, mistake me +not, Celestina, but believe, that while my heart loves not honor less, +my understanding renders a deeper homage to the principle of Ignatius. +But whither hath my wandering talk strayed?" he added, checking +himself. "I did desire, after delivering thy letter, to say, that it +is my purpose to follow hard on the heels of Master Arundel, and also +to caution thee to continue to keep carefully concealed, during my +absence, the sacred crucifix, and whatever else might betray us to our +enemies. Forgive me that I give this advice, but I see that thou hast +relaxed thy watchfulness over the missal." + +"The warning is unnecessary. Nightly is the blessed cross, whereon the +hands of his holiness have been laid, deposited with my missal and +rosary in our place of concealment. And as for Neebin, fear not to +trust her. She is as jealous of her treasure as could be thou or I. +But leave me not until you receive tidings from the heretics. These +ill-omened reports I like not. They may, indeed, be idle, yet it is +only, prudence to wait." + +"I care not for them, yet, to pleasure thee, would I do more. I will +remain, according to thy wish, and, meanwhile, to-night, seek +Sassacus, who soon returns to his distant tribe." + +"Be it so, then," said the lady. "Neebin." she called to the Indian +girl, who was in the adjoining apartment, and who, at the summons, +came running up; "give me now the book, and I will tell thee a story +about one of the pictures." + +The Knight understood this as a signal to withdraw, and accordingly +took his leave. + +The lady, on his departure, instead of talking with the child, +returned her the missal with no excuse, and drawing the letter of +Father Le Vieux from her bosom, commenced reading it again. + +"My judgment, then," she murmured, "is confirmed by that of the holy +father. Thus writes he: 'I fear, my daughter, that the leaven hath not +done its perfect office. There be many called, but alas, how few are +fit for the work! In some things hesitancy is a deadly sin. Let the +faint hearted step aside, that more vigorous souls may take their +place.' Whatever may be the consequences," she continued to herself, +"I feel cheered, in that my course will be approved by the father. +Thou knowest, holy Mary, that it was through no ignoble motive, but +only for thy glory I did this thing, whereof, alas! my poor woman's +heart more than half repented. Oh! pity, that one endowed with so many +gracious qualities as Sir Christopher, should lack the iron firmness +which gives consistency and dignity to life, and that his weakness +compelled me to that which I would not, for the world, his noble +nature should suspect: But since this letter from the father, no doubt +assails me. The course I have adopted I will pursue, nor shall my +constant soul falter. Sooner shall the needle desert the beloved +pole." + +The face of the woman assumed an expression of indomitable resolution. +She looked like one incapable of a weakness--like one who, mastered by +an engrossing purpose, feels that all else is trivial, and to be as +little regarded as the dust which the traveller shakes from his soiled +garment. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + He hears + On all sides, from innumerable tongues, + A dismal, universal hiss. + + PARADISE LOST. + + +When Arundel arrived at the little settlement, he proceeded +straightway to the hostelry, which was his usual stopping place, and +as he entered, was met by the landlord with those demonstrations of +welcome, wherewith the publican is in the habit of greeting his +customers. + +"So you have got safe off from them bloody salvages, (praised be the +Lord for all his mercies)," said goodman Nettles. "And you look +browner, as though you'd caught some of their color from being with +them, but hearty as my tapster, Zachariah Sider, who can begin with +the head of an ox, and never stop till he wipes his mouth with the +tuft on the end of the tail, washing it down, moreover, with a +quantity of ale that ails me--ahem!--(here Nettles put his finger on +the side of his nose, and grinned as if he had really said a capital +thing,) to see wasted on his lean carcase. But, Master Arundel, you +must be dry. There is some of the old Canary left." + +"Let me have a bottle, and, if agreeable to thee, we will empty it +together." + +As the landlord left the room, Arundel, on looking round, discovered +what he had not observed before, viz., our old friend, Master Pront, +in a sort of recess, formed by the projection of the chimney. The +worthy functionary was engaged, at the moment, in taking his eleven +o'clock refreshment of a pot of beer, (a habit from which his exile +from the old country had not been able to wean him,) but, at the +approach of the young man, he rose, and gravely shook hands with him. +Miles had barely time to offer a share of the wine, which, however, +Master Prout refused, when Nettles returned with a bottle. + +"There," said he, setting it down, and looking affectionately at it, +"I warrant me you get no such soul of the grape among the red heathen, +though if they had any wit they might have puncheons of it, if they +only knew how to make them, for they say there is store of grape vines +growing about." + +"As for me," said Master Prout, after raising the tankard to his lips, +and taking a draught, long and deep, "I'm a genuine Englishman in my +taste. Give me, say I, your humming beer, with a body to it, in place +of all the wishy-washy wines of the Frenchman or the Spaniard. They +only pucker one's mouth, and heat one's blood; but there is neither +bread nor cheese in them, as in good John Barleycorn." + +"The ale deserves all your praise, Master Prout," said the host, +"though I say it myself; nevertheless, is the good wine not to be +despised. I know no reason why a true born Englishman may not like +both." + +"It may be well for thee, whose business is to get thy living from +their sale, to talk thus," replied Master Prout; "but for all that, I +relish not these foreign decoctions--your Canaries, your Sherries, and +your Portos. Their very names have a smack of popery in them. Down +with the Pope, and all his inventions to tickle men's palates and damn +their souls." + +"And so say I, down with the Pope, but up with good wine, and down +with it too, so it only runs in the right place; but it grieves me to +hear you, good Master Prout, evening down good wine to the +Pope--why--" + +"Contradict me not, goodman Nettles," interrupted the guardian of +public morals. "I say that I have ever remarked the man who prefers +wine to ale, to be of an unsteady faith. It savors of a hankering +after the flesh-pots of Egypt. Let not such a man be trusted." + +As the constable was speaking, Arundel could not help fancying that he +looked hard at him, as if some personal application of the words were +intended. He took no notice, however, of them, especially as mine host +immediately rejoined: + +"Dear, good Master Prout, speak not so. Why, if my customers were to +hear you, the character of my house might be ruinated. Whoever heard +before that the Pope had ever anything to do with wine? I do not +believe he drinks it at all." + +"Art thou a Christian man, and so ignorant of the things that pertain +to salvation? Tells us not the Book of Revelations of the merchandise +of the great city of Babylon, when it shall fall--cinnamon, and odors, +and ointments, and frankincense, and wine; and sayest thou the Pope +hath no part thereof?" + +"An' you are for Scripture," answered mine host, "have at thee with a +text in return? Saith not the Scripture, also, He giveth wine to +gladden man's heart? Moreover, though there be wine at Rome, it doth +not follow, therefrom, that it is drunk by the Pope." + +"Contradict me not, I say, goodman, and pervert not the Scriptures +with thy famulistical interpretations. I observed you spoke but a +moment ago of the soul of the grape, as if it were possible that a +divine principle could lodge therein, I caution thee against this, as +a profane and indecent form of speech, unbecoming in one of the +congregation; and, besides, an' thou wouldst retain my custom, take +heed thou put more malt into thy ale." + +"It is strong enough to answer thy purpose," muttered the offended +landlord, but in so low a tone as to be unheard; and, as new customers +began to come in, he left, in order to assist in manipulations of the +bottle and spigot, his tapster, Zachariah Sider, whom his late +flourishing fortune had enabled him to add to the establishment. + +"Has anything worthy of note occurred, during my absence of three +weeks?" inquired Arundel of Master Prout. + +"How were it possible otherwise?" replied the constable, whom the +colloquy with the host seemed not to have left in the best of humors. +"Here hath been Increase Faith Higginson twice coopered up in a +barrel, once for drunkenness, and a second time on suspicion thereof; +Jonathan Makepiece hath lain in the stocks for quarreling with, and +using contumacious language toward David Battle; Susannah Silence hath +sat tied in a chair, before her door, with a cleft stick upon her +tongue, for being too free in the use of that member; divers godly +persons have connected themselves with the congregation, and two +unworthy Achans been driven therefrom--the one for incontinence, until +he repent thereof, and the other for denying the just power of the +elders." + +Arundel could not forbear smiling at this odd enumeration of important +events, which his informant observing, and construing into disrespect, +immediately added: + +"Have a care, Master Miles Arundel, unto thyself. I wish thee well, +for thou art a proper young man, and, did the inner garnishing +correspond with the outer adornment, thou wert indeed a comely vessel +of grace; and, therefore, say I unto thee, there be other matters +touching thee more nearly than those things whereof I have spoken, and +whereat, I know not wherefore, it pleased thee to smile." + +"I pray you to pardon my involuntary offence," said the young man, +"and to believe that my smiling betokened no disrespect. My mirth was +awakened by the comical pictures which thine ingenious answer conjured +before the imagination." + +"I trow," said Master Prout, "they who come under the displeasure of +our magistrates, will find their punishments no such comical matters. +There be such things as whippings and nose-slittings, as well as +sittings in the stocks, and the like." + +"I know," answered Arundel, "that your magistrates are no lambs. Yet +of thy complaisance, tell me wherein I am interested in aught that has +befallen in my absence." + +"This Sir Christopher Gardiner, the man who is sometimes called 'The +Knight of the Golden Melice,' is a great friend of thine, is he not?" +asked Master Prout. + +"I account it an honor to call him my friend. A worthier or more +honorable gentleman lives not in the colony." + +"There be different opinions on that head, my young master. The closer +thy friendship, the worse, I fear, it will be for thee." + +"Speak out, Master Prout," exclaimed Arundel, losing patience. "If +thou knowest any talk prejudicial to the fair fame of the Sir +Christopher, let me know it, that the calumniator may be dragged to +light, and receive deserved punishment." + +"It would take a long arm to reach his accusers, seeing they are on +the other side of the ocean. Hark ye, young sir--it is in every one's +mouth that thy famous Knight is an agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who +makes unrighteous claim to the lands granted us by his Majesty King +Charles, and, moreover, thou art connected with him, in men's minds, +as in some sort an accomplice." + +"Is that all?" said the young man, scornfully. "I judge from thy +speech that these lies come in letters from England. Pray, are they +credited by any one, save by them of the baser sort?" + +"Callest thou me one of the baser sort? Wilt thou revile them who are +set in authority over thee? Have a care, my young cockeril, or thy own +comb may chance to be cut." + +"Out with thee, malapert knave," said the young man, in his vexation, +"and know to respect thy betters. Truly, the world is come to a pretty +pass, when a fowl like thee is permitted to ruffle his feathers at a +gentleman." + +"An' he were not in some sort an ambassador, whom I have heard it is +unlawful for a constable to touch," growled Master Prout to himself, +as Arundel angrily turned his back upon him, "I had taught him +incontinently, better than to speak to me in this fashion. As it is, I +will advise with Master Spikeman about this matter." So saying, with a +flushed brow, the irate officer of the law departed. + +"What means this, Colonel McMahon?" demanded Arundel. "Here have I +been a bare three weeks away, on business of the commonwealth, and on +my return I find myself rewarded with sour looks and unpleasant +speeches, _sans_ any consciousness of deserving them. I cannot ask a +plain question, without being answered in riddles that would have +crazed the brain of OEdipus." + +The person addressed, a grave man, of middle age, and the same who had +had the words with Endicott about the cutting out of the cross, took +the questioner aside, and, as soon as they were out of hearing, +answered: + +"Truly am I afraid that I shall also be involved in thy condemnation +of those who return answers after the manner of the sphynx; but, to be +short, there have two ships lately arrived from England, bringing, it +is said, unpleasant tidings touching Sir Christopher Gardiner." + +"What be these tidings?" inquired Arundel, noticing that the speaker +hesitated. + +"I neither am, nor desire to be, in the confidence of the government," +answered Colonel McMahon, haughtily, the wounds inflicted on whose +loyalty by the mutilation of the standard, were not yet healed; "and +the information I have is derived from a private source and uncertain +rumor. For the former, the Knight is pointed at as an agent of Sir +Ferdinando Gorges; for the latter, it becomes me not to heed the idle +chatter of the vulgar." + +"Comports it with your sense of propriety to reveal more?" asked +Arundel. + +"Were I never so desirous," said the Colonel, courteously, "I should +be unable. In fact, what I have told is the sum of my knowledge. I +could, indeed, indulge in surmises based on rumor, but that were too +much like the gossiping of old women, and both unbecoming in me to +speak and in you to hear, more especially as that rumor attaints in +other respects the fair fame of your friend. It is different with the +base-born scullions around us, who are licensed to utter whatever +their unruly imaginations may conceive; but a gentleman will not allow +epithets upon his tongue to the disparagement of another, which, after +all, may be false." + +Having thus spoken, the Colonel raised his steeple-crowned hat in a +formal manner, slightly bending his body, and walked up to the +landlord, to whom he paid his score, and then left the apartment. + +"I will endure this no longer," said Arundel to himself, putting on +his own hat. "I will seek the Governor immediately, and demand from +him its explanation." + +Upon arriving at the house of Winthrop, he learned, with a feeling of +disappointment, that the Governor was absent on a visit at Plymouth, +and he turned reluctantly away, in order to communicate to the rough +Dudley, instead of the polished chief magistrate, the result of the +mission, and to obtain that information which would enable him to give +shape to the chaotic rumors. + +He was received with neither cordiality nor incivility by the Deputy +Governor, to whom the young man communicated the success of the +conciliatory efforts of Sir Christopher with the Taranteens, and at +the same time delivered the Knight's message. His auditor listened in +grim silence, interrupting him by no inquiry, nor did he, when the +communication was finished, vouchsafe a word of thanks for the service +rendered. Dudley had been a soldier in his youth, having received a +captain's commission from Queen Elizabeth, and commanded a company of +volunteers under the chivalrous Henry Fourth of France, at the siege +of Amiens, in 1597; and, if he had not the quality of frankness by +nature, had acquired an appearance of it in the camp, together with a +military decision and roughness of manner. It was not his wont to +disguise his feelings, and on the present occasion they were obvious, +even before he opened his lips to speak. When Arundel had concluded, +he waited for the comments of the Deputy, nor had he to wait long. +First, however, Dudley inquired, + +"Is there nothing more thou wouldst communicate?" + +"If there be any thing of importance or of public concern omitted, it +is done unwittingly," said Arundel. + +"Then is thy news most jejune and unsatisfactory, seeing that our +condition is neither war nor peace, but of sort of armed truce, liable +to be broken at any moment by these treacherous savages. I am not to +be deceived by the promise, that, for the present, we need fear no +hostilities. I know their craft. If they refuse formally to make +peace, they are preparing for war. Well, they may try their hand. But +I am disappointed in the opinion I had of the extent of the influence, +by some means acquired, over the Indians by this Sir Christopher +Gardiner, if he indeed have authority to bear the title." + +"Who dares to say," exclaimed Arundel, whose irritation this fresh +taunt increased, "that Sir Christopher assumes a title which belongs +not to him, or to asperse in any respect his character?" + +"It will come to light," said Dudley, "in its own time; but tell me +now, wherefore made not the Knight, as you choose to call him, his +appearance himself? Methinks such proceeding were more respectful to +the authority which commissioned him." + +The brow of the young man flushed at the rude speech, and it was with +difficulty that he restrained his feelings; but he succeeded so far as +to reply with an appearance of tolerable calmness, that it was only +that morning they had returned, and that the Knight purposed to +present himself on the morrow, being detained for the present by +reasons which doubtless ought to be satisfactory. + +"It were strange," said the surly Dudley, "if his private affairs +should be of more importance than the interests of our Commonwealth; +and yet it seems that the former do, in his estimation, outweigh the +latter." + +"I pray of your goodness to pardon the fault," said Arundel, who was +determined that nothing should provoke his anger again that day. "Sure +am I that, had the Knight of the Golden Melice known the importance +attached to his presence, he had come forthwith, without stopping for +rest, or to change his soiled garments, instead of sending me, his +unfortunate and most unworthy substitute." + +"I like not this fantastic title," said Dudley, whose ill-humor seemed +not at all soothed by the gentle language of the young man, but rather +to increase. "I like it not, whether it be an idle appendage stuck on +by the humorous learning of Winthrop, as I have heard, or a quaint +conceit springing out of the man's own vanity. I deny not honor and +dignity, where they rightfully belong, but what is to become of the +realities, if the shams receive an equal consideration?" + +"I wander like a man in a mist, who sees not a foot before him," said +Arundel. "I have entreated your Worship to deal more plainly with me, +but it has been your pleasure to seem as if you heard me not; and, for +the report which, in the discharge of my duty, I have made, I have +received only innuendos against the fair fame of my friend, and which +do, in some sense, alight upon myself. From whatever quarter they may +proceed, I scorn and defy them, and brand them as false; and, I doubt +not, the appearance of Sir Christopher will force his detractors to +disappear, even like so many whipped curs." + +Arundel spoke with a feeling of anger, notwithstanding his resolution +to keep command over himself, and rose to take his leave. The spirit +which he had shown in his last speech, so far from displeasing the +Deputy, had a contrary effect; for, rising himself, Dudley grasped his +visitor's hand, and dismissed him with less frigidity than he had +received him. Something also he said, as if in excuse of his conduct, +about the necessity of caution, amounting sometimes to unreasonable +suspicions on the part of the rulers of a weak colony, depending more +upon the wisdom of its counsels than upon force for its existence, +intimating at the same time, that if any suspicions were attached to +the young man, it was doubtless more in consequence of his accidental +connection with Sir Christopher, than because he deserved them. + +It is natural that Arundel, after his long absence, and the unpleasant +events of the day, should desire to derive some consolation from the +society of his mistress. We are not surprised, therefore, to find him +taking his way toward the house of the Assistant Spikeman, in the hope +of receiving some signal which would permit him to enter. Nor was he +disappointed--Prudence, with a light kerchief thrown over her head, +being just stepping out of the door on an errand to some neighbor as +he came up. The girl gave a pretty start as she beheld Arundel, partly +natural and partly affected, and then beckoned to him to enter. + +"O! how you frighted me!" she said, after she had carefully closed the +door. "You have sent all the blood into my heart; and it flutters so!" + +"I will bring it back again into thy cheeks, where it shows so +prettily," replied Arundel, saluting her. + +"Fie! Master Miles," exclaimed Prudence, but not looking at all +displeased. "It is well Master Prout sees thee not. Well, what do you +want? I suppose you came to see me?" + +"I have seen thee, pretty Prudence, and am so unreasonable as to +desire also to be shown to thy mistress. She is well?" + +"I humbly thank your Worship," said the girl, curtseying awkwardly, +and snuffling through her nose in a manner intended to ridicule the +grave Puritans, "worthy Dame Spikeman is well in body, albeit ill in +spirit, being afflicted with a grievous visitation called a husband." + +"Come, come, you mad-cap girl," said the young man, laughing at the +caricature, "pervert not my meaning, but show me the way to Mistress +Eveline. If thou wilt, I promise thee a husband for thyself in good +time." + +"From plague, pestilence, famine, and husbands, (I did ever think the +litany deficient,) good Lord deliver us," exclaimed Prudence, holding +up her hands. "Do I look, forsooth, like one in need of a husband, or +likely to assist my young mistress therewith? She deserves better at +my hands. I see, besides, Master Miles, that you are ignorant of the +law in this blessed country, which forbids young men to woo maidens. I +know all about it, for I had it from the lips of a venerable +Assistant. Shall I rehearse it to you?" + +"Why, what has got into the girl?" said Arundel, tired of this +foolery. "I prithee no more, sweet Prudence, but conduct me at once to +Eveline. Consider how long it is since I saw her." + +"Nay, an' you come to calling me sweet, there is no resisting you. I +do love sweet things, and it is pleasant to be called sweet by some +persons. I will delay you no longer," she added, resuming her natural +manner, "since Mistress Eveline must by this time have made up her +toilette. So, please you, follow me." + +So saying, she tripped forward, and ushered Arundel into a room, where +we have already seen him, and retired. Almost instantly, the beautiful +Eveline came in with a smile upon her lips and a blush on her cheeks, +for from her room, the door of which was open in that warm season, she +had overheard the whole conversation, as indeed Prudence had intended +she should. + +"A strange way, Miles," she said, biting her red lips to restrain a +laugh, "to show the devotedness of your affection to the mistress by +kissing the maid. Is it a fashion taught thee by the savages?" + +Arundel, notwithstanding the words of Eveline, could not discover much +severity either in the tones of her voice or the glances of her eyes, +for those were days when scarcely so great a delicacy of manners +prevailed as in the present; and, catching her to his bosom, he found +little difficulty in obtaining pardon for his fault. + +"Ah, you know, Miles," said Eveline, withdrawing herself from his +embrace, "that a maiden who scolds her lover has more than half +forgiven him already." + +It is unnecessary to dwell upon the particulars of a meeting, which, +even without experience of like scenes, the imagination will suggest, +and which, lacking the spice of personal interest, might appear tame, +even to those whose recollection of early emotions still has power to +send the blood with a livelier glow through the heart. From his +conversation with Eveline, the apprehensions in regard to Sir +Christopher, which began to invade the mind of Arundel, were +increased, although his fears were of an indefinite character. Without +being able to determine exactly what were the accusations against the +Knight, of one thing at least he became certain--that they were +commonly considered of too serious a nature to be passed by in +silence; that any services would hardly screen him from censure or +punishment of some sort, if they were proved; and that Spikeman was +exerting his malignity against him to an extraordinary degree. + +Upon leaving Eveline, Arundel meditated on the conduct he ought to +adopt, whether to remain and await the arrival of Sir Christopher on +the next day, as he originally intended, or to return and inform him +of what he had learned. That some calamity threatened his friend, was +plain. What it was, was not so evident. The only cause of complaint +against him he could discern, was a supposed connection with Sir +Ferdinando Gorges. On this point he knew that Winthrop and his council +were extremely sensitive, warmly resenting the claim which that +gentleman made, and was trying to prosecute in England, adverse to +their patent, which he declared was void, and determined to punish +whoever should assert the title of Sir Ferdinando as superior to their +own, or should in any respect countenance or abet him in his schemes. +As for other intimations, Arundel considered them as only additions, +which stories, like rolling snowballs, naturally receive in their +progress, and which, in the present instance, deserved even less +credit than usual, on account of their vagueness and improbability. +What motive could there be, for example, to induce Sir Christopher to +arrogate a title which did not belong to him, when there was every +chance of detection, and no important advantage to be gained? He had +never noticed in the Knight any assumption of superiority, but, on the +contrary, rather a careless cordiality, amounting almost to +_bonhommie_. Everything which he had seen about his friend forbade the +supposition. From the baselessness of this, he inferred the falsity of +all other charges, whatever they might be; and yet, notwithstanding +his conviction of the innocence of his friend, it appeared to him that +information of the disposition of Dudley ought to be made known to Sir +Christopher, in order to enable him to decide for himself upon the +steps necessary to be taken, before he should be assailed unawares. +Having arrived at this conclusion, Arundel lost no time in hurrying +off to the residence of the Knight. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + "Ah! home let him speed, for the spoiler is nigh! + Why flames the far summit? Why shoot to the blast + Those embers, like stars from the firmament cast?" + + CAMPBELL'S "_Lochiel_." + + +As Arundel left the hostelry, whither he had returned after his +snap-chance, he observed the figure of a man, whom he had seen several +times during the day, standing at a distance in the street. Unless his +suspicions had been excited, he would probably have paid no attention +to the circumstance; but, in the present condition of his mind, he +could not avoid connecting the man's frequent appearance with himself. +It seemed, indeed, as if his motions were watched, though why, he knew +not. In order to satisfy himself whether it were so, he stopped when +he reached the edge of the forest, and, concealing himself, waited for +the purpose of ascertaining whether he were followed; but, after +remaining some time without seeing any person, he concluded that he +must be mistaken, and more leisurely resumed his walk. + +The day had been one of exceeding warmth, which circumstance, in +connection with the excitement he had passed through, produced an +exhaustion that indisposed the young man to exertion. In consequence +of this, it was at a slow pace he proceeded, imagining any haste +unnecessary, and esteeming it a matter of indifference at what hour he +reached his destination. Hence it happened that the evening was +considerably advanced before he had passed over half the distance +which he had to go. He had advanced as far as the spot where he +encountered the panther, and was thinking of his peril then, and of +Sassacus, when he suddenly found himself surrounded by a number of +armed men, one of whom demanded his piece. Arundel instantly +recognised in the man who spoke, and appeared to be the leader, the +Assistant Spikeman; and, suspecting mischief wherever he was +concerned, and indignant at being stopped, refused to deliver up the +gun. The refusal was useless, for it was forthwith wrested violently +from his hands, after a struggle, in which he gave and received some +unimportant hurts. + +"What means this outrage, Master Spikeman," demanded Arundel, "on one +in the king's peace, and quietly about his own business?" + +"We desire your company," replied Spikeman. "It is out of our abundant +affection therefor that we have been so bold, and in consideration of +the motive, we pray you to pardon the offence." + +"This is insulting one who is unable to defend himself," answered the +young man; "but be sure, Master Spikeman, that for this, and other +like favors, a day of bitter reckoning will come." + +"Spare thy threats, beardless boy," said the Assistant, "and know that +what I do is not without warrant. Thy wisdom consists in submission, +for thou seest we have a force thou art unable to resist. But I may +not waste further words. Place the prisoner in the middle; watch him +closely; treat him well, if submissive; but should he attempt escape, +shoot him down. Forward!" + +After these orders, the men started on, taking Arundel with them, who +entertained no purpose of flight, even though a favorable opportunity +should present itself. + +If he had doubted at first whither the party were directing their +steps, the doubt was soon dissipated, and he became sure that it was +to the habitation of Sir Christopher. Meanwhile, he had been turning +over in his mind his observations through the day, and became +satisfied that he had been watched, and that the band by which he had +been captured was sent after him, and, by taking a course somewhat +different from his own, and hastening their speed, had succeeded in +throwing themselves in front, so as to cut him off from the Knight's +house, whither they rightly judged he was going. The determination was +obvious, he thought, that, for the present, there should be no +communication between Sir Christopher and himself. + +Rapidly and in silence the party pushed on, until they came to the +small clearing surrounding the Knight's house. Here they halted, and +Spikeman placed his men around the open space so as completely to +surround it, with orders for half or their number to advance +simultaneously toward the centre, while the others remained in the +shadow of the wood. The manoeuvre was so skilfully executed, that it +was impossible for any one within the house to escape--the men +composing the circle, meeting at the same moment at the centre. + +The deep silence of the night was first interrupted by the noise the +Assistant made on the door with the handle of his dagger. + +"Who is there?" inquired the drowsy voice of one as if just awakened. + +"A person demanding admission," answered Spikeman. + +"I know that, else would you not be knocking. Very well; abide a +moment till I don some clothing and I will open, when we will become +better acquainted." + +Accordingly, in a few moments the door was opened, and Spikeman, with +half a dozen men, rushed into the house, leaving the others to guard +the exterior. Philip Joy (for it was he) was instantly seized, and +ordered to tell where the Knight was to be found. + +"It is easier to ask questions than to get answers," said Philip. "For +me, I never could speak plain till I had been awake a half hour or +so." + +"Sirrah!" cried Spikeman, sternly; "trifle not, or I will have thee +scourged within sight of the gates of death. Answer--where is Sir +Christopher Gardiner?" + +"An' I knew I would not tell thee," replied Philip. "Make no ugly +faces at me, Master Spikeman, for it is of no use. Look for yourself, +an' you like." + +"He cannot avoid us, if he be in the house," said Spikeman, turning +away. "Here, Ephraim," he added, addressing one of the men; "come thou +with me. We will waste no more words with this fellow, but see whither +this door leads." + +"Stop!" exclaimed Philip; "it is the passage to the chamber of the +Lady Geraldine." + +"Forward! Ephraim," cried Spikeman; "we cannot be delayed in this way. +Heed not his clamor." + +By the light of the tallow candles, which they had brought with them, +the two proceeded, in spite of the remonstrances of the soldier. The +door admitting into the larger apartment of the lady, and into which +we were introduced at our first acquaintance with her, was open, but +the inner door to her own private chamber was barred. A slight +rustling was heard within, as they listened, as of one putting on +clothing. + +"We have tracked the fox to his den," whispered Spikeman. "Open +instantly," he added, aloud, "or we will burst in the door." + +"Who are ye," inquired a woman's voice, "who, in the dead of night, +assail the rest of innocent folk?" + +"Open at once," cried Spikeman, impatiently, "or we will tear down the +house." + +"I will not open," said the voice. "That were to assist you in your +lawless proceedings. I may be murdered, but will lend no aid to my +murderers." + +"Silly woman," said the Assistant, who felt unwilling to resort to +violence with a woman, believing that his prey was perfectly secure +within--"silly woman, we are no murderers. I require thee, by +authority of the Commonwealth, to unbar the door." + +"Ye cannot be officers of the State," answered the woman, "else would +ye not proceed thus rudely. Ye are robbers and assassins." + +"We must not stand here trifling," said Spikeman. "Throw thyself +against the door, Ephraim, and burst it in, since we are resisted." + +His companion, accordingly, endeavored, by flinging the whole weight +of his person against the barrier, wherein he was assisted by his +superior, to break it down; but in vain, the stout planks defeating +all their efforts. + +"Bring an axe, quickly!" cried Spikeman. "We will try the virtue of +steel blows." + +Under the repeated strokes of the axe, wielded by brawny arms, the +strong door presently fell with a crash into the room, and stepping +over its fragments, the assailants stood in the presence of the +occupants. By a taper, which was burning on a small table, the +apartment was sufficiently lighted to make all objects visible, though +indistinctly. + +The dimensions of the room could not exceed a square of twelve feet. +The sides, which rose to a height of perhaps eight feet, were hung all +around with a black cloth, and overhead the same covering was +extended. The furniture consisted of only a chair or two, and of the +table above mentioned. In the centre stood the tall form of sister +Celestina, clothed in garments as black as the drapery which +surrounded her, and holding by the hand, the little Indian girl +Neebin. Without stopping to notice them, Spikeman and Ephraim +immediately commenced searching, with drawn rapiers, behind the +hangings. The cloth, on being withdrawn, exposed to view nothing but +unhewn logs, and a recess of a few feet, containing a rude couch. +During the search, which was soon completed, the lady remained +standing, with the little girl by her side, viewing the proceedings in +silence, and with an air of offended dignity. + +"What seek ye?" she demanded, when, with looks of disappointment, the +men desisted. "Tell me, that I may render you that assistance whereof +ye seem to stand in need." + +"Madam," answered Spikeman, "where is Sir Christopher Gardiner? It is +him we seek." + +"And is it in my sleeping apartment, audacious wretch, that you expect +to find him?" exclaimed the lady. "Your question is a greater insult +than your violence." + +"Madam," replied the Assistant, "it behooves you to be careful of your +language. Ephraim," he added, turning to his companion, "do thou +inquire without, whether the Knight be taken. He may have leaped from +the window." + +Upon Ephraim's departure, Spikeman again addressed the lady. + +"Madam," he said, "I know that the work wherein I am engaged is +ungracious. Sad is the necessity which compels me to invade the +retirement of a lady whom I hold in all honor and respect, and who has +it in her power to make our whole Commonwealth her grateful debtors." + +"Speak quickly, sir," said the lady, "that I may the sooner be rid of +your intrusive presence." + +"You know me not, madam, nor my kind intentions, else would you not +indulge this scorn." + +"If to break open the house of a defenceless woman at midnight, to +batter down the door of her chamber, to intrude therein, and to insult +her, besides, with base suspicions, be your kindness, what must be +your cruelty?" + +"Necessity, madam--necessity must be our excuse. We will have Sir +Christopher Gardiner, dead or alive. Judge by the importance which we +attach to his capture, how great will be our gratitude, and the reward +of him who shall enable us to lay hands on the traitor." + +"He is no traitor, base slanderer. Thou hadst never dared to utter +these injurious words in his presence." + +"I would he were in presence," said Spikeman, sternly, "and you would +soon be convinced of the contrary. But more plainly, madam. Let me +entreat you, for your own sake, to disclose the hiding-place of this +man, and to deliver to me his papers, for only by so doing can you +escape severe and dreadful punishment." + +A deeper pallor overspread the pale face of the lady, but recovering +herself she said-- + +"If I understand thee aright, thou dost seek to make me an accomplice +of thy crime." + +"It is no crime, but an acceptable deed, to deliver a criminal to +justice, to suffer for his deserts. On such conditions, and on such +only, can I promise immunity for thyself." + +"Justice! I trust not the justice of a State, where such as thou bear +rule. Ye know not the meaning of the word. Sacred heaven! what would +you have me do? Betray into your toils an innocent man, that I may +avoid, I know not what consequences! Infamous tempter, I spurn thee! +And know, that were I capable of such inexpressible shame, I could not +commit it. I know not where is Sir Christopher." + +But, evidently, Spikeman placed no confidence in the denial. He strode +across the room, as though reflecting on some subject, and then +stepping up to the lady, bent over, and whispered some inaudible words +into her ear. + +"It is false. Holy Virgin!" she exclaimed, forgetting herself in the +excitement of feeling, "must I bear this? Leave me! leave me! Rid me +of your hateful presence! The room is full of horrid shapes since you +came in." + +"Ha! madam," cried Spikeman, "you have betrayed yourself. I have your +secret, and will find means to force you to speak the truth, ere I am +quit of you," and scowling malignantly, he left the apartment. + +The excitement which had hitherto sustained the lady, seemed now to +desert her, and she sunk upon a seat. Sobs broke from her bosom, and +tears, which she vainly tried to restrain, streamed down her cheeks. + +"O, holy Virgin," she murmured--"immaculate lady, whose heart was +pierced with so many sorrows, help me to bear my own. This is the +sorest trial of all. Without thy preventing grace, divine Mary, I +shall sink under it. Intercede with thy dear son for me." + +The little Indian girl, who, during the whole time while Spikeman +remained, had stood by the lady's side, showing no apprehension +whatever, but listening attentively to every word, and following each +motion with her keen eyes, now kneeled down by the lady, and looking +into her face, said-- + +"Do not cry, lady. Owanux have not found the book with the pretty +pictures, nor the man with the sweet face, with his eyes shut, and his +head falling on one side, upon his shoulder, who makes Neebin feel +like crying when she looks at him; and Sir Christopher is gone away, +so that they cannot catch him." + +"Dear Neebin," said the lady, "thine are timely words of consolation. +Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings," she added, looking up, "dost +thou ordain strength. I will be grateful for these mercies, nor allow +a weakness to overcome me again." + +The lady now, with more care, adjusted her garments, which, when +wakened by the noise made at the entrance of the band into the house, +she had hastily thrown on, and smoothed down the hair that, without a +curl, lay on her temples. She paid the same attention to Neebin, and +then, crossing her hands, sat down to await what should follow. + +"Has any thing been heard or seen of him whom we seek?" demanded +Spikeman of a soldier, as he entered the room wherein he had left Joy. + +"Nothing, so please you," answered the man; "and Philip here says that +our search will be bootless, for that he is not in the house." + +"A fine soldier thou, and a shrewd," said Spikeman, contemptuously, +"to trust what a prisoner may say! Call me Lieutenant Venn." + +The soldier went out, and presently returned with the lieutenant. + +"Hast thou discovered nothing on thy watch on the outside?" inquired +Spikeman. + +"We invested the building so closely," answered Venn, "that had a +mouse attempted to run away, we had seen and captured it; but no sound +has broken the silence, nor aught met our sight." + +"Has the whole interior been thoroughly searched?" + +"But short time does it require to unshell the kernel of a nut like +this," returned the officer, looking round; "and Cowlson reports to me +that everything in it, save in the woman's quarters, (which his +modesty did not permit him to search,) is as well known to him as the +contents of his own cabin." + +"I fear that the principal object of our undertaking is defeated," +said Spikeman, with a look, of disappointment. + +"Yea," said the officer, "the prey hath escaped even as a bird from +the snare. What is to be done now, seeing that Sir Christopher is not +to be found?" + +Spikeman did not hesitate, for he had been considering the course to +be adopted in the contingency, and he therefore promptly answered-- + +"We have not entirely failed. We have at least the woman, and +important information may be obtained from her. The hope of working +her deliverance, or of making terms with us on her account, may also +induce the Knight to put himself in our power." + +"I like not," said Venn, "a foray, whose achievement is the making +prisoners of Miles Arundel, of honest Philip, and of a sorrowful-looking +woman. Meseems it redounds but little to the credit of a file of twenty +men." + +"I understand not," continued Spikeman, as though the remark failed to +reach him, "by what means the man was apprised of our design. Or it +may be, that, by mere chance, he is absent; for some evil purpose, +doubtless. It will, however, avail him nothing, for sooner or later he +must fall into our net. I have lingered in the hope that he might +return and be caught by the men on the margin of the wood--a hope I +give not up yet, and, therefore, perhaps it were better to wait +awhile." + +"I pray you, sir," said Lieutenant Venn, "to do me a pleasure in one +thing. Delay not our departure until it be so late that the sun is +risen when we enter Boston. I confess to some shame on account of this +night's work, and desire that what was begun in darkness may be ended +in like manner." + +"What fanciful follies be these?" said Spikeman. "Art thou degraded by +any service which promotes the interests of the Commonwealth?" + +"Nevertheless, be it a fanciful folly or grave wisdom, I will take the +liberty to iterate the request, and will hold myself indebted if it be +granted." + +"Surely," said Spikeman, "it is a light thing, and because you wish +it, it shall be done. Call in the men from the margin of the clearing, +and we will begin preparations for return." + +Let no surprise be felt at the character of the conversation betwixt +the superior and inferior officer, and at the influence exercised by +the latter over the former. The men under the command of the Assistant +for the occasion were not regular soldiers but ordinary citizens; +liable, it is true, to be called out at any moment to do military duty +whenever an exigency arose, but without being subject to any very +strict discipline. The most of them were voters, and hence a source of +power, and therefore to be courted by any one ambitious of political +distinction. Such an one was the Assistant, and he stood in about the +same relation to his men that a modern militia captain, who is +desirous of civil office, does to his company of soldiers, and who, +through fear of giving offence and so losing the object of his +aspirations, is obliged to relax the strictness of military rule. + +On receiving the order, Lieutenant Venn started off to execute it, +and, as soon as he was gone, Spikeman took Ephraim Pike aside. + +"Ephraim," he said, "the badger may lie hid in some cunning place of +concealment in the house, and after all laugh at our simplicity at our +departure without him." + +"That can hardly be," said Pike. "The house has been thoroughly +searched, and I would pledge my life the Knight is not in it." + +"Verily thou mayest be right, yet is there a possibility of mistake. +Ephraim, with our hands on the plough, we will not look back. We must +burn this nest of hornets, and should the Knight of the Melice be +burned with it, there will be no harm done." + +"I suppose," said Ephraim, rather sulkily, "this is a service you want +to put on my shoulders, but an' you wish to burn the house, you can +burn it yourself." + +"That can I not do," answered Spikeman. "The thing must be done +secretly, so that it may appear the consequence of some accident. Were +I to absent myself I should be missed, but thou canst do it without +suspicion." + +"And suppose it done, what then?" asked Pike. + +"Thou shalt have a gold piece for that which costs thee but little +trouble and no risk." + +"How shall it be done?" + +"I will presently take all the inmates of the cabin with us on our +return. After we have gone a few rods, do thou retrace thy steps and +fire the building, and hurry back immediately." + +"But should I be missed?" + +"There is little probability of that; but thou knowest me, Ephraim, +and can be certain that I will be able to account satisfactorily +therefor should it happen." + +"Yea, I do know thee," said Ephraim to himself, "for as cunning a one +as Beelzebub himself; but thou hast never failed me, and I will trust +thee yet again. I will do the thing," he said aloud, "since thy mind +is set thereon; but it rubs mightily against the grain." + +"Thou shalt not repent it," replied Spikeman. "We are in some sort +confederates, and our fates are so interwoven that thy fortunes depend +on mine." + +With these prophetic words the Assistant left his coadjutor, and +returning to the apartment of the lady, requested her to prepare +herself and the Indian child to accompany him. She made no reply, and, +on his departure, sat some little time pondering what it became her to +do; after which, she rose and prepared some articles of clothing. + +Spikeman soon re-appeared, and directing one of his soldiers to carry +the clothing, begged the lady to follow him. This she did without +objection, holding the girl by the hand, and appearing indifferent to +all that happened. She found Arundel and Joy, with a number of strange +persons, in the largest room of the building, preparing for departure. +The countenances of the two men expressed the indignation which they +felt, but they were obliged to content themselves with the offer of +such services, as their situation permitted. This the lady graciously +acknowledged in a few words, but seemed more inclined to indulge in +her own private thoughts than to encourage any conversation. They all +left the house together, and, when in the open air, were committed to +the special guard of half a dozen of the party, who composed the +centre; and, in this order, led by Spikeman, the cavalcade commenced +their march. They had proceeded at a slow pace, on account of the +females, and in silence, broken only by an occasional question and +answer, for perhaps half an hour, when one of the men observed that +either the moon had risen or the morning was breaking. + +"There is no moon, Cowlson," said a soldier; "nor, according to my +reckoning, can it be much past midnight. The light ye see comes from +the North; and, an' it were winter, I should think it was the shooting +of the Northern lights." + +"These be no Northern lights, nor Southern, nor moon, nor morning," +said another. "An' it be not a fire, my name is not Job Bloyce." + +"How can it be a fire?" said Ephraim Pike, who had contrived to join +the band without his absence being noticed, after accomplishing his +purpose. "There is nothing in that direction but the house we just +left, and sure it cannot be that." + +"I know not," said Spikeman. "It may be the work of the desperate man +whom we failed to take, and who has done the deed, in order to throw +disgrace in some sort on us." + +"That is a strange supposition," said Lieutenant Venn. "A man would +hardly be likely to destroy his own property." + +"Not without some malicious design, I grant ye; but that were motive +sufficient with Sir Christopher. Besides, what is it he would burn up +but a heap of old logs, whose whole value could scarcely exceed ten +pounds?" + +By this time the fire had gained such an ascendancy over the building, +as to throw a light which could no longer be mistaken, and all were +satisfied that it must proceed from the habitation of the Knight. The +majority of the men adopted, without reflection, the idea thrown out +by the wily Assistant, but there were others who were unable to +satisfy themselves as easily. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + When the King of Tars saw that sight, + Wood he was for wrath aplight: + In hand he hent a spear, + And to the Soudan he rode full right; + With a dunt of much might, + Adown he gan him bear. + + OLD ENGLISH METRICAL ROMANCE. + + +Only the accidental absence of the Knight saved him from the indignity +to which his household was subjected. Well were the measures of his +enemies taken, and the time chosen, for it was reasonable to suppose, +that after so long a journey, he would certainly be found at his +domicile the first night. His erratic habits were well known, and it +was this knowledge which induced the choice of the time for the +arrest, and indeed had assisted to deepen suspicions, in a suspicious +community, against him. It would not have suited the purposes of +Spikeman to wait, and thus afford the Knight an opportunity to present +himself in town. He chose to bring in Sir Christopher as a criminal, +knowing that having committed his associates thus far, to an act of +violence, they would not be likely to rest until they had expelled Sir +Christopher from the colony. + +At the time Spikeman was rifling his house, and injuriously treating +its inmates, the Knight, unsuspicious of harm, was lying in the wigwam +of Sassacus, which was distant but a mile or two from his own +residence. Lying on his side, with his head supported on one hand by +the elbow resting on the ground, he was addressing the Sagamore, who, +seated in Indian fashion, with the soothing pipe at his lips, was +listening to his discourse. A flickering fire sent up now and then a +bright flame, by means of which the two became ever and anon more +distinctly discernible to each other, while in the intervals, there +was only light enough to distinguish the outlines of their persons. +Even through the studied apathy of the Pequot, it was obvious that the +subject possessed considerable interest for him, for occasionally he +would remove his pipe from his mouth, and gaze fixedly on the ground, +as if lost in profound thought. + +"Wonderful, O chief," he said, after the Knight had ceased speaking, +"are the things which thou hast told, and I believe, because the white +men are very strange, and I have never caught thee in a lie. Truly, as +thou sayest, are the red men children, and the white men exceed them +in wisdom, even as the beaver the wolf. The wise beaver is warm in his +lodge, when the wolf howls for hunger and cold in the forest. The +white man is the beaver, and the red man the wolf. The Great Spirit +made them so, for so it pleased him, and so they must remain." + +"Nay," said the Knight. "There was a time when the white race was like +thine own, without that knowledge which makes them so powerful." + +"And can the chief say why the Great Spirit gave Owanux the wisdom +which he denied to us?" + +"That is a question I cannot answer, any more than why thy skin is red +and mine white; but the Christian religion was the means whereby the +change was effected." + +"There is but one Great Spirit, who made all things," said Sassacus, +solemnly, "and we worship him as well as the white men. Lightnings are +the glances of his eyes; thunder is his voice; the sun is the fire +before his lodge, which he extinguishes when he sleeps, and the moon +and stars are the sparks which fly up into the air when it goes out." + +"Thou hast indeed, in some sort, a religion, for He hath not left even +the most barbarous nations without some knowledge of himself, howbeit +it is not unto wisdom. But it is only with his true religion that he +has connected that acquaintance with himself, which makes men to +advance in all that is worthy to be known here, and happy hereafter." + +"Our wise men say," replied Sassacus, "that for the spirits of brave +and just warriors there are happy hunting grounds, far away towards +the setting sun, which the Indian travels to, over the white path in +the middle of the sky, where deer, and elk, and bears never fail, and +where the hunter is never tired, nor very hungry." + +"Alas!" said the Knight; "these are but figments of the +imagination--fond dreams as unsubstantial as morning mist, and +deceitful as the wandering fire, which lures the ignorant traveller +into the morass." + +"O, wise chief," said Sassacus, "our tribes have also their +traditions, and I know not why they may not be as true as thine. We do +not think, as your powahs teach, that our traditions come from +Hobbamocki, while yours all proceed from the Master of life." + +"Hobbamocki is thy name for the Evil Spirit?" + +"My brother has said it. Would he like to know how he was created?" + +"I listen," said the Knight. + +"A long, long time ago," said Sassacus, "the Master of Life, Kiehtan, +went to a large flat island, in order to complete his work of +creation. He there created a multitude of animals, some of which were +so large that he was unable to control them. It is said that remains +of gigantic beasts are still to be found upon the island, which were +never finished. It was out of clay that Kiehtan formed the beasts, +while the inferior manitos looked on and rejoiced in his labor. He +made in the side of each animal an opening, whereinto he crept, and so +warmed it into life. It the animals pleased him he permitted them to +swim to the great pasture land, and to fill the woods; if they pleased +him not, he first withdrew the life, and then turned them into clay +again. Once he made so large a beast that he was afraid to give him +life. There were also other smaller, to whom he gave not life, because +he considered them not useful. Once he made a creature, in the form of +a man, which he also rejected, but he forgot to take the life away +from him, and this is the evil spirit, Hobbamocki." + +"And thou believest this fable, as wild as ever sprung from the +unbridled license of an Oriental story-teller?" + +"Sassacus believes as the wise men of his nation believed, when he was +a little pappoose, and as their fathers believed, when they were +papooses, and as his people have always believed, for more summers +than there are stars in the sky. But do not the white men believe in +Hobbamocki?" + +"They do, though they give him a different name," answered the Knight. +"He was a Great Spirit, who was expelled from heaven, or the happy +hunting grounds, because of his wickedness." + +"Was he not very happy there, and had all that he wanted?" inquired +the Pequot. + +"He was happy and preeminent above all other manitos in glory and +power." + +"How then became he wicked?" + +"That is a question which our wise men have never been able to answer. +But he envied the greatness of the Master of Life, and desired to +occupy his place." + +"Can your Hobbamocki be in two places at once?" + +"No. Being a created spirit, he is limited." + +"It cannot be, then, that he was such a fool," said the chief, +decisively. "Behold! the Master of Life is every where! He is like the +air and the light. Manitos are very little things beside him, and all +together cannot fill his place. Your powahs have deceived you, and +told a foolish story of their own invention. No. Hobbamocki was vexed +because the Great Spirit did not like him, and for that reason tries +to revenge himself, by troubling those whom the Great Spirit loves." + +"At least," said the Knight, "our two traditions agree in this--that +there is an evil spirit, who injures and leads men into wickedness, +and therein do thy legends confirm the truth of the Catholic +religion." + +"Do the people at Shawmut, under Sagamore Winthrop, believe in all +things, as my brother?" + +"Nay. They are heretics, and given over to believe a lie--from whom +this land shall be taken, and bestowed as an heritage on others, who +shall be the Indians' friends, and they shall all live together." + +"Listen! My brother has spoken of this before, and Sassacus has +thought much about it. It seems to me that when the Great Spirit spoke +to the white men, they could not understand his words, but his voice +was to them like the sighing of the wind among the trees, or the +dashing of the green water on the shore, for they cannot agree about +their religion. But the ears of the Indians were sharper, and they all +understood alike, and therefore they do not differ about what the +Master of Life said, and they also know better concerning Hobbamocki. +Has not my brother told me that the white men fight and kill one +another about their religion?" + +"Alas! it is too true," replied Sir Christopher. + +"Indians never do so. Let us do a great thing," added Sassacus, his +face suddenly kindling, as with the inspiration of a magnificent +thought--"we will teach the English our religion, which we never fight +about, because we know it to be true, and the English shall teach us +how to build ships, and make guns and powder; and, together, we will +drive the Taranteens into the salt lake." + +"It is in vain," said the Knight to himself, on hearing this +extraordinary proposition. "He doth, ever in his childlike simplicity, +say something to confound me. His untutored mind is yet incapable of +receiving the mysteries of our holy religion, but, in lieu thereof, +perpetually runs after the practical and immediate advantages of +powder and guns. Direct the conversation as I may, this target doth it +hit at last." + +At this moment an Indian stepped into the lodge, and, uttering the +word "fire!" accompanied by a gesture of the arm, retired. + +The Knight and Sassacus sprung up, and, looking in the direction +indicated, beheld the heavens all aglow with the conflagration. + +"It is my lodge!" exclaimed Sir Christopher. "I will hasten thither +instantly." + +"Come with us, Towanquattick," said the Chief, calling to the Indian, +and the three at once directed their course toward the dwelling of the +Knight. + +With all their haste, they did not reach it until the fire had made +such progress that it was impossible to suppress it, or even save +anything from the building. The flames were pouring out in billows +from the doors and windows, and a moment after their arrival the roof +fell in. They approached as near as the heat would permit, but were +unable to distinguish anything in the interior, nor was a sound to be +heard, save that of the rushing flames and falling timbers. No one was +present, except the three--the natives who lived near having retired +deeper into the wood on the first alarm. Leaning on his gun, the +Knight gazed sadly on the burning ruin, reflecting on what had +probably become of its former occupants. If he had any doubts, they +were soon dissipated by Sassacus, whose attention, with that of the +other Indian, had been attracted by marks upon the ground which had +escaped the notice of Sir Christopher. These plainly revealed to them +by the light of the fire, the two, like well-bred hounds, had been +examining in every direction, until, gathering together the various +tracks into one trail, they had followed it into the wood. Returning +to the Knight, and pointing out the traces, the chief said: + +"Many Owanux have been here, and all are gone to Shawmut." + +"I surmised as much," said Sir Christopher, partly to himself. "We +will follow, Sagamore, and assure ourselves with our own eyes." + +No time was lost in lamentation but the three instantly started after +the band. + +Sir Christopher could see the trail until it reached the wood; but +here, notwithstanding his experience in woodcraft, he frequently lost +all trace of it, though to the Indians it seemed as plain as a beaten +highway. Never hesitating, even in the obscurest recesses of the +forest where penetrated no ray of a star, with rapid steps they +pursued their way. + +Meanwhile, the party of soldiers, conscious of their strength, and +encumbered with their prisoners, though pushing on at first at a good +pace, had of late been proceeding more leisurely. Even Lieutenant +Venn, satisfied that they would be able without haste to reach their +destination before daylight, ceased to hurry. As they approached +nearer the village, their vigilance diminished--the men talked loud +and jested with one another, and it was obvious that no apprehensions +of danger were entertained. + +This state of things had not been unnoticed by Philip, who had been +meditating over the question, whether it were not better to make an +attempt to escape. "There is no great hazard in it," he said to +himself; "but were I to get away I should be about as badly off as +now, unless I could meet Sir Christopher or the Sagamore; and perhaps +they have been captured by some other party, for our folk do not +things by halves. They have taken away my snap-chance, too, and I +cannot shoot with arrows like a savage, so that, as one may say, I am +a sort of cat without claws. I know not what they can have against me +now, or why I should be afraid of them; and yet, when I think of their +purgatory of a prison, it makes me crawl all over. A week's lodging +there would about make an end of me. I think I have never been quite +the man I was before, since they stuck me there." + +Thus revolving in his mind the advantages and disadvantages of his +position, the remembrance of his sufferings during his imprisonment, +at last turned the scales in favor of liberty, and Philip began to +think of means to accomplish his purpose. He tried, by lagging behind +and falling down once or twice, to get into the rear; but this +manoeuvre the vigilant eyes of Lieutenant Venn detected, who ordered +him nearer to the front, and directed that he should be watched +closer. Foiled in this manner, that freedom which but a moment before, +and when apparently in his power, seemed almost a matter of +indifference, assumed a constantly increasing importance, and the mind +of Philip worked more actively than ever. In a short time they would +be out of the forest, when any attempt at evasion would be folly, for, +should he succeed in shaking off his guard, he would run great risk of +being shot down in the open space. It was therefore necessary to think +quickly. + +"If I only had Prudence with me," thought Philip, "I be bound she +would have invented a dozen ways to get off by this time. Sweet wench! +there is some difference between sitting on a log with her and +stealing a smack once in a while, though a slap be pretty sure to +follow, and dragging my legs in the dark among the briers. But she is +not here, and so I will e'en take up with Master Arundel, and suck his +wits a bit." + +"What think you," he whispered to his companion in captivity, "of +making a rush, and showing our heels to the Philistines?" + +"It were madness," answered the young man, in the same manner. "Thou +wert sure to be retaken, perhaps shot." + +"I have no fancy for either; but cannot your wit devise some mode to +save me from yon lock-up? My bones ache when I think of it." + +"I have no desire to get away," answered Arundel; "nor understand I +how it can advantage thee, seeing that, sooner or later, thou art +tolerably certain of being made prisoner again." + +"Nevertheless, there is a chance of better things; and I say once more +I like not the thoughts of the close quarters they intend for us. An' +you will not run for it yourself, at least help a poor fellow, whose +ideas are like a skein of tangled silk, to avoid the bilboes." + +"Assuredly, if you wish, what I can I will do to facilitate thy +escape. Only tell me how." + +"You have me there in a Cornish hug," said Philip. "An' I knew, I had +not asked." + +"You would not have us fight for our liberty?" + +"I am not so crazy as that. Ten to one is odds that any one, except +Sampson, might avoid without disgrace, and even he would not stand +much chance, for all his bushy head, when bullets were flying." + +"We must out-manoeuvre them by some stratagem." + +"If Sassacus were here," said Philip, "he could show us the way. There +is not a tree or a rock but would have something to say to him about a +contrivance." + +"What would you think, Philip," asked Arundel, (the direction of +Sassacus to sound the notes of the robin, whenever he desired to see +him, occurring to his mind,) "were I to conjure up the Chief?" + +"I would think thee more cunning than any powah of them all, and, +moreover, advise thee to keep out of the way of the elders and +magistrates." + +"Keep quiet a moment, and I will try my powahing." + +So saying, the young man whistled the peculiar notes of the bird, +which, in the dewy silence of night, rung wide through the Woods. + +"Halt!" cried Spikeman, who instantly suspected some treachery. "Close +up around the prisoners. Who dared make those sounds?" + +No answer was returned; and, after a vain attempt to discover their +author, the party resumed its march. + +"If your powahing has done no other good, Master Arundel," said +Philip, "it at least frightened the General." + +"I am a beginner," answered the young man, jestingly, "and it would +not be surprising should I fail at first. If it raise not the sagamore +or one of his men before we reach the open space, I will try the spell +again." + +But the notes had struck the quick ears of the Pequot chief, and at +their sound he bounded forward at a pace which his companions vainly +endeavored to equal, and which shortly left them out of sight; but +they could hear the rustling he made tearing through the bushes, and, +guided by it, followed. The noise occasioned by the movements of so +large a party, and the conversation among them, prevented the approach +of the sagamore being heard, especially as when he drew nearer he +proceeded with more caution. Gliding from tree to tree, he was able to +advance quite close without being discovered. What was the rage of the +chief, when, at the head of the band, he beheld his enemy, the +Assistant Spikeman, leading as prisoners his friends and the little +Indian girl. Not waiting for the Knight and the Paniese to come up, +fitting an arrow, he drew the deer's sinew till the head of the +missile touched the hand that held the bow, and sent it whizzing +through the air. The cavalcade had passed on, so that the front ranks +were in advance of Sassacus, when he discharged the shaft, and the +back of the Assistant was turned to him. It entered just below the +right shoulder, and was sent with such vigor, that, passing between +the ribs, it stopped not until arrested on the other side by the steel +corselet which Spikeman wore on his breast. Shouting then his +war-whoop, and drawing his tomahawk from his girdle, the Pequot leaped +among the band. Like lightning it sunk into the head of one man, who +fell to the ground. The chief raised it again, but before it could +descend, a blow prostrated him, and, in an instant, he was overpowered +and disarmed. So rapidly followed these occurrences, that before the +Knight and Towanquattick came up, the chief was a prisoner, and every +man on his guard was prepared and watching for an enemy. To attack +would have been certain death or captivity; they, therefore, bitterly +lamenting the passionate impetuosity of the sagamore, kept themselves +concealed in order to take advantage of circumstances. + +Having disposed his Company so as to face in every direction, to repel +attack, Lieutenant Venn approached to examine the fallen men. A corpse +was all that remained of Ephraim Pike, who must have instantly expired +on receiving the blow. His head was cleft to the neck, and portions of +the brain were lying on the leaves. He had probably been selected by +the sagamore (from his neighborhood to the Assistant, by whose side he +marched) as second in command, and thus expiated with his life his +evil devotion to his master. Spikeman lay upon his face, groaning, +while the blood slowly oozed from his wound. The lieutenant, with one +of the men, raised him up, while Lady Geraldine strove to stanch the +bleeding. An attempt was made to withdraw the arrow, but the pain it +occasioned and the amount of blood which followed were so great, that +it was abandoned. All that could be done was to carry the wounded man +as gently as possible home. Venn, now at the head of half a dozen men, +scoured the woods in the immediate vicinity all around; and, finding +no enemy, returned, and ordered a couple of trestles to be made, on +one of which was to be placed the body of Pike, and on the other the +groaning Spikeman. Upon mustering the company, it was found that all +were present, with the exception of Philip Joy, who had escaped in the +confusion. Four men being assigned to each of the trestles, to be +relieved as occasion should require, the remainder having charge of +the prisoners, and composing the van and rear, Lieutenant Venn +re-commenced his march--Arundel walking by the side of the Pequot +chief, to whom he expressed regret at his capture. + +"It is a summer cloud," said the sagamore. + +As for Philip, on effecting his escape, he felt some embarrassment +what to do with himself. There he was, alone and without arms, in the +forest, wandering helplessly about, and, if unable to find Sir +Christopher, in a worse condition than before. He had half a mind to +pursue the band and surrender himself, when, remembering the powahing, +as he called it, of Arundel, he determined to try it himself. +Imitating, therefore, to the best of his ability, the sounds made by +the young man, he sat down and waited for the effect. Presently the +figure of Towanquattick, followed by that of the Knight, stole out of +a thicket and stood before him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + But, gasping, heaved the breath that Lara drew, + And dull the film along his dim eye grew. + + BYRON. + + +On the arrival of the party at the settlement, Lieutenant Venn divided +it into two detachments; at the head of one of which he carried the +Assistant to his own house, while the other, under the command of an +inferior officer, was charged with the security of the prisoners. Only +the sagamore was strictly confined, being ironed and placed in the +same dungeon which Joy had occupied. Sassacus made no resistance, but +submitted with a stoical impassivity as to an irresistible fate. The +lady and Indian girl, as those from whom flight was less to be feared, +and with whom it would be more difficult to effect, and also out of +deference to the weakness of their sex, were committed to the care of +Dame Bars, by whom they were to be closely watched. As for Arundel, he +was permitted to depart, the lieutenant informing him that he had been +arrested only to prevent the carrying of information to the Knight. It +is doubtful, however, whether, if Spikeman had still been in command, +he would have escaped on as easy terms. + +The little community was thrown into some commotion by these events. +The dangerous wound of so prominent a person as the Assistant, and the +capture of the renowned Indian sachem--not to speak of the lady--could +not fail to occasion a lively interest. As soon as the results of the +night expedition were known, (and the news flew with wonted celerity,) +every body was in the streets, giving and receiving information, or +what purported to be such, and making and listening to comments +thereupon. We cannot, however, remain to hear the conversation of the +grave citizens at the corners, but must follow those whose particular +fortunes we have undertaken to portray. + +The unfortunate Spikeman, unable to suppress his groans at the pain +occasioned by the motions of his bearers--his clothing saturated with +blood, which kept oozing from the orifices of the wound--was borne to +his dwelling, and delivered to the weeping household. It would be +absurd to suppose that any great grief was felt by Dame Spikeman, and +hers was partly the feeling arising from early associations and long +familiarity; but it is impossible for the most stoical to contemplate, +without emotion, one in the condition of the suffering man, and the +tears of Eveline and of Prudence were mingled with those of the dame. + +It happened that Dr. Samuel Fuller, of the Plymouth colony, who had +come over with the first Pilgrims was in Boston at the time. He was +immediately brought to the wounded man, and was soon followed by +Governor Winthrop, Mr. Eliot, and other friends. The corselet had been +removed, and a portion of the clothing cut away, and Spikeman lay on +his side, spasmodically breathing. Yet had resolution not entirely +deserted him. His strong character still spoke in his face, and he +looked like one who, though conquered, was not subdued. + +Doctor Puller approached the couch and gently touched the arrow, but +it produced such a spasm that he did not repeat the experiment. The +eyes of Spikeman were fastened on the countenance of the surgeon, and +read therein his doom. + +"There is no hope?" he gasped. + +"I humbly trust," said the doctor, who was "not only useful in his +faculty, but otherwise, as he was a godly man, and served Christ in +the office of a deacon in the Church for many years, and forward to do +good in his place" according to an old chronicle--"I humbly trust that +a crown of glory awaits thee in the other world whither thou art +hastening." + +A groan, which shook the couch whereon he was lying, and gent the +blood gushing from the wound, burst from Spikeman, as he heard the +answer. + +"Yea," said good and tender-hearted Mr. Eliot, let our brother anchor +his mind on the promises which are very comfortable--For ye have not +received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the +spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.' For I reckon that +the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with +the glory which shall be revealed in us. 'Blessed are the dead who +die in the Lord, and their works do follow them.'" + +"Works?" interrupted Spikeman. "Who speaks of works? They are filthy +rags." + +"They are indeed but filthy rags," said Mr. Eliot, "to them who rely +upon them for salvation; yet are they not unpleasing as being the +fruits of saving faith." + +"I will not hear of works," said Spikeman. "Moreover, whom he did +predestinate--them"--a sudden pang prevented the conclusion of the +sentence, but it was finished by Mr. Eliot. + +"He also called; and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom +he justified, them he also glorified." + +A silence followed, which was interrupted only by the sobs of Dame +Spikeman, until the wounded man inquired: + +"How long shall I live?" + +"It may be two hours; it may be only one," answered the physician. + +"A short time." murmured the Assistant, "My soul doth travail with +anguish," he said, fixing his burning eyes on Mr. Eliot. + +"O, my brother!" exclaimed the divine, "the precious blood of Christ +cleanseth from all sins, though they be as crimson. Faint not now, +when thou art about to cross the river of Jordan, but think upon thy +Redeemer." + +"I strive," said Spikeman, "but there are thoughts which--which rise +up, as a mist, between me and him." + +"O, cleanse thy bosom of this perilous stuff," said Winthrop. "If +there be a sin which persecutes thee, confess it and repent." + +"Is that the voice of the Governor?" asked Spikeman, who seemed to +have forgotten his entrance. "Repentance! Repentance! it is too late." + +Those around the couch looked at one another with dismay. + +"Our dear brother," said Mr. Eliot, "of what specially wouldst thou +repent? Believe me--it is never too late to trust God's mercies. Think +of the penitent thief upon the Cross." + +"Do you dare to call me a thief?" said Spikeman, hoarsely. "Ah!" he +added, "how I talk! These are strange feelings. What I have to do must +be done quickly. Call Eveline Dunning." + +"Who is in the room?" he inquired, after the young lady had entered. + +The names of those present were enumerated. "Let them remain," he +said. "They are of the congregation, but I would not that the world +should know my shame. Look not thus at me," he exclaimed, as soon as +he saw Eveline. "Thy face is like thy father's, the friend whom I +wronged. Be nigh to hear, but let me not see thee. Eveline, the +property which should be thine, I have misapplied, and it has melted +from my grasp. It was that my misdeed might not be discovered that I +denied thee to Miles Arundel, though thy father wished the nuptials. +Yet, Eveline, marry him not; he is of the corrupt Church of England." + +These words he uttered with many interruptions of pain, resuming when +the paroxysm passed away. + +"Would you see Miles?" inquired the weeping girl. + +"To what end? I care not for him. He is not of the congregation. Go +now. I have done." + +"My spirit is lightened," he said, as she left the room. "Edmund +Dunning," he added, as his mind temporarily wandered, "why do you +fasten your accusing eyes on me? I have made all the reparation that I +can. What more?" + +"Alas!" said Mr. Eliot, aside, to Governor Winthrop, "who would have +thought this of one so zealous for our Israel?" + +Low as was the tone, the words struck the ear of Spikeman. + +"Whatever be my sins," he said, "even though dark as those of David, I +have been zealous unto slaying for the people of God. Is the enemy +taken?" he inquired. + +"Whom mean you?" asked Winthrop. + +"Whom should I mean, but the man ye call the Knight of the Golden +Melice?" + +"He is not yet taken," answered the Governor. + +"Let him be hunted, as a partridge on the mountains; let him be run +down and seized; kill him, if he resists." + +"This is no fitting frame of mind for a parting spirit," said Mr. +Eliot. "Let me beseech you to turn your thoughts on the Saviour." + +But delirium had now taken possession of the mind of the dying man, +and made him insensible alike of all that was said and of pain. + +"Away with him!" he cried, "who lays snares for the feet of my people. +Hew him down, though he hugged the arms of the altar." + +"Shall we not, beloved brother, unite our supplications to the throne +of grace, for the last time on earth?" asked Mr. Eliot, bending over +him. + +"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God who +justifies," said Spikeman, turning on the minister his glazing eyes. + +"It is in vain," said Winthrop. "He heeds not nor understands what you +say." + +"Papistical mummeries! Your croziers, your mitres, your mumbled +prayers from the mass-book! I hate them! Forty years long they +wandered in the wilderness, but they prevailed at last. Stay ye the +hands of our Moses! Be strong! Quit ye like men." + +"His mind, even in its wanderings, doth remember Israel," said Dr. +Fuller. + +"He hath, indeed," said Winthrop, "ever avouched himself a devoted +servant of our cause. Unhappy is it--" + +He looked at the weeping wife, and left the sentence unfinished. + +"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," said good Mr. +Eliot. + +"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!" exclaimed the dying +man. + +"Dear husband," said Dame Spikeman, sobbing, and taking his hand, +"know you me?" + +"What woman speaks?" said Spikeman. "It is the voice of +Prudence--sweet Pru--" + +His wife let the hand fall, and covering her face with her +handkerchief, burst into a flood of tears. A severer spasm than any +before shook the Assistant's frame; a more copious gush of blood +poured from the wound; and in the effort to speak the name of the +girl, the spirit passed to its account. + +"Strange," said pure-minded Mr. Eliot, "that he should utter the name +of the serving-maid." + +A look of intelligence passed between the Governor and the physician, +but neither spoke. + +"He is silent," said the divine; "he is stiller, and feels less pain." + +"He will never feel pain again in this world," said the doctor, +approaching the bed, at a little distance from which he had been +sitting, and gazing on the corpse. + +Dame Spikeman screamed, and was borne, fainting, from the apartment in +the arms of Eveline and Prudence, who hastened in at the sound. + +"Behold," said Mr. Eliot, who, after the manner of clergymen, was +anxious to "improve the solemn occasion," "another warning addressed +to us all, to be ready, for we know not neither the day nor the hour. +How suddenly hath our friend been forever removed from the scene of +his labors and his hopes. 'As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth +away, so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more; he +shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him +any more.' But, though the spirit be gone, its memory remains behind. +Out of the good and the evil it hath done, shall be erected its +monument on earth. O, let us hope that the former, sprinkled and +cleansed by the blood that maketh all things pure, may be accepted, +and the latter forgiven, for His sake who shed it. For He who made us +knoweth whereof we are made; He remembereth that we are dust; He seeth +not as man seeth. Only He knows all the secrets of the weak, trembling +heart, its temptations, its trials, its struggles, its sorrows, its +triumphs, its despairs. Our friend was a captain in Israel. He hath +fallen with his armor on, and girded for the battle. He loved the +suffering Church. Be that a remembrance to rise like a sweet-smelling +incense before the congregation; and if Thou, whose pure eyes cannot +behold iniquity, wilt not be extreme to mark what is done amiss, +neither may we, the work of thy hands, dare to assume Thy prerogative; +but as the sons of sinning Noah, with averted eyes, covered the +nakedness of their father with their garments, so will we hide in +forgetfulness each short-coming and each transgression." + +As the good man, with a swelling heart and sad eyes, in which +glittered the sacred drops of human feeling, uttered these words, he +looked like a pitying angel from whose lips reproach could not fall, +and whose blessed office was only to instruct and to forgive. + +The death of one as important as the Assistant Spikeman could not but +be sensibly felt in so small a community. He had been a man whose +daring nature would not allow him to be at rest, and who was never +contented, except in the exercise of all his faculties. Hence he had +been not only active and scheming in private life, but also busy and +bold in public, driven forward, as it were, by a sort of inborn +necessity. Though not deeply regretted, he yet was missed. Those whom +his adventurous spirit employed in the fisheries, and the +just-commencing fur trade, missed him; his brethren of the +congregation, wherein his voice, to the edification of his hearers, +had often been lifted up in the "gift of prophecying," missed him; and +his coadjutors in the government, to whom in more than one instance +his keen natural sagacity had been a guide, and his zeal a stimulus +and support, missed him; but it was only for a short time. How often +has it been remarked, that few things are as capable of making us feel +our insignificance, as the shortness of time in which we are +forgotten. Active, prominent, influential as he had been, Spikeman was +soon remembered only as yesterday is remembered. There were no loves +twining around his memory, reaching beyond the grave, and bringing him +back to earth; no tender recollections of benefits conferred, which +the heart cherishes as an inestimable treasure. There was naught for +the mind to dwell upon, save his public duties, which he, had indeed +discharged respectably, but no more. Another Assistant could fill his +place as well; another exercise the gift of prophecying to the use of +edifying; and other merchants succeed to, his trade. Verily is the +life of man as the track of an arrow in the air; as smoke lost in the +clouds; as a flake of snow that falls upon the water; as a childish +grief, or aught else that is most transient. + +But the death of the wicked is a benefit to earth. A gloomy shadow +hath passed away; the blight of its presence will fall no more on the +innocent. The purpose for which he was sent into this world, that from +its joys and its sorrows he might become a nobler being, seems to have +been defeated. But I know not. Pass, then, dark spirit; my eyes seek +not to follow thy track. + +The relation which existed between Arundel and Eveline was, of course, +affected by the disclosure of Spikeman on his death-bed--no opposition +being henceforth made to the free intercourse of the two young people. +There were, indeed, some who lamented that the daughter of precious +Edmund Dunning should become the wife of one who had not cast in his +lot with the saints; but then, again, Arundel was no enemy to their +cause, no railing Rabsheka, but a well-behaved and modest youth, who +paid, at least, an outward respect to the customs of the congregation, +and might yet, from the influence of godly Edmund Dunning's child, be +converted into a vessel of grace. Moreover, the story was pretty well +known, and the romantic love which had attracted him from New-England, +and the wrong the two had suffered from Spikeman, worked in their +favor in the hearts of the Puritans. The marked attention which the +generous Winthrop manifested now toward them, seeming as if anxious by +present kindness to atone for former injustice, contributed also not a +little to the feeling; and, honored and beloved, the young couple, +with the sanguine anticipations of youth, looked forward to a +cloudless future. Yet was their happiness, especially that of Arundel, +damped by reflections upon the condition of the Pequot chief and the +lady in the prison, and of the Knight wandering homeless in the +forest, with no place of shelter for his defenseless head save the +wigwams of the friendly savages. Knowing the severity of the +government, the foreboding mind of the young man was harrassed with +apprehensions for the fate which might befall them. Access to the Lady +Geraldine was permitted to him and Eveline, and thus were they able to +bestow upon the unhappy lady at least their sympathy, for of nothing +else would she accept; but no one was allowed to see the Sagamore. In +vain Arundel pleaded and intreated; in vain he recounted his personal +obligations to the Chief; he was firmly repulsed, and told that though +the feeling was honorable, it constituted no claim for the violation +of a rule which their circumstances imposed. + +Disappointed and somewhat incensed at the unnecessary harshness, as he +conceived, wherewith the Chief was treated, and at the suspicion +implied toward himself, he, one day on his return from an unsuccessful +attempt to obtain an order for admission to the prison, from Winthrop, +poured out his vexation and wounded pride to his mistress. + +"Is it not," he said, "most extraordinary, this refusal to allow me to +say to a man who saved my life, that I have not forgotten him? Is it +because their treatment of the unfortunate Sagamore is so bad that +they are unwilling it should be known? or do they think that in open +day I would attempt to rescue him?" + +"It is more likely," said Eveline, "to conceal the weakness of the +prison." + +"By heaven, Eveline, thy woman's wit hath discovered the cause. I have +been thinking over his wrongous confinement, and my debt, till I can +endure my inaction no longer, and I swear by St. George of England, +that I will soon seek an opportunity to deliver the noble savage from +the undeserved death, which sure am I, is his intended doom." + +"I blame thee not, Miles," said Eveline. "One were craven to forget a +benefit. Only show me how I can aid thee, and my assistance shall not +be wanting." + +"Nay," said her lover. "This is no matter wherein soft, small hands +like thine must interfere." + +"It is not so big as thine," she said, measuring the little hand on +the palm of Arundel, "but such as it is, it shall ever be at the +service of honor and justice. Were I a man I would strike a blow for +the sake of the generous chief, even although sure of being prostrated +to the earth by a hundred the next instant." + +The color of Eveline was heightened, and her voice trembled a little, +as she made the declaration. + +"Thy language, dearest, is a spur to a determination already formed. +Were Sassacus to lose his life, and I to leave this land, conscious of +having omitted anything to save it, (at present so greatly +imperilled,) the thought would cast a gloom over the remainder of my +days, which, even thy love could not chase away." + +"Yet run into no unnecessary danger--do not be rash. What have I done +by my imprudent words?" said the young lady, tears swelling into her +eyes, as the possible consequences of what she had said, occurred to +her mind. "O Miles, heed me not. What do I know of such things!" + +"To prudence and courage," said Arundel, "there is little danger in +any enterprise; but sooner shall life desert me, than I the Pequot +chief." + +They parted, he to ponder means to accomplish his purpose, and she +alternately to reproach and to forgive herself, for encouraging her +lover in an undertaking full of peril, yet demanded by gratitude and +honor. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + No wound, which warlike hand of enemy + Inflicts with dint of sword, so sore doth light, + As doth the poisonous sting which infamy + Infixeth in the name of noble wight; + For by no art, nor any leeches might, + It ever can recovered be again. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEEN. + + +The reader is introduced, once more, into the company of the assembled +magnates of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England, and into the same +room where we beheld them before. Governor Winthrop, upon the elevated +dais, in his elbow chair, presides, while, ranged around the central +table, is a full attendance of the Assistants. Not as before, however, +are spectators admitted. Saving the honorable Council, no person is +present, for the business before them has reference to concerns of +State, as well as to a judicial examination, and it is considered +expedient to conduct it in secrecy. The members, at the moment we +enter, are engaged in an earnest discussion, and it is the rough voice +of Deputy Governor Dudley which first salutes the ear. + +"It were of little avail," he said, as if objecting to something which +had been proposed. "Let us not, like the ancient Pharisees, lay upon +the shoulders of the people burdens too heavy to be borne." + +"Thy comparison," said Endicott, in reply, "is somewhat unpleasing, +and the shoe fits us not; but in vain hath been our pilgrimage hither, +if we continue to imitate the unhappy model we left behind." + +"Call you," said Dudley, "the accidental shaping of a ruff, or the +manner of disposing of the folds of my galligaskins, an imitation of a +prelatical model?" + +"And call you," retorted Endicott, "the requiring of people vowed to +the Lord, to dress themselves in a plain and unpretentious manner, a +burden too heavy to be borne?" + +"Gentlemen," said Winthrop, "ye be both in the right, _Procul dubio_, +it becomes us, of all men, to apparel ourselves in a sober manner, as +thus protesting against the foolish vanities of the world, and yet is +it in some sort a burden, to be required to change the fashion of our +garments." + +"I perceive, already, with much sadness of heart," said Endicott, "a +declension in that strictness of regimen which marked the earlier +time. Have ye not heard of the godly man who, long time, had been +prisoner at Norwich for the cause, and was by Judge Cook set at +liberty? Now, this man, desiring to go into the Low Countries by ship +from Yarmouth, did turn into the house of an ancient woman in the +city, who had been very kind and helpful to him in his sufferings, in +order to return thanks, and she knowing his voice, made him welcome. +But when he was ready to depart, she came up to him and felt of his +band, (for her eyes were dim with age,) and perceiving it was somewhat +stiffened with starch, she was much displeased, and reproved him very +sharply, fearing God would not prosper his journey. Yet was the man a +plain countryman, clad in grey russet, without either welt or guard, +(as the proverb is,) and the band he wore scarce worth three pence, +made of their own homespinning. What would such professors, if they +were now living, say to the excess of our times?" + +"Thy tale," said Dudley, a little sarcastically, "reproaches thine own +band." + +"I did instance this case," replied Endicott, slightly abashed, "not +as acknowledging myself literally bound to accept it as a guide for +mine own conduct, but for the wholesome admonition therein contained." + +"That is to say," returned Dudley, "inasmuch as it jumps not with thy +humor, thou wilt none of it; but being fitted, as thou conceivest, to +reproach us withal, thou dost accept it." But having sufficiently +annoyed the other, he added, by way of makepeace, "there is one custom +which my soul abhors, and against the which I desire with thee, Master +Endicott, to bear my testimony, and that is the coming of women +unveiled into the congregation. I remember that the venerable Countess +of Lincoln had a falling veil to conceal her features, when she came +into the house of the Lord, to worship with his people." + +In spite of himself, a smile passed over the face of Winthrop, as it +did also over those of several Assistants. + +"What excites your risibles, gentlemen," asked Dudley, severely. "I +trust that I am not the subject of your mirth." + +"For me, sir," said Master Simon Bradstreet, on whom the eyes of the +deputy happened to rest at the conclusion of the sentence, "if thou +desirest an answer, I will crave permission first to inquire, if this +discreet lady, who, from thy epithet, I infer to be somewhat advanced +in life, was preëminently distinguished for beauty?" + +"Although of a gracious presence, I cannot say that she greatly +excelled in that respect," answered Dudley. + +"Then," replied Master Bradstreet, "I see not how the view of her face +could disturb the devotions of the congregation." + +"Ye smile, my masters," said Dudley, looking round, "as though ye had +me at advantage; but ye consider not the importance of the example of +a lady so high in station, and so exemplary in her Christian calling. +Not so much on account of herself, but for other's sakes, was it done +by the godly and honorable lady." + +"I see no foundation therefor in Scripture," said an Assistant. +"Surely married women have no pretext to wear veils as virgins, +neither would married nor unmarried choose to do so from the example +of Tamar the wanton, nor need they do it for such purpose as Ruth did, +in her widowhood." + +"We claim no certain warrant of Scripture for the practice," said +Endicott, coming up to the rescue of the deputy, "but only as being +based on the propriety and fitness of things." + +"Fall you not then into the very condemnation of the Scribes and +Pharisees, who imposed upon the people burdens enjoined neither by +Moses nor the prophets?" said the same Assistant, using the deputy's +own argument. + +"Nay," said Master Increase Nowell. "If we confine ourselves strictly +to what we find in the Scripture, I fear it might strike, in some +respects, at the proceedings of our government. The sounder rule, it +appears to me, is to follow Scripture as far as we may, having regard +to the difference of the circumstances." + +"Such hath been our endeavor," said Endicott. "The manner of our +dealing with the vile and pernicious weed, tobacco, sufficiently +illustrates the principle of our government. The wisdom of the godly +founders of the plantation at Salem, the charge whereof was entrusted +to my weak hands, did clearly perceive the lamentable effects, both to +the souls and bodies of the users, hebetating the former, and +debauching the latter, likely to arise from an indulgence therein, and +they did therefore, both in their first and second letter of +instructions to myself and the Council, straightly enjoin that no +tobacco should be planted by any of the new planters under our +government, saving under close restrictions, and that the same might +be taken by ancient men and none other, and that privately. Now, there +were those affecting to be pinched with tender consciences, who said +that this was an infringement of their natural liberty, authorized by +no rule of Scripture, to whom we made answer that the said abominable +weed, the smoke whereof may fitly be compared to the vapor from the +bottomless pit, was not known in those primitive days, and for that +reason, no rule regarding it was to be found, showing at the same time +that other things, less objectionable, (as it would seem,) were +prohibited, and thus by parity of reasoning, establishing our point. +Concerning this matter, as I understand, there is little difference of +opinion among us, although a report hath of late reached my ears, that +certain men in high position, even elders, having become addicted to +the use thereof, are beating about for reasons to excuse their +backsliding." + +"A calumny, doubtless," said Winthrop. "But touching the principle +involved in matters of government, I will deliver my opinion. Of +things coming within the scope of government, I judge there are two +classes; whereof, the one class may be said to consist of things _mala +in se_--that is, of those which, by an inner quality or essence, are +evil; and the other, of such as are _mala ab extero_, or what may be +connected with them and made evil only by a positive law of the State, +in which is vested the duty of watching over the common good. The +fantastic notions of certain libertines, who, setting at naught the +experience of the world, and fondly imagining that wisdom will die +with themselves, have insinuated a doubt of the rightful power of the +law-giver in this latter particular, I condemn, and see not how +government can exist without it. Now, as for things embraced in the +former category--such, for example, as those prohibited in the +decalogue--there can be no doubt of the duty of every Christian State +to see that the prohibition be sustained and enforced even by extreme +penalties, if otherwise the end cannot be reached. But as for those +contained in the latter category, a wide latitude of opinion may and +doth exist among brethren with regard to the extent whereunto the +Sovereign power should go in imposing restraint. Some, with queasy +consciences, are for making most of the duties of life to be +practised, whether of a civil or religious nature, and also the vices +to be avoided, matters of public enactment; while others as honestly +hold, that the cause of virtue is not thereby promoted, but that, +contrariwise, the very prohibition, when not based either on the law +of God or the plain and unequivocal reason of the thing, doth act +oft-times as a stimulus or uneasy incitement to the breach of law, +besides making men hypocrites and time-servers. I may not dilate, but +merely hint this much, not doubting that your quick-conceiving minds +have already sounded the depths of the subject. And now, touching the +matter more immediately in hand, which is the proposition of Master +Endicott concerning apparel, and also the expediency of females +wearing veils in the congregation, it seems to me to belong plainly to +things indifferent, and not to be of instant or pressing importance, +requiring present action; and as there is a difference of opinion in +the Council respecting it, I propose that it be postponed, and +meanwhile referred to the grave judgments of the elders, more +especially as the wearing of veils is a thing connected with the +assembling together of the congregation in the Lord's house." + +"We are content that it should take that course," cried several +voices. And such, accordingly, was the disposition made of Master +Endicott's sumptuary motion. + +"Time doth wear," said Sir Richard Saltonstall. "Were it not well to +proceed to the examination of the woman?" + +"If no objection be offered, I will consider such to be your minds," +said the Governor. A silence following, the servitor was ordered to +conduct the person calling herself Lady Geraldine De Vaux to the +presence. + +While awaiting her arrival, the conversation re-commenced upon a +subject which seemed to possess peculiar interest for Endicott. + +"I cannot abide it," said he to his next neighbor. + +"May I inquire what excites your indignation, master Endicott?" said +Winthrop. + +"The detestable fashion of wearing long hair, after the manner of +ruffians and barbarous Indians, which is beginning to invade our +Canaan, contrary to the rule of God's word, which says that it is a +shame for a man to wear long hair, and contrary also to the +commendable custom generally of all the godly of our nation, until +within these few years." + +"You have flushed a new covey," said Winthrop, with a smile. + +"Nay; it is a chicken of the same brood," said an Assistant. + +"Call it what you will," answered Endicott. "It may be a chicken, if +you please, or a hawk, or whatever else your learnings may call it, +but I do declare and manifest my dislike and detestation of such +wearing of long hair, as against a thing uncivil and unmanly, whereby +men deform themselves, and offend sober and modest persons, and +corrupt good manners." + +"This is but a thing indifferent," broke in Dudley. "It will be time +enough to think thereof, when no business of moment is before us." + +"Call you that a thing indifferent," demanded Endicott, "which is +plainly reprobated in Scripture?" + +"I would have you notice," answered the Deputy, "that the custom is +nowhere prohibited. The apostle doth merely speak of it as of +something contrary to usage in his days." + +"Brother Dudley--Brother Dudley," said Endicott, "I read not so the +Epistle of Paul. Thus speaks he: 'Doth not nature itself teach you +that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto him?'" + +"Spoke Paul in this wise," inquired Dudley, "as Paul the inspired +messenger, or as Paul the fallible man?" + +"Have a care, brother Dudley," said Endicott. "These be dangerous +distinctions. What is written is written for our learning, and I will +not curiously inquire into the amount of inspiration therein, having +no gauge whereby to determine its measure." + +The conversation, much to the relief of Dudley, who found himself, +somehow or other, speaking in opposition to Endicott in a matter +wherein the opinions and feelings of the two did not after all +materially differ, was here interrupted by the opening of a door and +the introduction of the lady. She was clothed entirely in black, with +a veil of the same color covering her head, and falling so low as +completely to conceal her features. With a modest mien she followed +the servitor, and, at a courteous wave of the hand and inclination of +the body from Winthrop, took a seat near the Secretary, a little aback +from the table. + +"She is attired," said an Assistant to another, "as if she did divine +the thoughts of Endicott. For the sake of her veil she ought to find +favor in his eyes." + +"Yet see how he doth eye her, as if his fiery glances longed to burn +up the envious screen. He would tell us, I fancy, that he confines his +rule to meetings of the congregation, and would consider it an +invasion of his Christian liberty to be denied the sight of beauty +elsewhere, to compensate his self-denial." + +"Madam," said Winthrop, "it pains me and every member of the Council +that we meet under these circumstances. Let me trust that you will be +able to dispel certain suspicions, and that the frankness of your +answers to the questions to be propounded will lighten for you and +make less onerous for us the sad duty we are performing." + +The lady said something in reply, but either on account of the the low +tone in which she spoke, or of the interposition of the veil, the +words were inaudible. + +"I hear not what she says," cried Dudley. "Let her throw back her +veil. Master Endicott," he added, turning to the Ex-Governor of Salem, +"here hast thou evidence that thy rule is not of universal +application." + +Endicott turned his steady eyes upon the Deputy, and began to caress +his chin beard with his hand, but, before he could speak, Winthrop's +voice was heard. + +"Do us the favor, madam," he said, "to remove the covering from your +face." + +"Allow me," said the lady, with a voice which trembled a little, "to +keep hid a face which ye would cover with shame." + +"Think not so evil of us," answered Winthrop. "Nought would more glad +our hearts than your innocence." + +He waited an instant, as if to see whether she would comply with his +request, and, upon her failing to do so, added, "for myself, I will +not press what I see is unpleasant." + +But this concession appeared not to meet with general approval. +Murmurs circulated about the table, and presently Dudley spoke. + +"It is contrary to the custom of every civilized court," he said, "to +permit a witness or an accused person to conceal his features. The +reason thereof is too patent to need explication." + +"We do entreat you, madam," said Sir Richard, "to pleasure us thus +far, and to believe that no want of consideration is designed." + +Again a pause followed, which was broken by the impatient Dudley. + +"It were painful," he said, looking sternly at the lady, "to use +force." + +"It shall not need," she replied, with a tremulous voice, which, +however, acquired steadiness as she proceeded. "I am in your power, +and will obey your commands." + +So saying, without raising her eyes, she withdrew the veil, and +exposed her pale face to view. It was seen for the first time by most +of the Assistants, and it was obvious, from the whispered comments, +that no unfavorable impression had been made. + +"A modest looking gentlewoman enough," quoth Sir Richard. + +"Discreet in her bearing," said another. + +"All is not gold that glitters," said Dudley. "The beautiful skin of +the snake covers, after all, a snake." + +"For shame, Master Deputy," said Bradstreet. + +"We desire to learn of you your knowledge of the person calling +himself Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Winthrop. "Know you by what +right he doth assume the title?" + +"I will answer your question," replied the lady, "protesting against +the coercion exercised over me. He is a worthy and honorable gentleman +of my own personal knowledge, and of the family of the Gardiners, of +whom Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, was an illustrious +scion." + +"How know you of the relationship?" inquired Winthrop. + +"Sir Christopher hath himself told me so," answered the lady. + +"A manifest invention," said Endicott, in a low voice to Dudley, "to +raise himself in the estimation of his paramour." + +"Our minds do meet in the same conclusion," said Dudley, in a like +tone. "Hear, too, the boasting manner in which she rolls the word +'bishop' over her tongue." + +"When and where became you first acquainted with the Knight?" inquired +Winthrop. + +"From early youth, at Boirdly, in Salopshire, England." + +"Know you when he was knighted?" + +"I know not," answered the lady. + +"What is the relation," inquired Winthrop, with some hesitation, +"wherein you stand to him?" + +"I apprehend not the meaning of your question." + +"Hath he not been your protector since leaving England?" + +"He hath," answered the lady. + +A look of intelligence passed between Dudley and Endicott at the +answer. + +"For what purpose came ye into these parts?" + +"Am I at a confessional," demanded the lady, "that I am bound to +expose the secrets of my soul?" + +"If, madam," said Endicott, "you are familiar with the popish device, +practice will enable you to answer the more glibly." + +"Have pity upon me, gentlemen," said the lady. "I am quite deject and +wretched. Take not advantage of your power to humiliate me into the +dust." + +"The question doth still remain unanswered," exclaimed Dudley, looking +at Winthrop. + +"Be not hasty, Master Deputy," said Winthrop. "Give the gentlewoman +time to frame her answers." + +"I ever liked a quick and unpremeditated response," said Endicott. "It +is more like to savor of the truth." + +"Madam," said Winthrop, "we await your reply." + +"How can I make answer thereto?" she said; "for what know I of the +private motions of the mind of Sir Christopher?" + +"At least, you can tell the purpose wherefor you came?" + +"It was with no evil intent. I had no motive wherefor I need be +ashamed before God or man." + +"Then why hesitate to avow it?" + +"I came influenced by like motives to those which have brought others +to this land." + +"Know you aught of a report that the father of this Sir Christopher +did disinherit him, by reason of his long-continued travels in various +parts of Europe?" + +"Supposing him to be dead," said the lady; "I cannot deny it, and +therefore will not." + +"What know you of any wife or wives he may have had?" + +"I know nothing of them." + +"What!" interrupted Dudley: "hath he not confessed unto thee that he +married a wife on his travels, from whom he was divorced, and that she +is long since dead?" + +"Ye do strive to put words into my mouth, and to entangle me in my +talk," said the lady. "Call you this justice?" + +"We are the interrogators, madam," said Dudley. Looking at Winthrop, +he saw that the Governor had fallen back in his seat, with his eyes +cast upon the floor, and was silent, as if tired of his part of the +examination, and willing to relinquish it to others. Observing this, +the Deputy proceeded. + +"May it please you, madam, to answer the question?" + +"Heaven help me," she said. "My poor brain is so bewildered that I +hardly know what it is." + +"Thou hast a treacherous memory," answered Dudley; "but I will repeat +it. It was concerning certain confessions about this Gardiner's wife." + +"What confessions?" said the lady. + +"Prevaricate not, nor think to blind me," he answered. "The facts are +of public notoriety, and it will not profit to deny them." + +"If I deny them I am not to be believed, and the denial would only +bring down upon my head additional insult; then why tempt so hard a +fate? Tell me what you would have me say, and I will endeavor to +conform to your wishes." + +"Woman!" said Dudley, sternly, "trifle not. Answer me--aye, or nay." + +"Thou hast thine answer," said the lady, with some spirit, as if +goaded into resistance by the severity of the treatment. + +"I am content," said Dudley. "Thou knowest that falsehood were in +vain." + +"Madam," now took up Endicott the word, "we have not as yet been +favored with your name." + +"It is Geraldine De Vaux." + +"Hast never another?" + +"What mean you, sir!" she exclaimed, with a startled air. "What other +name?" + +"I mean, plainly--is not thy name Mary Grove?" + +At the question, the lady, unable longer to control herself, burst +into tears. Quickly recovering herself, however, and drying her eyes, +she said: + +"The wicked man who first insulted me with the name and the infamy +connected therewith is dead. Dread ye not a like judgment on +yourselves?" + +"Thou dost ill to remind us," observed an Assistant, "that thou art, +according to thine own opinion, in some sort, a cause of the death of +our brother, Spikeman, and to threaten us with his fate." + +"I threatened not. I did but repel a wrongful accusation," said the +lady, more humbly. + +"Yet dost thou not deny the name?" persisted Endicott. + +"If it availed, I would deny it; but I see that ye are all leagued +together to persecute me unto the death. Not my will," she sighed, +folding her hands and looking up, "but Thine be done!" + +"Wilt thou say nothing more touching this subject?" inquired Endicott. + +"I desire to say nothing thereupon, except to protest against the +injurious constructions you seem determined to put on all that I can +say." + +"How hath it happened," continued Endicott, "that you have never +appeared with the congregation, in the Lord's house?" + +"Consider the distance we did live in the woods, and the difficulty of +the travel," answered the lady, deprecatingly. "But, has not Sir +Christopher attended?" + +Endicott paid no attention to the question, but went on. + +"What is thy profession of faith?" + +"I am a Christian, and most miserable sinner." + +"Aye, but Protestant or Catholic?" + +"Protestant," answered the lady, with an inflexion of the voice which +made it difficult to decide whether the word was intended for an +ejaculation, a question, or a declaration. "Holy Virgin!" she +murmured, so low as not to be overheard, "forgive me this half lie. +Not for my own sake do my lips utter it, and my heart abhors it." + +The answer seemed to take Endicott by surprise. + +"Have heed to thy words," he said. "We are well advised that this +runnigadoe and thyself were, until of late at least, at Rome." + +"You seem to know all things," said the lady, scornfully, "and I +wonder why ye trouble yourselves with anything that an ignorant woman +can say. Have it as you will." + +"Hath not our examination proceeded far enough?" asked Sir Richard. +"Is there aught else ye expect to elicit?" + +"The woman, I think, hath confessed the whole," said Dudley. "She +openly admits that this Gardiner, or whatever else be his name, is her +paramour; and, for the remainder, what hath been wrested from her by +her own contradictions, sufficiently confounds her." + +"Base man, it is false!" cried the lady, roused into indignation by +the charge. I have confessed to naught whereof a woman should be +ashamed. There is no infamy attached to my name; and as high as Heaven +is above the earth, so far is Sir Christopher above thy craven +nature." + +"Heyday!" said Dudley; "it thunders and lightens. I bandy not words +with thee, but the record of the Secretary will show." + +"I find not the exact word," said the Secretary, Master Nowell, after +examining his minutes, "but she doth acknowledge this pretended Knight +as her protector since they left England, and the terms are +equivalent." + +"I meant it not so. I have acknowledged nothing to my disgrace," +exclaimed the lady. "Ye have enveigled and entrapped me by artful +questions, and then put constructions on my answers which do not +belong to them. A worthy business, truly, for grave and learned men to +be engaged in, to set their wits to work against a forlorn woman, to +pervert her language into shameful meanings." + +"Madam," said Winthrop, "you have permission to retire. Bring with +thee," he added, addressing the beadle, "the little Indian girl, +without letting her come to speech with this gentlewoman, and also +Sassacus, properly guarded." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + "Vainly, but well, that Chief had fought, + He was a captive now; + Yet pride, that fortune humbles not, + Was written on his brow. + The scars his dark, broad bosom wore, + Showed warrior true and brave; + A prince among his tribe before--" + + BRYANT. + + +"A manifest Papist! I can scent one of them out as easily as a hound +doth the hare," said Endicott, after the lady had retired. + +"Beyond a peradventure," echoed Dudley; "and the attempt at deception +doth aggravate her guilt." + +"I, too, remarked," said an Assistant, "that she possesses not the +shibboleth whereunto she laid claim." + +"Yet, wherefore should they, being Papists, come hither?" said Master +Nowell. "I understand not the mystery that surrounds them." + +"A circumstance in itself suspicious," said Endicott, "wherefore needs +an honest intent to hide its head?" + +"On the contrary, it is ever ready to show itself in the sunlight," +said Master Nowell. + +"Know you what is expected to be learned from the child?" asked an +Assistant, of Dudley. + +"I surmise our Governor desires something further to quiet his +ever-anxious and doubting mind," answered Dudley. + +"I lack no light to form a judgment," said Endicott, "and a further +inquiry is supererogatory." + +"Nevertheless," said Master Bradstreet, "there be some of us on whom a +clear light hath not yet shined. My charity strongly inclines me to +view this poor woman in a less unfavorable light since she hath avowed +herself not to be an idolater of Rome." + +"Well saith the Scripture," exclaimed Dudley, "that charity doth cover +a multitude of sins. The rule is good in the exercise of judgment in +things pertaining to private concerns, but in public business it is +naught. But your scruples, and those of Master Winthrop, are likely +soon to be satisfied, for here comes the little Canaanite." + +And as he spoke the door was opened, and the servitor appeared, +bringing in the child. + +"Where is the other Indian?" inquired Endicott. + +"He will be here incontinently, your worship," replied the man. "As +there was some delay in the needful preparation, I did think it +expedient not to keep your worships waiting, more especially as it +would not be becoming that ye should be put to inconvenience for a +heathen red skin." + +"Reasoned like Aristoteles," said Dudley, laughing. "Give me a man of +thy humor, Hezekiah Negus, who rightly apprehends the value of time, +and the danger of keeping his superiors dependent on his laziness." + +"Bring hither the child," said Winthrop. + +The servitor, in obedience to the order, led the girl to the +Governor's seat, and placed her standing by his side. + +"What is thy name, little one?" asked Winthrop, putting his hand upon +her head. + +"Neebin," answered the girl, whose eyes, from the moment of her +entrance, had been scanning the company and the room in that quiet, +covert way, in which the Indian is wont to gratify his curiosity while +endeavoring to conceal it. At the same time, if she felt fear, neither +her voice nor manner betrayed it. + +"Neebin!" repeated Winthrop. "A very pretty name, and hath a pretty +meaning in English, I doubt not." + +The child, encouraged by the gentleness of his voice and looks, and +perhaps proud of showing her knowledge of the language of the whites, +answered: + +"Neebin is summer." + +"Darling Neebin," said Winthrop, whose countenance really expressed an +interest in the little Indian, "hast ever been taught thy prayers?" + +"Neebin knows two prayers." + +"Will she say them for me?" + +The child crossed her arms upon her bosom, after having first made the +sign of the cross upon her brow, her lips, and breast; and then, +letting fall the long, black lashes of her eye-lids, commenced +repeating the "pater-noster." At the sign of the cross, Dudley +started; but, as if recollecting himself, sunk back with a groan. +After finishing the pater-noster, the little girl began the "Ave +Maria;" but this was more than the scandalized deputy could endure. + +"I may not," he cried, starting up, "listen without sin to this +idolatry. Better to smite--" + +"I pray thee to have a little patience," said Winthrop, interrupting +him. "None of its guilt attaches itself to us." + +"I know not that," replied Dudley. "I will not, like Naaman the +Syrian, bow myself down in the house of Rimmon, even although my +master leaneth on my hand. I do bear my testimony against these popish +incantations." + +The face of Winthrop flushed at the taunt conveyed, both in the manner +and in the language; but, as his custom was, he paused before +replying, which gave opportunity to Endicott to say: + +"My teeth, also, as well as those of Master Dudley, are set on edge; +and I think that any farther inquiry on this branch of the subject may +well be pretermitted." + +"In my judgment," said Sir Richard Saltonstall, "it were well, +inasmuch as, though not partaking to the degree of their delicacy of +the scruples of the Deputy-Governor and of Master Endicott, yet do I +respect them, considering the fountain whence they flow. I also highly +approve of and thank the Governor for his judicious questions, whereby +the truth hath been brought to light, and what was a little dark +before hath been made plain. But the end being sufficiently attained, +it were better, perhaps, not to press in this way after further +knowledge, seeing we neither need nor desire it." + +"I accede to your wishes, gentlemen," said Winthrop, "though I hardly +approve of this cutting short the answer of a witness. Ye shall have, +however, your will." + +"What!" exclaimed Dudley; "not when the answer is blasphemous, or +idolatrous, or otherwise impious?" + +"We will have no argument thereupon, Master Dudley," said Winthrop. +"Your desire is granted, and that, methinks, should satisfy you." + +The door now opened, and Sassacus entered between two soldiers, +clanking the fetters on his wrists as he moved. Alas! confinement, +though short, had not been without baleful effect on the Sagamore. Not +that he appeared cast down or humiliated; not that his gait was +uncertain, or his bearing less proud; but a shadow, the shadow of a +prison house, encompassed him. The iron was evidently beginning to +enter his soul. The free denizen of the boundless forest could no more +live without liberty, than flame without air. He was like an eagle +struck down from his home in the clouds, + + "Sailing with supreme dominion, + Through the azure deep of air," + +to be chained upon a stump, and approached and gazed at by every +wayfarer. The imperial bird darts round the lightning of his eyes, but +he knows them to be innocuous, and his head droops at the +consciousness. + +"Remain where ye are," said an Assistant to the soldiers. "The +Governor is engaged at this moment." + +"Can Neebin," said Winthrop, resuming his interrogatories, "tell me +where is Sir Christopher Gardiner?" + +"Flower of the forest and of the wild rushing stream," exclaimed +Sassacus, in his own language, "be to him as the rock to which the +wind whispers an idle tale." + +"What says he?" inquired the Assistants of one another, not one of +whom understood more than here and there a word. + +"Let the chief keep silent," said Winthrop, addressing Sassacus. "He +will soon have an opportunity to say what he will;" and he repeated +the question. + +But the little Indian showed herself no longer docile as before, but +to every question returned a stubborn silence. + +"We have made a mistake in bringing in the chief," said an Assistant. +"She will not open her lips again. He hath said something to frustrate +our inquires." + +"Thou hast rightly divined," said Winthrop, after another vain attempt +to induce the child to speak. "And now what shall be done? for I hold +it unmeet that she should be sent back to the source whence, instead +of the Gospel truth she should have been taught, she hath sucked only +error." + +"That were indeed a deadly unkindness to the poor fawn," said Sir +Richard, "seeing it would be imperiling her eternal salvation." + +"Better," said Endicott, "that she should continue in a darkness +penetrated only by the dim light of nature than be made a victim of +Roman superstition." + +"If any one of ye, gentlemen, will take her in charge," said Winthrop, +"gladly will I resign the child into your hands; but if not, then +will I receive her into mine own household, where, by God's grace, the +tares which the enemy hath sown may be eradicated." + +No one manifesting a desire to accept the offer of Winthrop, he +ordered the child to be removed to his own house. + +As the little girl on her way out of the apartment passed nigh the +chief, she stopped, and with childish impatience strove to take the +manacles from his arms. A sad smile crossed the face of Sassacus at +her vain attempt, and he said: + +"They are the presents of Owanux. Neebin will not forget." + +"Allow no farther speech between them," cried Winthrop, as the +Sagamore commenced saying something more. "Part them, and take her +instantly away." + +"Waqua, or Sassacus, or whatever be thy name," said Winthrop, +"wherefore, being at peace with my people, have you slain two of my +men." + +The chief looked steadily at the questioner, but returned no answer. + +"We know," said the Governor, "that thou hast sufficient knowledge of +our tongue to make thyself intelligible, for thou hast conversed with +me. Speak, lest for thy refusal it should go the harder with thee." + +Thus addressed, Sassacus surveyed with an indignant look his chains, +and then stretching out one of his arms as far as his bonds permitted, +spoke in a bold tone several sentences in his own language in reply. + +"The spirit of the old proverb," said an Assistant, "that one may lead +a horse to water, nathless it will be impossible to compel him to +drink, applies, it seems, as well to Indians as to horses." + +"Why sit here to be scorned by this unbreeched heathen?" cried Dudley. +"Away with him! He was taken in the very act, and can render no excuse +for this devilish malignity." + +"Under favor," said Sir Richard, "that were but a hasty conclusion. It +is only Christian mercy to labor with him a little more." + +"It may be," said Winthrop, "that on an occasion so momentous, he +distrusts his ability worthily to defend himself in a speech wherewith +he is imperfectly acquainted. He must not be condemned unheard. The +flashes of nobility I have discovered in him did once prepossess me +greatly in his favor, and, therefore, if for nought else, would I be +indulgent. But, besides, he is a man whose blood is not to be spilled +like a wild animal's." + +"Be it so," said Dudley, "If ye can make him speak, I will promise to +listen." + +"Samoset is in the settlement, and may be instantly forthcoming," +suggested Master Nowell. + +"Let him then be called," said Winthrop. + +But a short time elapsed before the messenger returned with the +Indian, Samoset, who, in consequence of his superior acquaintance with +the English language, had often acted as interpreter between his +countrymen and the white strangers. This knowledge he had acquired +from his intercourse with the English fishermen, before the wanderers +who erected their tabernacle at Shawmut arrived in the country. He was +a quick, apprehensive fellow, who, on account of the services he had +rendered the colonists, stood high in their favor, and was treated +with considerable confidence. No sign of recognition passed betwixt +him and Sassacus on his entrance, but they regarded one another as +strangers. + +"We have called thee, Samoset," said Winthrop, "to interpret between +us and this prisoner. Ask him if he acknowledges himself to be the +famous chief of the Pequots." + +"Tell him," replied Sassacus, "that I am that eagle at whose scream +the Narraghansetts hide themselves like little birds in the bushes." + +"A bold answer," said Winthrop. "Ask him now, wherefore he hath been +lurking in the woods in the vicinity of our lodges." + +"The feet of Sassacus," answered the chief, "tread upon the forest +leaves at his pleasure. His ancestors never inquired of the Taranteens +nor of the Narraghansetts where they should hunt, and he will not ask +permission of the strangers with beards." + +"Frank and defiant," muttered Endicott. "Come, I like this." + +"The forests are very wide," said Winthrop, "and the game is not so +abundant in our immediate neighborhood. There must be some more +particular reason for thy conduct." + +"Listen, O, white chief!" returned the Indian. "The path whereon the +tongue of Sassacus travels is a straight path. A great chief disdains +to tell a lie. Know then, that, for a long, long time--our oldest men +cannot recollect so far back, for they heard the legend from their +grandfathers, and they again from theirs--it hath been told among us, +that a race with a skin like the snow should come to our land, with +strange manners, and speaking a strange language; and when I heard of +Owanux, I came to see whether they were the men, for it becomes a +chief to watch for his people." + +"And what said the tradition," asked Winthrop, "should be the fate of +the two races?" + +"Tell him not, O, Samoset! my friend, who hast eaten with me from the +same pot--that the legend, sadder than the wail of warriors from an +unsuccessful expedition over the dead; than the sobs of the wintry +wind around the grave of my first-born--that, like the cloud in the +full moon, we were to waste away, and the intruders to occupy our +hunting grounds." + +"He says," said Samoset, interpreting to suit the chief, "that the +Indians were to drive the strangers, as the wind whirls the leaves +into little heaps." + +"There will be two words to that bargain," said Dudley. "I trow it +will take more than one Powah to make me believe such a story." + +"It is the inspiration of the devil, who is ever the father of lies," +observed Endicott. "Go to, with nonsense like this, but I do admire +the brave bearing of the savage." + +"Yet is it an unfortunate belief to prevail among the natives," said +Master Bradstreet. "If extensively entertained, it may be fraught with +great peril." + +"A cunning invention of the Powahs, no doubt, to sustain the fainting +courage of their deluded followers," said Sir Richard. + +"Give me three hundred stout and well-armed fellows, trusting in the +Lord, and careful to keep their powder dry and bullets ready, and I +will so take the conceit out of their red-skins, from the Kennebec to +the mouth of the Connecticut, that they will never tell this story +again," said Endicott. + +"Ask him," proceeded Winthrop, "if this Sir Christopher Gardiner is +his friend." + +"Soog-u-gest is my brother," answered the Sagamore. + +"Does he know the occasions of Soog-u-gest's frequent absences from +home?" + +"He hunted sometimes with Sassacus," was the answer. + +"And what knows he of the woman?" + +"She is the sister of Soog-u-gest." + +"Is she not his wife?" demanded Dudley. + +But Sassacus, merely shaking his head, made no reply. + +"The proud savage disdains to answer your question, Master Dudley," +observed Endicott, with a smile. + +"Nay," answered Dudley. "It is because he cannot deny it." + +"We will see," said Winthrop; and he put the question. + +It was as Endicott (better acquainted from his longer residence in the +country than the others with the feelings of the natives) had +suggested, for now Sassacus spoke without hesitation. + +"Soog-u-gest is the woman's brother. His wigwam is large. The woman +and Neebin, the little sister of Sassacus, live in one part, and +Soog-u-gest and his men in the other." + +An expression of great astonishment was visible in the faces of the +members of the Council, as Sassacus avowed his relationship to the +little girl, but nothing was said. The thoughtful countenance of +Winthrop became still more grave, and a moment or two passed before he +asked the next question. + +"Why did Sassacus give away his own sister?" + +"He gave her not away. She was to remain to learn the wisdom of the +white man, as the little bird stays in the nest until it is strong +enough to fly." + +Another pause ensued, for the reply of the Sagamore had furnished +pregnant matter for thought, until the silence was broken by the voice +of Winthrop. + +"Why did Sassacus attack my people, and kill two of my men?" + +"A superfluous question, after what we have heard," said Sir Richard +Saltonstall. + +"Nevertheless, it is involved in the purpose for which the Indian was +brought before us, and he shall have the benefit of a reply, Sir +Richard," answered the Governor. + +"Is it an earnest question the white chief asks," demanded the Pequot +chief. "Why does the bear attack the hunter who has robbed her of her +cubs? Shall Sassacus love Neebin less than a bear its cub? Owanux +burned the lodge of my friend. They seized his sister and Neebin, and +carried them away, and their chief asks why Sassacus fought for his +friends, and for the daughter of many Sachems! What white man ever +before was hurt by Sassacus? Who ever came to his lodge, and he set +not a meal before him? Who ever was tired, and Sassacus gave him not a +skin whereon to lay his limbs? When the white chief burns our lodges, +and carries away captive our women and children in the dark, must +Sassacus run with a bowl of succotash to refresh him, after his great +victory?" + +"A shrewd retort withal, and, according to the law of nature, and of +the woods, an all-sufficient justification," said Sir Richard +Saltonstall, who had been opposed to the plan to capture the Knight +from the beginning. + +"And yet none other than I expected," said Winthrop, whose generous +design in allowing the chief to exculpate himself in his own way was +only now understood. "Gentlemen," he added, desirous to take advantage +of the favorable impression produced by the Sagamore's reply, "what +remains but to remand our prisoner, unless it be your intention to +discharge him in consideration of the provocation, and that he can +hardly be said to be as fully amenable to our laws as they who +understand what these laws are." + +"I desire to express my hearty astonishment," exclaimed Deputy Dudley, +"at the extraordinary proposition of the Governor. The consequences +which lie hid therein are horrible. Are our friends, engaged in the +execution of our orders, to be slaughtered with impunity, and thus +others to be encouraged to like atrocities?" + +"Blood for blood," thundered Endicott. "If that of Abel fell not to +the ground unavenged, though the slayer knew no law, save that written +in his heart, to forbid the deed, so now may not this savage escape. +Besides, the example were impolitic, as hath been already set forth." + +Similar opinions were uttered by almost all of the Assistants, being +none other than anticipated by the wily Governor, who meant not what +he said, but desired to mitigate the severer counsels of his +associates. + +During these remarks, a conversation in a low tone had been passing +betwixt the Sagamore and Samoset. + +"Has the heart of Samoset turned white?" asked the Pequot. + +"Samoset is an Indian," replied the interpreter, "and his heart is +red." + +"Has he forgotten the time when, with Sassacus and his Paniese, he +drank of the Shetucket, where it bounds into the river of the Pequots, +when he was thirsty with driving the Narraghansetts over the hills, +like leaves chased by the wind?" + +"Samoset has not forgotten." + +"Does he powah with Owanux, or is he true to the faith of his +fathers?" + +"The feet of Samoset will chase the deer and the bear over the happy +hunting grounds, whither his fathers have gone. He would not know what +to do in the heaven of Owanux." + +"Then is not Samoset my brother, and lies he not close to the heart of +Sassacus, as a pappoose nestles up to its mother?" + +"Samoset will do the bidding of the great Sagamore," said the +interpreter, anticipating what was to follow. + +"Go then, my friend, my brother, terror of the Narraghansetts, praise +of the valiant Pequots, and find Soog-u-gest. Tell him that the blood +of Sassacus is running away, like water from an overturned vessel, and +that soon all will be spilled, unless he comes to set up the vessel. +Tell him to come quickly, and deliver the great Sagamore of the +Pequots, and his sister, and the young man with eyes like the sky." + +"The feet of the blue eyes are free," said Samoset. "I saw him only a +little while ago." + +"Good!" said the chief. "Then seek first my young friend, for he loves +Sassacus, and tell him, and do what he says. But if they cannot help, +fly, like the swallow over the hills and streams, to the hunting +grounds of my tribe, and say to my people that their Sachem is a wolf +in a trap, and Neebin a slave to Owanux." + +"What says he?" inquired Endicott, whose attention had been attracted +by the longer speech, and somewhat raised tone of the Sagamore's +voice. + +"He says," answered Samoset, drawing readily on his invention, "that a +great Sachem ought not to be put into a box for killing wolves who run +into his wigwam." + +A pleased expression lighted up the face of the captive chief at the +answer, which he perfectly understood, as indeed he had much that had +been spoken. His avoiding to use the English language, as through +ignorance, having had for him, at least, the advantage of putting his +examiners off their guard, and inducing them to speak more freely in +his hearing. The tone of Samoset's voice, and the reply, satisfied the +Pequot that he was secure of the interpreter's fidelity, and he +stretched out both his arms, as though grasping his recovered liberty. + +Endicott bent his brow at the reply, as a suspicion darted through his +jealous mind; but the stolid mien of the Indian, who bore the look as +if he had been a statue carved out of the heart of the cedars of his +native hills, baffled his penetration. + +"Why do I distrust him?" he murmured, under his thick moustache. "Yet +is distrust the mother of safety, and in our situation a duty." + +"Let him return now," said Winthrop, "and take order that every +comfort be supplied consistent with safe keeping. Noble Sassacus," he +added, "it grieves me that we meet and part thus." + +The savage, who, through the whole interview, could not mistake the +favorable sentiments of Winthrop, answered as before, in his own +Pequot tongue. + +"Sassacus understands the thoughts of chiefs, for he is one himself. +The voice of the long knife (alluding to the rapier worn by Winthrop) +is not so unpleasant to him as those of these counsellors, and he +hopes that what he is about to say will be listened to as the words of +a great Sagamore. Sassacus is very tired of lying in a box, but not +afraid to die. Let him depart to his own country, or if the white +chief will kill, let him, with his long knife, pierce the bosom of +Sassacus, for the blood of a chief should be shed by a chief." + +"It may not be, noble savage," said Winthrop, mournfully. "Such is not +our custom. Yet be not cast down, but rely upon our justice." + +The withdrawal of the captives was a signal for the discussion of what +had been elicited by their examination. It had confirmed suspicions +before entertained, and more than that, revealed an intimacy betwixt +the Knight and Pequots, a warlike and restless, though not numerous +tribe, which filled the minds of the Assistants with apprehension. If +the influence of Sir Christopher (whom not one doubted to be a +Catholic) extended as far as they suspected, he might make himself a +formidable enemy. He had been able to induce the chief of the Pequots +to intrust to him his own sister, to be taught the Catholic faith, +doubtless intending to make her conversion the means of extending +among the tribes the superstitions of Popery. The success of the plan +was fraught with danger to the colony, for the new religion would be a +means of reconciling the differences of the tribes, and binding them +together, in a common union with the Eastern Indians, already much +under the influence of the Romish priests. Favored secretly or openly +by the French government, which they were sure to be, and supplied +with fire-arms, they might become too powerful to be resisted, and, +reversing the campaign of the Israelites in the wilderness, drive out +those who had intruded into their Canaan, only themselves to fall +finally a prey to the French, and to have one form of idolatry +substituted for another. Sternly frowned Dudley, and grimly stroked +Endicott his tufted chin, as they revolved such thoughts, and inly +vowed, as they trusted in the God of Jacob, that such things should +not be. The conclusion to which the council came, was that the Pequot +and the woman should be detained in custody until the Knight was +taken, whose capture they considered not difficult, and that then the +fate of the three should be decided. + +As for Samoset, he sought Arundel at the earliest opportunity when he +could do so unnoticed, and acquainted him with the message of the +chief. With this coadjutor it was easy to establish a communication +with his friends in the forest, the consequences of which will +presently be seen. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + The waithman goode of Silverwoode, + That bowman stout and hende, + In donjon gloom abides his doom-- + God dele him gentil ende. + + It breaks true herte to see him stert, + When as the small birds sing, + And then to hear his sighynges drere, + Whereas his fetters ring. + + OLD BALLAD. + + +In order to secure the person of the Knight of the Golden Melice, +several small parties were dispatched to scour the forest--another +object being to protect the remoter colonists against wandering +Taranteens, should any have the temerity to venture near the +settlement. A reward was offered to the Indians for the apprehension +of Sir Christopher--strict injunctions being given that he should be +taken alive. An increased vigilance also was exercised over the rude +prison wherein the captives were confined--a soldier being kept +constantly on guard before its entrance. + +On the plot in front the sentry was pacing his round on a night which +was dark and threatening. No rain had fallen, but the clouds were +constantly becoming denser, and it was plain that a storm might soon +be expected. With the wind rose also the voice of the ocean, murmuring +along the curving shores of the bay, distinctly heard in the silence +of the night by the solitary soldier, whose thoughts it carried back +to the sea-beaten island he had left. + +"An' my guns deceive me not," he said to himself, "it should be past +midnight. There is no moon, nor star, to be sure, to tell by, but I +have mounted guard before, and my feelings let me know as surely as a +dial what's the hour. Hark! (as a measured step was heard approaching) +that must be Cowlson. Stand," he cried, "and give the countersign!" + +"Poh! Job Bloyce," answered a voice. "You know my croak as well as +your own; but babes and sucklings must be taught, and it is regular, +so I will let you know lest you may have forgotten--the sling of +David." + +"Always full of thy nonsense," said Bloyce. "But what made thee so +late?" + +"Late is it? It can be but a matter of ten minutes past twelve, and it +takes a little while to rub one's eyes and get them open after being +called. Hast seen or heard anything on thy watch?" + +"Nothing. I had better have been in my warm bed and asleep, +considering the hoeing I must give my corn-field to-morrow, than be +watching a skeary Indian and a woman." + +"Thou hast little need to trouble thy gizzard on that score," returned +Cowlson; "for, an' I mistake not greatly, the rain will fall heavy +enough to spoil thy chance at hoeing. It is blacker than the darkness +in Egypt. I cannot see the tip of thy nose." + +"That is of no consequence. My nose is a white nose and no Indian's, +and I take it that it is for the copper skins you are to watch." + +"And they will be still harder to be seen. But I care not. I am good +for ten Indians any day, though I expect not that they will venture to +sneak into our streets, be it light or dark." + +"Nevertheless, keep your eyes open, for thou mayest need them; so good +night." + +"Good night, and shut thine own, so soon as Dame Bloyce will permit +thee." + +The two knew not, so dark was the night, that a third person stood so +near to them that he had overheard the whole of their dialogue. Soon +after the departure of the first sentinel, his successor, Cowlson, +seemed to consider it of very little importance to make his rounds +with much diligence, and to be more intent on protecting himself from +the rain, which began to fall, than to perform his duty. He, +therefore, after a few turns, ensconced himself as comfortably as +possible on the lee side of the building during the violence of the +storm, taking advantage of occasional intermissions to resume his +walk. The stranger waited until the little vigilance of the sentinel +was relaxed, and, noting exactly the place where he had bestowed +himself, stole noiselessly back to a group of three or four persons. +Here a whispered conversation was carried on until the rain began to +pour more violently, when, as if they thought it a favorable moment +for their enterprise, the whole party began to move forward in Indian +file--that is to say, following one another in a line--led by the man +who had overheard the conversation of the soldiers. Such was the noise +made by the falling drops, and so dark the night, that they had +approached close to the sentry before he became aware of any one's +presence. An accidental slipping of one of the men betrayed them, and, +presenting his piece, he demanded the countersign. + +"The sling of David," was the reply, and the sentry dropped the breech +of the musket on the earth. He had hardly done so before he was +violently seized. A strong hand grasped his throat; another was +applied to his mouth; his piece was wrested from him, and, disarmed +and unable to utter a cry, he was hurled to the ground. His hands and +feet were then bound; a gag inserted into his mouth; his coat taken +off and muffled around his head to stifle the least sound, and he was +then removed to a little distance behind the building, and one left to +guard him and give notice of any approach. The rest of the party next +proceeded to the door of the cabin occupied by the jailer Bars. A +light was burning inside, but it was impossible, through the oiled +paper, to see anything within. He who appeared to be the leader, +having disposed his men on each side of the door, rapped upon it. No +answer was returned, and it was not until after repeated rappings, and +the patience of the strangers was becoming exhausted, and they had +begun to consult respecting bursting open the door, when some one was +heard moving and growling at the disturbance of his slumbers. + +"Who is there?" he demanded, impatiently. + +A low voice from the outside now entreated to be let in, for a moment, +out of the rain. + +"Nay," returned Bars. "You put no foot into my house, at this time of +night, without the countersign." + +"The sling of David," replied the voice. + +"All right," said Bars, beginning to unbar the door, "But what do +you"-- + +He was unable to finish the sentence, for, as soon as the door turned +on its hinges, a rush was made by those on the outside, and poor Bars, +half clothed, rudely upset on the floor. "Murder," he undertook to +cry, but his throat was choked whenever he attempted to make a sound, +and he was soon disposed of in like manner as the sentinel, and thrust +into a corner, after having discovered that his assailants were +Indians. All this, with however little noise accomplished, could not +be done without disturbing Dame Bars, who, from the closet where she +slept, inquired what was the matter. One of the party thereupon +gliding over the floor with moccasoned feet, presented himself with +finger on lip before her. Terror benumbed the tongue of the poor woman +at the sight, and the cry she strove to utter died in her throat. By +smiles and gestures the Indian endeavored to satisfy her that no +injury was designed, and then, as if to confirm his peaceable +intentions, retired, drawing the door after him; and frightened, +though in some slight degree re-assured, the dame employed the respite +in clothing herself in her day-apparel. + +Meanwhile, one of the Indians, who had found two or three large keys +tied together, had taken them from the peg where they hung and +proceeded to the prison. His actions evinced a strange familiarity +with the place. He advanced straight to the prison door, and, fitting +the key, presently stood in the narrow passage which ran round the two +cells into which the central part was divided. Only one of these was +locked. Opening it, he called, in a low tone--"Sassacus." + +"Who wants Sassacus?" asked the chief in his own language out of the +darkness, for the stranger had come without a light. + +"I do not understand your gibberish," answered the other. "Know you +not Philip's voice?" + +"Thou hast come to place the feet of Sassacus on the forest leaves. +Quick! O good white man! and free him," cried the impatient chief. + +Philip, guided by the sounds, bent down, and feeling for the shackles +which confined the legs of the captive, soon unfastened them, and the +liberated Sagamore stretched out with delight his cramped limbs. +"Sassacus," he said, "shall see again the pleasant river of the +Pequots, and he will deliver Neebin from the robbers." Then following +Joy, the two entered, noiselessly, the cabin of the jailer. + +During the absence of Joy, a scene of a different kind had been +passing. The Lady Geraldine, aroused by the sounds, had left her +couch, and appeared among the intruders. She manifested no fear at +sight of the Indians, (for what had she to dread from those who had +always shown her kindness?) and when owe of them glided to her side, +she strove not to avoid him. + +"Celestina!" said a well-known voice in her ear, "hasten to accompany +me from this wretched den, and the tyranny of your oppressors." + +She started at the first sound, but quickly recovering herself, +replied, in a tone as low: + +"Of what avail? My usefulness here is ended. I will give place to +another, and Heaven will employ me somewhere else." + +"Be it so," said the Knight; "yet fly, for the sake of thy liberty, +perhaps of thy life." + +"I fear not for my life," she added; "and as for my liberty, I cannot +long be deprived of it." + +"Time flies! What madness is this? I have risked my life to rescue +thee, and now dost thou reject my service?" + +"I cannot fly with thee. Better to die." + +"What strange language do I hear? What mean you? Explain quickly, for +our time is short." + +"I have no explanation, except that I will not go. The heretics may +rage, but the virgin will protect me." + +"O, listen!" urged the Knight. "You shall be delivered from this +atrocious persecution. I will take thee to the French settlements, +where thou wilt be secure, and mistress of thine own movements." + +"And thereby seem to admit the truth of all wherewith we are charged. +That were in some sort a betrayal of our trust, and what neither thou +nor I may do." + +"Call you the preservation of our liberty and lives a betrayal of +trust? Celestina, grief hath crazed thy brain." + +"Nay, Sir Christopher, I have thought over all these things, and the +virgin inspires my determination. I will do nought to confirm a +suspicion already entertained, that we are Catholics, which would be +turned into certainty, were we to take refuge among our French +neighbors. Thus should we make the task more difficult for the +successors who must take our places, since we have been found +unworthy." + +"Then we will remain among the Indians, if that please thee better." + +"To bring trouble upon them for their hospitality; to cause them to be +hunted on our account, like wild beasts. Thy generosity would disdain +safety purchased by another's suffering." + +"We will go to some distant tribe. Anything is better than to remain +in the hands of these pitiless fanatics." + +"I dread them not," answered Sister Celestina, loftily. "The talisman +of the true faith will preserve me." + +"Is, then, thy resolution fixed beyond change? Will no prayers, no +entreaties change thee?" + +"It is better thus: the poor Sister Celestina knows how to suffer and +to die, but not how to desert the post entrusted to her by her +superiors." + +At this moment Joy and Sassacus entered, and the former, approaching +the Knight, informed him that all was ready for a start. + +"I am ready," said the Knight. "Yet, once again, before I hasten away, +O, Celestina, come! I cannot bear to leave thee with these men with +natures rougher than the savage." + +"If I were to tell thee all," she said, moved by his importunities, +"thou thyself wouldst bid me remain. Noble gentleman! unfortunate and +slandered Knight, save thyself from thine enemies. Hasten away; there +is danger in every moment's delay. Whatever may become of me, no fault +is thine." + +She took his hand in hers, and as she pressed it to her lips, the +Knight felt a tear trickling over its surface. + +"Farewell, then," he said, "since it must be so; but I will hover near +to assist thee, shouldst thou change thy resolution." + +He turned away, greeted the Sagamore, and, with his followers, began +to leave the cabin. As he passed the jailer, he stooped, and, removing +the gag from his mouth, looked at him steadily an instant, and then +placed two broad gold pieces on the floor before him. + +The lady pursued with her eyes the retreating figures till swallowed +up by the darkness. "I will bear my cross as I may," she said to +herself, "for I deserve it for all my unhappy suspicions of his +generous nature. But I will do nothing which may give further color to +the malignant charge devised by the justly-slain Spikeman, and taken +up by his associates. An escape with him were sure to do that. The +tongue of calumny would wag, and the finger of scorn be universally +pointed at me, and all would cry, 'aha! we said it.' Such triumph +shall not mine enemies have over me." + +Her meditations were interrupted by Bars, who now begged her to +release him from bondage, or call his wife to do the friendly office +for him. + +"I desire to take you to witness," said the lady, "that, though flight +was in my power, I have not availed myself of the opportunity. Say +that to my oppressors, to increase the guilt of their cruelty." + +"I will say what you please," Answered Bars, peevishly, "an' you will +untie me." + +"I will do so, if you promise to make no hue and cry." + +"What should I want of tramping after Indians in the dark, and perhaps +catch an arrow in my paunch for my pains?" groaned the jailer; "though +I have some notions of my own about the Indian part of the business." + +"Trusting thy promise, I will relieve thee from thy bonds," said the +lady, cutting the cords. + +"I made no promise," said Bars, as soon as he was set at liberty, +"though I will behave as if I had. These be brave Indians," he said to +himself, slyly taking up the gold, "and pay handsomely for their right +to be considered such. An' it be thy pleasure that it should be so," +he added aloud, "these golden Indians shall remain Indians till the +day of judgment, for all Bars--" + +Dame Bars, now, from her nook, made her appearance on the scene. + +"O, Sam!" she exclaimed, "be they gone, and have not they scalped +you?" + +"You can look for yourself, wife," answered Sam, passing his fingers +through his shock of hair, as if to satisfy any doubts of his own. +"But what should they want with my scalp, I wonder." + +"I am sure I can't tell what they do with such things," said the dame, +"unless to cover their own heads when they get bald." + +"A pretty figure," grunted Bars, "my red crop would make on the top of +one of them salvages. It never will come to that, goody. But I must +not stay here talking about scalps, when, perhaps, the poor sentinel +may have lost his." And he started toward the door. + +"O do not go, do not go, Sam!" said his wife, throwing her arms around +him; "they may be watching for thee on the outside." + +"Women be always cowards," said the jailer; "but thou need not hug me +so tight now. I warrant, having got what they wanted, they are in the +woods before this time." + +"Yet stay a little longer," persisted his wife. "If the poor soldier +be murdered, thou canst do him no good." + +"You forget, goody, that I am a public officer, and must do my duty," +said Sam, extricating himself from her grasp; and, lighting a lantern, +he went out of doors. + +Bars directed his course straight to the door of the prison, which he +found open. + +"It is as I expected," he thought, "There is no use in going in. The +Indian's long legs are loping far away in the forest, be sure. +Cowlson! friend Cowlson!" he asked, "art thou dead, or only scalped?" + +He listened for an answer, but none was returned. Proceeding round the +little building, he soon found what he sought--the soldier, tied by +the neck and heels, in a most uncomfortable posture, and soaked with +the rain. + +"Humph!" ejaculated Bars; "these salvages be learning civilization +fast. An' I had done it myself, I could not have tied the knot with +more judgment." + +The soldier (to add to whose misfortunes, his musket was gone, +together with the powder and ball wherewith he had been furnished) +felt in no talking humor, and sulkily followed the jailer into the +house, where he recovered his speech, and recounted his portion of the +adventures of the night. Bars pretended to believe that the party +consisted entirely of Indians; of which, however, Cowlson could by no +means be persuaded; "for how," asked he, "could they learn our +countersign?" + +"They be cunning vermin," said Bars. "But now, that I recollect, +methinks that when they deceived me it sounded a little heathenish." + +"Then, why did you admit them?" demanded Cowlson. + +"A fine question for you to ask, Jim Cowlson. An' I had not, the +chance is they would have bowled you off with them, as a hostage for +the sachem, and like as not burned us up besides. But the fact is, I +was half asleep. An' I had been wide awake, perhaps I would have +discovered the trick. And who would have guessed that Indians knew +anything about countersigns? I wonder how they found it out." + +"I must report this night's work forthwith," said Cowlson, rising; +"but I had almost as lief have lost my scalp as my musket." + +The disconsolate soldier accordingly wended on his way, to tell the +best story he could to save himself from blame; while Bars, after +relocking his empty prison, and barring his door, snuggled himself +alongside his partner to busy his rather obtuse brain with schemes of +a like nature on his own behalf. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + "This monument shall utter of the past + It hath no tongue; and yet Demosthenes, + Or Roman Tully, never stirred the breasts + Of gaping citizens with subtler speech, + Than shall this pile of stones the wayfarers. + Who pass this way." + + ANONYMOUS. + + +While with rapid steps through the tempestuous night the retiring +party were seeking the forest, one of them, the only one in the dress +of the whites, and who for that reason had not ventured into the cabin +of the jailer, but had kept watch on the outside, approaching +Sassacus, said: + +"Let the feet of the chief be swift, for many warriors will be after +him with the morning light." + +"My brother!" said the delighted Sagamore, recognizing the voice of +Arundel. "Let not my brother be afraid. The forest loves Sassacus, and +tells him all its secrets." + +"Yet remain not here, my friend, my Sassacus, nor be troubled about +Neebin. I will take care of her, and she shall be restored to thee." + +"Sassacus trusts his young white brother," said the Indian, "He hears +Neebin singing by the river of the Pequots." + +"We part here, and perhaps forever," said Arundel. "Farewell, +Sagamore. A nobler heart than thine never beat in savage or Christian +bosom. I will never forget you." + +He wrung the hand of the chief, and, turning, was instantly lost in +the darkness. + +The occasion permitted no further words, and, as the two separated, it +was with a glow of pleasure on the part of each. Arundel reflected +with satisfaction on the success of his enterprise, and the Sagamore's +enjoyment of his recovered freedom was heightened by the thought that +he had been remembered by one who had so much attracted him. The young +man succeeded in reaching his quarters without being discovered, and +we now leave him, to accompany those with whom he had been associated. + +So well had their measures been taken, and with such good fortune +executed, that they were already deep in the woods before the +settlement was aroused by the alarm given by the sentinel. + +"They may make as much noise as they choose, for their own pleasure," +said Philip, laughing, as the report of the culverins, which startled +the colonists from their sleep, were heard; "but it is only a useless +pother, and a vain rubbing of drowsy eyes. I should like to see how +valiant Captain Endicott will look, when he finds that the bird has +flown." + +"In thy present habiliments of a savage?" said the Knight. + +"Nay," answered the soldier. "I care not to be seen naked, and stained +up like an Aberginian. I was half ashamed of myself, especially before +the lady, though there was not much light." + +"It were well," said the Knight, "to cast our slough before we chance +to be seen by Indians, notwithstanding they may be friendly. We must +retire deep, too, into the forest, for I mistake much the character of +Winthrop and his council, if desperate means be not adopted to avenge +the doings of this night." + +This indeed appeared to be the opinion of all, to judge from the haste +with which they pushed steadily on, resting not until they had reached +the wigwam of the chief whereto Spikeman had been taken. Here, the +first care of the white men was to wash off the paint from their +persons, not without a half-jesting objection from the Sagamore. + +"The two friends of Sassacus," he said, "have Indian hearts; why +should they not keep their Indian skins? Let them come with me, and +they shall become great sachems over the tribes that listen to the +voice of the little salt lake." + +Philip, who was in high spirits at the success of their enterprise, +and whose philosophy enabled him always to enjoy the present moment, +was ready with an answer. + +"A tempting offer," he said; "and, by the head of King Charles, (his +favorite oath), better, I trow, than this hand-to-mouth life we have +lately been leading. Plenty of bear's meat and venison, and no +prisons, Sagamore! Verily, thy words are pleasant." + +"The deer shall come to lick the hands of my brothers, and the bear +offer his steaks, and they will be as free as the wind on the tops of +the hills. They shall also have many squaws, and young wives shall +smile on them when the old are wrinkled and cross." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Philip. "I misdoubt whether that would suit all +round. But, Sagamore, if I should ever have the luck to get a nice +white squaw, I will ask her opinion; and if she fancies the plan of my +having half a dozen wives, I will consider it." + +"A truce to this trifling," said Sir Christopher. "It is all sport +with thee, Philip, but dost not remark it begins to be earnest with +the chief?" + +"He is quick-witted enough to understand," answered Joy. "Why, Sir +Christopher, these salvages laugh so seldom, that they ought to be +encouraged when they begin. I fear me that the long faces of the folk +at the settlement are catching, and that the poor Indians are more +than half spoiled already. Now, according to my judgment, it is a +human privilege to laugh. Some say, to be sure, that dogs and horses +laugh, but I never heard anything that amounted to more than a +snicker, and that I suppose they caught from being with people." + +"Sassacus," said the Knight, "this is no longer any place for thee. +The white men are at this moment seeking me, and will soon be also on +thy track, and show no mercy. The voices of thy tribe are shouting thy +name through the forest, and calling thee home. Here and now we part." + +"Sassacus is troubled," replied the Sagamore, "about his little +sister. How shall he answer his mother, when she asks after Neebin?" + +"Neebin is in no danger," said the Knight; "and though she were, thy +remaining could do no good. But I will stay, and if artifice can +avail--for force we have none--Neebin shall be restored to her +mother." + +"My brother speaks well," said the Sagamore, having thus secured +another guardian for the sister whom he tenderly loved. "He shall +stay, but Sassacus will return to the river of the Pequots, and will +speak a loud word in the ears of his tribe, and they shall fill their +quivers with arrows, and sharpen their tomahawks, and many will come +back with him to ask for Neebin. Sassacus will go alone, and will +leave Towanquattick." + +"Leave not the Paniese behind," said the Knight. "That were only to +expose him to unnecessary danger." + +But the chief was not be diverted from his purpose. To every objection +he replied: "A great chief takes not back the word he has spoken. Were +he to do so, what would become of the respect of his people?" + +Yet, notwithstanding the peremptory tone wherewith he had announced +his determination, very soft was the voice, and gentle the manner of +the Sagamore, as he addressed his follower: + +"Towanquattick," he said, "is my friend, and will watch over the +little Pequot bird that has strayed into the trap of Owanux." + +"Towanquattick will watch," was the answer. + +"Stay to teach the little bird to fly away, or until I return with my +warriors. Sassacus goes now like a brook just starting from the +ground; but he will come back like a mighty river when angry 'Hpoon +pours its swollen waters into the salt lake. Sassacus hath said." + +The words were pronounced with a dignity and gravity that impressed +those who heard them, and seemed to communicate some of the daring of +the speaker; but the wiser Knight saw the rashness of their import, +and determined to convince the Sagamore of the impolicy of the course +proposed. Taking him for that purpose on one side, that the chief +might speak uninfluenced by the presence of his follower, he +represented to him the superior strength of the English, and the +impossibility of prevailing in any contest until a complete union was +established among the tribes. + +"Behold!" he said: "these strangers are as one man, and across the +salt lake come in ships from time to time fresh forces. They are clad +in armor thy arrows' cannot pierce, and wield the thunder and the +lightning. What have the Pequots to oppose, but naked bodies and +uncertain arrows?" + +"Owanux are few, and the Indians many," replied the Sagamore. +"Sassacus will bury the tomahawk with the Narraghansetts, and exchange +wampompeag with the Taranteens, and they unite against the strangers. +The eyes of Sassacus are opened. There can be no peace with Owanux." + +"Good!" answered the Knight, whose apprehensions, lest plans which he +cherished might be defeated by the precipitancy of the chief, were +quieted by the answer, knowing that the pacification of the tribes +among themselves was no easy matter, and would require time. "Good! +the eyes of the Sagamore are sharp. He is wise when he says that he +will do nothing until he has made friends with the Narraghansetts and +the Taranteens. Farewell, then, and be that the compact between us." + +The chief now turned away, and, calling Towanquattick, the two began +to dig a hole in the ground with pointed sticks. The white men, looked +on in silence, rightly judging it to be some ceremony, and waiting for +its explanation. After a cavity of a foot in depth, and about the same +diameter was dug, the Indians ceased their labor, and the chief +answered the wondering eyes of his friends. + +"This hole," he said, "shall tell all Indians who see it of the +captivity of Sassacus, and of the white men, his deliverers." + +"I never heard before of a hole talking," said Joy. + +"It will talk," said the chief. "When Sassacus passes by with his +Paniese he will tell them that here was a great parting, and +Towanquattick will do so also, and they shall tell it it to their +children, and so the tale shall run, as the waters of a spring follow +one another until they become a lake. So the hole shall speak, long +after I have departed with my friends for the happy hunting grounds. +Hole!" he added, addressing it as if it were capable of understanding +what he said, "Sassacus is sad because he leaves Neebin behind, but +say thou not that. Say to all who behold thee, that Soog-u-gest and +Sassacus were friends; say that when Owanux put Sassacus into a box, +Soog-u-gest and two other white men, and Towanquattick, let him out; +say that Soog-u-gest and the other white men, and Towanquattick, +remain to watch that no harm shall happen to Neebin, whom Owanux have +made a prisoner; and say that Sassacus has gone after his warriors. +This is enough for thee, O hole, to remember. Forget not lest thou be +ashamed." + +While the Pequot chief was speaking, the Paniese paid the strictest +attention, evidently striving to fasten the speech in his memory. It +was a custom common among the natives, though witnessed by the Knight +and Joy for the first time, whereby, on the same principle that more +civilized communities erect monuments to perpetuate the memory of +events, the Indians transmitted to posterity matters of interest. The +hole was usually dug either by the side of some traveled path or on +the spot where the event desired to be commemorated took place. They +who passed by naturally inquired into its meaning, and the facts, +known to few at first, became of public notoriety. + +When the ceremony was completed, the Sagamore of the Pequots, as if +unwilling by further words to confuse the record, turned away in +silence, and took his solitary way through the forest, to seek the +seat of his tribe. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + Deserted at his utmost need + By those his former bounty fed, + On the bare earth, exposed, he lies. + + DRYDEN. + + +The colonists were exasperated at the breaking of the prison, justly +concluding that it was not entirely the work of Indians, +notwithstanding Bars, faithful to the impression made on him by the +gold pieces, stoutly maintained such to be the fact; and that Cowlson +was unable to contradict him. But it was, after all, only suspicion--a +suspicion, too, that pointed at various persons. While some, with a +lucky sagacity, ascribed the violence done their authority to the +Knight, as a leader; there were those who suspected others, of whom +they would gladly be rid. For, however desirous the great bulk of the +colonists were that only they of their own moral habits and modes of +thinking should be connected with their enterprise, it was impossible +completely to exclude the obnoxious. Some would creep in, and the +colony resembled a draught of fishes from the rivers in the spring, +when the schools are running; wherein, although the great majority are +shad or salmon, occasional intruders of other scales and stripes are +found. This little minority were watched with Argus eyes--every +transgression being visited with exemplary punishment--the hand of +Justice being made heavier by two considerations, viz: difference of +opinion, and a desire to drive away recusants, who were regarded as +vessels doomed to destruction, and whose presence was held to be +dangerous. That was no era of toleration, but of fierce, intractable +dogma. The breach betwixt Protestants then was almost, if not quite, +as wide as between Protestants and Catholics now. Opinion, bold, +enthusiastic opinion, calling itself by the gracious name of saving +faith, usurped the place and prerogative of reason; and, as from a +Papal chair, denounced, as damnable error, whatever harmonized not +with itself. In this strife of ignorances, the amenities and charities +of life were lost sight of and forgotten; and, if not quite trampled +out of existence, it was owing more to that celestial spark which, +with a dimmer or a brighter light, guides every man who comes into the +world than to the lessons of the teachers. Men were dismissed from the +colony, or otherwise punished, on bare suspicion of wrong-doing or +wrong-thinking. Nor is it unlikely that hostility in high places may +have availed itself of this laxity of law to gratify private +malignity. + +Hence, let it not be wondered at, that, in consequence of the prison +breach, several innocent persons were arrested, whose modes of life or +principles of faith came not up to the orthodox standard. If their +apprehension answered no other purpose, it, at least, served to weaken +the desire of the suspected persons to remain where they were not +wanted. + +Hitherto the magistrates had been foiled, but failure only increased +their vigilance and activity. Additional men were despatched to scour +the woods; word was sent to Salem and to Plymouth, and co-operation to +capture the fugitives asked for; rewards were offered for their +seizure; and, in fine, no means omitted which indomitable will and +ingenuity could devise. So hot, at length, became the chase, that, +familiar as they were with the woods, Sir Christopher and his +companions found it difficult to avoid capture. They had it, indeed, +in their power to place themselves in comparative safety, either by +following the steps of the Pequot chief, or seeking the +Taranteens--for to the west they dared not go, for fear of the tribes +in that direction, who were at feud with those on the Atlantic +border--but various considerations interfered to prevent. With neither +Sir Christopher nor the Indian was mere personal safety a ruling +motive. The former had not abandoned all hope of changing the strange +resolution of Sister Celestina, with whom he determined, on +accomplishing her release, to proceed with Neebin to the country of +the Pequots--in this way only transferring their labors to another +place--and with the latter, the charge wherewith he was entrusted was +too sacred for any cause to be neglected. Flying from their posts, +even though bands of enemies were after them, was therefore not to be +thought of. As for Philip, his wild, reckless nature took pleasure in +their adventurous mode of life; satisfied, besides, that were he even +made prisoner, no serious punishment could befall him, unless his +participation in the prison-breach became known, which, he confided +too much in the fidelity of his associates to believe was possible. +Seldom daring, therefore, to discharge their fire-locks, but depending +principally on the arrows of the Indian, and snares they set for +subsistence, occasionally aided by the friendly natives with whom the +Knight was a favorite, and constantly changing their places, the three +continued to elude the search, and the baffled soldiers were obliged +to return, digesting their disappointment as they might, and asserting +that those whom they sought had left the neighborhood. To make +assurance sure and to stimulate the Indians to exertions, which the +magistrates were certain had never been made, higher rewards were +offered for the capture of Sir Christopher in particular, which, it +was supposed, the cupidity of the natives would be unable to resist. + +Among the Indians trusted by Sir Christopher, none had contrived to +secure a greater share of his confidence than Quecheco, the frequent +and favored companion of his hunts. The skill of the Indian in hunting +had, at first, recommended him to the Knight, and afterwards, the +interest of the latter in his protegé was increased by the attention +with which Quecheco listened to instruction and by the intelligence of +his questions. Hitherto he had always been found faithful, in +consequence whereof the haunts of the outlyers were not concealed from +him, and he was employed to procure information from the English +settlements, and depended on, generally, as a confederate. Quecheco +was not without affection; in proof whereof, he had withstood the +bribe at first offered for the capture of Sir Christopher, but his +feeble virtue finally succumbed. There was one temptation which he was +unable to withstand. He had frequently been a witness of the +effectiveness of the gun in the hands of the Knight, and, with a +hunter's love, conceived a longing to possess one. This was no easy +matter to be accomplished, furnishing guns to Indians being strictly +prohibited, and such weapons taken away whenever found in their +possession. Quecheco now thought he saw an opportunity of gratifying a +desire that had become a mania, and determined that a gun should be +the price of his friend's liberty. + +With this view, at one of his visits to Plymouth, or Accomack, he +sought Governor Bradford, with whom he was acquainted, and proposed to +deliver the Knight into his hands, in consideration of the coveted gun +and a certain quantity of powder and ball. Much as was desired the +capture of Sir Christopher, Bradford hesitated, but finally promised +the bribe, stipulating for the life of the Knight, considering that +the rule might bear infringement in a single instance, for the sake of +the object to be attained; and from that moment Quecheco begun his +work of treachery. + +In consequence of the activity of the search, the fugitives had been +obliged not only often to change their hiding-place, but sometimes to +remove to a considerable distance from Boston. One of their favorite +resorts was near Plymouth, both because they were less likely to be +suspected to lurk in a vicinity where the Knight had no acquaintances, +and also on account of a greater abundance of game. Here the two white +men often remained without Towanquattick, who, less liable to +discovery, hovered around the spot where was the sister of his +Sagamore. + +Such being the state of things, Quecheco selected the neighborhood of +Plymouth (on account of the absence of Towanquattick, betwixt whom and +himself a feeling of mutual dislike existed, caused in his jealous +mind by the favor which the Knight had lately shown the Pequot, and +which he esteemed a derogation of his rights) as the theatre of his +plot, and here we find Sir Christopher at this moment. + +"Our larder is exhausted, Philip," said the Knight one morning, "and +must be replenished. Shall we try our fortune together?" + +"I am always ready," answered Philip. "It is two days since I +stretched my legs, and, by my halidome, I shall forget how to use +them, without more practice." + +"Methinks," replied the Knight, smiling, "it is less than a week since +I saw legs much resembling thine moving with marvellous celerity." + +"When this copper-hide here showed us Venn's band, within a hundred +yards of the old wigwam, right under Winthrop's nose, in the swamp. +Aye, it was high time to be moving; but it was unkind of Venn to burn +our quarters, seeing that I had been a sergeant in his company. + +"Quecheco, my line fellow," said Sir Christopher, "thou didst us a +service on that day not to be forgotten, and now we must look to thee +for another. Where shall we hunt?" + +"Let Soog-u-gest and Quecheco go a little towards Accomack, where I +saw yesterday some deer, and the sanop toward the setting sun," +answered the Indian. + +"Go thou with Philip, and I will take my chance alone," said the +Knight: + +"The chief must not go alone," said the Indian. "Quecheco will go to +carry the deer which Soog-u-gest will shoot." + +"A sensible Indian," said Philip. "Take him with you, Sir Christopher. +For my part, I do not want his copper skin gliding like a snake among +the bushes; and, Sir Christopher, look sharp, and see if I bring not +back as much game as you and your friend." + +"I accept the challenge," said the Knight, good-humoredly, "and will +take him, since you prefer to go alone." + +"I will none of him. He is thy valley-doo-doo--a murrain on mounseer +for his hard words; and why a waiting-man should be called a valley, +more than a mountain, or a river, doth pass my understanding." + +"An interesting mystery. Yet is its solution unnecessary at the +present. Get thy bow and quiver, Quecheco, and we will see by evening +how Philip's boastings will turn out." + +"And, hark ye, red-skin," cried the soldier, "take care that thou +bring back Soog-u-gest, as thou callest Sir Christopher, safe, and +with a good appetite to eat my game." + +In spite of his habitual self-possession, the Indian started. A guilty +conscience began already to affright him, and for an instant he +fancied his purpose detected. + +"What ails thee?" asked the Knight, regarding him with a quick, keen +glance. + +"Quecheco hurt his foot," answered the Indian, with a limp, and +bending down to hide his face from the sharp eyes. + +"Poor fellow, then, remain behind, and we will hunt for thee, who hast +done so often for us." + +"Quah!" exclaimed the Indian, with a gesture of disdain, "It is +nothing. See, Quecheco can run like a deer," And with that he sprung +round with great agility, as if to make good his words. + +"Enough," said the Knight; "reserve thy breath until it is wanted." + +The course taken by the two was toward the south, as recommended by +the savage, in order to find the herd which he said he had seen the +day before. + +"Why, then, brought you back no venison!" asked the Knight. + +"The deer was quicker than the arrow of Quecheco," returned the +Indian; "but he will not escape," he added, looking with admiring eyes +at Sir Christopher's gun, "the round stone which Soog-u-gest will +throw at him." + +"I have often seen thee," said the Knight, "gaze at my piece with such +eyes as the sight of thy squaw, after long absence, might kindle up. +Were it not sure to be thy ruin, I could find it in my heart to give +it thee." + +The eyes of Quecheco flashed. "Give me the stick," he cried, "that +makes a loud noise, and Quecheco will do a great thing." + +"I have done wrong," thought the Knight, "in raising his expectations. +Nay, Quecheco," he said, "it would be taken away from thee by the +white men, and who would sell thee powder and ball!" + +"Nin-e-yi-u wa-wee," (it is well,) said the Indian. "Soog-u-gest flies +so high that he sees a great way, and Quecheco spoke like a pappoose. +What has he to do with guns?" + +The gift of the gun would have diverted the savage from his purpose, +by awakening the affection which covetousness had put to sleep, and +probably altered the fate of Sir Christopher and himself; but the +answer of the Knight dispelled the hope that for a single instant +warmed the heart of Quecheco with better feeling, and he persisted in +his original design. + +They had walked several miles without seeing any game of importance, +or such as was thought worthy of other attention than the arrows of +the Indian, before they reached the spot indicated by him as where he +had marked the deer the day previous. It was a falsehood invented by +Quecheco, and great was his astonishment, on approaching, to behold a +herd of a dozen of these timid creatures. + +It was a sort of lawn, of six or seven acres in extent, with a few +trees scattered over it, where they were feeding. The shape of the +ground was an irregular oblong, in some places not more than a hundred +yards across, and in others of double the distance, being like a +basin, at a depression of twenty or thirty feet below where the Knight +stood, concealed by trees and bushes. At the bottom flowed a small, +rapid stream, perhaps three rods wide, interposing itself betwixt him +and the herd. Sir Christopher had visited the locality before, and was +familiar with its features; and expecting game, from the story of +Quecheco, had taken care to approach with the wind in his face, to +avoid the scent of his person being carried to the delicate nostrils +of the animals while he stepped noiselessly along. The Indian, in +order the better to carry out his meditated deceit, had been imitating +the Knight's conduct, and on the discovery of the deer, his hunter's +instinct induced him to continue what his hypocrisy had begun. +Selecting the finest buck from the herd, Sir Christopher levelled his +piece and fired. A single instant stood, with erected heads, the +beautiful creatures, as if stupefied with astonishment, and then all +but one vanished in the wood--all but the stricken buck, who made one +bound, and fell to the earth. The prodigious leap testified to the +extremity of his terror and his hurt; and vain struggles to rise from +his knees, to its fatal character. With eyes fixed upon the struggling +deer, the Knight reloaded his gun, and then bounded down the declivity +after him. + +Arrived at the margin of the stream, he discovered a canoe drawn up a +little way on the bank, approaching which, to push it into the water, +he suddenly found himself surrounded by a number of Indians. They were +the confederates of Quecheco, who had been for some time lying in wait +in the thick bushes. Simultaneously rushing forward, they attempted to +seize him; but this was no easy matter. A resolute, athletic man, with +body and sinews hardened; by his hunter's life, and accustomed to +exercise command over the natives, Sir Christopher shook roughly off +the hands laid on him, and shouting, "ha, villains!--death to +traitors!" presented his gun, before the terror of whose fatal +lightning his assailants recoiled. Keeping the muzzle of the piece +directed at them, and threatening with it any one who made a motion to +draw near, the Knight succeeded in getting the canoe afloat, when, +jumping in, he pushed from the shore. With a pole found in the canoe, +he strove to urge it across the stream; but, embarrassed with watching +his enemies, and swept down by the current, the effort was attended +with great difficulty. Meanwhile, the savages, who had hitherto +forborne any act that might endanger life, bearing in mind their +instructions, became apprehensive of losing him, and excited by his +resistance, began to shoot arrows at him. One of the missiles took +effect in the right arm of the Knight, just above the elbow, and the +pole dropped from his hand. At the same instant the canoe struck +against a submerged rock and upset. Taking advantage of the accident, +the Indians sprung into the water, and succeeded in mastering his +person. + +"Quecheco," said the Knight, reproachfully, as he stood upon the bank, +"is it thou, and thou, too, Negabamat, who treat me as an enemy? Why +this violence?" + +"Soog-u-gest is wanted among his own people," said Quecheco, who had +possessed himself of the much coveted gun which had fallen into the +water. "Indians will not hurt him." + +"Quecheco, thou art a villain," said the Knight; "but if not an +incarnate demon, outrage me not further than is necessary for thy base +purpose." + +Thus spoke Sir Christopher, seeing that preparations were made to +confine his arms with withes. The Indians said something among +themselves, and at length Quecheco replied: + +"Soog-u-gest always speaks the truth. Let him promise not to run away, +and his arms shall be free." + +"I promise," said the Knight, who, in spite of his treatment, could +not but feel pleased at this evidence of the confidence in his truth +with which he had inspired the natives. "Take the powder horn and +bullets," he added, detaching them from his person. "I will attend +you." + +At a sign from Quecheco the Indians released Sir Christopher, nor +seemed after that to trouble themselves much with watching him. + +An Indian, who had crossed the stream, now returned bearing the slain +buck on his back, and threw it down on the grass, and his companions +with pleased faces gathered around it. Sir Christopher, +notwithstanding the unpleasantness of his situation, could not avoid +smiling. + +"Nature's children!" he said to himself, "It would have pained me had +I unfortunately killed one of them. Blessed Jesu, I thank thee for +saving me from bloodshedding." + +He threw himself on the ground, and watched their proceedings in +cooking the venison with some interest, for he was hungry, and, when +it was ready, partook of it with them as though they had been a party +of friendly hunters, nor would any one have suspected that he was a +prisoner. Having thus placed himself on terms as little disagreeable +as possible with his captors, Sir Christopher endeavored, while they +were under the influence of the welcome dinner, to dissuade them from +their purpose in regard to himself, but on this point he found +remonstrance useless. The Indians were not inclined to talk about it, +and either preserved a total silence, or simply said that the white +chief at Accomack had sent them. When they had eaten up the buck, they +started with the Knight in the direction of Plymouth. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + Well skilled he was in regulating laws, + So as by law he could defend the cause + Of poor distressed plaintiff, when he brought + His case before him and for help besought. + Above all other men he loved those + Who gospel truths most faithfully unclose, + Who were with grace and learning fully fraught. + + MORTON'S NEW ENGLAND'S MEMORIAL. + + +The ancient town of Plymouth has probably about as much resemblance to +what it was two hundred years ago, as an ante-diluvian at a like age +had to his boyhood. Were Governor Bradford, whose worth is more +quaintly than poetically delineated in the above lines, Captain Miles +Standish, Master Thomas Prince, or any other worthies of those days of +peaked hats and falling bands to revisit the scenes of their pilgrim +labors, I fancy that they would find it difficult at first to +recognize them. By the eternal features, only, of nature, the +sparkling waters of the bay, the waving line of its shore, and by the +eminences not wholly levelled, would the site be identified, and the +likeness traced. Only with memory, assisted by these marks, might they +be able, as the moonbeams fell upon their pale faces, and they stroked +their solemn beards, to exclaim--here stood _our_ Plymouth. + +As it presented itself that day to the eyes of Sir Christopher +Gardiner, surrounded by his Indian escort, it seemed an inconsiderable +village lying on the slope of a hill, dropping towards the sea. A +broad street, some eight hundred yards long, led down the hill, and +was crossed nearly in the middle by another, the ends of which were +protected by gates made of solid planks--the fourth end, viz: that on +the hay, being without any barricade. The houses were rude and small, +constructed of hewn planks, and stood in areas, around which were +thrown fences made also of plank, serving as very effectual stockades +against any sudden attack, and bidding defiance to the simple enginery +of the natives. Near the centre was the Governor's house (built in +like manner), and in front of it, at the intersection of the streets, +a square block, answering the purposes of a fort, and mounted with +four patereros, or small cannon, commanded the streets and four points +of entrance. On the top of the hill, a large square edifice with a +flat roof, whereupon were placed six cannons, shooting balls of four +or five pounds, dominated the surrounding country. The upper part of +this building served for a fort, and the lower for public worship and +meetings generally. On the whole, as against arrows and tomahawks, it +was a very pretty fortified place, and would not have been found fault +with by Vauban himself, could he have had the good fortune to behold +it. + +The Knight passed through one of the open gates, which were closed +only at night, and proceeded straight to the residence of the +Governor. Here he was delivered by the Indians to Bradford, who chid +them for wounding Sir Christopher. They excused themselves on the +ground of his resistance, declaring that the wound was trivial, and +had merely numbed his arm for a moment. (Such, indeed, proved to be a +fact, when, shortly afterwards, the broken piece of the arrow was cut +out.) The Indians were dismissed with the promised presents, Quecheco +being permitted to retain the coveted gun of the Knight as part of his +reward. A moment's digression to record the fate of the savage, and we +will return to Sir Christopher. + +Proud was the Indian of his new acquisition, with its gold and silver +ornaments, so far surpassing in beauty all other pieces he had seen, +and affectionately he caressed it, calling it his week-su-buck otaw, +(sweetheart,) and often repeating, gee-wawee-fee-yi-ee, i.e., you are +welcome. He was alone in the forest, the others having departed in +different directions, and was on his way to Boston, where he expected +to get more of the powder and ball for which he had covenanted. It was +the day after his treachery, and he had nearly accomplished his +journey, only three or four miles remaining between him and his place +of destination, when he heard a rustling in the bushes, and saw +Towanquattick advancing. He had first been seen by the Pequot, who, +recognizing him, came unsuspiciously forward. Instantly saw Quecheco +the consequences of being found by Towanquattick in possession of the +gun, with which the latter was familiar as the property of Sir +Christopher, and this thought, combining with his hatred, made him +suddenly raise the weapon and fire at the approaching Pequot. The +forest rang with the report, and as Quecheco, unpractised in the use +of fire-arms, having discharged the piece but a few times, recovered +himself, he beheld Towanquattick fitting an arrow to his bow. Seizing +the tomahawk out of his belt, Quecheco hurled it at the Pequot as the +arrow whizzed from the string, but both weapons failed of their mark. +Drawing his own tomahawk, the Pequot in turn threw it at his foe, who +escaped by a sudden movement of the body. + +The two Indians now stood regarding one another with looks of rage, +and took the knives off their necks. Neither spoke a word. Each +understood the other, and with flashing eyes watched to take an +advantage. They were both powerful men, well matched in size and age, +and equally armed, so that upon fortune and skill, more than upon +brute strength, the result was likely to depend. + +Presently, each grasping the knife in his right hand, and bending +over, ready for a spring, they began, with eyes fixed on one another, +to move round and round, watching for a favorable opportunity to make +the fatal dart. Thus, occasionally increasing the rapidity of their +movements, then relaxing their swiftness again, they moved in circles +several times, but without drawing within striking distance. The +thought occurred to both of throwing the knife, which, if skilfully +done, might terminate the contest, but the consideration that if the +stroke failed, the unsuccessful combatant would be left at the mercy +of the other, deterred from the hazardous experiment. After various +feints and stratagems foiled, by mutual cunning the two foes stopped, +as if by agreement, to devise more effectual schemes of destruction. +In this truce of a moment, the eyes of Quecheco fell upon a tomahawk +lying near the feet of his opponent, and unobserved by him. His +efforts were now directed to getting possession of the weapon, and he +re-commenced the system of attack he had practised. It was no +difficult thing, by a series of retreats and advances, and constant +changes of position, to entice the Pequot, ignorant of the other's +design, from the place whereon he stood, and presently the foot of +Quecheco touched the missile. The movement of his foe's limbs in +searching for the tomahawk had caught the notice of Towanquattick, and +before it was touched by Quecheco's foot he had seen it. At the sight, +throwing aside the caution he had practised, the Pequot sprung +straight at his enemy, and, without seeking to protect himself, +plunged his knife into the breast of Quecheco. The force of the blow +threw the stooping savage upon his back, and before he could rise, the +tomahawk, caught from the ground by the hand of the Pequot, crashed +into the brain of the dying traitor. Drawing out, then, the knife, the +Pequot, with a rapid turn that indicated a practised hand, passed it +round the head of his foe, and tearing off the bloody trophy, hung it +at his girdle. A little while the Pequot stood contemplating the body, +and as his eyes wandered from the corpse to the gun, which lay on the +ground, and back again to the corpse a ferocious gleam of gratified +revenge, like the lurid gleam of fires at night, swept over his +swarthy face. Picking up, then, the gun, the knives and tomahawks, and +stripping the corpse of the articles containing the powder and +bullets, the Indian started in search of Joy. + +Meanwhile, the Knight had been entertained with all humanity and honor +by the Governor of Plymouth; nor was other treatment to be expected +from the learned and accomplished Bradford. In appearance he was +somewhat less than fifty years of age, with a mild and thoughtful +expression of countenance, which revealed to the close observer as +much of the meditative student as of the man of action. A thorough +receiver and admirer of the principles of the sect to which he +belonged, it was the business of his life to illustrate them by his +learning, and enforce them by his example. + +That strange charm of manner for which the Knight of the Golden Melice +was so distinguished, his persuasive voice and intellectual +cultivation, failed not to exert their wonted fascination over one so +likely to be influenced by exactly such qualities and acquirements as +Bradford, and, indeed, nowhere were they calculated to exercise so +great a power as in a country where they were uncommon. + +The two gentlemen had met before, but the interview had never ripened +into acquaintance; and now, that fortune had thrown them together in +relations which might seem none of the most agreeable, but which the +kindness of the one and the polish of the other hid in flowers, it +appeared as if they were welcome to both. + +"We have become acquainted under singular circumstances, Sir +Christopher," said Bradford, a day or two after the Knight came to +Plymouth; "and, although wishing they were somewhat different, I can +scarcely regret the providence which has brought so every way +accomplished a gentleman to honor my roof. Your mind, wonderfully +imbued with the gentler humanities, sweetly accords with mine own, and +when you are gone I shall look back with refreshment and a sad longing +to our thoughtful conferences. Never have the strains of the divine +harper of Israel, whether exulting in the favor of Jehovah or +sorrowing for sin, so affected my spirit as when read by you in the +original speech of Eden." + +"For your kind expressions, right worshipful sir," answered the +Knight, "and the delicate attentions which make my imprisonment sweet, +receive my unforgetting gratitude. I, too, whatever unjust suspicion +may inflict, will revert to these our religious and philosophic hours, +wherein we discussed questions nobler than those which, in the shades +of Tusculum, engaged the minds of the great Roman orator and of his +friends, with a satisfaction which shall not run out with the sands in +the hour-glass of time." + +"If outraged, by I scarcely know what wild reports, for the moment," +replied Bradford, "I entreat you to forgive it, and to believe me that +I believe them not. Remember that David fled before his enemies, yet +the Lord delivered him and brought him to great honor." + +"I am not worthy to be joined in thought with the Shepherd King, who, +to the ringing strings of the harp, warbled inspiration," said the +Knight. "Yet, noble sir, do I accept your words of cheer, and they +shall be a buoy to bear me up as I cross this tempestuous Jordan. When +is it your purpose that I should depart? Accompany you me, or go I +melancholy, alone?" + +"As for the first question, you shall remain at your pleasure, or +until Governor Winthrop requires your presence; as for the latter, +though unable to leave home at present, I hope shortly to be at +leisure. Thus generally can I answer, but present or absent, my best +wishes shall attend you." + +The above conversation is sufficient to give an idea of the relation +of the Governor and Knight to one another, and of the feelings of +both. In truth, the enjoyment of Sir Christopher was almost as great +as Bradford's, and neither manifested any desire to shorten their +intercourse. Every leisure moment devoted the Plymouth Governor to his +agreeable companion--their conversations turning more on questions of +literature than on political matters. These latter, the Knight +avoided, seeking thereby to impress the other with the opinion, that +he felt but little interest in them. + +In this manner passed the time, until one morning the Governor +announced that messengers had arrived from Winthrop, commissioned to +wait on Sir Christopher to his presence. + +"I grieve," said Bradford, "that I cannot go with you. Matters of +instant importance demand my presence here, but so far as friendly +words in a letter may avail they shall not be wanting. May it please +you to be ready at your convenience, and meanwhile I will prepare my +epistle." + +At the time appointed, four armed men appeared at the Governor's house +to receive the prisoner. To them Sir Christopher was delivered by +Bradford, who, at the same time, handed them a letter for Winthrop. + +Upon the departure of one whose presence had imparted so much +pleasure; from whom no unguarded word of censure or impatience had +escaped, and who had revealed a mind adorned with such rich stores of +culture, the scholastic Bradford sought his study, a small room, or +closet, well supplied with books, to meditate on what had happened and +to pursue his studies. Absorbed in his books, hours passed away +unheeded, and he remarked not the opening of the door and entrance of +a serving-man, who, seeing his master engaged, waited respectfully +until he should be noticed. At length Bradford looked up and demanded +his business. + +"This," said the man, "was found in the chamber of Sir Christopher +Gardiner." So saying, he handed to the Governor a small leathern +pocket-book, such as were used for making memoranda, and withdrew. + +Bradford, on being left alone, turned the book several times in his +hand with a doubting air, then placing it at a little distance before +him, leaned his head on his elbow, and began to muse. + +"_Publico utilitati cedet jus privatum_," he said at last aloud, and +opened the book. He had hardly glanced his eyes at the page, when they +lighted up, and he seemed to read with intense interest. + +"Ha!" he exclaimed, after reading through several leaves: "was ever +man worse deceived? Here have I been harboring in my house and taking +to my bosom a concealed Papist, as this writing sufficiently +discloses. Nor yet a born Papist either, laboring under a delusion +sucked in with mother's milk, but a recreant Protestant, a voluntary +seeker after error; for here are written down the memorial of his +shame, the very time and place where and when he struck hands with +Anti-Christ, the name of the university where he assumed the scapula, +as the blinded errorists call two woollen bands, the one crossing the +breast and the other the back, one of those ridiculous mummeries +whereby, with other devices and unseemly grimaces, they have contrived +to bring the cross itself of the Redeemer into disrespect, and the +degrees in superstition taken by this wretched backslider. Woe is me! +How can the arch-deceiver assume the form of an angel of light! Yet is +here no name written. The memorandum may refer to some-one else. But +that cannot be. Himself is meant. Why should he carry about with him a +note of this kind respecting another? This betrayer of treachery, this +touchstone of truth, shall off forthwith to Winthrop, and be the +antidote to the bane of my letter." + +Thus murmured Governor Bradford, grieved as well as vexed at the +deceit, as he supposed it to be. With a rapid hand, he wrote an +account of his discovery, and entrusting it, with the note-book, to a +messenger, commanded him to hasten after the soldiers from Governor +Winthrop, and deliver to them the package. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + Nought is on earth more sacred or divine, + That gods and men do equally adore, + Than this same virtue that doth right define, + For th' heavens themselves, whence mortal men implore, + Right in their wrongs, are ruled by righteous lore. + + SPENSER'S FAERY QUEEN. + + +It was with some embarrassment that Governor Winthrop received his +prisoner, though none was manifested in the mien of Sir Christopher. +On the contrary, his manner indicated conscious innocence, and just +that degree of resentment which a well-balanced mind and good temper +might be expected to exhibit under the circumstances. If there was any +change in his bearing, he was a trifle haughtier, as presuming on his +rank--a trait never noticed in him before, and it showed itself by his +speaking first, without waiting to be addressed, the moment he entered +the presence of the Governor. + +"By what authority," he demanded with some sternness, "is it, that I, +a free-born Englishman, innocent of crime, have a price set on my +head, and am hunted by savages bribed for that purpose?" + +Before making a reply, the Governor intimated his desire to be left +alone with the Knight, whereupon those present retired. + +"You inquire by what authority you are arrested," said Winthrop. "I +answer, by that authority vested in me by charter, as the ruler of a +State; by common law, and by common sense. The question is not asked +by one with the endowments of Sir Christopher Gardiner because he is +ignorant, but for some other reason." + +"Is it in humanity," returned the Knight, "not to be annoyed at the +outrage? How bitterly," he added, looking sorrowfully at Winthrop, "is +the pain of the wound aggravated by the knowledge from whose quiver +flew the arrow!" + +"I may not choose between my duty and my inclination," responded the +Governor. "I were, otherwise, more unworthy than I am of the awfully +responsible station which Providence hath assigned me. It shall never +be said that, through favor or other motive, I buried the one talent +committed to my keeping." + +"I dared not, at my entrance," replied the Knight, who strove to make +his tone and demeanor conciliatory, "entertain the thought that a +friendly feeling toward me lurked in his bosom, by whose mandate my +helpless household has been invaded in the night and made prisoners, +and my house turned into a heap of ashes." + +"It was by no order of mine," said Winthrop, hastily, "that the house +was burned, and I lament its destruction as deeply as yourself. How it +caught fire, is to me unknown; but if by the act of our people and not +of the savages, ample recompense shall be made." + +"How shall that be determined? But I will not waste my words +thereupon. The loss of my house and other property is insignificant, +compared with the cruel wrong done the Lady Geraldine and the dishonor +to my name." + +"She, whom you call the Lady Geraldine, has been treated with all +courtesy; and, considering what, in the judgment of the Council, has +been proved against her, with more than she is entitled to. For +yourself, every opportunity shall be granted to clear off the clouds +of suspicion hovering over you." + +"Only a clear field and no favor do I desire for myself; but for the +persecuted lady, my cousin, I pledge you my knightly word that any +charges reflecting upon her character as a virtuous and godly lady, +are infamous and false. You perceive, right worshipful sir, that I do +not pretend to be ignorant of the accusations which inventive malice, +hatched out of what cockatrice egg I know not, has brought against my +suffering cousin, but I pronounce them, again, alike dastardly and +without truth." + +"If so, she is, indeed, greatly wronged, though partly responsible +herself therefor, as having confessed the same." + +"Then have strange means been employed to make her acknowledge a lie," +said the Knight, warmly, "for any such confession were utterly untrue. +I have heard of wretches, who, upon the rack, in order to escape its +intolerable agonies, have accused themselves of all sorts of crimes of +which they were innocent. Is this the way you have abused my +relative?" + +"Sir Christopher," answered Winthrop, mildly, "you know as well as I +that such practices are alien to the spirit of British law and unused +by us. Touching this unhappy female, I think it meet to say no more at +present, but will wish you success in the vindication of yourself." + +"For myself," replied the Knight, "I care little. The character of a +man is like a garment, which, when soiled, may be washed and restored +to a likeness of its pristine beauty; that of a woman resembles white +paper, whereupon if a drop of blood has ever fallen, it may never be +erased. But what are the accusations devised against me?" + +"Sir Christopher," answered Winthrop, with some hesitation, "it were +hardly orderly to communicate them to you now. Before the Council, +perhaps, should you hear them first. And yet see I no reason why, in +harmony with the merciful spirit of our law, they should not be +disclosed. We desire to overpower no man by surprise, or to deprive +truth of a single aid. You shall know." + +Here Winthrop entered into the particulars, which it is, we trust, +unnecessary to set down, as the reader is supposed to be already +informed of them. He mentioned the contents of the letters from +England, but did not exhibit them, concealing nothing except what +appertained to the examination of the Lady Geraldine, all inquiries +respecting which he either evaded or directly refused to answer. +Courteously, indeed, was it done; nor could Sir Christopher deny that +the information was rightfully withheld. It was only in accordance +with the usual proceedings of courts of justice, when those who are +considered accomplices are examined apart from one another, in order +that they may not, by a knowledge of each other's answers, be better +able to frame their own. + +To every accusation Sir Christopher opposed a steady denial. "That +falsely suspected as I am," he said, "of other crimes and +misdemeanors, I should also be deemed an usurper of a title that does +not belong to me, surprises me not. But grant me time to send home (as +the English in the colonies affectionately call England to this day,) +and I will prove my knighthood honorably won upon a stricken field, by +irrefragable testimony. I will not deny that I have the honor of an +acquaintance with Sir Ferdinando Gorges, but I am in no sense his +agent, nor in any wise hold communication with him, save as a friend. +For the note-book found at my lodgings, and deemed conclusive proof +that I am a Catholic, I aver that the memorandum therein contained +refers not to myself but to one whom it concerns not you that I should +name; and it furnishes no evidence against me, except what arises out +of the fact that I acknowledge one who is of Rome to be my friend." + +"Whatever my private thoughts," said Winthrop, "it were useless to +express them, seeing that thy fate hangs not entirely upon me. With no +unnecessary severity," he continued, in a kinder tone than he had +hitherto adopted during the conversation, "will I treat one, whom, +before these unhappy suspicions were raised, I was beginning to love +as a brother; and, if thou wilt pledge me thine honor neither to +attempt escape, nor by word or deed to practise aught against the +Commonwealth, thou shalt have liberty of the precincts of the +settlement until the Council shall take further orders." + +"I accept thine offer," answered Sir Christopher, "and plight thee my +knightly troth to observe the conditions. And in this, my adversity, +it is a consolation to know that the noblest spirit who is to sit in +judgment on me, believes me not wholly lost to the duties and +sensibilities of a gentleman." + +The Governor, without reply, summoned Lieutenant Venn, who was in +waiting; and, after communicating to him the conclusion to which he +had come, requested him to escort the Knight to his lodging. + +A few days passed, during which Sir Christopher was seemingly in the +full enjoyment of freedom, though closely watched. He attempted to +speak with the Lady Geraldine, but was refused permission; and upon +her being told of his desire, she sent him word that she had no wish +to see him. No objection, however, was interposed to his intercourse +with Arundel, who, with his lovely mistress, did all in their power to +console the Knight and the unhappy lady in their misfortunes. The +relation which the latter stood to the colony affected not the young +people, except to excite their sympathies for those whom they +considered unjustly suspected and prosecuted. + +It might be supposed that in these circumstances Sir Christopher would +betray some anxiety or gloom. Far from it. The command over his +emotions which nature and discipline had given him, concealed his +trouble of mind. He seemed to think but little of himself, and to be +principally occupied with the approaching nuptials of Arundel and +Eveline, who, immediately thereafter, were to sail for England in the +ship commanded by the jolly Captain Sparhawk. The ceremony, in order +to give it the greater dignity, was to be performed by Winthrop +himself, the right to tie the mystical knot being, among these +planters of new customs in a new world, confined to the civil +magistrate. Strongly, at first, did the young lady object, and it +needed all the eloquence of her lover, and all her affection for him, +to prevail upon her to dispense with the priestly blessing. However, +there was no alternative, if they meant to be married before their +departure; and the circumstances of their situation and mutual +inclination were persuasive arguments. Voyages, too, were not then as +safe as now; and to the romantic girl contemplating the dangers of the +sea, there was something sweet and even fascinating in the thought, +that if she perished, she should die in the arms of her husband. This +last consideration, above all, prevailed to overcome her scruples, and +the uncanonical marriage was accordingly determined upon. + +At length the day arrived for the hearing of Sir Christopher, and, +attended by Arundel, he presented himself before the Council. It is +unnecessary to enter into details. The result is all that need be +stated. The accusations contained in the letters, though denied by the +Knight, (who vehemently protested against the liberties taken with +those addressed to himself, on which latter was founded the charge of +being in correspondence with Sir Ferdinando Gorges, the most dreaded +enemy of the colony,) obtained credence with his judges. Winthrop +blushed when reproached with the violation of the letters; but the +rough Dudley justified and commended the act, as fidelity to public +interests. There was a settled conviction in the minds of all of the +Assistants, that the Lady Geraldine was other than she seemed; and the +conclusion they had arrived at concerning her were not of a nature to +operate favorably for the Knight. The memorandum in the note-book was +also considered weighty evidence. It was recollected, that long before +suspicions were conceived concerning Sir Christopher, and when he +stood highest in the favor of the principal inhabitants, he had, in +speaking of his travels in foreign parts, mentioned that he was at the +very place where, and at the time when the scapula was assumed; and +his ascribing the reference to another, was regarded as only an +awkward attempt at deception. It was thought plainly to betray him as +a member of a religious order among the Roman Catholics. Winthrop +himself was of that opinion, and that, without more, was sufficient to +support an unfavorable decision. The idea of having covert Papists +lurking in their midst was not to be tolerated, and, by whatever +means, they were to be got rid of. Allusion was made to his embassy to +the Taranteens, and services rendered on that and other occasions, but +they were deemed insufficient to neutralize his guilt; yet, in +consideration of those services, they forbore to inflict any severe +punishment. The sentence of the Council was, that both the Knight and +lady should be sent back to England in the next ship, and forbidden to +return. + +"All England shall ring with the report of your injustice," cried Sir +Christopher, when the decision was announced. "Ye do yourselves more +wrong than me, and the time will come when ye shall hang your heads +with shame for the deed. Ye have power, it is true, to extrude me from +this new world, but my presence will be a bane to you in the old. I go +with solemn protest against your violence." + +"Enough," said Winthrop, rising with dignity, "of threats which we +notice not, because we are above them. The men who are founding an +empire, whose future extent and power human sagacity cannot limit, and +who, for the sake of present liberty of thought and action, and of +prospective blessings for their descendants, have renounced and count +as naught the vanities of this world, fear no arm of flesh. Their +shield is the Lord of Hosts. This Council is dissolved." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + "To feel that we adore + With such refined excess, + That though the heart would burst with more, + We could not live with less." + + MOORE. + + +Fair rose the morn of the day which was to unite the destinies of +Miles Arundel and of Eveline Dunning, as if to make some amends for +the clouds which had attended the progress of their affection. + +With a tear in her eye, and smiles in the dimples of her plump cheeks, +Dame Spikeman looked on the adorning of the lady for the marriage +ceremony, by the cunning fingers of Prudence Rix. She thought, as she +gazed on the fair, young face, of her own maiden beauty, of the timid +happiness that palpitated in her bosom on her wedding-day, of the +dress that heightened her charms, and (shall I so soon acknowledge +it?) of what would be becoming for herself on a like occasion, wherein +she was to bear a principal part, and the too-fascinating Master Prout +another. Let not the solemn pretender to decorum, who, in proportion +to his demureness, is apt to be worse than others, with owlish visage +quote, "frailty, thy name is woman," or, "e'er those shoes were old," +or whatever musty apothegms besides, as stale and senseless. The name +of Frailty is no more woman than man, and old shoes have no business +at weddings. Stand aside O censorious reader, (I desire not thy +acquaintance,) while I whisper to both maid and widow, what, probably, +they have often pondered--that life is short, and that in Heaven they +neither marry nor are given in marriage. + +"Bless thy sweet face!" said the dame. ("Pull down the stomacher a +little, Prudence; an' it had been a thought longer it were better.) +Ne'er saw I so lovely a bride." + +"It is the latest London fashion," muttered Prudence, "that hath come +to these outlandish parts, where, thank the Lord, our stay will not be +much longer than the stomacher." + +"What is the girl chattering about?" said the dame. "Why, Prudence +Pert, thou wilt tear the beautiful satin with thine impatience." + +"You have already made me prick my fingers three times, dame," +answered the waiting-maid, pettishly. "I never could dress my young +lady aright, when I was talked to. There! O dear! you have made me cut +a ribbon in the wrong place!" + +"Did ever one see the like!" exclaimed the widow, as, with a jerk of +the petulant Prudence, a few stitches now gave way. "Why, minx, thou +art as much flustrated as if thou wert to be married thyself." + +"I know somebody, I guess," said the girl, in so low a tone as to be +heard only by her mistress, close to whose ear was her mouth, "who +would like to be flustrated in that manner." + +Eveline could not restrain her smiles at the impertinence of her maid, +and her gaiety seemed to please the good dame. + +"Thou art a sensible child, Eveline," she said. "Now have I known many +a wedding, and generally there are quite as many tears as smiles at +them. I like not that, exactly, though I believe I was as great a +simpleton as most, when I mar--(here the dame decorously put her +handkerchief to her eyes to receive the tears which she did not +shed)--when I--; but I must not think of my sorrow, when thy happiness +is just commencing." (Dame Spikeman wiped her eyes, and went on more +composedly.) "There is nothing thou hast cause to fear, and thou wilt +soon get used to it. But, who is to be thy bridesmaid?" + +"It was my intent to have had little Neebin," replied the young lady. +"It would have sounded so prettily in England to say that an Indian +Princess stood up with me, for Miles says that she is the sister of a +great king--of Waqua--; thou dost recollect him, Prudence?" + +"The funny salvage," said the girl, "who mistook a painting for a live +man. But to think of the like of the sister of an Indian, though he be +a handsome fellow, going to the 'menial halter with my mistress!" she +added, tossing her head. + +"The danger is past, Prudence," said Eveline, "for Miles tells me she +has run away from the Governor's, and was last seen in the woods with +one of her brother's Paniese, as the savages call their greatest +warriors, Town--, Town--, I forget his name, but they were going in +the direction of their own country." + +"Toweringantic was the salvage's name," said Prudence. "I remember it +very well, because it sounds so like English." + +"That is it not precisely," said the young lady, with a smile; "but it +matters not about the name. Our little Princess has fled to her home, +and I am left without a bridesmaid." + +"The ungrateful heathen!" exclaimed the dame. "Only to think of her +deserting the comfortable house of our right worshipful Governor, and +instruction in the Christian graces by godly Master Phillips, for the +smoky wigwams and powawing of the Indians. The girl, I am sure, will +come to no good, and I will never trust one of these Canaanites +again." + +"Nay; but dame," said Eveline, "I rejoice that she escaped. I did much +pity her in her captivity, for she seemed to me like a wild bird, that +hath all its life been accustomed to fly in the air, which had been +caught and put into a cage, where it sits constantly with moping head +and drooping wings, forgetful of the songs which made its woodland +home so sweet." + +"I did never like to disagree in opinion with thee, Eveline," said the +dame, "and leastwise would I do so, of all days in the year, on thy +wedding-day; so have it as thou wilt. For thy sweet sake, whom I am so +soon to lose, I could find it in my heart to be pleased at anything +the little savage might do, were she twenty times a heathen Amalakite +or Jebusite." + +"Dame," said Eveline, kissing her comely cheek, "how shall I ever be +able to repay thy motherly kindness? O, wherever I may be, and +whatever my lot, I will ever think of thee as my second mother." + +"Dear child," replied the dame, moved to tears, which flowed with +womanly facility, "never had mother a sweeter and more loving daughter +than thou hast been to me. Hast thou not done more than most +daughters, in giving me all the property that remains to thee here?" + +"Speak not of it, dame," answered Eveline, "though it is Miles' gift, +for he desired me to give it thee." + +"Oh! dame, do not disturb my young lady more, for if you get her +crying, think how her eyes would look," here interposed Prudence, very +sensibly. + +"It is time that I were attending to my own apparelling, which, in +looking at thee, I quite forgot," said the widow, rising, and leaving +the apartment. + +The marriage, which took place at the house of the Governor, was +private, and attended only by some of the principal personages of the +colony and their families. Besides the Knight of the Golden Melice, +Sir Richard Saltonstall, who was to sail in the same ship with the +young people, came with his two daughters, as did also Master Increase +Nowell, and Master Bradstreet. No minister was present, the order +resenting, it may be, in a quiet way, an invasion of their +prerogative, which excluded them from business of this sort; but in +the solemn and graceful manner in which the accomplished Winthrop +performed the ceremony, no one noticed any deficiency, not even +Eveline herself, who, indeed, was thinking of other matters. Winthrop +concluded his part with a little speech, in which he reminded the +young couple of the new duties they had assumed, and of the loving +mystery whereby two souls were united into one, like two brooks, +which, pouring each into the other their bright waters, flow on, +inseparably joined, to the ocean of eternity. Something he said, too, +of the blessedness of a true faith, as a crowning glory, without which +the world was but an unprofitable desert. + +Scarcely had the congratulations which followed the sweet voice of the +Governor ceased, when a stranger, an honored friend of Master +Bradstreet, and who had come with him, stepped forward, and saluting +Arundel by the title of the Earl of Cliffmere, informed him that he +had matters of importance to communicate. + +"I had waited upon you, my lord, before," he said, "even upon the +instant of my arrival, had I known where to find you; but I suspected +you not under your assumed name." + +"I welcome you," said the Earl, advancing and taking the stranger's +hand, "I welcome you, Master Hatherly, to the new world, which I this +day leave, probably forever. As for thy news, I think thou art +anticipated: I am informed by letters brought by the vessel wherein +you came, that my father and eldest brother are no more, and that the +coronet which I would willingly place upon their living brows, alas, +is mine. Wonderful is the drama of life. I abandoned rank and +fortune," he added, looking with eyes swimming in love upon his wife, +"to seek that without which they possessed no value. They have pursued +me across the sea, and, besides, I have obtained my dearest treasure." + +The astonished Eveline hid her face in the bosom of her husband, while +tears of happiness fell fast. Bewildered, amazed at the discovery of +the rank of her lover, she knew not what to say; but amid all her +confusion, prevailed triumphantly a sense of sparkling joy, of full +contentment, and of radiant hope. + +"Why should I conceal from you, noble Winthrop, from you, my valued +friend, Sir Christopher, or from any of you, my other friends, with +whom I would leave no unsatisfactory remembrance of myself, the little +romance that brought me among you," continued the Earl. "Know, that a +second son of the deceased Earl of Cliffmere, I wooed, in the +character of an humble painter, the sweet daughter of Edmund Dunning. +He aspired higher than to unite the destinies of his only child with +those of an unknown artist, and looked coldly on my suit. He left +England with her, and I, unable to endure the pangs of separation, +desired to follow. My mother knew of my attachment from the beginning, +and to my entreaties yielded her acquiescence to my desires, for she +loved me greatly, and had informed herself of the worth of her to whom +I had given my heart, but required me to wait for the permission of my +father (absent at the time on the continent) before I followed Eveline +to this new world. That permission I received, and straightway +departed. Still I continued to conceal my true name and station from +even Eveline herself, for a reason, perhaps, more romantic than +rational; for, with selfish jealousy, I chose to be loved for my own +sake, nor did I mean my secret should be revealed until I had +presented my wife to my parents,--but the curtain has been +unexpectedly lifted, and ye know all." + +"I congratulate you, my lord," said Winthrop, "and will venture to do +so also in the name of all present, upon the auspicious termination of +your fortunes among us, and only lament that so little time is left us +to express our respect. When returned to our dear mother England, from +whose bosom we are self-banished, yet whom, with filial reverence, we +love, we trust that you will not forget your brethren in the +wilderness. It is upon the far-seeing judgment of those in high +places, as well as upon the zeal of the people, [all under God,] that +we rely to assist us in extending the material and earthly power of +our country, as well as in spreading the doctrines of true religion." + +"Be sure, sir," answered the Earl, "that I will endeavor to do my duty +toward you according to my honest convictions. And now, Eveline, bid +farewell. The favoring breeze is bellying in the half unfurled sails, +gallant Captain Sparhawk is impatient, and we must away." + +Lady Eveline fell upon the neck of the weeping Dame Spikeman, and +after kissing her repeatedly, exchanged farewells with those around +her, [as did all about to depart,] and then, accompanied by a numerous +train, the passengers proceeded to the ship, whither the Lady +Geraldine had preceded them, and where, also, they found Philip Joy. +The sails were cast off from the yards and hoisted home; the fair wind +gracefully curved the canvas, and the good ship, with silver waves +breaking at her prow, and a stream of light following in her wake, +gallantly stood down the bay. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + So, splendid dreams, and slumbers sweet, + To each and all--Good Night. + + WILLIAM E. HURLOUT. + + +Here might this tale be permitted to end, were it not that a doubt has +arisen in my mind whether some particulars do not need explanation. +Doubtless the nimble wits of the sagacious have fathomed to their +satisfaction all that seemed mysterious; but there may be others who, +either less imaginative or more indolent, would like an elaborate +elucidation. These latter I invite to accompany me across the blue +Atlantic to the pleasant town of Exeter, in the lovely county of +Devon, in England. + +In the nave of the splendid old cathedral of that town, two men, +engaged in conversation, are walking backwards and forwards, one of +whom we recognize as the Knight of the Golden Melice; the other is a +stranger. Through the stained glass, the dim light of a winter's +afternoon falls indistinctly on the stone floor, while from behind the +screen which separates the open area where they are pacing from the +portion devoted to religious worship, the solemn tones of an organ +(for it is the time of evening service) are floating around the massy +pillars and among the sculptured arches, as if imploring saintly rest +for the high born nobles and reverend bishops who, for hundreds of +years, have lain in their marble tombs around. None are present save +the two, and, as with reverent feet they tread, they seem dwarfed into +children by the huge proportions of the building. + +"Two beings more blessed with mutual affection than the young Earl of +Cliffmere and his lovely countess I know not," said the Knight, +continuing the conversation. "Three weeks remained I with them in +their magnificent palace at London, the attractions whereof were +tenfold heightened by his courteous bearing and her graciousness. Nor +could I without difficulty tear myself away, so lovingly they +delighted to dwell upon the time when, as Miles Arundel, he wooed +Eveline Dunning, or hunted with me, in the wilds of America, and so +sweet were their attentions to my chafed spirit. With them is my +trusty Philip, whose trials are now over, while he basks in the favor +of the Earl and the smiles of the pretty Prudence, his wife, +undisturbed save by her occasional coquetry, which only serves, I +suppose, to make his love more piquant." + +"A pleasing episode in your romantic life," said the stranger; but +know you perfectly how you came to leave America so suddenly?" + +"There is a mystery connected therewith which hath ever puzzled me," +replied the Knight. + +"How felt you in reference to the plan of converting an English into a +French colony?" + +"I did never either feel therefor inclination, or give it the +approbation of my judgment. I cannot forget that I am an Englishman." + +"And did Sister Celestina know your sentiments?" inquired the +stranger. + +"Surely. Wherefore should I have hesitated to bestow on one so devoted +my absolute confidence?" + +"_Ne crede principibus_," said the stranger, "is no more worthy of +acceptance than _ne crede feminis_." + +"Chosen friend of my soul, sworn brother of my heart," exclaimed the +Knight, "I conjure thee to tell me what thou knowest or dost suspect +of these mysterious circumstances." + +"Thou hast borne, beloved friend, a cross, whereof thou knewest not. +You were betrayed, like him whose name you bear even in the house of +your friends." + +"A light begins to dawn upon my mind. And Sister Celestina--" + +"Aye, Sister Celestina, or, as she must now be called, the Abbess of +St. Idlewhim, was the traitress. Yet, why call I her so? She did but +obey her vow." + +"May it please thee, Albert, to be more explicit?" + +"Know, then," said the stranger, "that it was in consequence of +representations from Sister Celestina thou wast recalled." + +"How knowest thou this to be true?" + +"Ask me not, for that I dare not reveal; but I swear, by the bones of +Loyola, and by our mutual friendship, that it is the sincere truth. +Father ---- (I will not breathe his name, he added, looking cautiously +around,) loves thee not. Thou wert in his way, and he had thee removed +from England. He is strong now and fears thee no longer, and has had +thee sent ignominiously home, seizing hold of the idle suspicions of a +woman as a pretext." + +"I see now," said the Knight, "reasons for her conduct, which at the +time seemed inexplicable. But what reported Celestina to him?" + +"Recollect you your offer to join the congregation?" + +"It was but a stratagem." + +"But so could she not understand it. Besides, she mistrusted thine +intimacy with Winthrop, and his influence over thee." + +"I loved the man for his gracious qualities, heretic though he be; but +he never influenced me." + +"The intense zeal of Celestina, guided only by her womanly instincts, +was unable to comprehend thy feeling. She communicated her suspicions +to the Father, and it was his pleasure to receive them as truths and +act accordingly. It was the father who wrote the letters, signing +thereto feigned names, and charging thee with crimes as feigned. It +was he who, to avert suspicion from our order (for news had come that +the jealousy of the prick-ear'd heretics was aroused, and that they +were on sharp look-out for Catholics,) hesitated not to slander the +Sister, his own confidential agent, trusting, by the magnitude and +foulness of the charges, so to fill the minds of your judges, that +other surmises would be thrust out, and thus the ground be preserved +for further operations." + +"I understand," said the Knight, "that my successor has departed." + +"He has gone. Sister Celestina, in her elevation, forgets her +temporary humiliation, and Sir Christopher Gardiner--" + +"Is the victim of a woman's suspicions and of a monk's policy. Albert, +I thank thee; my mind is now at ease, and I shall no longer beat the +air in vain attempts to discover my accusers; unsubstantial figments +of the Father's imagination. But why told you me not on my arrival in +London, when I did so eagerly search for the infamous varlets who had +attempted to attaint my honor, and when vain, of course, were my +exertions?" + +"I was not then permitted. And now, I rely upon thy discretion to bury +the secret in thy breast. Any other course might be fatal to us both." + +"Fear me not," said Sir Christopher. "I have been examining my heart, +and find I bear no malice against the holy Father. It was time we +should be removed, and the means, though harsh, were politic; for +suspicions of our being Catholics were rife, and what may sound +strangely, our friendship, Albert, served to confirm them." + +"Explain thy meaning." + +"Out of my love to thee, and as a remembrancer for myself, I had made +a note in my pocket-book of the time and place of thy admission into +the holy Catholic Church, of the taking of thy scapula, and of thy +degrees, whereunto I had appended no name. This book escaping from my +pocket, was found and delivered to my judges, and considered pregnant +proof against me." + +"The writing was a great imprudence," said the stranger. + +"_Confiteor_, and whatever shame I may have endured I accept as the +fitting punishment of my sins. Alas! my individual sorrows are +swallowed up in grief at the thought of the condition of the Church. +How doth she sit like a widow in affliction! The flood-gates of error +are opened, and the world is deluged with impure streams. When I look +on the marble images of the crusaders, lying with crossed legs upon +their tombs around us, and on the cold faces of the abbots and mitred +bishops, standing in solemn dignity in their niches, they seem +saddened and indignant at a reverse that hath changed the very temple +erected by Catholic piety over their ashes, and wherein the incense of +acceptable worship was offered unto the Lord, into a place of resort +for impious and deluded heretics with their tasteless rites. Here, +with these mournful monitors around me, I cannot indulge in private +resentment while my heart is breaking for the sufferings of my +people." + +"It is a holy and a commendable frame of mind, my brother," said the +stranger. "O, if the spirit that animates thee were universal in our +order, how might the wilderness of the world be made to blossom as the +Rose of Sharon, and the lamentations of Sion be converted into songs +of deliverance!" + + + * * * * * + + +THE LOST HUNTER: + +A TALE OF EARLY TIMES. + +_By the Author of_ "THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE." + +12_mo_. $1.25. + + +"The style is fluent and unforced; the description of character well +limned; and the pictures of scenery forcible and felicitous. There is +a natural conveyance of incidents to the _dénouement_; and the reader +closes the volume with an increased regard for the talents and spirit +of the author.--_Knickerbocker Magazine_. + +"The style is direct and effective, particularly fitting the +impression which such a story should make. It is a very spirited and +instructive tale, leaving a good impression both upon the reader's +sensibilities and morals."--_Eclectic Magazine_. + +"An interesting plot, dramatic incidents, characters well conceived +and executed, picturesque sketches of American scenery, and a +satisfactory _dénouement_, are the elements of success which this new +novel invites."--_Ballou's Pictorial_. + +"The locale of the story is at Norwich, Ct., the time, a generation +ago, and it embraces a wide range of characters, and brings into +discussion a variety of subjects. There is no feature of the book more +worthy of commendation than the Indian; this is worked up with great +fidelity to the character, passions and legendary history of the +aborigines, and exhibits a rare acquaintance with their characteristics. +The surprises of the story to the reader are most felicitously arranged, +and the conversations introduced are keenly bright."--_Springfield +Republican_. + +"The author of this work has not favored the public with his name--and +why, we are at a loss to know, for it is one whose authorship no one +need be ashamed to acknowledge. A train of incidents, now pathetic, +now humorous, and now marvelous, is woven together with an ingenuity +not less happy than remarkable. Any reader, so intense will become his +interest, who shall peruse the first chapter, will find it difficult +to lay the book aside before all its contents shall have been +devoured. And more, and better, no one can read it without becoming +wiser and better--it abounds with wholesome lessons."--_Examiner_. + +"No clue is given to the author of this story, but it is marked on +every page by evidence of a practised pen, of great dramatic power, of +experienced judgment of character, and of rare powers of +description."--_St. Louis Republican_. + +"Something as bright and cheery as the blue skies and sparkling waters +of the New-England land selected for the scene of narrative; as quaint +and hearty as the early settlers of the northeastern States, whence it +draws its sketches of character, and as wild and picturesque in places +as the Indian legends of that 'long time ago' it so cheerfully +describes. + +"Savage life and scenes of the forest are interwoven like threads of +purple and crimson with the pleasant homespun of colonial story; and, +ere the reader has ceased to smile over the antics, adventures and +sports of the odd specimens of early Yankee character that fill the +foreground, he is charmed into silence by the poetic pomp of Indian +tradition and the fiery display of Indian loves and hatreds. + +"The Lost Hunter is a fine specimen of that class of American +literature we have sought to encourage, and we will not mar the +enjoyment of those whom we hope this notice may attract, by any brief, +imperfect shadowing of the story. Buy it, read it, and you will find +it amply worth the time."--_National Democrat_. + +"We were prepared, by the original and facetious style of the preface +of this book, for something out of the beaten track; nor have we been +disappointed. The plot is ingeniously concealed, and well carried out. +The delineations of character are admirable. The Indian legends, and +specimens of Indian eloquence, are some of them surpassingly +beautiful; while the history of the hero is so exciting, and withal so +shrouded in mystery, that there is no sagging of the interest till the +last page is reached."--_Vermont Republican_. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE*** + + +******* This file should be named 16114-8.txt or 16114-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/1/1/16114 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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