uting any affairs in which he still took
an active interest, and he soon came to be looked upon by the tribe as
a sort of coadjutor to their white Sachem, and the confidential friend
of the old Chieftain. This was just what Coubitant desired; and he lost
no opportunity of strengthening his influence over the Nausett
warriors, and making his presence agreeable and necessary to
Tisquantum.

The time appointed for the breaking up of the encampment drew near, and
both Henrich and Oriana felt much regret at the prospect of leaving the
peaceful home where they had spent so many happy days, and where their
little Ludovico had been born. Their comfortable and substantial lodge,
shaded with the plants that decorated it so profusely and so gaily, had
been the most permanent dwelling that they had ever known since their
childhood: and though they hoped eventually to enjoy a still more
settled home, they could not look on this work of their own labor and
taste without affection, or leave it for ever without sorrow.

In order to lessen the fatigue of Tisquantum it was arranged, at the
suggestion of Coubitant, that he should precede the old Sachem, and his
immediate family and attendants, to the place of their intended
encampment; and should select a suitable situation on the banks of the
Missouri, where he and the Nansett warriors could fell timber, and
prepare temporary huts for their reception. This part of the country
was familiar to him, as he had traveled through it, and dwelt among its
plains and its woods in the days of his wandering youth: and he gave
Henrich minute directions as to the route he must take, in order to
follow him to the river, which, he said, lay about three days' journey
to the southward.

To the south of the present encampment arose a considerable eminence,
that was thickly wooded to the summit on the side that overlooked the
Nausett village, and partially sheltered it from the heat of the summer
sun. On the other side it was broken into steep precipices, and its
banks were scantily clothed with shrubs and grass, which the unusual
drought had now rendered dry and withered. A winding and narrow path
round the foot of this hill was the only road that led immediately into
the plain below; and by this path Coubitant proposed to conduct the
tribe, in order to avoid a long detour to the west, where a more easy
road would have been found. He described it to Henrich, who had often
been to the summit of the rang