became like a rotten stick, void of strength."

Before he might stand straight and fix his useless gun, with a whoop of
triumph the lucky Pequot, Monopoide, was upon him; grabbed him by his
shoulder within thirty rods of the shore.

The Pequot was not a large man, nor a strong warrior. Canonchet was
both, and might yet have fought loose, to liberty. But he had made up
his mind to quit. He offered no trouble; the guns of the pursuing
party were covering him again, and he obeyed the orders.

He did not break his silence until young Robert Staunton, first of the
English to reach him, asked him questions. This was contrary to Indian
usage. Canonchet looked upon him disdainfully.

"You much child. No understand matters of war, Let your brother or
chief come; him I will answer."

Robert's brother, John Staunton, was captain of one of the Connecticut
companies that had been sent out to find the Narragansetts; but
Canonchet was now turned over to Captain Denison.

He was offered his life if he would help the English. This brought
from him a glare of rebuke.

He was offered his life if he would send orders to his people to make
peace.

"Say no more about that," he replied. "I will not talk of peace. I do
not care to talk at all. I was born a sachem. If sachems come to
speak with me, I will answer; but none present being such, I am
obliged, in honor to myself, to hold my tongue."

"If you do not accept the terms offered to you, you will be put to
death."

"Killing me will not end the war. There are two thousand men who will
revenge me."

"You richly deserve death. You can expect no mercy. You have said
that you would burn the English in their houses. You have boasted that
you would not deliver up a single Wampanoag, nor the paring of a
Wampanoag's nail."

"I desire to hear no more about it," replied Canonchet. "Others were
as eager in the war as myself, and many will be found of the same mind.
Have not the English burned my people in their houses? Did you ever
deliver up to the Narragansetts any of the Narragansetts' enemies? Why
then should I deliver up to them the Wampanoags? I would rather die
than remain prisoner. You have one of equal rank here with myself. He
is Oneka, son of Uncas. His father killed my father. Let Oneka kill
me. He is a sachem."

"You must die."

"I like it well. I shall die before my heart is soft, or I have said
anything of which Canonchet shall be ashamed."