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 h