country of
the Pequots--in this way only transferring their labors to another
place--and with the latter, the charge wherewith he was entrusted was
too sacred for any cause to be neglected. Flying from their posts,
even though bands of enemies were after them, was therefore not to be
thought of. As for Philip, his wild, reckless nature took pleasure in
their adventurous mode of life; satisfied, besides, that were he even
made prisoner, no serious punishment could befall him, unless his
participation in the prison-breach became known, which, he confided
too much in the fidelity of his associates to believe was possible.
Seldom daring, therefore, to discharge their fire-locks, but depending
principally on the arrows of the Indian, and snares they set for
subsistence, occasionally aided by the friendly natives with whom the
Knight was a favorite, and constantly changing their places, the three
continued to elude the search, and the baffled soldiers were obliged
to return, digesting their disappointment as they might, and asserting
that those whom they sought had left the neighborhood. To make
assurance sure and to stimulate the Indians to exertions, which the
magistrates were certain had never been made, higher rewards were
offered for the capture of Sir Christopher in particular, which, it
was supposed, the cupidity of the natives would be unable to resist.

Among the Indians trusted by Sir Christopher, none had contrived to
secure a greater share of his confidence than Quecheco, the frequent
and favored companion of his hunts. The skill of the Indian in hunting
had, at first, recommended him to the Knight, and afterwards, the
interest of the latter in his protege was increased by the attention
with which Quecheco listened to instruction and by the intelligence of
his questions. Hitherto he had always been found faithful, in
consequence whereof the haunts of the outlyers were not concealed from
him, and he was employed to procure information from the English
settlements, and depended on, generally, as a confederate. Quecheco
was not without affection; in proof whereof, he had withstood the
bribe at first offered for the capture of Sir Christopher, but his
feeble virtue finally succumbed. There was one temptation which he was
unable to withstand. He had frequently been a witness of the
effectiveness of the gun in the hands of the Knight, and, with a
hunter's love, conceived a longing to possess one. This was no easy
matte