Chapter 30

"But, peace be with him!
That life is better life, past fearing death,
Than that which lives to fear."

Measure for Measure.

Courage is both a comparative and an improvable virtue. If the fear of
death he a weakness common to the race, it is one that is capable of being
diminished by frequent exposure, and even rendered extinct by reflection.
It was therefore with sensibilities entirely changed from their natural
course, that the two individuals who were left alone by the retreat of
Philip, saw the nature and the approach of the danger that now beset them.
Their position near the brook had so far protected them from the bullets
of the assailants; but it was equally obvious to both, that in a minute or
two the Colonists would enter an encampment that was already deserted.
Each, in consequence, acted according to those opinions which had been
fostered by the habits of their respective lives.

As Conanchet had no act of vengeance, like that which Metacom had
performed, immediately before his eyes, he had, at the first alarm,
given all his faculties to the nature of the attack. The first minute
was sufficient to understand its character and the second enabled him
to decide.

"Come," he said hastily, but with perfect self-possession, pointing as he
spoke to the swift-running stream at his feet; "we will go with the water;
let the marks of our trail run before."

Submission hesitated. There was something like haughty military pride in
the stern determination of his eye, which seemed reluctant to incur the
disgrace of a flight so unequivocal, and, as he might have believed, so
unworthy of his character.

"No, Narragansett!" he answered; "flee for thy life, but leave me to reap
the harvest of my deeds. They can but leave my bones by the side of those
of this traitor at my feet."

The mien of Conanchet was neither excited nor displeased. He quietly drew
the corner of his light robe over a shoulder, and was about to resume his
seat on the stone from which he had but a minute before arisen, when his
companion again urged him to fly.

"The enemies of a chief must not say that he led his friend into a trap,
and that when his leg was fast he ran away himself, like a lucky fox. If
my brother stays to be killed, Conanchet will be found near him."

"Heathen, heathen!" returned the other, moved nearly to tears by the
loyalty of his guide; "many a Christian man might take lessons from thy
faith. Lead on--I will follow, at the utmost of my speed."

The Narragansett sprung into the brook, and took its downward course--a
direction opposite to that which Philip had chosen. There was wisdom in
this