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
occurr