"A thing of moment, indeed; and with such a consequence following its
rejection, a prayer which I cannot refuse."

"It is your reputation, honored sir, for justice, which emboldens me,
who am but a comparative stranger, with no further claim to your
consideration than one man has upon his fellow to do him right, to
address you, and endeavor to secure your all-powerful interest in my
behalf."

Here the eyes of the Governor fell with an inquiring look upon the
Indian, and the mute appeal was understood by the young man.

"I care not," he said, unwilling, by any appearance of a want of
confidence, to hazard an interruption of the friendly relations
existing between himself and the savage, in whom he already felt a
considerable interest--"I care not if Waqua hears my story; he is my
brother and may look into my heart."

A gratified expression crossed the countenance of Waqua, but, without
a remark, he rose from his seat, and, with a delicacy little to be
expected among the wild children of Nature, withdrew to a distant part
of the room.

"It is better thus," said the Governor, "if thy complaint, as I partly
suspect, touch a member of the Government. The secrets of a family
should not be blazoned to the world. Our little Commonwealth is a
family, and it becometh each one tenderly to guard the good repute of
all."

"I crave your Excellency's pardon," said the young man, casting down
his eyes at the rebuke, "for my imprudence; but your sagacity has
already divined what forces me to fly to you for succor. It is of the
unjustifiable conduct of the Assistant Spikeman I would speak."

"It is as I supposed. Something of this have I heard, but only as
flying gossip, which it were unmanly in any one to heed; and which, as
such, it were disgraceful in the ruler of a people to regard. But, if
the charge come, bearing upon itself an authentic stamp, it is a
different matter."

"The words which I shall utter I will avouch with my blood. A great
and grievous wrong hath been committed and is continued, against which
both Heaven and earth cry out."

"It is a heavy charge, and now to the proof."

Hereupon Arundel entered upon the particulars of the breach of faith
on the part of Spikeman, and of the restraint exercised by him over
Eveline; to all which Winthrop listened with profound attention, by
neither word nor sign interrupting the narrative. Upon its conclusion,
however, he began in the spirit of the profession wherein he h