ays," answered Samoset, drawing readily on his invention, "that a
great Sachem ought not to be put into a box for killing wolves who run
into his wigwam."

A pleased expression lighted up the face of the captive chief at the
answer, which he perfectly understood, as indeed he had much that had
been spoken. His avoiding to use the English language, as through
ignorance, having had for him, at least, the advantage of putting his
examiners off their guard, and inducing them to speak more freely in
his hearing. The tone of Samoset's voice, and the reply, satisfied the
Pequot that he was secure of the interpreter's fidelity, and he
stretched out both his arms, as though grasping his recovered liberty.

Endicott bent his brow at the reply, as a suspicion darted through his
jealous mind; but the stolid mien of the Indian, who bore the look as
if he had been a statue carved out of the heart of the cedars of his
native hills, baffled his penetration.

"Why do I distrust him?" he murmured, under his thick moustache. "Yet
is distrust the mother of safety, and in our situation a duty."

"Let him return now," said Winthrop, "and take order that every
comfort be supplied consistent with safe keeping. Noble Sassacus," he
added, "it grieves me that we meet and part thus."

The savage, who, through the whole interview, could not mistake the
favorable sentiments of Winthrop, answered as before, in his own
Pequot tongue.

"Sassacus understands the thoughts of chiefs, for he is one himself.
The voice of the long knife (alluding to the rapier worn by Winthrop)
is not so unpleasant to him as those of these counsellors, and he
hopes that what he is about to say will be listened to as the words of
a great Sagamore. Sassacus is very tired of lying in a box, but not
afraid to die. Let him depart to his own country, or if the white
chief will kill, let him, with his long knife, pierce the bosom of
Sassacus, for the blood of a chief should be shed by a chief."

"It may not be, noble savage," said Winthrop, mournfully. "Such is not
our custom. Yet be not cast down, but rely upon our justice."

The withdrawal of the captives was a signal for the discussion of what
had been elicited by their examination. It had confirmed suspicions
before entertained, and more than that, revealed an intimacy betwixt
the Knight and Pequots, a warlike and restless, though not numerous
tribe, which filled the minds of the Assistants with apprehension. If
the in