ences at the reception of the Taranteen embassy were also
detailed--the appearance of Sassacus, the excitement of the Indians,
and the consequences which followed.

"I found it hard," said Sir Christopher, "to allay their wild passion
on the discovery of the Pequot Chief. I had to urge upon them that
they were committed to my care by you (I had before received your
missive from one of them) and that instant destruction would follow
any act of violence. I reminded them that their mission was one of
peace, and endeavored to shame them for exhibiting so much feeling at
the sight of a single warrior. Nor was I blinded by their apparent
submission, but strove to remove the Pequot out of their way. With how
little success you know."

Father Le Vieux listened with profound attention, and from time to
time made memoranda in his tablets of those parts of the communication
which possessed for him the deepest interest. At its conclusion, he
continued silent awhile, looking thoughtfully on the ground, as if
deliberating over what he had heard.

"The thoughts of man are vanity," he said, at length. "In a way that
we dreamed not of hath Almighty Wisdom delivered us from this peril.
Vainly, in our ignorance, we strove to prevent a meeting between the
Taranteens and the English heretics; and lo, it was the very thing to
be desired! They were brought together only to be more widely divided,
and a commencing friendship has ended in a confirmed enmity. Blessed
be the Pequot, and mitigated be the pains of purgatory to the poor
savages who fell in the night attack, for the good they have done. We
are now safe from this danger."

The father paused, as if reflecting, and then again spoke.

"It would be strange," he said, "and the thought itself seems impious,
if this goodly land, with its thousands of immortal souls, should be
delivered over into the hands of these accursed heretics. My heart is
troubled, and a sacred horror invades me when I think thereupon. This
is a time of tribulation, and our faces gather blackness. Holy Mary!"
he continued, (crossing himself and raising his eyes to Heaven,)
"intercede with thy glorified Son to quicken our faith and shorten the
days of our trouble. Let not these insatiable locusts from the pit of
darkness, whose end is destruction--these deceivers and deceived, who
would tear down thy church, and defile her altars, have, even in
seeming, their will! O, let a strong wind arise and cast them into the