hee," answered the chief, "yet have we
not at all other times been thy true worshippers? When thy fiery
meteors have been seen traversing the valleys, and shooting like stars
over the prairies, we have bowed down our heads or retreated to our
cabins till they had passed, and in both cases failed not to deprecate
the anger of Him whom we deemed their master. And yet, Spirit, thou
hast delivered us into the toils of our fierce enemies, the Eries!"

With the singular laugh, which was between a hiss and a roar, the
Spirit replied by asking: "How know ye that I have delivered you into
the toils of your fierce enemies, the Eries?"

"What is the width of the valley into which thy treacherous eye hath
decoyed us?" demanded the haughty Chief.

"Scarcely two bowshots," replied the Spirit.

"At its entrance, planted on both sides of the narrow pass, are Eries,
well provided with bows and arrows and spears, waiting as a cunning
cayman waits in the sedge for the unsuspecting water-duck."

"There are indeed Eries waiting on both sides of the narrow pass, as a
cayman waits for a water-duck."

"Then have you led the Nansemonds into a danger from which there are
no means of escape?"

"Is there not another end to the valley?"

"There is, and what will it avail? As much as a bow and arrow in the
hands of him whose eyes have departed, or a spear in the grasp of a
palsied man. Upon each side of the valley, jut far into the lake hills
whose precipitous sides no one but a spirit can climb; and where are
the canoes which shall transport us to a place of safety?"

"What will the Nansemonds give if the Spirit of Fire will release them
from the dangers which encompass them?"

"They will yearly kindle a fire in the time of a high wind, that their
deliverer may have the glorious prospect of seeing the dry prairie
swept by the devouring flame."

"It is well! upon that condition I will save you."

So saying he arose, and, taking up from the pool in the middle of the
valley a handful of slime, he rounded it into a ball, the while
breathing upon it until it became of the colour of his face; when he
had done this, he placed it upon the great toe of his right foot, and,
giving it a kick into the air, and calling it by the name of
"_Chepiasquit_," commanded it "to lead the good people, the
Nansemonds, to a place of safety." So saying, he turned to the
warriors and bade them follow their guide, who would soon conduct them
out of difficulty;