eftain, fifteen years ago urged peace when
he called the river and the mountain Indians together at Pawtucket Falls.
At a great dance and a feast held there Passaconaway spoke to his people
and bade them live in peace, for it was the only hope for the race. They
might do some harm to the English, but it would end in their own
destruction. This the Great Spirit had said to him. Then," continued
Roger Low, "he gave up his chieftainship to his son Wonolancet, who has
heeded his father's warning, as have other tribes about us. They had
faith in old Passaconaway, who had the power to make water burn and trees
to dance. He could even turn himself into a flame. Yet he accepted our
Christianity as preached by John Eliot and finally, the Indians say, he
was carried in a sleigh drawn by wolves up the slope of our highest
mountain, whence he rose toward the heaven of the white man in a chariot
of fire."

The neighbor again shook his head doubtfully and bade them good-night.
Little Robert, torn by the fears of the Indian raids, and his
grandfather's assurance of peace, lay awake many hours. His grandfather
was breathing heavily in his sleep, when Robert distinctly heard a
footstep outside. Thinking his father might have returned, he hurried to
the window in time to see the figure of an Indian. The little boy threw
himself upon his sleeping grandfather in fright. As the old gentleman
awoke, a heavy knock was heard at the door.

"'Tis an Indian, grandfather," shrieked the boy.

At that moment the outline of the Indian's face was seen at the window
which he was trying to open. Roger Low jumped from his bed, seized his
gun, and stood ready for an attack. The Indian spoke. Low dropped his
gun and listened. Something more was said outside, Grandfather hastily
unbolted the door. "Was he mad?" He seemed eager to meet the Indian. Then
Robert heard his grandfather cry, "Nonowit!" for the old-time friend had
at last come back.

They stirred the fire and seated themselves to hear Nonowit's story of
peace and trouble between whitemen and Indians. Robert gained no promise
of peace. However, the friendliness of such a powerful Indian as Nonowit
was reassuring, and he dropped to sleep in his grandfather's arms.

SUSANNA'S RESCUE

A Tale of 1675

Toby Tozer dropped the rock which would have completed his house of
stones, as he saw a sail tacking across the river straight to his point
at Newichewannock.

"Look, Susanna! Here comes