fluence of Sir Christopher (whom not one doubted to be a
Catholic) extended as far as they suspected, he might make himself a
formidable enemy. He had been able to induce the chief of the Pequots
to intrust to him his own sister, to be taught the Catholic faith,
doubtless intending to make her conversion the means of extending
among the tribes the superstitions of Popery. The success of the plan
was fraught with danger to the colony, for the new religion would be a
means of reconciling the differences of the tribes, and binding them
together, in a common union with the Eastern Indians, already much
under the influence of the Romish priests. Favored secretly or openly
by the French government, which they were sure to be, and supplied
with fire-arms, they might become too powerful to be resisted, and,
reversing the campaign of the Israelites in the wilderness, drive out
those who had intruded into their Canaan, only themselves to fall
finally a prey to the French, and to have one form of idolatry
substituted for another. Sternly frowned Dudley, and grimly stroked
Endicott his tufted chin, as they revolved such thoughts, and inly
vowed, as they trusted in the God of Jacob, that such things should
not be. The conclusion to which the council came, was that the Pequot
and the woman should be detained in custody until the Knight was
taken, whose capture they considered not difficult, and that then the
fate of the three should be decided.

As for Samoset, he sought Arundel at the earliest opportunity when he
could do so unnoticed, and acquainted him with the message of the
chief. With this coadjutor it was easy to establish a communication
with his friends in the forest, the consequences of which will
presently be seen.

CHAPTER XXXI.

The waithman goode of Silverwoode,
That bowman stout and hende,
In donjon gloom abides his doom--
God dele him gentil ende.

It breaks true herte to see him stert,
When as the small birds sing,
And then to hear his sighynges drere,
Whereas his fetters ring.

OLD BALLAD.

In order to secure the person of the Knight of the Golden Melice,
several small parties were dispatched to scour the forest--another
object being to protect the remoter colonists against wandering
Taranteens, should any have the temerity to venture near the
settlement. A reward was offered to the Indians for the apprehension
of Sir Christopher--strict injunctions being given that he sh