xtreme solicitude and impatience.

Although out of sight their comrade, however, was in reality close at
hand, for Massasoit had with Indian cunning selected a spot for the
interview whence himself unseen he could through the branches of the
shielding shrubbery overlook the approach from the village, and perceive
any movement upon the side of the other party long before it could be
made effectual. Standing in the middle of a little glade to receive
Winslow, resting lightly upon the strung bow in his right hand,
Massasoit presented the ideal figure of an Indian chief, uncorrupted by
the vulgar vices of civilization. Lofty of stature and of mien, his
expression grave and even haughty, his frame replete with the easy
strength of vigorous maturity, he looked, as Winslow decided in the
first quick glance, more worthy to be the king of red men than James the
First of England did to be the king of white men.

For costume the Indian wore buckskin leggings, highly ornamented
moccasons, a belt with fringe several inches long, and a curious skin,
dressed and ornamented upon the inside with elaborate designs, slung
over his left shoulder by way of cloak. He also wore a necklace of white
beads carved from bone, and depending from it at the back of his neck a
pouch from which as a mark of royal favor he occasionally bestowed a
little tobacco upon his followers, most of whom were provided with
pipes. In his carefully dressed hair the chief wore three beautiful
eagle-feathers, and his comely face was disfigured by a broad stripe of
dark red or murray-colored paint.

Removing his hat and bowing courteously before this grave and silent
figure, Winslow unfastened his haversack, and produced two sheath knives
and a copper chain with a glittering pendant which might have been of
jewels, but really was of glass.

These he laid at one side, and at the other a pocket-knife with a
brilliant earring. Finally he set by themselves a parcel of biscuit, a
little pot of butter, and a flask of strong waters. Having arranged all
these matters with great deliberation under the gravely observant eyes
of the king, Winslow stood upright and demanded who could speak English.
It proving that nobody could, another delay ensued while a _pniese_, or
as we might say a noble of the king's suite, was dispatched to the
village to summon Squanto and to remain as hostage in his place. During
the half hour of this exchange, Massasoit remained standing precisely as