was sent with the boy in search of
the lost cook.

The two started in the direction of the Upper Plantation. Not far from
the Hilton Settlement, the sound of a shot in the woods brought them to a
standstill and then to the ground, where they hid in the underbrush.
Through the clearing they saw a deer fall. They waited breathlessly,
expecting next to see the bulky form of John shoulder his game. To their
surprise, a Tarateen Indian glided over the ground to the fallen deer. As
he was an enemy, Nonowit and Roger remained in hiding until they could
safely continue their journey. They then carried to the plantation not
only news of a lost man, but also the astonishing word that Indians were
using guns in the woods.

Such a thing was unheard of. It was against the law of the settlers to
trade firearms or ammunition with the Indians. How it had been done, or
by whom, was a matter that must be looked into at once. The people of the
Upper Plantation had seen nothing of the cook, though that was of small
moment now.

Edward Hilton felt it was of utmost importance to return at once with
Roger and Nonowit to the Lower Plantation.

On arriving there, a leader from Naumkeag was found who had brought the
same disastrous word that the Indians were armed. He had received a
message to the same effect from Weesagascusatt. It threatened serious
danger for the colonists. Just at dusk a messenger from Winnisimmet
arrived at Piscataqua with the same rumor. By candle light that night a
conference of grave importance was held. The Naumkeag leader reported
that a man named Morton had opened his settlement at Mount Wollaston,
Mass. to all discontented servants and lawless people. He had changed
the name to Merrie Mount and there he allowed reckless, dissolute living.
Upon hearing of the loss of the cook, he suggested that he might be found
among the merrymakers.

Worst of all, Morton had established a trade of firearms with the Indians
in order to obtain a greater number of furs. With guns in such skilled
and treacherous hands, the white settlers stood in great danger.

The discussion that night resulted in an agreement to send letters,
pleading for help, to Plymouth, which, though it stood in less danger,
was a colony stronger than all the rest together. It was also near enough
for an approach to Morton at Merrie Mount.

Roger was asked to carry the letters. With Nonowit as his guide, he
started out on the following day. It was an adven