u must have had fortitude to have lived through such a mental and
physical strain. How did they happen to bring you here?"

"That night, when they thought I slept, I overheard the leader of the
band that brought me talking with Wattasacompanum, the chief of the
Nipmucks. He said Philip had ordered them to bring me here, and sent a
message that I should be kept and well treated until he should see fit
to have me ransomed. Wattasacompanum, who is a good chief and a praying
Indian, promised that I should be faithfully guarded. The next day,
before Philip's messengers departed, I was carried outside the wigwam,
where the Indians danced a wild, fantastic war-dance about me, to the
music of their own strange screaming. I lay trembling with fright, until
the old squaw came out and sat by me, somewhat quieting my fears by
repeating, 'They no kill you; they no kill.' They wished to paint my
face and decorate my head with branches, but Wattasacompanum said no,
that being ill I should not be disturbed. He laid his hand on my head,
and solemnly promised to safely keep me; and after that the strange
Indians departed."

"What did they do for you to bring back your health?"

"Very little. I was allowed to rest for a time, was not treated very
harshly, and nature did the rest."

"What food did you have?"

"Ah, that was the worst trial; for days I ate almost nothing. I could
not touch the meat they kept constantly boiling in a great common
kettle, which all could go to, but I soon learned to eat a sort of cake
they make of Indian corn, and when stronger I wandered about and found
berries and dried nuts for myself; but I have never been strong since I
came here."

"That does not surprise me. Such a life for one like you! Have they
always treated you well?"

"No, they are often very rough; but the women are kinder than the men,
who, fortunately for me, are away upon the war-path the greater part of
the time, returning only occasionally for a night."

"What work do they require of you?"

"I first bring up water from the lake in the morning,--that tires me
most,--then I help cook their food, and do whatever is necessary in an
Indian household,"--and Millicent smiled,--"and I sew for the women and
children."

"The wretches! why don't they bring their own water from the lake, and
make their own clothes?"

"I would willingly do all they ask could I but know that I may soon be
free to look for my sister, and be among my own race a