Chapter 30 - Page 2

expedient, for though their pursuers might see that the water was
troubled, there was no certainty as to the direction of the fugitives.
Conanchet had foreseen this little advantage, and, with the instinctive
readiness of his people, he did not fail to make it of service. Metacom
had been influenced by the course taken by his warriors, who had retired
under shelter of the rocks.

Ere the two fugitives had gone any great distance, they heard the shouts
of their enemies in the encampment; and soon after, scattering shot
announced that Philip had already rallied his people to resistance. There
was an assurance of safety in the latter circumstance, which caused them
to relax their speed.

"My foot is not as active as in days that are past," said Submission; "we
will therefore recover strength while we may, lest we be yet taken at
emergency. Narragansett, thou hast ever kept thy faith with me, and come
of what race or worship in what manner thou mayst, there is one to
remember it."

"My father looked with the eye of a friend on the Indian boy, that was
kept like a young bear in a cage. He taught him to speak with the tongue
of a Yengeese."

"We passed weary months together in our prison, Chief; and Apollyon must
have been strong in a heart, to resist the opportunity of friendship in
such a situation. But, even there, my confidence and care were repaid, for
without thy mysterious hints, gathered from signs thou hadst gleaned
thyself during the hunt, it would not have been in my power to warn my
friends that thy people contemplated an attack, the unhappy night of the
burning. Narragansett, we have done many acts of kindness, each in his own
fashion, and I am ready to confess this last not to be the least of thy
favors. Though of white blood and of Christian origin, I can almost say
that my heart is Indian."

"Then die an Indian's death!" shouted a voice, within twenty feet of the
spot where they were wading down the stream.

The menacing words were rather accompanied than seconded by a shot, and
Submission fell. Conanchet cast his musket into the water, and turned to
raise his companion.

"It was merely age dealing with the slippery stones of the brook;" said
the latter, as he recovered his footing. "That had well-nigh been a fatal
discharge! but God, for his own purpose, hath still averted the blow."

Conanchet did hot speak. Seizing his gun, which lay at the bottom of the
stream, he drew his friend after him to the shore, and plunged into the
thicket that lined its banks. Here they were momentarily protected from
missiles. But the shouts that succeeded the discharge of the muskets, were
accompanied by yells that