redound most to the honor of
the Church. If, by restraining the ferocity of the Taranteens, the end
may be accomplished, gladly will I exert my influence therefor; but,
on the contrary, if I see that a union among the tribes can be
effected, whereby these intrusive Philistines can be driven from the
land, I will put myself at the head of our savage friends, and
Winthrop and his unhappy followers shall be doomed."

He ceased, and bowed, and the Knight reverently bending his body, took
leave.

CHAPTER XXI.

Low, reverently low,
Make thy stubborn knowledge bow,
Weep out thy reason's and thy body's eyes,
Deject thyself, that thou mayest rise,
To look to heaven--be blind to all below.

MATHEW PRIOR.

On rising, which he did with the sun, leaving the Knight buried in
sleep, Arundel took his way through the village to enjoy the fresh
morning air and examine the Indian wigwams, it being the first
considerable collection of them which he had seen. He found them, to
the number of forty or fifty, extending at a distance of four or five
rods from one another, in a couple of wide avenues, from the edge of a
wood to the margin of a river. The piece of ground on which the lodges
were built seemed to be a bit of alluvial formed by the overflowing of
the river. All along the stream were scattered fields of maize, whose
tall, stout stalks attested the richness of the soil. The cultivation
was of that sluggish and negligent description which was to be
expected from the indolent character of the Indians, it being entirely
entrusted to the squaws, the men considering labor beneath their
dignity. The object was attained, if the plants were sufficiently
protected against the encroaching weeds to enable them to overtop the
latter, after which they were left to take care of themselves. Yet,
notwithstanding all this negligence, prodigal Nature rendered a rich
return. It has been said (with what truth we know not) that the weeds
of a soil depend upon the race which cultivates it--they which spring
from the sweat of an Indian being different from those which embarrass
the toil of the white man or the negro. If it be so, then have we
perhaps another proof of the kind accommodation of mother Earth to her
children, excusing for the reluctant Indian that labor which she
exacts from the hardier white and black man.

As Arundel passed by the bark wigwams, he was able to form some
opinion of the mode of life of the