ot forbear from walking to the
entrance, looking around at the same time, if, by chance, he might
espy a weapon. He saw none, however, and two stout Indians made
motions to him to return. Meditating on his situation, and casting
about in his mind for expedients, either to evade his captors or to
change the resolution of the Pequot chief, which, he doubted not,
aimed at his life, he resumed his seat. He was unable to remain more
than a few moments in quiet, and presently again approached the
opening, and this time beheld a sight which curdled his blood.

It was a stake driven into the ground, at a distance of not more than
a rod from where he stood, around which several Indians were heaping
up faggots of dry sticks and broken branches. Spikeman shuddered, and
tasted, in almost as lively a manner as if he were already
experiencing them, the agonies that awaited him, for he could not
doubt that the preparations were made on his account. The conduct of
his keepers, therefore, was unnecessary, who pointed first to the
pile, and then to himself, intimating thereby that one was designed
for the other. The effect produced on him was such that he could
hardly restrain himself from attempting to burst through his guards,
either by some miracle to get free, or to obtain an easier death from
the tomahawk or arrow. But in all the horrors of these dreadful
moments, the mind of Spikeman remained as clear as ever, and he saw
plainly the impossibility of evasion, and the folly of supposing that
the Indians would be tempted to throw a tomahawk, or discharge an
arrow against an unarmed man, whereby they might rob themselves of the
fiendish pleasure they anticipated--besides, thought the miserable
Spikeman, I should be more likely to receive the stroke of death when
their passions are excited, than at present; and with a desperate
calmness, and striving to defy the worst, he awaited what should
happen.

CHAPTER XXIII.

These the sole accents from his tongue that fell,
But volumes lurked below that fierce farewell.

BYRON.

When Sassacus left Spikeman, it was only to step into a lodge not half
a dozen rods distant. Though smaller than the one into which the
prisoner had been introduced, it was superior in comfort, as was,
indeed, to be expected, being that of the Sagamore himself. Here he
found the soldier, Philip Joy.

"What means this, Sassacus?" exclaimed the soldier, as the Pequot
entered. "Was it not our covenant