s in the Pokanoket League, and this
warrior had been captured by a Mohegan ally of the Captain Church men.
Captain Church wished to save him, in order to get information from
him; but owing to a wound in the leg the Netop could not travel fast,
therefore the Mohegan was granted leave to kill him, that night.

Accordingly the Netop was seated by the large fire, with a Mohegan at
either side of him, to hold him fast until the tomahawk had been sunk
into his head. Although Captain Church had seen much blood-shedding
and had made short work of many other Indians, to-night he walked away,
with his heart a little sick.

The Netop had appeared to be waiting for the tomahawk, as if he
intended to die like a brave. But when the Mohegan struck, he suddenly
jerked his head aside so cleverly that the tomahawk not only missed him
entirely, but flew from the Mohegan's hand and almost killed one of the
others.

That was a surprise. With a quick writhe the Netop broke loose, and
bolted headlong, fairly into Captain Church himself, among the baggage
and the horses. This was a surprise for the captain, too. He grabbed
him but could not keep him, because he was a naked Indian and as
slippery as an eel.

Away they two went, both lame. The captain had not wished the Netop to
be killed, but he was bound that he should not escape. In the darkness
the Netop stumbled, and again the captain grabbed him. No use. This
Netop was an eel and a panther as well--slippery and strong. A second
time he wrenched free. Once more away they went, with the captain now
grasping for his hair. On through the surrounding swamp they pelted,
crunching the ice so loudly that the captain thought everybody within a
mile should hear. And he knew that the swamp was full of other
Pokanokets. However, that did not stay the angry Captain Church.

The Netop was getting off, when he was barred by a fallen tree, breast
high. He began to shout for help from his own people, hiding in the
swamp. Captain Church charged into him--and found _himself_ seized by
the hair! The Netop tried to twist his head and break his neck.
Captain Church gained a hair hold; and he, too, tried neck-breaking.
Thus they wrestled in the swamp, in the darkness, with their hands in
one another's hair, and the captain bunting the Netop in the face
whenever he might.

On a sudden there was a new sound. Somebody else came running. They
could hear the ice crunching under rapid footst