iends to the Indians, and his
great object was to obtain their friendship and support, and that their
religion taught them to consider all worshippers of figures and pictures
and any visible object as idolaters; their desire being to serve the
great Spirit who watched over the Indians as well as over themselves,
and that by their acts they would show that they were worthy of the
confidence their new friends were evidently disposed to place in them.
He expressed a hope, also, that by an exchange of commodities, and by
mutual support, they would learn to regard each other as brothers.

During this address the Indians preserved the most perfect silence,
though the eyes of the young chief, who stood by his father's side,
wandered towards the boat in which the rest of the visitors still
retained their seats. An attendant, now advancing, lighted the calumet
of peace, which Tuscarora presented to the captain, who, after drawing a
few whiffs, returned it to the chief, who performed the same ceremony.
The rest of the party now landing, the pipe was passed round among them.
Constance, who stood by her father's side, regarded the scene with much
interest. She could not avoid remarking the glances of admiration which
the young chief cast at her, and was compelled more than once to turn
round and speak to Nigel, who remained close to her. He himself
observed the looks of the young chief, which created an undefined
feeling in his breast, though his pride forbade him in any way to
exhibit it.

"These Indians are of a far more martial and gallant bearing than I had
supposed; but still they are savages, and we should be wise if we are on
our guard against them," he observed to Constance.

This was said aside, while Villegagnon was replying to the address
delivered by the Tamoyo chief, who then introduced the handsome youth
standing by his side as his son Tecumah, "who will ever, as he regards
my injunctions, be a friend and ally of the French," he added.

The young man in a few words expressed his desire to act according to
his father's wishes, winding up, as he pointed to the sky, "Should
Tecumah fail to fulfil his promise, may the great Spirit punish him as
he will deserve."

Thus far the interview had passed off in a most satisfactory manner.
The chief expressed his desire to visit his new allies, but Villegagnon
thought it prudent to decline the honour till the fort was erected, and
the colonists were in a position to defend