aking, 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 t