ower, and again addressed the Governor:

"The Taranteens are a great nation, and they love peace. It pleases
them to see the smoke as it ascends from the calumet. It is more
beautiful to their eyes than the white summer clouds which protect
them from the heat of the sun. They would be glad to smoke with
Owanux, but they cannot do it now, because should they attempt it, the
blood of Pieskaret would put out the fire and the groans of his four
brothers would agitate us so that the pipe would fall from our hands.
I want the white chief to strengthen our hands, so that we can hold
the calumet firmly, and perhaps that will satisfy Pieskaret too."

"I understand him," said Winthrop, after the Knight had interpreted,
"but let him proceed."

"If the white chief will deliver to us the murderers of Pieskaret, and
release our brothers from slavery," said the Taranteen, slowly and
impressively, "it is well, and we will smoke with Owanux and forget
what has happened; but if he will not,"--and here his voice sounded
like the growl of a bear, as, putting his hand into his bosom, he took
out a small package and handed it to Winthrop,--"we speak to the
white chief thus:"

The Governor received the package, and saw that it consisted of a
tomahawk in the centre, around which were placed several small arrows
tipped with a red dye, and tied together with the stuffed skin of a
rattle-snake, the rattles of which sounded as he took the ominous
present into his hand. He waited composedly until the Knight had
explained the words, though he comprehended at once the meaning of the
savage, and then answered:

"If the Taranteens are a great nation, they are a nation of fools,
else why do they not listen to my words? I tell thee a white English
chief cannot lie; the Great Spirit will not permit a Christian chief
to lie. In vain have I asserted our innocence in this matter; in vain
have I expressed sorrow, and humiliated myself to thy reproaches. But
the English know how to treat those who, faithless themselves, believe
not in the faith of others. Behold!"

Winthrop drew his rapier, and cut the snake skin so that the tomahawk
and arrows fell apart. Placing the skin upon a table, he next took up
the arrows, and, breaking several at a time, let the pieces drop at
his feet. Then seizing the tomahawk, he dashed it with such violence
on the hearth of the fire-place, that the handle flew off and the
stone head was broken. Lastly, taking down from a na