l be the Indians' friends, and they shall all live together."

"Listen! My brother has spoken of this before, and Sassacus has
thought much about it. It seems to me that when the Great Spirit spoke
to the white men, they could not understand his words, but his voice
was to them like the sighing of the wind among the trees, or the
dashing of the green water on the shore, for they cannot agree about
their religion. But the ears of the Indians were sharper, and they all
understood alike, and therefore they do not differ about what the
Master of Life said, and they also know better concerning Hobbamocki.
Has not my brother told me that the white men fight and kill one
another about their religion?"

"Alas! it is too true," replied Sir Christopher.

"Indians never do so. Let us do a great thing," added Sassacus, his
face suddenly kindling, as with the inspiration of a magnificent
thought--"we will teach the English our religion, which we never fight
about, because we know it to be true, and the English shall teach us
how to build ships, and make guns and powder; and, together, we will
drive the Taranteens into the salt lake."

"It is in vain," said the Knight to himself, on hearing this
extraordinary proposition. "He doth, ever in his childlike simplicity,
say something to confound me. His untutored mind is yet incapable of
receiving the mysteries of our holy religion, but, in lieu thereof,
perpetually runs after the practical and immediate advantages of
powder and guns. Direct the conversation as I may, this target doth it
hit at last."

At this moment an Indian stepped into the lodge, and, uttering the
word "fire!" accompanied by a gesture of the arm, retired.

The Knight and Sassacus sprung up, and, looking in the direction
indicated, beheld the heavens all aglow with the conflagration.

"It is my lodge!" exclaimed Sir Christopher. "I will hasten thither
instantly."

"Come with us, Towanquattick," said the Chief, calling to the Indian,
and the three at once directed their course toward the dwelling of the
Knight.

With all their haste, they did not reach it until the fire had made
such progress that it was impossible to suppress it, or even save
anything from the building. The flames were pouring out in billows
from the doors and windows, and a moment after their arrival the roof
fell in. They approached as near as the heat would permit, but were
unable to distinguish anything in the interior, nor was a sound t