e. Among these
narratives, the most painful was that detailing the fate of George
Cassen, who, tied to a tree by strong cords, was doomed to see his flesh
and joints cut off, one by one, and roasted before his eyes; his head
and face flayed with sharp mussel shells, and his belly ripped open;
until at last, in the extremity of his agony, he welcomed the very
flames which consumed him, and rescued his body from their cruelty.[16]

Uncle Giles, whose premature action had so nearly ruined them all, and
yet had probably been the cause of their ultimate safety, was the hero
of the day, and loud was the laugh at the incident of the gun and
kitchen chimney. The old man's bruises were soon tended and healed, and
the grateful creature declared that "Miss Ginny's _lineaments_ always
did him more good than all the doctors in the world;" and in truth they
were good for sore eyes.

It was during the morning's conversation that Bernard learned from his
host, and from Virginia, the intimate relations existing between Mamalis
and the family at Windsor Hall. Many years before, there had been, about
two miles from the hall, an Indian village, inhabited by some of the
tribe of the Pamunkeys. Among them was an old chieftain named
Nantaquaus,[17] who claimed to be of the same lineage as Powhatan, and
who, worn out with war, now resided among his people as their
patriarchal counsellor. In the hostilities which had existed before the
long peace, which was only ended by the difficulties that gave rise to
Bacon's Rebellion, the whole of the inhabitants of the little village
had been cut off by the whites, with the exception of this old patriarch
and his two orphan grand-children, who were saved through the
interposition of Colonel Temple, exerted in their behalf on account of
some kindness he had received at their hands. Grateful for the life of
his little descendants, for he had long since ceased to care for the
prolongation of his own existence, old Nantaquaus continued to live on
terms approaching even to intimacy with the Temples. When at length he
died, he bequeathed his grand-children to the care of his protector. It
was his wish, however, that they should still remain in the old wigwam
where he had lived, and where they could best remember him, and, in
visions, visit his spirit in the far hunting ground. In compliance with
this, his last wish, Manteo and Mamalis continued their residence in
that rude old hut, and secured a comfortable s