il 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