he Captain, "I think there is some
difference between the red skins and the blackamoors. To be sure they
are all heathens, and for that reason not much better than so many big
monkeys; and there's a comfort in that, do ye see, because that gives
us a right to catch and make them do our disagreeable work. Anyhow,
I've read in Scripture that Ham, who was the old ringleader of the
niggars, was made black on purpose. Now, according to my notion, these
red skins are a sort o' cross betwixt Ham's and Japhet's children, who
were cousins, you know, for do ye see, though they're darkish, they
have got long hair like us white men. But come, let us sit down and
splice the main brace to better acquaintance."

Arundel accepted the invitation to a seat, for he knew not how better
to pass the time than in watching the humors around him, but declined
participating in any potations. The Indian too, much to the surprise
of the Captain and of Arundel, refused to drink, and to the pressing
entreaties of the former only answered,

"Waqua is not thirsty."

"I believe," said the Captain, peevishly, "that the bad manners of
these crop ears will spoil the very heathens themselves at last.
Whoever heard of an Indian before who refused drink when he could get
it?"

"Noble Captain," said Arundel, "be not offended at our friend, who is
not accustomed to wine, and therefore is probably afraid of the effect
upon himself; nor with me, who never could bear more than half a dozen
glasses, and have already sufficiently indulged."

"Well, if there is anything I pray for more than for another,"
exclaimed the disappointed Captain, "it is that I may never become a
milksop (saving your presence, Master Arundel)."

"There is not much danger of that," said the young man, laughing. "But
what is the difficulty across the room?"

A group of some dozen persons had been engaged for a considerable time
in animated conversation, the tones of which had gradually been
growing louder, until at last they could be heard above all other
noises. As the sounds increased, the general hum of conversation died
by degrees away, until the whole interest was centered in the group
above mentioned.

"I will stand by stout Capt. Endicott," said a strongly built man in
citizen's dress, and holding a musket in his hand, "resting assured
that he does nothing without a reason, and that his conduct doth
spring from a godly zeal."

"And I will maintain, in any proper mode," repl