Sp^fcfilBSa 
 
 HHi 
 
 BBni^S 
 
 \
 
 THE 
 
 ftnigftt 0f 
 
 A HISTORICAL ROMANCE, 
 
 BT 
 
 THE AUTHOR OF "THE LOST HUNTER." 
 
 "One* *** calling himself * ****** * Kni jht of th 
 
 Golden Melicc." 
 
 fttttZ icifbfrfeclt ft^ nur im Ctbtn: 
 Swig jung ift nur tie gamaftt : 
 
 SBaJ fid) ntc unt nirgcnbi (at begebtn, 
 ZaJ aflein erallc: nie ! 
 
 DERBY & JACKSON, 119 NASSAU-STREET. 
 CINCINNATI : W. H. DSRBT & Co. 
 
 1857.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by 
 JOHN TURVILL ADAMS, 
 
 la the Clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
 District of New-York.
 
 H. L. A. 
 
 To whom but to yourself, my H., should I dedicate this Romance, 
 which may be said to be the fruit of our mutual studies ? With what 
 delight I have watched the unfolding, like a beautiful flower, of your 
 youthful mind, while instead of indulging in frivolous pursuits, so 
 common to your age, you have applied yourself to the acquiring of 
 useful knowledge as well as of elegant accomplishments, none but a 
 parent can know. Accept what I have written, my darling, as a 
 tribute to a love which makes the happiness of my life. 
 
 J. T. A. 
 
 2200614
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 HK cast, (of which we rather boast,) 
 The Gospel's pearl upon our coast, 
 And in these rocks for us did frame 
 A temple where to sound Hi name. 
 O let our voice His praise exalt 
 Till it arrive at Heaven's vault, 
 Which there perhaps rebounding may 
 Echo beyond the Mexic bay. 
 Thus sang they, in the English boat, 
 A holy and a cheerful note, 
 And all the way to guide their chime, 
 With falling oars they kept the time. 
 
 Andrew areell'a " Emigrants in the Bermuda*" 
 
 THE beginning of th 17th century is an interesting 
 epoch in American annals. Although the Atlantic coast 
 of that vast country now comprised within the limits of 
 the United States and Canada had previously been traced 
 by navigators, and some little knowledge acquired of the 
 tribes of red men who roamed its interminable forests, no 
 
 1
 
 10 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 attempt at colonization worthy of the name had succeeded. 
 The principal, if not the only advantage derived from the 
 discovery of North America, came from the fisheries of 
 Newfoundland and Labrador, frequented mostly by the 
 adventurous mariners of England, France and Spain. In 
 these cold seas, to the music of storms howling from the 
 North Pole, and dashing with ceaseless rage the salt spray 
 against the rocky shore, they threw their lines and cast 
 their nets, at the same time enriching themselves, and form- 
 ing for their respective countries a race of hardy and 
 skilful sailors. The land attracted them not. The in- 
 ducements which led to the more speedy conquest and 
 settlement of South America by the Spaniards, were want- 
 ing. Gold and silver to tempt cupidity were not to be 
 found, and the stern, though not inhospitable character of 
 the Northern tribes was very different from the imbecile 
 effeminacy of the Southern races. The opposition likely 
 to be encountered was more formidable, and the prize to 
 be won hardly proportioned to the hazard to be incurred. 
 While, therefore, the atrocious Spaniards were enslaving 
 the helpless natives of Peru and Mexico, and compelling 
 them by horrid cruelties to deliver up their treasures, the 
 wild woods of all that region to the north of the Gulf 
 bearing the name of the latter country, continued to ring 
 to the free shout of the tawny hunter. Not that attempts 
 had not been made to obtain footing on the continent, but 
 they had all failed by reason of the character of the emi-
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 11 
 
 grants, or the want of support from home, or of a thousand 
 other causes reducible to the category of ill luck, bad 
 management, or providential determination. 
 
 But the 17th century introduced a new order of things, 
 beginning with the arrival of the first permanent colony 
 on the coast of Virginia in the year 1607, indissolubly as- 
 sociated with the name of the chivalrous Captain John 
 S nith ; followed in 161-1 by the occupancy of the mouth 
 of the river Hudson, and of the island of Manhattan, the 
 present site of the city of New- York, by the Dutch ; and, 
 in 102), of New-England, by the English. The fulness of 
 time had arrived, when the seeds of a mighty empire were 
 to be sown. 
 
 A diversity of opinion prevails with regard to the mo- 
 tives of the early colonists to leave their homes. Without 
 entering into an elaborate discussion of the subject, and 
 thereby invading the province of the historian, it may per- 
 haps be permitted me to say, that, in my judgment, they 
 were partly political, partly religious, partly commercial, 
 and partly adventurous. 
 
 One of the first acts of James the First of England, on 
 his accession to the throne in 1603, was the conclusion, by a 
 peace with Spain, of the long war so gloriously signalized 
 by the destruction of the Armada. The pacific policy 
 wherewith he began his administration, he never aban- 
 doned during the tweniy-two years while he held the 
 
 jptre. lie not the spirit of enterprise which exists in
 
 12 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 various degrees in every flourishing nation, finding itself 
 diverted from that warlike channel wherein it had been 
 accustomed to flow, was obliged to seek other issues. 
 The immense region beyond the sea claimed by England 
 by priority of discovery, offered a theatre for a portion of 
 that spirit to expend itself upon. Hither turned their eyes 
 those who, in the wars, had contracted a fondness for ad- 
 venture, and were unwilling to sink back into the peaceful 
 pursuits of laborious industry. For such men, the vague 
 and the uncertain possess irresistible attractions. For 
 them, emigration was like the hazard of the gaming-table; 
 ruin v r as a possible consequence, but fortune mitrht also 
 
 crown the most extravagant hopes. The merchant re- 
 
 
 
 garded with favor a scheme which would furnish employ- 
 ment for his ships by the transportation of men and stores. 
 Besides, the fisheries had always been productive; they 
 might be largely extended, and a trade in furs and other 
 products of the country opened with the Indians. Per- 
 haps the precious metals, found in such quantities by the 
 Spaniards at the South, might enrich the North. Happily 
 they found not that pernicious bane which is alike the cor- 
 rupter of private morals and the debaucher of nations. 
 To these considerations may be added a-willingness at 
 least on the part of the government, to rid itself of idle 
 profligates and unruly spirits. Guided by this chart, it is 
 not difficult to understand why efforts similar to those 
 which had proved abortive, should now be successful.
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 13 
 
 The character of the first emigrants to the Virginia 
 colony, and the products of the country sent home, confirm 
 these views. They are described as " many gentlemen, 
 a few laboiers, several refiners, goldsmiths, and jewellers," 
 and the returnino; ships were freighted with cedar and with a 
 glittering earth, which was mistaken for gold. Another par- 
 ty is spoken of by a chronicler of the times, as "many un- 
 ruly gallants sent hither by their friends to escape ill desti- 
 nies." Doubtless among those denominated gentlemen and 
 gallants were some noble souls, like, though longo intervallo, 
 to the heroic Smith. 
 
 While the Virginia Colony was slowly struggling 
 against adverse circumstances, and attracting to herself the 
 cavaliers who, in various capacities and with different for- 
 tunes, had figured in those troubled times, important 
 changes were going on at home destined to exert a mighty 
 influence on the New World. That awakening of the 
 intellect occasioned by the speculations of Wyckliff, the 
 morning star of the Reformation, more than two hundred 
 years before, and to which Luther and Calvin had imparted 
 a fresh impulse, was performing its destined work. By 
 the assertion of the right of private judgment in matters 
 of religion, the pillars of authority had been shaken. 
 Nothing was considered as too sacred to be examined. 
 To the tribunal of the mind of every man, however undis- 
 ciplined and illiterate, were brought, like criminals to be 
 tried, the profoundest mysteries and most perplexing ques-
 
 14 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 tions of theology, and in proportion to the ignorance of the 
 judge, was the presumption Avith which sentence was pro- 
 nounced. A genera] love of dogma prevailed. The cross- 
 legged tailor plying his needle on his raised platform ; the 
 cobbler in the pauses of beating the leather on his lap- 
 stone ; and the field-laborer as he rested on his spade ; dis- 
 cussed with serene and satisfied assurance problems, be- 
 fore the contemplation of which, the ripest learning and 
 highest order of mind had veiled their faces. Dissatisfac- 
 tion with the condition of things spread more and more. 
 All, in both Church and State, was considered out of joint. 
 The former had not sufficiently cleansed herself from the 
 pollutions of Rome, and lagging behind at a wide distance 
 from the primitive model, required to be further reformed ; 
 the latter by encroachments on the liberties of the subject, 
 and assistance furnished to a corrupt hierarchy, had be- 
 come odious, and was to be resisted and restrained. The 
 idea of abolishing the monarchy had indeed not entered 
 the mind of the most daring reformer ; but it is certain, that 
 when his feelings were inflamed by brooding over real and 
 fancied wrongs from the established Church, his anger 
 would overflow upon the government, which, with no 
 sparing hand, wielded the sword to enforce pains arid 
 penalties, imposed, ostensibly for the protection of religion, 
 but in reality for the interests of an ally and its own safety. 
 It was this exasperation, partly of a religious and partly of
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 15 
 
 a political nature, that bore its legitimate fruit in the exe- 
 cution of Charles. 
 
 Before that a \vful lesson, however, discontent had in- 
 creased until the unhnppy zealots, too feeble to resist, yet 
 too resolute to submit, determined to leave their country. 
 Hard fate ! Self-banished from the associations of child- 
 hood, from the memorials of their ancestors ! But whither 
 should they fly? They had heard indeed of a country, far 
 beyond the sea, where a refuge might be found, and whither 
 some of their countrymen had gone; but those first emi- 
 grants were cavaliers, men of the same creed as their per- 
 secutors, and who had been induced to leave England by 
 motives different from those which controlled their minds. 
 Their purpose would not be attained by joining the Vir- 
 ginia colony. They were not merely adventurers, hunting 
 after earthly treasures, but pilgrims in search of the king- 
 dom of heaven. Their company consisted of delicate 
 women and children, from whom they could not part, as 
 well as of hardy men ; and such were unfit to encounter 
 the perils of a new settlement, in an untried climate, and 
 an unknown country, infested by savages. Their principal 
 want was religious liberty ; that they could find in Holland, 
 and to Holland they went. It was close at hand, and 
 should any favorable change occur in England, it would 
 be easy to return. But after an experience of some dozen 
 years, they found insuperable objections to remaining there, 
 and determined, no such changes having taken place as
 
 16 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 they anticipated when they left their native land, to emi- 
 grate to America. In a season of the year as stern as the 
 mood of their own minds, they sought the stormy shores 
 of New-England, and their example was soon followed by 
 others direct from the parent country. This first column 
 was composed exclusively of Protestants, who had refused 
 conformity to the established Church, or as they were 
 called, Puritans. Later arrivals brought more mixed com- 
 panies, but still the Puritan element always largely pre- 
 vailed. Now separated by an ocean from kings and 
 bishops, they resolved to realize the darling idea which, 
 like the fiery pillar before the wandering Israelites, had 
 conducted them across the sea, and that was the estab- 
 lishment of a commonwealth after the model of perfection 
 which they fondly imagined they had discovered. And 
 where should they find that perfect system, except in the 
 awful and mysterious volume wherein was the revelation 
 of God's will, and which, with a devotion that had impressed 
 its every syllable on their minds, they had day and night 
 been studying ? Was there not contained therein a form 
 of government which He had given to his favored people ; 
 and what did both reason and piety suggest but to accom- 
 modate it to their circumstances ? All things favored the 
 undertaking. They were at too great a distance to be 
 easily molested by their enemies : the distracted condition 
 of the government at home afforded little opportunity for 
 a strict supervision of their affairs ; and the few savages
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 17 
 
 in their neighborhood left by the devastating pestilence 
 wherewith Providence had swept the new Canaan, in order 
 to make room for them, they soon found powerless before 
 the terror of their fire-arms. By excluding all whom it 
 was their pleasure to call lewd and debauched, or, in other 
 words, who differed from them in opinion, from participa- 
 tion in the government, they expected to avoid confusion, 
 and secure the blessing of heaven. It is absurd to suppose 
 that human pride, and ambition, and avarice did not in- 
 trude into these visions of a reign of the saints on earth, 
 but unquestionably notions like these exerted a strong in- 
 fluence. They established their commonwealth upon their 
 theocratic model, and commenced the experiment. 
 
 Soon, in logical and honest sequence with the princi- 
 ples which they professed, followed a system of persecution 
 rivaling that of which they complained in England. To 
 be true to themselves and creed, they were obliged to 
 adopt it. We may do as we please ; we may say that the 
 fanatical notion, the horrid Erinnys, the baleful mother of 
 woes innumerable, that the dogmas of religion may right- 
 fully be enforced by the sword of the civil power, domi- 
 nated the world, and in this way account for their con- 
 duct ; or apologize for it by the necessities of their situa- 
 tion, and the peculiarities of their creed ; or combine these 
 causes, and so extenuate what cannot be defended. 
 
 I can well understand how a Puritan of 10 would jus- 
 tify his rigor. His opinion of himself would be like that
 
 18 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTLR. 
 
 of the amiable Governor Winthrop, as found in his first 
 will, (omitted, however, in his second,) as one " adopted 
 to be the child of God, and an heir of everlasting life, ;;nd 
 that of the mere and free favor of God, who hath elected 
 me to be a vessel of glory." Such was the Puritan in his 
 own eyes. He was the chosen of heaven. He had, for 
 the sake of the Gospel, abandoned his country and the 
 comforts of civilization, to erect (in the language of Scrip- 
 ture which he loved to use) his Ebenezer in the wilder- 
 ness. He wanted to be let alone. He invited not Papists 
 or English Churchmen, or any who differed in opinion 
 from him, to throw in their lots with his. Thev would 
 only be obstacles in his way, jarring-strings in his heavenly 
 antique-fashioned harp. Away with the intruders ! What 
 right had they to molest him with their dissenting presence ? 
 The earth was wide : let them go somewhere else. They 
 would find more congenial associates in the Virginia colony. 
 He would have no Achans to breed dissension in his camp. 
 With bold heart and strong hand would he cast them out. 
 His was the empire of the saints ; an empire, not to be 
 exercised v\ith feebleness and doubt, but with visor and 
 
 O 
 
 'confidence. 
 
 It is obvious that a very wide difference existed between 
 the characters of the two colonies. The cavalier, spark- 
 ling and fiery as the wines he quafl'fd. the defender of es- 
 tablished authority and of the divine right of kings, was 
 the antithesis of the abstemious and thoughtful religionist
 
 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 19 
 
 and reformer, dissatisfied with the present, hopeful of a 
 better future, and not forgetful that it was in anger God 
 gave the Israelites a king. 
 
 Meanwhile the Roman Catholics had not been idle. 
 Their devoted missionaries, solicitous to occupy other re- 
 gions which should more than supply the deficiency occa- 
 sioned by the Protestant defection, and confident of the 
 final triumph of a Church, out of whose pale they believed 
 could be no salvation, had scattered themselves over the 
 continent, and with marvellous energy and self-sacrifice, 
 were extending their influence among the natives. No 
 boundaries can be placed to the visions of the enthusiastic 
 religionist. His strength is the strength of God. No 
 wonder, then, that the Roman Catholic priest should cherish 
 hopes of rescuing the entire new world from heresy, which 
 he considered worse than heathenism, and should enlist all 
 his energies in so grand a cause. It is almost certain that 
 extensive plans were formed for the accomplishment of 
 this object. 
 
 Such were the elements which the seething caldron of 
 the old world threw out upon the new. A part only of 
 the materials furnished by these elements have I used in 
 framing this tale. It is an attempt to elucidate the man- 
 ners and credence of quite an early period, and to explain 
 with the license accorded to a romancer, some passages in 
 American history. 
 
 Thus much have I thought proper to premise. It is
 
 20 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 
 
 impossible to judge correctly of the men of any age, with- 
 out taking into consideration the circumstances in which 
 they were placed, and the opinions that prevailed in their 
 time. To apply the standard of this year of grace, 1S56, 
 to the religious enlightenment of more than two hundred 
 years ago, would be like measuring one of Gulliver's Lilli- 
 putians by Gulliver himself. I trust that the world has 
 since improved, and that of whatever passing follies we 
 may be guilty, we shall never retrograde to the old narrow 
 views of truth. If mankind are capable of being taught 
 any lesson, surely this is one that persecution or dislike 
 for opinion sake is a folly and an evil, and that we best 
 perform the will of Him to whom we are commanded to 
 be like, not by contracting our affections into the narrow 
 sphere of those whose opinions harmonize with ours, but 
 by diffusing our love over His creation who pronounced it 
 all " very good."
 
 THE 
 
 KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Come on, Sir ! now you set your foot on shore, 
 In novo orbe. 
 
 BEN JONSON'S Alchemist. 
 
 OUR tale begins within a few years after the end of the fin*, 
 quarter of the 1" ( th century, at Boston, in Massachusetts, then 
 in the infancy of its settlement. 
 
 On an evening in the month of May, were assembled some 
 seven or eight men around a table, in a long, low room, the sides 
 only of which were plastered, the rough beams and joists over- 
 head being exposed to view ; the windows were small, and the 
 floor without a carpet ; and the furniture consisted of the table, 
 over which was spread a black cloth, whereupon stood several 
 lighted candles in brass candlesticks, of a dozen chairs, covered 
 with russet-colored leather, and of some wooden benches, ranged 
 against the walls, and which were occupied by various persons. 
 At one end of the apartment the floor was raised a few inches, 
 and the chair standing on this elevation differed from the others 
 in having arms at the sides, an- 1 in being of ampler proportions,
 
 22 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 as if by its appearance to vindicate a claim to superior position. 
 But unpretending as was the room, it was a place of no little 
 importance, being no less than the Court Hall and Council 
 Chamber of the " Governor and Company of the Massachusetts 
 Bay, in New England." At the moment of which we are 
 speaking, it was appropriated to a meeting of the Court of 
 Assistants of the Colony. 
 
 The person occupying the arm-chair, on the platform, was a 
 man of not unpleasing appearance, somewhat less than fifty years 
 of age, and dressel with considerable piecision in the style pre- 
 vailing among gentlemen of distinction at that day. His face 
 was rather long, and surmounted by a high and well developed 
 forehead, from tlie top of which, dark, parted hair fell in curls 
 down the temples over awhite ruff, fringed with costly lace, that 
 encircled his neck. His eyes were blue ; his eye-brows highly 
 arched ; his nose large ; beard covered the upper lip and chin ; 
 and so far as an opinion could be formed, from his sitting pos- 
 ture, he was tall and well-made. The expression of his counte- 
 nance was gentle, and there was an air of introspection and 
 abstraction about it as if he were much in the habit of com- 
 muning with his own thoughts. The upper part of his person, 
 which only was visible, the rest being hid by the table and de- 
 pending cloth, was clothed in a black coat or doublet, without 
 ornament or even the appearance of a button, and at his side 
 he wore a rapier, evidently more as a badge of his rank than for 
 use. 
 
 Seated at his right hand, and below the platform, was a man 
 a dozen years at least his elder, whose stout look and fiery 
 glances indicated that if time had grizzled his thick and close 
 cut hair, it had not quenched the heat of his spirit. Like the 
 gentleman first described, he was dressed in sad-colored garments, 
 differing but little from them, except that instead of a ruflf, he 
 wore a plain Avhite band, falling upon hi? In-east, cut somewhat
 
 THE KN1GUT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 23 
 
 like those worn by clergymen at the present day, but longer, and 
 passing round the neck and covering the collar of the coat. 
 .Although the oldest of the company, he seemed to have himself 
 the least under control, continually moving in his chair, drawing 
 forward and pushing away the sheets of paper that lay before 
 him, and now and then darting an impatient glance at the per- 
 son in the arm-chair, from whom it would wander over his com- 
 panions, and then fasten on the door. 
 
 The third and last gentleman whom we think proper to des- 
 cribe, was a man of about the age of the first, but utterly unlike 
 him. His head was covered with a black skull cap, (probably 
 to protect his baldness,) beneath which, rose ears more prominent 
 than ornamental, being very little relieved by the hair, which 
 was cropped short. His complexion was florid, and the parts of 
 the face, about the chin and jaws, full and heavy, giving an 
 appearance of great roundness to the countenance. His features 
 were regular, the mouth small and compressed, and on the upper 
 lip he wore a moustache, parted in the centre, and brushed out 
 horizontally, balanced by a tuft on the chin, four or five inches 
 long. An adventurous spirit gazed out of his clear steady eyes, 
 and altogether he looked like a man of determined temper, and 
 one who, having once formed a resolution, would find it difficult 
 to relinquish it. Around his neck he also had a broad band, 
 divided in the middle, and falling half way down his breast. 
 The remainder of the persons around the table bore the same 
 general resemblance to these three, in dress, that one gentleman 
 ordinarily does to another, and all were engaged in conversation. 
 
 Presently the gentleman in the arm-chair, who was evidently 
 the President, took up a small bell that was placed before him, 
 and sounding it, the summons was replied to by the entrance of 
 a -.nan from a side-door. lie was the servitor or beadle of the 
 Court, and moving to the end of the table opposite the President, 
 he stood facing him and waiting his commands.
 
 24: THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Bring in the prisoner," said the President, in a low tone, but 
 so distinct that it was heard all over the room. 
 
 The beadle noiselessly glided out, and in a few moments re- 
 turned, leading a man, whose wrists were fastened with gyves, 
 whom he conducted to the end of the table he had just left, and 
 placed so as to confront the President. 
 
 " Take off the irons," said the same, low, musical voice. 
 
 The man, thus unpleasantly introduced, was in the prime of 
 life, certainly not more than thirty-five or six years of age, and 
 from his bold and erect carriage, seemed (as was the fact) to have 
 been bred a soldier. Upon the order to take off the shackles 
 being complied with, he cast a look of acknowledgment toward 
 the speaker. 
 
 " Master Nowell," said the President, " read the accusation." 
 
 The person addressed, who was the Clerk or Secretary, rose 
 hereupon from his seat near the centre of the table, and read 
 " the information," which it is unnecessary to give at length, 
 charging the prisoner with using most foul, scandalous, indecent, 
 defamatory, and unseemly invectives, reproaches, and passionate 
 speeches, toward and against the worshipful magistrates and 
 godly ministers of the colony, thereby contriving and design- 
 ing to bring into contempt, all law, order, religion, and good 
 government, &c., and to subvert the authority of the magistrates 
 and undermine the wholesome influence of the godly ministers, 
 &c., to the disgrace and ruin of the colony and scandal of true 
 religion, &c. 
 
 When the paper had been read, the President demanded 
 " Are you guilty or not ?" 
 
 " I am as innocent as the worshipful Governor himself, and 
 whoever wrote those lies, is a villain and a foresworn knave," 
 replied the prisoner. 
 
 " Enter that the prisoner says he is not guilty," said the Presi- 
 dent, addressing the- Secretary ; " and do thou, Philip Joy, re-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICB. 25 
 
 member where them art, and express thyself in a manner more 
 becoming this presence." 
 
 " It is hard to be tied up like a mad dog and not get angry," 
 replied the accused. 
 
 "Sirrah!" cried the gentleman, whose appearance was des- 
 cribed next after the President, " dost tliou bring a contumacious 
 spirit here to bandy words with the right worshipful Governor ? 
 Silence, and answer peremptorily to the questions of thy 
 betters." 
 
 " Nay, worthy Deputy Governor Dudley, the poor man is, I 
 doubt not, already sensible of his error, and sinned more out of 
 ignorance than design," observed the President. 
 
 "The honored Governor," spoke an assistant from near the 
 bottom of the table, " is, I fear, disposed to be too lenient in res- 
 pect of these foul-mouthed carrion." 
 
 " Our law condemns no man unheard, nor will I be more stern," 
 answered the mild Governor Winthrop, (for it was he). "It 
 seems to me to be the part of a judge to allow no harsh suspi- 
 cions to enter his mind, lest they throw baleful shadows over his 
 decisions. Philip Joy," he added, turning to the prisoner, "thou 
 hast declared thyself innocent ; wilt thou be tried by a jury, or 
 art content to trust thy cause to the judgment of the honorable 
 Court of Assistants ?" 
 
 " I care not who tries me," replied Joy. " I am a true man ; 
 and, though I don't belong to the congregation, am as honest as 
 a great many who do, and he is a horrid villain, who " 
 
 " Enough," interrupted the Governor, " a quick tongue often 
 prejudices, while a slow one seldom doth. Do I understand that 
 it is thy desire to be tried by the As.-istan; 
 
 " It is not my desire to be tried by any one," said Joy ; "but, 
 sith I am to be put on rny deliverance, I think that I shall stand 
 a better chance in the hands of honorable gentlemen, some of 
 whom have been soldiers, than in the dirty paws of tinkers, and 
 cobblers, and mere mechanicals."
 
 26 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 No smile mantled over the faces of his grave judges, but it was 
 obvious, from the twinkling of eyes and glances shot by one to 
 another, that the speech of Joy had done him no harm with those 
 who, even thus early, began to feel annoyed at the approach of 
 the clouted shoe. 
 
 " Art thou prepared for thy trial ?" inquired the President. 
 
 " At any moment, and the sooner the better, your worship. 
 I had rather mount guard, for a week, in steel helmet and corse- 
 let, with breast, back, culet, gorget, tasses, sword, musket and 
 bandoliers, in the hottest sun that ever roasted a blackamoor, or 
 stand up to my knees, six months, in snow, without my mandil- 
 ion, than lie a day longer in that ace I mean that kennel of a 
 lock-up." 
 
 " It, meseems, thou art in a hurry to have justice done thee, 
 good fellow," said, with a grim smile, the gentleman who was the 
 third one described, stroking, with his embroidered glove, the 
 tuft of hair that hung below his chin. 
 
 " You are a soldier, Captain Endicott, and can look a man 
 straight in the eyes," said Joy ; " and, though people give you 
 credit for a hot temper, I will trust you." 
 
 Endicott elevated his eye-brows at this ambiguous compliment, 
 and for a moment seemed at a loss how to take it, especially as 
 he remarked a peculiar expression on the faces of his colleagues. 
 
 " Being a soldier thyself," he replied, fastening his eyes sternly 
 on the face of the prisoner, " thou art bound to know that it 
 becomes not one in the ranks to prattle." 
 
 Joy made no answer, but returned a cool and unabashed look 
 to the gnze of the other. 
 
 <k If the witnesses have been called, let them appear," said the 
 President. 
 
 Two men, of a rather mean appearance, now stepped forward ; 
 an oath by the uplifted hand was administered, and one com- 
 menced liis testimony. 
 
 The substance of his story was, that Joy, on a certain occa-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 27 
 
 sion, and, at a certain place, in his presence and hearing, had 
 declared, with a profane exclamation, that there were men in the 
 colony, wiser, and more learned, than either the magistrates or 
 
 ministers ; and that, between them both, what with their long 
 prayers and intermeddling in every body's affairs, they were like 
 to ruin the plantation. 
 
 Upon the conclusion of the testimony, the witness was sharply 
 cross-questioned by Governor Winthrop, and some inquires were 
 made by various Assistants, but nothing further was elicited. As 
 for Jov, he disdained to ask a question, declaring that his accuser, 
 Timpson, had already boon in the stocks for leasing ; and, bell's, 
 had been cudgelled by himself for stealing. 
 
 Ilezekiah Timpson, a villainous, lean, crop-haired fellow, with 
 a hang-dog look, and sanctimonious air. upon hearing himself 
 charged with delinquencies, which were notorious to the whole 
 Court, raised to heaven his eyes, which, until now, he had kept 
 fastened on the floor, and. sighing deeply, exclaimed : 
 
 " I do confess my iniquities and my sins are ever before me. 
 Verily, was I then given over to Satan to be buffeted but by free- 
 grace have I been snatched, as a brand from the burning, even 
 as I yet hope to see thee, Pi ilip." 
 
 ' Canting rogue. [ want none of thy hopes, good or bad," 
 said Joy. 
 
 Cease thy reviling," cried Dudley, starting from his seat. 
 " What ! are we to sit here to listen to malapert, railings against 
 men of godly life and conversation ?" he added, addressing him- 
 self to Winthrop. But before the Governor could reply, one of 
 the Assistants interposed. 
 
 ki Let the poor man unbosom himself freely," he said, " that 
 the whole truth may come to light." 
 
 ' Our Worshipful brother Spikeman," answered the Deputy 
 
 :ior. with a sneer, (which he did not attempt to suppress.) 
 
 ' was not always ready to allow such free-speech, as witness the
 
 28 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 case of Martin Wrexham, banished for speaking to his dispar- 
 agement." 
 
 " I trust that I shall be able to give the worshipful Deputy 
 Governor such reasons for my conduct, as will satisfy him,'' said 
 Spikeman. 
 
 Dalley threw himself back into his chair, as if not half sut's- 
 fied ; and Winthrop, who had calmly listened to the colloquy, 
 took advantage of the pause that ensued, to direct the other 
 witness to testify, 
 
 From the examination, it appeared that he had been present 
 at the conversation referred to by Timpson, that, indeed, it was 
 between Joy and himself, and that the former had not been 
 aware of the presence of the informer, until on turning round, when 
 Timpson was standing at his elbow. He recollected nothing said 
 by Joy about the ministers, except that he had, any day, rather 
 listen to one of Corporal Joly's songs, than Mr. Cotton's long ser- 
 mons ; nor respecting the magistrates, but that there were better 
 judges in England. 
 
 The testimony being concluded, the prisoner was asked what 
 he had to say for himself, to which he replied : 
 
 " Only that .Hezekiah Timpson was an eves-dropping, lying 
 villain, and that the other witness had told the truth. He meant 
 no harm by anything he had said." 
 
 " Dost think it advisable to retract anything ?" inquired 
 Spikeman. 
 
 " I know not why I should deny the truth," answered Joy. 
 
 " llemand the prisoner, and clear the court-room," cried the 
 President ; and Joy was accordingly led out, followed by the 
 spectators. 
 
 As soon as the members of the Court were left to themselves, 
 Winthrop began to collect the opinions of the Assistants, com- 
 mencing wit!) the youngest, who were placed most remote from 
 him. At first, a considerable diversity of sentiment prevailed,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 29 
 
 several seeming disposed to discredit Timpson, and to acquit Joy. 
 They pronounced their opinions shortly and pithily, giving their 
 reasons in a few words, until it came to Spikeman's turn, -who 
 spoke more at length. 
 
 " The vice," he said, " of backbiting godly ministers, and ma- 
 ligning magistrates, had risen, in consequence of the mistaken 
 leniency of the Court, to an alarming height, so as to threaten 
 the very foundations of their government. There was not a 
 Satan-instigated railing Rabsheka, who did not now have his 
 daily fling at the servants of the Lord, engaged in much tribula- 
 tion in planting his vineyard, and there were many saints who 
 were already calling out, O Lord, how long ! They had them- 
 selves just been witnesses of the audacity, wherewith, in the very 
 presence of the right worshipful Governor, and the worshipful 
 Assistants, the prisoner had assumed to sit in judgment upon a 
 member of the congregation, and to foul him with abuse. Never 
 had he dared to exhibit such topping insolence, had he not sup- 
 posed himself supported by a mutinous spirit from without. It was 
 a dangerous spirit which, if inflamed by indulgence, would become 
 a deadly boil to poison the whole body politic. Prick therefore 
 the imposthume at once, and, like wise surgeons, let out the 
 offensive matter. He was not surprised at the indignation of the 
 worthy Deputy. It was a zeal unto godliness, and devoutly did 
 he wish, that himself, and '.,11, were more inspired with it. When 
 he had asked that the prisoner might be permitted to speak freely, 
 it was that every Assistant might be convinced by his own ears 
 of the boldness wherewith rebellion to constituted authority, im- 
 pudently bursting from the bottomless pit, ventured to obtrude 
 into a court of justice, and to boast of its misdeeds. Was a child 
 of the covenant of grace, and our brother in Christ, to be re- 
 proached with the sins which he had committed when in the gall 
 of bitterness and bonds of iniquity, and which had been washed 
 out by the blood of the New-Testament? Nay, then, give a
 
 30 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELTCE. 
 
 universal license to every lewd fellow, to rake up the sins of your 
 youth, and let him send to England- -that England which spewed 
 us out ot her mouth, as if we were not the children of her bowels 
 to obtain the proofs. Had there been no word of evidence, the 
 bare conduct of the .prisoner before them was enough to satisfy 
 them of his dangerous character, and he should feel his conscience 
 accusing him of failure in his obligations to the Church and the 
 Colony, were he not to advise exemplary punishment, whereof 
 banishment would be a necessary but the slightest part. 
 
 The speech of Spikeman was evidently acceptable to a ma- 
 jority of the Assistants. It appealed to the fanaticism of some, 
 and to the fears of others ; but there were some on whom it 
 produced no such effect. Captain Endicott, fierce zealot as he 
 was, found in it something disagreeable. As his manner was, 
 he stroked with his hand the long tuft on his chin, before he 
 commenced speaking: 
 
 " There are things," he said, " in the speech of the worship- 
 ful brother whereof I approve, and others, again, whereunto I 
 may not give my assent. Though it may savor of worldly pride, 
 and be proof of the old Adam lingering in me, I will say, that 
 however guilty in the sight of God, before whom I acknowledge 
 myself the chief of sinners, I challenge before man an examina- 
 tion of my life, and fear no evil report from England or else- 
 where. But for this self-boasting, I crave the pardon and 
 prayers of my brethren. Touching the prisoner, which is the 
 matter in hand, I find him somewhat bold, and not altogether in 
 other respects what I de-sire, but yet not worthy of severe punish- 
 im-nt, or likely to be a dangerous person in the Commonwealth. 
 AY here need requires, I trust, with preventing grace, never to 
 be deficient in prompt and energetic action, but no necessity 
 therefor hath, in my judgment, at present arisen. For, as for 
 this young man, ye are to recollect that he is a soldier, and that 
 a stout cue, aud may yet do the ComiuouwcaHh service in her
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICK. 31 
 
 defence, whereunto I doubt not his willingness, and that his free 
 speech doth proceed rather from the license of camps than from 
 malignity of temper. Moreover, I find not the rule of Scripture 
 whereby we are bound that by the mouth of two or three wit- 
 nesses every word shall be established altogether complied with, 
 meaning not, thereby, to impugn the statement of our brother of 
 the congregation, worthy good man Timpson, but only that his 
 words are not confirmed as our law requires." 
 
 Thus spoke Enclicott, who was afterwards so notorious for 
 his severities against dissidents ; but these sentiments found no 
 echo in the mind of the Deputy Governor. 
 
 " I thank God," he said, " that however gross and innumera- 
 ble my errors and backslidings, I am no libertine." (Here Endi- 
 cott's eyes flashed, but he contented himself with stroking, in a 
 musing manner, the long tuft of hair on his chin.) " The 
 evil we are called upon by the united voice of the suffering saints 
 in this wilderness to suppress," continued Dudley, " demands, I 
 trow, sharper practice than has hitherto been applied, and I do 
 admire at the milk-and-water temper of the worthy Assistant at 
 this present. Not thus is he wont to speak, but in the common 
 is zealous even unto slaving. 'NVhat incantation or witch of 
 Endor hath blinded him, I know not." 
 
 The blood mounted into the face of Endicott, for he, as well 
 as the others present, understood the remark to refer to the young 
 and gentle wife of the ex-Governor of Salem, and who was sup- 
 posed to exert a great influence in soothing the fierceness of his 
 disposition, (alas, if it were so, how short a time that influence 
 lasted !) and many Avere the smiles that circled the table, but 
 AViiithrop, apprehensive of a storm, interposed. 
 
 " My worthy friend," he said, " can surely intend no disrespect 
 toward one of the stoutest champions of our Israel. Doubtless 
 he will be able so to explain his words, as to make their meaning 
 innocent."
 
 32 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " I complain not," burst forth Endicott. "If it were lawful 
 to try conclusions hi the manner of the Gentiles, and he a fit man 
 for me to deal with, his lips should never repeat such vitupera- 
 tions ;" and as he concluded, he threw one of his embroidered 
 gloves violently on the table before Dudley, who sat opposite. 
 |j^ "Peace, gentlemen," cried Winthrop, rising with dignity, and 
 looking alternately at one and the other. " Forget not that ye 
 are brethren, and that upon your harmony depends the pros- 
 perity of our Zion. If ye who are of the household of faith 
 permit idle bickerings to divide your hearts, how can ye expect 
 the blessing of Heaven on your labors ? If the cement to hold 
 together the stones of the temple be untempered mortar, must 
 not the fabric fall, and bury the worshippers in its ruins ? If 
 you love me, Captain Endicott, my brave and generous, but 
 hasty friend, take up your glove ; if you have respect for the 
 high station you so worthily fill, noble Dudley, extend your hand 
 in token of amity, and assure our brother that no offence was 
 designed." 
 
 : The time occupied by the governor had afforded opportunity 
 for the passions of the two gentlemen to cool, and for them to 
 become sensible of the unbecoming parts they were playing. 
 As if they had at the same instant arrived at a like conclusion, 
 Endicott reached forward to pick up his gauntlet, while Dudley 
 stretched out his open palm. It was grasped by the other, and 
 the two men wrung each other's hand as if whatever might be 
 their private quarrels, they were resolved to stand by one another 
 against the rest of the world. 
 
 " I crave forgiveness," said Dudley, at the same time resuming 
 his seat and speech, " of the honorable Assistants in general, 
 and of my excellent brother Endicott in particular, and beseech 
 them to ascribe the vehemency of my speech to no want of re- 
 spect for them, but to my zeal in the common service, and to a
 
 THE KXIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 33 
 
 natural impetuosity, I solemnly protest that my observation 
 pointed at nothing offensive, and that come whence it might, I 
 would resent a wrong to my honored brother as quickly as to 
 myself. Yet I will say, that I marvel that one so familiar with 
 the nature of wounds as my honorable and dear friend, the 
 worthy founder of our infant commonwealth, (and this is an 
 ancient and increasing evil,) should uot know that old wounds 
 require rather vinegar than oil, the cautery instead of unguents. 
 As a member of the persecuted Church, I will not allow the de- 
 clarations of a brother of that holy and mystical body to be 
 overborne and set at naught by an ill liver like this Philip Joy. 
 I say that men have become too free in uttering their licentious 
 imaginations about those who are placed by God's Providence 
 above them for their soul's good and bodies' health, and that an 
 example should be made to repress the gossip of light tongues 
 and evil thinkers. In punishing this Joy, (who might more 
 properly be called mourning,) we exalt the honor of the con- 
 gregation, one of whose sons, even in your presence, and with 
 intent to dishonor you, he has abused with perverse epithets, 
 while at the same time we strike a wholesome terror into others 
 in like case to offend." 
 
 He ceased, and looked around as if to gather the suffrages of 
 his associates, but since the little interruption to their harmony, 
 the wary Assistants were too politic, by word or sign, to betray 
 a bias, so that he beheld only downcast eyes, and countenances 
 purposely vacant, in order to conceal the thoughts of their 
 owners. 
 
 It was now the turn of the. Governor to express his opinion, 
 u id as he opened his lips, all eyes were fastened on him. His 
 manner was grave, yet soft and persuasive, and a desire was 
 manifest to pursue a course whicli should offend none, but recon- 
 cile differences by yielding something to all. 
 
 " Twnultuosa libertas" (he said, commencing his remarks with 
 
 2
 
 84: THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 a Latin quotation,) " tranquilitati probrofce antrponcnda est, and in 
 the lively observations we have heard, I mark not the signs of 
 dissension, but of free thought, having in view the honor of God 
 and the welfare of his little flock scattered abroad in a strange 
 land. But the good shepherd will yet gather the dispersed into 
 his arms, and gently lead them through green pastures and by 
 still waters. Our Israel owes you thanks, brethren, for the 
 vigilance wherewith ye watch the walls of Jerusalem, and are 
 quick to spy the lurking wolf and ravening bear. If the watch- 
 men sleep, what shall become of the city ? But her strong 
 towers of defence and bulwarks are ye, emulous only to show 
 your love. 
 
 " It hath been said to come more immediately to the matter 
 in hand that the vice of evil speaking of dignities had greatly 
 increased, and needed to be repressed. It is so, and cannot be 
 denied; and I would thereupon note a caution to my brethren, 
 and that is, the necessity of rather discouraging that d^mocratical 
 spirit which is threatening to sweep away all distinctions, and to 
 strip the Assistants themselves of necessary power. It is an 
 insubordination, whereof foul breaths, licentious imaginations, 
 and undisciplined tongues, are the inciters and fomeuters. Now, 
 if one can legitimately be proved guilty of the offence, I would 
 be forward as well for the salutary discipline of the offender as 
 highest, weal of the state, to visit him with a due measure of 
 punishment. But it behooves the court to see that the charge is 
 proved. 
 
 " In the present case, even although the testimony of the prin 
 cipal witness were thrown out, which, howbeit, cannot be done, 
 he standing unimpeached before us, yet there remains sufficient 
 from the testimony of the second, the truth of which is not denied 
 by the prisoner, to convince us that something light and trivial has 
 been uttered reflecting upon the godly Mr. Cotton, whose edifying 
 discourses were degraded beneatb^the value of a song. ^ This is
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 35 
 
 in a manner to impeach the sanctity of religion, by making light 
 of the character of her ministers. As for what the prisoner said 
 touching the magistrates, I trust that it is true, and am disposed 
 to connect no evil intent therewith. My judgment is to pro- 
 nounce him guilty of using indecorous language respecting a 
 minister of the gospel, and to condemn him therefor in a light 
 fine, to help replenish our lean treasury." 
 
 " Did not the right worshipful Governor remark the profane 
 exclamation of the prisoner even in this presence?" inquired 
 Spikeman. 
 
 " None, Master Spikeman," answered Winthrop. " I did indeed 
 observe that the prisoner, in one instance, commenced what I 
 supposed was the word c accursed,' but checked himself in mid 
 utterance as if sensible that it was unmeet to be spoken, which 
 rather savors of respect than of the contrary." 
 
 But the Assistant shook his head. " I have seldom seen," he 
 said, " a upre stiff-necked and perverse offender, and one more 
 deserving of many stripes." 
 
 Hereupon followed a discussion of some length, which termi- 
 nated favorably to the opinions of the Deputy Governor and 
 of the Assisf&nt Spikeman, and it was finally agreed that Joy 
 should be found guilty, generally, and condemned to be confined 
 for the space of one month, in irons, to a fine of 5, and to 
 banishment from the colony. This result was not attained 
 without strong resistance from Winthrop, who strove to mitigate 
 the punishment to a fine, and from Endicott, who endeavored to 
 obtain remission of the banishment ; but in vain the vehemence 
 of Dudley, and the insinuations of Spikeman, overbore all op- 
 pofftion. 
 
 Upon the conclusion being arrived at, Joy was placed again 
 before the Governor, who, with a grieved look, pronounced sen- 
 tence, and immediately dismissed the Court.
 
 L [ CHAPTER H. 
 
 A gentle knight was pricking on the plaine. 
 
 SPINCIE. 
 
 ON the morning of a fine day, a fortnight after the occur- 
 rences above narrated, a horseman was riding over the neck, or 
 narrow strip of marshy ground, which connects the peninsula on 
 which Boston is situated with the main land. The rider was a 
 tall, handsome man, of apparently some thirty -five years of age, 
 who sat on his steed and handled the reins with a practiced 
 grace, as if the saddle and himself were familiar acquaintances. 
 Under a broad-brimmed, slouched hat, fell curls of dark hair, 
 down the sides of an oval though rather thin face, embrowned 
 by exposure to the weather. The nose was curved like the beak 
 of an eagle, the eyes bright and wild as those of the royal bird, 
 and a close beard curled over the face, including the upper lip, 
 the bold yet sweet expression of which it did not conceal. 
 
 The dress of the cavalier was in the fashion of the times, 
 though sobered down, either for the purpose of attracting less 
 attention, or out of deference to the customs of the people he 
 was among. A close fitting doublet or jerkin, of black velvet, 
 over which was thrown a light cloak of the same color, but of 
 different material, and a falling collar, shaped somewhat like 
 those in Vandyke's portraits, edged with a narrow peccadillo or 
 fringe of lace, ornamented the upper part of his person ; his 
 hands and wrists were protected by long gloves or gauntlets, 
 reaching half way up to the elbow, and opening wide at the top ;
 
 38 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 russet-colored boots expanded at the aperture and garnished 
 with spurs reached high up the legs, and a small cut and thrust 
 sword, suspended by a belt, which was also russet-colored, hung 
 at his side. The handle of the sword was exquisitely beautiful, 
 worthy of being the work of Cellini himself. It was mostly of 
 massive gold, the hilt smooth and shining, and the guard em- 
 bossed with a variety of elegant devices. But the part which 
 first arrested attention and attracted the most admiration was the 
 head, whereupon was sculptured a gigantic honey-bee, with wings 
 expanded, as if about to fly from its perch ; the eyes were sparkling 
 diamonds, the body was composed of different colored metals, in 
 imitation of life and the whole so cunningly wrought, that it 
 seemed a living bee about to mount into the air. The man rode 
 and looked as if not anticipating, and incapable of fearing, dan- 
 ger, carelessly glancing round, while the noble animal he bestrode, 
 as if he had caught the spirit of his rider, stepped high and gal- 
 lantly along. But in truth there was little or no danger, the 
 white settlers being, at the time, at peace with the neighboring 
 Indian tribes. 
 
 It was a mere bridle-path the horseman was following, which 
 wound about in various directions, in order to avoid marshy 
 ground, or trunks of trees, or other obstacles, and appeared to 
 be perfectly familiar to the horse, who trotted on without any 
 guidance from his rider. As for the latter, as if to beguile the 
 tediousness of the way, he would pat at one moment the neck of 
 his dumb companion, and address a few words to him, and at 
 the next, break out into snatches- of song. Thus he proceeded 
 until he emerged from the woods, and an open space, the site of 
 the future city of Boston, once the cornfields of warlike tribes, 
 mysteriously removed by pestilence, in order as to the excited 
 imaginations of the early settlers it saemed, to make room for the 
 fugitives, lay spread before him. 
 
 The rider stopped his horse, and for some moments sat in
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 39 
 
 silence gazing on the scene. From the eminence, to whose top 
 he had ridden, declined before him the sloping hills, on whose 
 sides open cultivated spaces were interspersed \\i h woof's. On 
 the waters' dge, for the most part, were scattered the houses of 
 the coloni-ts, the majority of them rude huts, made of unhewn 
 logs, with here and there a frame building, or a, brick or stone 
 house of less humble pretensions, while beyond, rolled the spark- 
 ling waves of the bay, sprinkled with " a great company of 
 islands, whose high cliffs shoulder out the boisterous seas," as the 
 old chronicler Wood expresses it, and rocking a few small ves- 
 sels lying at anchor. He who viewed the region that morning, 
 must have had a brilliant imagination to dream of the magnifi- 
 cent cities destined to stud those coasts, and of the millions to 
 fill those extensive forests within two hundred years. Westward, 
 indeed, the star of Empire had taken its way, and the wise men 
 of the East were following its heavenly guidance; but who knew 
 it then ? 
 
 At last, excited by the view and his thoughts, the rider rose 
 in his stirrups, and stretching out his arms, gave expression, in a 
 low voice, to his feelings 
 
 " Well may these men, who hope to found a new dynasty, be 
 proud of the lovely land which they have chosen for a refuge ! 
 If iron resolution, scorn of delights and contempt of death could 
 do it, they would accomplish the emprise metis Fhomme propose 
 et Dicu dispose. Without the directing mind and sustaining arm 
 of the source of all wisdom and power, in vain is the labor of 
 man. Ruin and disgrace shall overwhelm all undertakings not 
 founded on the Rock of Ages. With what great events teems 
 the bosom of futurity ? O, that my eyes could pierce the misty 
 distance.; that my dim presaging soul could behold the stately 
 advance of the coining centuries, whose sounding feet I fancy 
 that I can hear ! Bear they in their hands weal or woe to 
 humanity ? Hath the creative energy set a limit, beyond which
 
 40 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the tide of human accomplishment, like the hidden power in 
 yonder heaving ocean, may not rise; but, having reached its des- 
 tined apex, must, with hoarse murmur?, recoil back upon itself in 
 disordered fragments t or in these later times, when men were ripe 
 for the blessing, revealed to the world these virgin regions, sepa- 
 rated from the vices of Europe and of the East by a mighty sea, 
 here to recommence that experiment which hath partially failed 
 elsewhere, and imparted sufficient measure of His spirit to chosen 
 instruments to work out the problem of human happiness, and to 
 conduct mankind to heights of felicity, beginning here and never 
 ending"? the bare contemplation whereof causes my flesh to quiver 
 with delight." 
 
 As he uttered these words, forgetful of his situation, he stuck 
 the spurs into his horse's flanks, and the astonished animal 
 started with a bound. It was then the consummate address 
 wherewith the stranger sat, his horse specially exhibited itself. 
 As if the feeling of the startled steed were instantly communi- 
 cated to himself, and one spirit animated both, his body bent 
 gently forward in the saddle, catching at once the motion, and 
 accommodating itself thereto, so that the rider appeared as 
 firmly fastened, and as much at his ease, as though he were a 
 part of the animal. After half a dozen plunges, and some 
 soothing words, the excited horse having expressed his displea- 
 sure by snorts, frequent and loud at first, but gradually decreas- 
 ing in rapidity and loudness, yielded to the strong arm of his 
 master, and reduced his pace to the long trot at which he had 
 before proceeded. 
 
 " My noble Mourad," said the rider, patting the steed's neck, 
 and addressing him as if capable of understanding language 
 " I wonder not at thine astonishment ; but when these thoughts 
 possess me, I am oblivious of everything else. I will be more 
 heedful henceforth, nor allow splendid imaginations to prick 
 thine innocent sides."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN M3LICE. 41 
 
 The flexible ears of Mourad moved backward and forward 
 while his rider was speaking, his dilated eyes glanced repeatedly 
 back at him, and he shook his head as if not half satisfied with 
 the apology. 
 
 And now the stranger, leisurely advancing, soon reached the 
 little collection of houses. Guiding his horse carefully through 
 the unpaved streets, and avoiding the stumps of trees which were 
 occasionally to be met, he stopped at a house of somewhat more 
 imposing appearance than the rest. It was of wood, like most 
 of the other dwellings, and differed from thorn principally in 
 being larger. It could not be said to belong to any order or style 
 of architecture, but bore a general resemblance to buildings erected 
 in England at the time. It stood with its gable-ends, three in 
 number, to the street, the roof rising up steeply, and making a 
 considerable garret, the side of the gable-ends projecting over 
 the second story, as did also that over the first. The windows 
 were of a square form, with small diamond-shaped panes, open- 
 ing by hinges at the sides, and there was but one entrance in 
 front, to protect which a small verandah or porch was thrown 
 across the building. Two men, in the ordinary dre.ss and equip- 
 ments of soldiers of the period, their clumsy muskets leaning 
 against the side, were seated on a bench near the entrance, and 
 by their presence indicated the residence of Governor Winthrop. 
 
 " Is the right worshipful Governor at home so that he may be 
 seen ?" inquired the stranger, as he dismounted from the horse, 
 whose bridle was held by one of the soldiers. 
 
 " He is at home, and may be seen, Sir Christopher," replied 
 one of the men. " I will conduct you to his presence." 
 
 So saying, the soldier opened the door, and preceding the 
 visitor, ushered him into a hall some ten feet wide, and thence 
 into a small ante-room, or room of reception, where he was 
 entreated to be seated, while his arrival should be announced. 
 It required but a moment, which was the whole time of the sol- 
 
 2*
 
 42 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 dier's absence, for the stranger to take a survey of the room 
 wherein he sat. 
 
 It was not more than twelve or fifteen feet square, and destitute 
 of paper or hangings, and the floor, like that of the hall, was 
 bare, and made of coarsely-planed boards, it had two doors, 
 one opening into the hall and another into an adjoining room, 
 and was lighted by a single window. Its furniture consisted of 
 only a few wooden chairs and benches. 
 
 " The right worshipful Governor directs me to invite you to 
 him," said the messenger, throwing open the second door above 
 mentioned. 
 
 The stranger rose, and crossing with a stately step the ante- 
 chamber, followed the soldier into the adjoining apartment. 
 
 " Welcome, Sir Christopher," exclaimed the Governor, rising 
 from a desk, at which he had been writing, and advancing with 
 extended hand to his visitor, "I am honored in seeing you again 
 in my poor house." 
 
 " Pie may deem himself a minion of fortune," courteously re- 
 plied the stranger addressed as Sir Christopher, grasping the 
 offered hand, " who either in this far wilderness or in the proud 
 streets of London, is privileged to exchange salutations of friend- 
 ship with so worthy and every way accomplished a gentleman as 
 the honored chief magistrate of this colony." 
 
 " Alas ! I fear," rejoined "Winthrop, taking a seat, after first 
 formally seating the other, " alas ! I fear that my shoulders are 
 too weak for so great a burden. Were it not for the prize of 
 the high calling set before me, and the sweet refreshment some- 
 times breathed into me by the Spirit, I should faint beneath its 
 weight." 
 
 " We are commanded neither to faint nor to be weary of well- 
 doing," said Sir Christopher, " with comfortable assurances that 
 as is our need, so shall our strength be. But, honored sir, I 
 much mistake the nobility of your mind, if you would be willing
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 43 
 
 to exchange your high place for a meaner lot. I thank God that 
 you are placed upon an eminence to be a tower of strength to 
 those who do well, and a terror to the evil." 
 
 " Better," replied Winthrop, " is the humble cottage than the 
 lordly structure whereunto your poetical and extravagant polite- 
 ness hath likened me. Remember," he added, with a smile, 
 wherein there was some bitterness mingled with its melancholy, 
 for he had of late been annoyed by the rougher nature of Dudley, 
 and the jealousy of some of the Assistants, " altce turrcs cadunt 
 dam humiles ca&oe slant" 
 
 " Noble sir," said Sir Christopher, " be not cast down. The 
 foundations of your house are built upon a basis too broad and 
 firm to be blown down by the disorderly breaths of lackeys and 
 trencher-scrapers. Pardon me, if in my zeal I apply igno- 
 minious terms to your enemies." 
 
 " There be those to be ranked in that category who yet in no 
 wise deserve such epithets," answered the generous Governor. 
 " Were opposition to come only from so base a quarter, little 
 should I heed, and rather consider it an incitement to keener 
 action ; but there are also choice spirits, elect vessels, pillars of 
 the congregation, men inspired with godly zeal, who are per- 
 suaded themselves, and would persuade others, that I am luke- 
 warm in the cause, and bear the sword in vain." 
 
 " If the peevish captiousness of these persons is greatly to 
 influence, I will not say over-awe you, noble sir," said Sir Chris- 
 topher, " I tremble lest the errand of mercy whereon I come 
 should fail of its purpose." 
 
 " Ever true to the principle of the Me/Ucrcra," said the Gov- 
 ernor, smiling " what can the Knight of the Golden Melice crave 
 which John Winthrop can deny ?" 
 
 The Knight of the Golden Mti/Uacra, or Melice, as he was 
 commonly called, meaning thereby the Knight of the Golden 
 Honey-Bee, aud who, by wearing conspicuously about his person.
 
 44 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEX MELICE. 
 
 the device or badge adopted when he received the order of knight- 
 hood, only complied with the fantastic notions of the times, 
 gazed a moment at the figure of the bee on the handle of his 
 sword, before replying : 
 
 " The golden bee does indeed remind me,'' he said, " that even 
 as he, in the summer of his days, collects the yellow treasure 
 which is to sustain him in the death of winter, so should I, while 
 the day is mine, be busy to perform the will of Him who hath 
 called me to a post in his creation, that I be not ashamed in the 
 grave. I came to ask a favor in behalf of the soldier Philip Joy." 
 
 The eyes of Winthrop, which, while the knight was speaking, 
 had been fastened on his face, fell upon the rich Turkey carpet 
 that, with its intricate figures and varied dies, covered, in place 
 of a modern cloth, the table supporting the desk whereat he had 
 been writing. 
 
 " The soldier," he said, at last, slowly, " is enduring the punish- 
 ment awarded to him by the Court of Assistants." 
 
 " A harsh and cruel sentence," said the knight, "and one at 
 the infliction whereof I know your noble nature relucted." 
 
 " I may not, without censure of my own conscience, hear those 
 who are associated with me in the government blamed." 
 
 " I would not trespass on the bounds of courteous license, but 
 cannot believe that your gentle temper approves of proceedings 
 at once severe and impolitic." 
 
 " It becomes me not," said Winthrop, modestly, " to set up my 
 sentiments against the opinion of a majority. This is not the 
 government of one man, and I am, as I may say, it being properly 
 understood, only primus inter pares." 
 
 " Then avouch yourself to some purpose to be truly primus, 
 and by your kingly mercy not only put to silence the unruly 
 tongues of men complaining of harshness not without reason, but 
 also take away the occasion for reproach." 
 
 " Hitherto," said Winthrop, " you have spoken in riddles,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 45 
 
 though they are not hard to be guessed ; but, nevertheless, let 
 me entreat you to explicate, in plainer phrase, your meaning, 
 and reveal your full desire." 
 
 " I came, then," answered the knight, " to solicit the full par- 
 don of Joy." 
 
 " It may not be. Though the right to pardon would seem in- 
 herent in him to \vhose hands is entrusted the power to punish, 
 that the sorrow of inflicting pain might be balanced by the joy 
 of conferring pleasure, and so his omee be not wholly converted 
 into that, of an executioner, yet were I ever so much disposed, I 
 could not, in the present case, grant your request. It would raise 
 a storm which, however little to be regarded for its consequences 
 to myself, might be seriously injurious to the budding interests of 
 our infant state." 
 
 " I pray you to consider," said the knight, " the good character 
 of the man accused, ever approving himself brave and faithful in 
 all trusts confided to him ; no drone, but an active honey-bee, 
 laying up store in your hive, with no fault charged but speaking 
 too freely, and if that be true, only imitating therein his betters. 
 Next reflect upon the opposite reputation of his accusers, and I 
 venture to say nialigners, though in truth there is but one, not 
 sustained by the other. Men are murmuring at your sentence, 
 and holding your justice for naught, a sure presage of troublous 
 times; and be assured, that a commonwealth not founded in 
 righteousness cannot stand, for on it rests not the blessing of 
 Heaven." 
 
 " Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Winthrop, " you have spoken 
 boldly, and but that I believe in your honesty, and am assured 
 of your friendship, I should be offended. But you belong not to 
 the congregation, your notions differing from our faith ; the light 
 which illuminates the minds of the chosen remnant which Pro- 
 vidence hath planted in this far off land, this ultissima Thule, 
 not yet having penetrated your understanding. Your freedom
 
 4:6 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 of speech, therefore, because in favor of mercy, shall not preju- 
 dice, though it might injure you were it to reach the ears of some 
 of whom we wot. But know, Sir Christopher, that your zeal 
 makes you unjust, and that you have defamed a God fearing 
 Commonwealth, and one in covenant with God. Not without 
 His guidance did we trust ourselves to a raging sea, calmed for 
 our sake by His breath ; and not without His inspiration are we 
 building up a State, after His own divine model, which shall be 
 the admiration of the world. The kings of the earth may rise 
 up, and the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing; 
 but know, Sir Christopher, that the gates of hell shall not pre- 
 vail against us." 
 
 As the usually calm Winthrop concluded his prophecy, he 
 smote the table with his hand, as if to give emphasis to his 
 words. 
 
 " My wise, and prudent, and most valued friend," said Sir 
 Christopher, rising and approaching the Governor, " pardon me, 
 if with sacrilegious, though unwitting hand, I have touched the 
 sacred ark of your f.iith. But I were meaner than a stock or a 
 stone; I were duller than an insensible clod; I were worse than 
 an idolati-ous heathen or a beast, if I were unwilling to 
 encounter any danger, even to the hazard of losing your friend- 
 ship, for the sake of a man, who, at the risk of his own life, 
 saved mine." 
 
 " I heard not of your debt before," said Winthrop. 
 
 " It was in Moldavia, on the bloody field of Choczim, where 
 the Poles defeated the Turks. I was then but a stripling, and 
 the impetuosity of youth, or the fiery temper of my horse, had 
 borne me in advance of my friends, when I was surrounded by 
 the infidels and hard bested, and my life beyond peradventure had 
 paid tin; penalty of my rashness, and my bones been left cleaned 
 by the wolfs teeth to whiten on the sand, but for this valiant 
 soldier. Disregarding danger, he leaped among the foe, and so
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 47 
 
 lustily plied his blows, that together we bore the turbans down, 
 until his bridle-hand was struck. Then was it time to fall back, 
 for verily we had need of both hands, with the one to guide our 
 horses, and with the other to defend our heads. I seized his 
 rein, and Avith our flashing swords, side by side, we fought our 
 way through the throng. Judge, then, if I were not an ingrate 
 to forget the service." 
 
 " It is a pity, for the sake of the prisoner," said Winthrop, 
 " that either Standish or Endicott is not in my place : a tale of 
 daring were sure to win their ears, and upon its recital, the cause 
 were as good as gained ; but much as I admire the valor of the 
 soldier and respect your feelings, I, who was bred a lawyer, and 
 not a warrior, see not therein a motive to grant your request." 
 
 " If friendship for me, and personal merit in the man, avail 
 not to move you, at least listen to the voice of humanity. You 
 intend not surely to murder him." 
 
 u What ?" exclaimed Winthrop. " Speak plainer, Sir Chris- 
 topher." 
 
 " I say, honored sir, that the treatment of this Joy, for an 
 offence which can rank as a crime only by reason of some 
 peculiarity in your situation, justifying extraordinary severity, 
 is unworthy of you as the Vicegerent of his Majesty in this 
 colony. 
 
 " Methinks," said Winthrop, coldly and formally, " you have 
 already, in other phrase, said the same thing." 
 
 " But I aver now that this hapless, and, but for me, unfriended 
 man, (alas that nly influence in his behalf is less than nought,) 
 is likely to escape the greater part of his sentence, by perishing 
 on your hands, if not soon released from confinement." 
 
 Is he ill?" 
 
 " 111 unto death. I fear. Surely you cannot be acquainted 
 with the cruelties practised upon him. I have not beholden them 
 with mine own eyes ; but my knowledge is this as soon as I
 
 43 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELIOE. 
 
 heard of Philip's misfortune, in whom, why I feel an interest 
 you now know, I hastened to his prison, and there, with some 
 difficulty learned, that not only is he manacled, and his ancles 
 chained, but also is confined by a band of iron around his body, 
 to a post erected in the centre of his dungeon, so as to be unable 
 to lie down, under a pretext of the desperation of the man and 
 the weakness of his dungeon." 
 
 " Believe me, Sir Christopher, I knew not this ; but the thing 
 shall be looked into, and if there be no error in your information, 
 I will venture to brave the resentment of my colleagues and the 
 rest, and release this Joy for the present, taking such order in 
 other respects that the remaining sentence of the Court shall not 
 remain a nullity." 
 
 < " I pray you, excellent sir, of your bounty, to be speedy in 
 the inquiry into this matter," urged the knight, " being well 
 assured that you will find my information verified." 
 
 ' Rest satisfied with my peremptory promise," replied Win- 
 throp. "And now, Sir Christopher, that this business which 
 you have so much at heart is in a fair train to arrive at a result 
 to content you, tell me something of your doings a.t the Mount 
 of Promise, as it is your pleasure to call your retirement. How 
 fares it with your kinswoman, the lady Geraldine? Time, I 
 trust, doth blunt the edge of her melancholy." 
 
 " Alas, no ! she still continues to grieve with an unreasonable 
 grief. Time brings no balm." 
 
 " It should not be so. The sooner we become reconciled to 
 the afflictive dispensations of Providence (under which I 
 understand she suffers,) the better for both soul's and body's 
 health." 
 
 " There are some natures, whereupon, when an impression is 
 once made, it is not readily effaced, and the lady Geraldine's is 
 such.' Yet do I not despair of her restoration to tranquillity." 
 
 " I must request godly Mr. Eliot to visit her. There is no
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 49 
 
 soother so effectual as the soft voice of the Gospel. But for 
 yourself, Sir Christopher, tiro you not of the monotony of your 
 forest life?" 
 
 " So far therefrom, I love it hourly more. My early clays 
 were wild and stormy, of some particulars whereof I have pos- 
 sessed you ; and although I have not reached my meridian, yet 
 am I satiated with vanity. I am like a ship, whose tempest- 
 beaten sides rest sweetly in a haven. As contentedly she hears 
 the winds howling without, so I listen from afar to the uproar of 
 the world, and pleased, contrast my calm therewith." 
 " Man was not made for inaction," said Winthrop. 
 " I shun no honorable labor. Instruct me how to be useful to 
 the little State which enjoys the happiness to call you father and 
 ruler, and no toil or danger but shall be welcome." 
 
 " You know there-is but one difficulty that stands in your way 
 to occupy the position due to both your rank and merit." 
 A shadow passed over the face of the knight. 
 " We will not speak thereof," he said. " When I offered to join 
 the congregation, who would have thought that so trifling a dif- 
 ference could close your bosoms against me?" 
 
 " Call not the difference slight, nor our bosoms closed," 
 answered Winthrop ; " but I trust that further reflection, your 
 spirit being lighted by beams of grace, will convince you that in 
 our exposition we erred not." 
 
 At this moment a slight rustling was heard at the other end of 
 the apartment, and the knight turning, beheld a man having the 
 appearance of a servant advancing. 
 
 " How now, sirrah," cried Winthrop, " what means this in- 
 trusion ?" 
 
 " I thought I heard the Governor call," said the man. 
 " I called not," said Winthrop ; " but being here, bring re- 
 freshments. His presence opportunely reminds me," he added, 
 turning to the knight, " of my breach of hospitality, occasioned 
 by my interest in the conversation."
 
 50 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 In a short time the servant returned bearing a silver salver, on 
 which were placed wine and, a venison pasty, (for the robuster ap- 
 petites of our ancestors \v ul 1 have scorned more delicate viand?,) 
 which he placed on a sideboard. 
 
 Before the knight addressed himself to the pasty, which he 
 soon did, with an appetite sharpened by his morning ride, he 
 filled two goblets with wine, and presenting one to his host, 
 begged to pledge him in a health to the prosperity of the infant 
 Commonwealth. 
 
 " The building up of our Zion lies nearest my heart, and un- 
 ceasingly do my prayers ascend on her behalf," answered Win- 
 throp; "but think me not discourteous I may not, without 
 sin, comply with your request in the drinking of healths." 
 
 " How !" exclaimed the knight, " is there any forbidding 
 thereof in Holy Scripture?" 
 
 " Nay, I find no interdiction therein, but manifold cause in 
 the reason of the thing itself for the suppressing of a vain custom. 
 Thus do I argue : Every empty and ineffectual representation of 
 serious things is a way of vanity. But this custom is such ; for 
 it is intended to hold forth love and wishes of health, which are 
 serious things, by drinking, which neither in the nature nor use 
 it is able to effect, for it is looked at as a mere complitnant, 
 and is not taken as an argument of love, which ought to be un- 
 feigned. Or the same proposition may be proved diversely, as 
 thus : To employ the custom, out of its natural use, without war- 
 rant of authority, necessity or conveniency, is a way of vanity. 
 But this custom doth. Or, again ; such a resolution as frees a 
 man from frequent and needless temptations, to dissemble love, 
 et cetera, (quateuus it doth so,) is a wholesome resolution. But 
 this resolution doth. fi>yo, Sir Christopher, pray have me 
 (with protestation of no discourtesy) excused." 
 
 ' Although your scruples appear strange, yet will I respsct 
 them, my honored host, as it becomes me to, any opinion enter-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 51 
 
 tained by you," replied the knight; "but if the tongue be tied, 
 the spirit, at leant, is free to indulge in wishes for your welfare." 
 
 So raying, he raised the goblet to his lips, and drained it of its 
 contents. Nor did the Governor, though refusing to join in the 
 idle custom of drinking healths, which, by his influence, had been 
 pretty generally banished from the tables of the principal inhabi- 
 tants, decline a draught, therein bearing in mind the advice of 
 Paul to Timothy, and considering it an allowable solace and 
 strengthener to enable him the better to bear the cares of state. 
 Upon the conclusion of the interview, the knight courteously 
 took leave, after thanking the Governor for his promise in behalt 
 of the imprisoned soldier, and, mounting his horse, returned the 
 way he came. 
 
 When he was gone, Winthrop fell into a fit of musing. 
 
 " What am I to think of this man ?" (such was the tenor of his 
 reflections.) " Is he what he appears? Doth the garniture of his 
 spirit conform to the polished and attractive surface ? Is he, as 
 sometimes from his language might be surmised, one who, though 
 young in years, is old in experience, and hath already discovered 
 how unsatisfactory are the vanities of the world ? There be 
 such men in these strange days. And yet, how wonderfully hath 
 he preserved his cheerfulness, and though chastened, is not cast 
 down ! That he hath been a cavalier, I plainly see, and he doth 
 admit ; that he is fit at present to be one of us, I doubt ; that he 
 will be, I hope. The jealous Dudley, the suspicious Endicott, 
 and the subtle Spikeman, are disposed to regard him as one who, 
 under the mask of an angel of light, doth conceal dangerous de- 
 signs; as a plotter of mischief; some cunning tool of our enemies, 
 who have sent him hither to creep into our confidence, that he 
 may the better detect our weakness and confound our plans. I 
 cannot harbor these latter notions. There is that about the knight 
 which gives the lie to suspicion. Who can loDk upon his noble 
 countenance and listen to the tones of his sincere voice, and not
 
 52 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 be satisfied of his truth ? Did he not, on his arrival, com- 
 municate to me his views, which, however romantic, are con- 
 sistent both with the training of his previous life and the change 
 which hath been effected in his feelings *? And doubtful myself, 
 lest the gracious impression he made upon me might pervert my 
 judgment, did I not set a watch upon his motions, and find them 
 all to harmonize with his frank and gallant bearing ? I see no 
 cause to alter my conduct or withdraw my confidence. Yet will 
 I be guarded in our intercourse. If I err, it shall be on the side 
 of prudence ; but this matter whereunto he hath called my atten- 
 tion, shall forthwith be searched. It were shame if the cruelty 
 whereof he complains has been practised. Ah me, the eye of 
 the ruler cannot be everywhere ! There be those who already 
 term our justice tyranny, and who would be glad to be furnished 
 with another occasion of complaint. Nor can I conceal from 
 myself that the sentence of the soldier is harsh. It was against 
 both my feeling and my judgment. How often am I compelled 
 to practise a severity over which my softer, and perhaps weaker 
 nature, mourns!"
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 " I am sorry one so learned and so wise, 
 As you, Lord Angelo, have still appeared, 
 Should slip so grossly, both in the heat of blood 
 And lack of tempered judgment afterward." 
 
 MEASURE FOR MEASURE. 
 
 EARLY in the afternoon of the same day, a man whom we re- 
 cognize as the servant we saw at the Governor's house, entered a 
 building which stood not far from the margin of the bay. It 
 belonged to the Assistant Spikeman, and it was he whom the 
 man sought. The Assistant was found sitting before his ledger, 
 whose pages were open, and surrounded by the articles of his 
 traffic, for he was a merchant, largely engaged in the purchase and 
 sale of the products of the country, from which he had drawn 
 substantial gains. Quintals of dried fish Avere piled up in one 
 part of the store-room, in another, bundles of furs procured from 
 the Indians, in a third, casks and barrels containing spirituous 
 liquors, and elsewhere were stored cloths of various desci iptions, 
 and hardware, and staves and hoops, and, in short, almost every- 
 thing necessary to prosecute a trade between the old country and 
 the new. 
 
 The Assistant raised his head at the noise made by the 
 entrance of the man, and passing his fingers through the short, 
 thick red hair that garnished his head, demanded, " What new 
 thing bringest thou, Ephraim . ; " 
 
 "There has been,'' answered the man, "him whom they call 
 the Knight of the Golden Melice, though I know not what it
 
 54 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 means, with the Governor this morning, and according to your 
 wishes, I have come to acquaint you therewith." 
 
 " Thou hast well done, and thy zeal in the service of the Com- 
 monwealth and of the congregation merits and shall have reward. 
 What passages passed between them ?" 
 
 " I heard only part of the conversation, but enough to make 
 me believe that the Governor, at the prayer of the strange knight, 
 means to release the soldier Philip Joy." 
 
 " Verily !" exclaimed Spikeman. " Art sure you heard aright? 
 Rehearse to me what was said." 
 
 The spy employed by the Assistant to be a watch upon the 
 conduct of Winthrop, here went into a detail of his discoveries, 
 to all which the other listened with fixed attention. 
 
 When the man had concluded his narration, which was inter- 
 larded with protestations of pious zeal, the Assistant said : 
 
 " ] do commend thee greatly, Ephraim, for thy sagacity, and 
 the promptitude wherewith thou hast made me acquainted with 
 these matters. Not that thou or I have any more interest in 
 this thing than other godly men who have fled from the per- 
 secution of the priests of Baal, to worship the God of our fathers 
 in the wilderness according to the promptings of our own con- 
 science, but it doth become every one to keep his lamp trimmed 
 and burning, and to watch, lest the lion leap into the fold. I 
 misdoubt me much, that this same Sir Christopher Gardiner, as 
 he calls himself, or this Knight of the Golden Melice, as some 
 have it, meaning thereby, doubtless, malice, is no better than 
 some emissary of Satan, unto which opinion his interposing for 
 this blaspheming Joy doth strongly incline me. Therefore, good 
 Ephraim, keep thou thine eyes upon him, and shouldest thou be 
 the instrument elected by Providence to bring his wicked devices 
 to light, great will be thy praise and reward." 
 
 Having thus spoken, Spikeman waved his hand and turned
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 55 
 
 away, to intimate that the conference was at an end, but" the 
 man remained standing. 
 
 " Wherefore do you delay? You may retire," said Spikeman. 
 " I bethink me that but a little time remains for preparation for 
 the afternoon lecture." 
 
 "Is not the laborer worthy of his hire 1 ?" inquired Ephraim. 
 " Shall they who work in the Lord's vineyard receive no 
 wage f 
 
 " My mind ran not on the perishable riches of this world," 
 answered the Assistant, pulling out, with a very ill grace, a well 
 filled leathern purse, and taking from it a silver piece, which he 
 offered to the servant, but the fellow had caught sight of gold, 
 and was not so easily to be satisfied. 
 
 "Is thy servant a dog?" he demanded. "The princely 
 Governor would give me gold for information of less value." 
 
 " Take two," replied Spikeman, holding out another, "and be 
 content. Reflect that you are one of the congregation, and have 
 an equal part in this inheritance with myself." 
 
 " I think not," said Ephraim, looking around the well-filled 
 store-house. " Is that a proper wage, your worship," he added, 
 glancing disdainfully at the money, " to offer one, who, on your 
 account, risks tlie slitting of his nose, and cutting off of his ears? 
 Make the white yellow and it will not be too much." 
 
 " Would that I had the treasures of Ophir for thy sake," ex- 
 claimed Spikeman ; " but I am a ruined man if thou require so 
 much, Ephraim Pike. But there, take the Carolus, and let it be 
 an incentive to godly action." 
 
 Ephraim received the gold piece, and his features relaxed into 
 something like a smile. 
 
 " Truly," said he, " did David, the man after God's heart, 
 speak by inspiration when he declared " Nevvr saw I the right 
 eous forsaken, or his seed begging bread." 
 
 Spikeman made no reply, and the man having attained his
 
 56 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 object, and observing the other's desire to be rid of him, with- 
 drew. 
 
 The countenance of the Assistant expressed chagrin and dis- 
 pleasure as he looked after the retiring form of the serving-man; 
 but presently he buried his face in his hands, leaning his elbows 
 on the tall writing-table that stood before him. In this attitude 
 he remained some little time, and when he removed them, the 
 expression of his face was changed, and his mind evidently filled 
 with other thoughts. The look of vexation had been succeeded 
 by one it is difficult to describe a kind of smile played around 
 his lips, his eyes sparkled, his color was heightened, and a slight 
 moisture exuded from the corners of his mouth he was uglier 
 and more repulsive than before. He bent over, and on a piece 
 of paper which lay before him, wrote with a hand that trembled 
 a little " How fair and how pleasant art thou love, for de- 
 lights." This sentence he scrawled several times, and then tak- 
 ing up the piece of paper, he tore it into small fragments, and 
 scattered them on the floor, after which, composing his face into 
 an austere seeming, he placed his high steeple-crowned hat on 
 his head, and, leaving the building, proceeded in the direction of 
 his dwelling-house. As he advanced leisurely along, he soon 
 heard the sound of a drum beaten through the streets, to sum- 
 mon the people to one of those weekly lectures, in which spirit- 
 ual instruction was not unfrequently leavened with worldly 
 wisdom and directions for political conduct. 
 
 Meetings for religious lectures, on week days, were exceed- 
 ingly common, and held in high favor; indeed, so attractive 
 were they, that in the language of an old historian, an actor on 
 the spot " Many poor persons would usually resort to two or 
 three in the week, to the great neglect of their affairs and the 
 damage of tlie public." To these, the people were gammoned 
 by beat of drum, the martial roll of which instrument called 
 them also to muster for defence, upon a hostile alarm, a different
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 57 
 
 tattoo being adopted for the latter purpose. An attempt was at one 
 tirne made by the magistrates to diminish the frequency of these 
 meetings, as a serious inroad upon the industry of the colony ; 
 but the effort was resisted, and that successfully, by the elders, 
 " alleging their tenderness of the church's liberty, as if such a 
 precedent might enthrall them to the civil power, and as if it 
 would cast a blemish upon the elders, which would remain to 
 posterity ; that they should need to be regulated by the civil 
 magistrate, and also raise an ill savor of the people's coldness, 
 that would complain of much preaching, &c., whereas liberty 
 for the ordinances was the main end professed of our coming 
 hither." They were social beings, and loved stimulus like the 
 rest of mankind, and had no public amusements. These causes 
 are sufficient to account for the fondness for the weekly lecture ; 
 but if to them be superadded the peculiarity of their civil and 
 religious polity, which inculcated an extraordinary affection for 
 each other as God's chosen people destined to communion, not 
 here only, but forever ; and the isolation of their situation, cut- 
 ting them off from participation in the stirring events to which 
 they had been accustomed, we should wonder if they had not 
 met frequently together. The elders, jealous of their influence, 
 showed in this instance, as they did in others, a knowledge of 
 human nature, superior to that of the magistrates, and the latter 
 were glad to retreat from the position they had taken, " lest the 
 people should break their bonds through abuse of liberty," if the 
 wholesome restraint exerted by the elders, by means of the lec- 
 tures, in order to retain the people in subjection to the civil 
 power, should be withdrawn. 
 
 As the Assistant walked on, he began to meet persons coming out 
 of their houses, in obedience to the invitation. There was the 
 staid citizen, whose sobriety bordered on sternness, with hair closely 
 cropped to avoid the " unloveliness of love-locks," covered with a 
 large flapped peaked hat, and arrayed in broad white band and 
 
 3
 
 58 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 sad-colored garments, on whose arm leaned his wife, or walked 
 independently at his side, bearing on her head a hat of similar 
 shape to her husband's, or else having it protected with hood, 
 or cap, or coif; a white vandyke neckerchief falling over the 
 shoulders, and rising high in the neck ; long-waisted bodice of 
 velvet or silk, open in front, and laced down to a point, on 
 which was placed a rosette, with voluminous fardingale of like 
 material, gathered up in folds behind, and supplying, though with 
 more modesty and less bad taste, the place of the more modern 
 " bishop," now happily banished these regions. Behind came 
 the sons and daughters, attired like their parents, and imitating 
 them in gravity of demeanor. There were also some indented 
 apprentices and serving men and serving women, whom either 
 the zeal of their masters and mistresses required, or their own 
 tastes or ideas of duty -induced to be present, while here and 
 there, at the corners of the streets, might be seen an occasional 
 Indian, with bow in hand, listening with admiration to the 
 marvellous music of the blood-stirring instrument, and gazing 
 with feelings compounded of fear and envy at the strange people 
 gathering together to a talk with the Great Spirit. 
 
 The Assistant Spikeman, as he passed the wayfarers, returned 
 their demure salutations with solemn dignity, as became one in 
 high station, and in whose ears was sounding a call to a meeting 
 of the congregation. Thus exchanging greetings, he proceeded to 
 his house, where, entering the room used by the family as a sitting 
 apartment, he hung up his hat and took a seat. But his agitation 
 did not permit him to remain still, and almost immediately 
 he arose and began to pace the floor. Hearing presently 
 advancing footsteps, he dropped into a chair, and leaning back 
 and shutting his eyes, assumed an expression of pain and las- 
 situde. In a moment the door of the room was opened, and a 
 comely woman of middle age entered, dressed for the " meeting." 
 " Dear heart," she exclaimed, " here have Eveline and I been
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE, 59 
 
 Waiting for thee this quarter of an hour. You must not, if you 
 are so late, complain of me hereafter, when the lacet of my 
 bodice troubles me, or the plaits of my hair refuse to keep their 
 place, and so I delay thee unreasonably, as thou sayest, though 
 it is all to honor thee ; for would it not be unbeseeming for the 
 help-meet of a worshipful Assistant to appear like a common 
 mechanic's wife? But art thou ill "?" she added, observing his 
 air of dejection, and instantly changing the tone that had in it 
 something of reproach into one of anxiety ; " then will I remain 
 at home to comfort thee." 
 
 "No, dame," said her husband, "there is no cause to detain 
 thee from the sanctuary. The godly Mr. Cotton holds forth to- 
 day, and it would be a sinful neglect of privileges. I feel not 
 well myself, and must, therefore, for thy sake, as well as my own) 
 deny myself the refreshment of the good man's counsel. Thou 
 shalt go, to edify me on thy return with what thou mayest 
 remember of his discourse." 
 
 But the kind heart of dame Spikeman was not so easily to be 
 diverted from its purpose, and she persisted, with some pertinacity, 
 in a determination to remain, until her husband laid his com- 
 mands upon her to attend the lecture. 
 
 " I will obey," she then said, " sithence it is thy wish ; and is 
 it not written, Adam was first made, and then Eve ; and I will 
 pray for thee, dear heart, in the congregation, that He will keep 
 thee in all thy ways, nor let the enemy approach to harm or to 
 tempt thee." 
 
 Spikeman winced, and perhaps his conscience pricked him at 
 the moment, but he betrayed no confusion as he replied : 
 
 " I thank thee, sweet duck, and may the Lord recompense 
 thy love a thousand fold. But hasten, now, for it would ill- 
 become the wife of my bosom to lag in attendance on the lecture. 
 Meanwhile, I will meditate on the holy volume) and comfort 
 myself as a Christian man may."
 
 60 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Dame Spikeman' s ample fardingale swept the sides of the door- 
 way as she turned to take a last look at her husband over her 
 shoulder a look that contained as much of suspicion as of affec- 
 tion. He must be, indeed, a paragon of hypocrisy who can con- 
 ceal himself from his wife, however dull she may be, and the 
 faculties of the dame were as sharp as those of most of her sex. 
 
 Presently she was heard calling, " Eveline ; why, Eveline, 
 art not ready yet ?" to which a sweet voice responded, " here 
 am I, dame," succeeded by the pattering of quick, light feet, and 
 a young woman, veiled, glided to her side, and they left the house 
 together, accompanied by a servant. Spikeman gazed after them 
 through the window, which, as belonging to a house of the better 
 class, was made of glass instead of oiled paper, which supplied 
 its place in the humbler tenements, till they were out of sight. 
 The drum had some time before ceased its sonorous rattle, 
 indicating thereby that the services had commenced, and the 
 streets were bare of the last loiterer. Spikeman then resumed 
 his seat, listening and glancing occasionally at the door, as if he 
 was expecting some one to enter. At last, as if tired of waiting, 
 he rose, and going to the door, called softly, " Prudence." No 
 answer was returned, and in tones a little raised he called again. 
 This time a voice replied, " I am coming, your worship," and the 
 Assistant returned to his seat. Perhaps five minutes longer 
 passed, and he was becoming more impatient, and had risen from 
 his chair, when a young woman in the dress of an upper do- 
 mestic, or lady's maid, entered the room. She was apparently 
 twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, large and plump, and 
 glowing with health, and altogether of a most attractive ap- 
 pearance. Her complexion was brilliant, brighter on account 
 of the contrast with the white tunic which fell over her peach- 
 blossom colored fustian skirt, and her eyes, which were cast 
 down when she came into the room, disclosed hazel pupils as she 
 raised them, and looked red, as if she had been weeping.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 61 
 
 " I have remained behind, according to thy desire," said the 
 Assistant, advancing toward her, " for there is nothing I would 
 not do to pleasure thee, Prudence." 
 
 " I know not that I requested you to tarry," answered the girl, 
 " but an I remember right, you said you had some tidings of 
 Philip Joy which you did wish to communicate to my private 
 ear." 
 
 " Something have I to tell thee of the poor varlet," said Spike- 
 man ; " but first would I rather speak of one who doth interest 
 me more. But say, why is thy mind so careworn about this 
 soldier ?" 
 
 " He is a friend of mine," said Prudence, blushing ; " that is, 
 we were neighbors, and acquainted in dear old England a 
 cousin," she added, telling naturally a little fib, " and so I am 
 sorry to hear of his misfortune." 
 
 " I hope that you do not long after the flesh-pots of Egypt," 
 said Spikeman, attempting to take her hand, which, however, she 
 coyishly withdrew. What have we to do with England or her 
 cramping ordinances, which we have turned our backs upon for- 
 ever ? Was it not because of the yoke she sought to put upon 
 our necks that we abandoned her, here to enjoy a wider liberty ? 
 Believe me, beautiful Prudence, there are delights scattered all 
 over the world, if there be only boldness and wisdom to find 
 them ; nor is their enjoyment inconsistent with the joys promised 
 hereafter, whereof, indeed, they are the foretaste." 
 
 " O, sir," exclaimed the girl, " can you tell me anything about 
 Philip ? Have you entreated the Governor, as you promised, to 
 let him out of that dreadful dungeon 1 ?" 
 
 " It is a horrid place," said Spikeman, " and men live not long 
 who are confined therein. If the soldier be imprisoned there a 
 few days longer, he is no better than a dead man. Vain has 
 been my intercession, though I despair not." 
 
 He paused to watch the effect of what he had said upon the
 
 62 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 girl. She turned deadly pale, and seemed about to sink upon the 
 floor. Spikeman took her hand, which she no longer withdrew, 
 but yielded passively, as if in a state of stupefaction, and pressing 
 it within his own, led her to a sofa. 
 
 "Lovely Prudence," he said, " thou hast found favor in my 
 eyes. Let not the distance betwixt us overawe thee. These 
 worldly distinctions are but the inventions of men to suit a pur- 
 pose, and there are times when they are more easily torn away 
 than the withes of the Philistines on the hands of Samson. 
 Dost thou comprehend me 1" 
 
 Prudence raised her eyes, and fixed them with a bewildered 
 stare upon his face. She was so terrified at the thought of the 
 danger to which the soldier was exposed, and her mind so con- 
 fused by the unusual language of her master, that she was as 
 much in a dreaming as a waking state. Her lips quivered as 
 she attempted to reply, but they made no sound, and tears 
 began to steal down. 
 
 " Would that I could stop the current of these tears, more 
 precious than orient pearls," sighed Spikeman. " Ask of me 
 any other favor, and I will move heaven and earth but it shall 
 be granted." 
 
 " O, sir, said Prudence," sliding off from the sofa in spite of 
 his efforts to prevent her, and kneeling at his feet, " I have no 
 other favor to ask ; but if you are truly willing to show kindness 
 to a poor girl like me, take Philip out of prison." 
 
 "But is it so light a thing to be done, sweet Prudence?" 
 replied Spikeman, raising her in his arms, and straining her to 
 his bosom before he replaced her on the sofa. " Nay, kneel not 
 again," he added, seeing that she was about to resume her 
 attitude of supplication ; " that were a posture as fitting for me 
 as for thee." 
 
 " O, sir," cried poor Prudence, " you are a grent man, and 
 can do whatever you please. If you speak to the Governor
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICH. 63 
 
 again, he will let Philip out. I am sure he meant nothing 
 wrong. I am certain they told wicked lies about him." 
 
 " Truly will I remonstrate again," said Spikeman. " So great 
 is my regard for thee, I will risk losing his favor for thy sake. 
 But for all the sacrifices I make, what shall be thy return to me T' 
 
 " I will pray night and day for you ; I will be your slave ; I 
 will worship the ground on which you tread." 
 
 " Sweet maiden," said Spikeman, passing his arm around her 
 waist, " I ask not so much. I ask thee only to be happy with 
 me. Thy prayers, though rising like morning incense, I need 
 not. I would rather be thy slave than have thee mine, and I 
 worship thee already. Turn not away thy cheek, but let me 
 greet thee with the kiss of charity." 
 
 The girl averted not her glowing cheek, whereon, with these 
 words, he imprinted a passionate kiss, which he attempted to 
 repeat, but Prudence drew a little back, and removed his arm. 
 His lips burned like fire. She felt as if they had left behind a 
 mark to betray her, and she shuddered with aversion ; but she 
 believed the fate of the soldier to be in his hands, and dared not 
 to offend him. Besides, she was no delicate lady, but strong and 
 full of confidence, and feared no danger to herself. As she 
 marked his heightened color and kindling eyes, and he made 
 another attempt to salute her, she said, with half a disposition 
 to cry and half to laugh : 
 
 " Is not kissing and toying forbid by the elders and worshipful 
 magistrates'?" 
 
 " They are forbid to them outside of the congregation, and 
 who have no Christian liberty," answered Spikeman " to them 
 who make a display of what should be concealed, to avoid the 
 ecandal of the wicked ; but not to the elect and discreet, who 
 can use their liberty as not abusing it. Therefore, let me kiss 
 thee with the kisses of my mouth, for thy love is better than 
 wine. Behold, thou art fair, my love ; behold, thou art fair,"
 
 64 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 he continued, pressing upon her ; " thou hast dove's eyes within 
 thy locks. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet." 
 
 " Hark !" cried Prudence, pushing him back, " I hear a noise." 
 " I hear no sound," said Spikeman, after listening for a 
 moment, " save the voice of my beloved. O, speak, and say 
 unto me, ' rise up, my love, and come away, for lo, the winter is 
 past, the rain is over and gone, the time of the singing of birds 
 is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.' " 
 
 So saying, he caught her in his arms, and giving license to 
 his fiery passions, stamped repeated kisses upon her lips and 
 bosom, in spite of her struggles. But the sounds which the 
 quick ears of Prudence had detected became more and more dis- 
 tinct, and persons on foot and on horseback were seen in the 
 street returning from the lecture. Without difficulty she broke 
 from the now yielding arms of Spikeman, and had just time to 
 compose her disordered hair and tunic, when the voice of the 
 dame at the door was heard demanding admission.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " Oh, give me liberty ! 
 For were even Paradise my prison, 
 Still I should long to leap the crystal walls." 
 
 DBTDEK. 
 
 THE motives which animated Spikeman to play the part which 
 he did in the court that condemned the soldier, will now be better 
 understood. He had cast eyes of licentious desire upon the 
 blooming Prudence, who was, at the same time, beloved by 
 Philip, and was solicitous to remove him out of the way. Bold 
 in all his plans, neither honoring God nor fearing man, un- 
 scrupulous in regard to the means to effect a purpose, and 
 esteeming the gratification of his evil wishes the highest happiness, 
 it was yet necessary to the achievement of his objects that a 
 specious outside at least should be preserved, and this he had 
 succeeded in doing up to the present time. In pursuance of his 
 cunning policy, he was unwilling that even Joy should suspect 
 him of unfriendliness, and for that reason had, in the course of 
 the examination, excited the temporary vexation of Deputy 
 Governor Dudley, by an observation which, to the unsuspecting 
 Deputy, seemed indicative of a desire to screen Joy from punish- 
 ment, and to Joy himself the interference of a friend ; while, in 
 fact, it was intended to entrap the prisoner into rash speeches, 
 which would be prejudicial to his cause. How effectually he 
 undeceived Dudley, after Joy had been removed, we have seen. 
 
 3*
 
 66 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 The Assistant had attained his object. Philip was in the first 
 place to be imprisoned and fined, and afterwards banished, and 
 the field was henceforth to be left free to himself. With his 
 rival out of the way, he did not doubt of succeeding with the 
 girl by means of such arguments and temptations as it would be 
 in his power to employ. How he had begun by endeavoring to 
 use the very afiection of Prudence for her lover to make her be- 
 tray herself, has been told ; but thus far her simplicity and good 
 fortune had been quite a match for his craft. In the hope to 
 obtain some advantage for Philip, she had granted the Assistant 
 the interview which we have just witnessed, and wherein he 
 disclosed his character in a manner he had never done to her be- 
 fore. She now understood his designs thoroughly, but the know- 
 ledge was a secret which her fears suggested that she had better 
 lock up in her own heart. What chance would a poor unpro- 
 tected girl have in a contest with the rich and powerful Assistant? 
 Who would take her word in opposition to his ? Spikeman well 
 appreciated his advantage, and calculating with absolute cer- 
 tainty upon her silence, was, in consequence, the more auda- 
 cious. 
 
 When the spy of the Assistant found him at his store-house, 
 he was meditating upon the approaching interview with Pru- 
 dence, the contemplation of which it unpleasantly interrupted. 
 The prospect of the soldier's liberation was exceeding disagreea- 
 ble. It would interfere with, and perhaps defeat plans, which in 
 blind passion he hugged to his heart. But engrossed by his 
 unworthy madness, he could not then mature any scheme not 
 connected with its immediate gratification. Machinations for 
 the further accomplishment of his designs must be postponed for 
 a calmer moment. It came after the interruption occasioned by 
 the arrival of his wife, and soon his active brain had shaped his 
 ideas into definiteness. 
 
 Accordingly in the evening, as soon as it became so dark that
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 67 
 
 features were not readily distinguishable in the streets, the As- 
 sistant took his way to the prison in which the soldier was con- 
 fined. It stood on the edge of the settlement, and was a low, 
 one-story building, strongly made of unhewn logs, within a few 
 feet of which was the dwelling of the jailer, but little differing 
 from it in exterior. In those days a very strong jail was not so 
 important as at present. If one had committed a crime so 
 heinous that he was unfit to live, he was forthwith put beyond 
 the power of doing mischief; but if the offence were of a less 
 atrocious character, modes of punishment were usually resorted 
 to which did not involve the necessity of supporting him at pub- 
 lic charge such, for instance, as whipping, cutting off the ears, 
 slitting the nose, and like improvements of the human form di- 
 vine. If through defect of the prison, or from any other cause, 
 the offender escaped, it was pretty certain that he would not 
 make his appearance in a hurry, lest some worse thing might 
 befall him, and so there was one malcontent the less, and one 
 disturber of the peace gone, even though the ends of punishment 
 were not perfectly attained. 
 
 Spikeman, on reaching the house of the jailer, was about to 
 knock at the door, when his attention was arrested by sounds 
 which made him pause. The weather being warm, the window 
 was open, and he was able to hear distinctly what was said 
 within. Motives of delicacy or honor weighed not much in the 
 mind of a man like him, and he scrupled not to appropriate any 
 advantage to be derived from eaves-dropping. 
 
 " What made you } Sam Bars, take all the ornaments off 
 Philip but the bracelets, without saying anything to me ?" in- 
 quired a voice, which Spikeman recognized as belonging to the 
 jailer's wife. 
 
 " Why, Margery, to confess, I forgot to toll you," answered 
 her husband ; " but," added he, laughing, " I had no fear on thy 
 account, for thou art a match for a man any day."
 
 (58 THE KJHGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " When I took him in his supper," said the woman, " there 
 was poor Philip rubbing his ankles to get the swelling out. Truly 
 I pitied him, for he i* a proper young man." 
 
 " Oh ! goody, the women always pity proper young men. I 
 warrant me now if it had been a grizzled old wolf like me, you 
 would not have thought so much of his ankles." 
 
 " Say not so, Sam," replied the woman, affectionately, " nor 
 liken thyself to a wolf. O, how they used to howl every night 
 when we first came to this wilderness ; but the Lord protected his 
 people. I dare say now, it was thy kind heftrt made thee take 
 off the irons." 
 
 " That it was not, wife. They were put on by order of one 
 I am bound to obey ; nor durst I take them off but by command 
 of a higher authority." 
 
 " Why do you talk as though you were giving me riddles to 
 guess ? Am I not bone of thy bone ?" 
 
 "A big heap of bones we make together," muttered Sam, glanc- 
 ing at the large frame of his wife, not much excelled by his own, 
 "but she's a good soul, amiss only in her tongue at whiles; 
 howbeit, saith not Paul, it is an unruly member? Well, Mar- 
 gery, an thou must know, it was by order of the Governor's 
 own mouth to me they were taken off, and what is more, I am 
 to let Philip go free in the morning." 
 
 " Bless his sweet face," cried the woman, " I always said the 
 worshipful Governor was the sweetest and virtuousest and ex- 
 cellentest man in the whole country." 
 
 " There be them among the elders and magistrates who be of 
 a different opinion. Beshrew me ! (may the Lord forgive me," 
 he added, looking round in alarm. " I hope no one hears me,) 
 but, according to my thinking, it is only because Master Win- 
 throp asks for no pay, and spends so much out of his own purse 
 for other folk, that they choose him Governor."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 69 
 
 " What can anybody have against so sweet-tempered and 
 liberal a gentleman ?" inquired Margery. 
 
 "Well, then, the elders complain that he is not so zealous, 
 even unto slaying, as becomes a leader of the Lord's host, which 
 he is, like Moses and Joshua ; and some of the deputies pretend 
 that he takes too much state on him, and means to make him- 
 self a king, or least-wise, a lord." 
 
 " And I trow, good man, I know no reason why, when the 
 Commonwealth, as they call it, gets big enough, we should not 
 have a king as well as the folk on the other side of the water. 
 It was always a pleasure to see his Majesty in the streets of 
 London, with the grand lords and ladies all in their silks and 
 satins, and jewels and feathers. It will be long, I am afraid," 
 sighed the good woman, " before we shall see such fine sights in 
 these woods." 
 
 " Hush, goody," said Sam, " take care your tongue do not 
 get you into trouble. Speak lower, an you will talk about things 
 you know nothing about. You love kings and lords better than 
 some folk." he concluded, with a laugh. 
 
 " Take care of your own tongue, Sam Bars ; I warrant you 
 mine will take care of itself. But wherefore should I not love 
 the king 1 Is it not written touch not mine anointed, and do 
 my prophets no harm ? And I will let you know, Sam Bars } 
 that I will say what I please about him, God bless him ! Marry, 
 come up, a fine time of day truly, if a woman may not speak 
 her mind ! I should like to see the man or woman either, for- 
 sooth, to stop me. My tongue and ten commandments (stretch- 
 ing out her fingers) know how to take care of one another, I can 
 tell you. My tongue get me into trouble ! O, Sam, why do you 
 aggravate me so ? Me, the quietest and peaceablest and silentest 
 wife in the world ! Why dost not speak 1 Art as dumb as the 
 bench your heavy carcass almost breaks down ? Speak, I say, 
 Sam, speak, or I shall go crazy."
 
 70 THE KNIGHT. OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 But her husband, whom long experience had taught the best 
 mode of weathering such storms, only shook his head in silence, 
 until the good woman, after a variety of ejaculations and ex- 
 pletives, finding that she made no more impression on him than 
 children's pop-guns on a sand-bank, concluded to cool down, 
 when she asked what the Governor said to him. 
 
 Sam, glad that the current had taken another direction, 
 answered readily " a mountain of questions about Philip. And 
 he wanted to know why I put so many irons on him how he 
 found it out, the Lord only knows, unless" here Bars sunk his 
 voice, so that the words were inaudible to the listener, and-fhe 
 lost a sentence or two " and when he dismissed me, he ordered 
 that I should never do it again without his consent, and then 
 sent me into the kitchen, where I had a pottle of sack." 
 
 ; ' A whole pottle of sack !" exclaimed his wife, in a tone of 
 disappointment ; " and here was I at home, as dry in this out- 
 landish hot weather as the children of Israel at Rephidim, 
 when they did chide Moses because there was no water to 
 drink. " You might have brought your own Margery a taste," 
 she added, reproachfully. 
 
 " Did I say I had a whole pottle ? If I did, I spoke only in a 
 figure, as one may say ; for there was Ephraim Pike to help me 
 make away with it, and you know his gullet is like a London 
 sewer. Love your bright eyes, Margery, a quart of sack stands 
 no more chance with Ephraim, when his nose once gets scent of 
 the liquor, or his lips touch the edge of the mug, than a mouse 
 among a dozen cats." 
 
 " Or than it has with you, Sam. But men be all alike ; they 
 be always guzzling ; they never think of their poor wives. 
 Here am I, Margery Bars, thine own help-meet, never away 
 from home ; never running about streets and going to Governor's 
 houses to swill sack ; never" but here the voice of the discon- 
 tented woman, who, in her excitement, had risen from her seat
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 71 
 
 and walked away, was lost in the pantry, or rather subdued into 
 an inarticulate grumble ; and Spikeman, after waiting awhile, and 
 finding it improbable that the conversation would be resumed, 
 knocked in a peculiar manner on the door, which was almost 
 immediately opened by Bars himself. 
 
 "Hath the order for the soldier's release arrived from the 
 Governor?" inquired the Assistant. 
 
 " It hath, worshipful sir ; he is to be dismissed in the morning," 
 answer the jailer. 
 
 "Hast said anything about it to Joy, as I requested thee 
 not r 
 
 " He knows no more concerning it than the logs of his dun- 
 geon," said Bars. 
 
 " Then get the keys, and means to strike a light." 
 
 Without replying, as one accustomed to obey such orders, the 
 jailer provided himself in a few moments with the articles re- 
 quired. He placed an unlighted candle in the lantern, and the 
 two proceeded to the door of the jail. 
 
 " He is your only prisoner, I believe ?" said Spikeman. 
 
 " None other," answered Bars. 
 
 " .Remain outside by the door. I would speak a moment with 
 him." 
 
 The jailer, in silence, put one key into the lock and opened 
 the door, and gave another to Spikeman, and then stationed him- 
 self as directed, outside. 
 
 Spikeman entered, and closed the door after him ; then striking 
 a light, advanced like one well acquainted with the place. The 
 space wherein he found himself was an entry or passage-way, 
 some four feet wide, running along the four sides of the prison, 
 and enclosing the cells in the middle, The security of the 
 prisoners was greatly promoted by this arrangement, two walls 
 being necessary to be broken in order to effect escape, and com- 
 munication with persons without being thus made more difficult.
 
 72 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 The Assistant advanced, until he came to the door of a cell 
 which was closed, and which he knew from that circumstance 
 was occupied, and unlocking it, stepped within. He stopped, 
 and throwing around the light from the lantern, beheld the form 
 of the soldier extended on some straw spread in a corner, and 
 apparently asleep. Philip was indeed in a profound slumber. 
 Relieved from the painful incumbrance of the irons which had 
 prevented his lying down, and kept him consequently in a con- 
 strained posture, he was enjoying a luxury hard to be realized 
 except by one in a condition as wretched as his own. Spikeman 
 threw the light full upon his face, but it failed to awaken him. 
 He only smiled, and muttering something indistinctly, turned 
 upon his pallet, the irons on his wrists clanking as he moved. 
 The Assistant stood looking at him awhile, and then pronounced 
 his name, at first in a low tone, and afterwards louder. Even 
 this did not banish sleep, and Spikeman was obliged to shake him 
 by the shoulder before he could be aroused. It was then the 
 soldier, without opening his eyes, demanded, drowsily, what was 
 the matter. " You waked me, Bars," he said, " from such a 
 grand dream. I wish you would let me alone." 
 
 " Arouse thyself and look up," said the Assistant. " It is not 
 the jailer, but a friend, who desires thy good." 
 
 "It is Master Spikeman," said the soldier, sitting up and rub- 
 bing his eyes, " but 1 wish you had not disturbed my dream. I 
 thought I was free again." 
 
 " I came to restore to thee that liberty whereof thou wert 
 only dreaming." 
 
 The soldier, now thoroughly awake, got upon his feet as 
 quickly as his swollen ankles and the manacles on his wrists 
 would permit. 
 
 " Then," said Philip, "all the world hath not deserted me." 
 
 " Strange that such a thought could enter thy mind. Who 
 was it, at thy trial, when the fierce Dudley would have silenced
 
 THE BRIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 73 
 
 thee, demanded that thou shouldst be heard ? To whom thinkest 
 thou is owing thy release from thy heaviest chains ?" 
 
 " I was blind," said the soldier, apologetically, " and this 
 weary prison must have weakened my brain. But you came to 
 free me. Let us leave this dismal place." 
 
 " I wish it were possible to take thee with me, but that can- 
 not be. Yet will I so order things that thou mayest be far away 
 and in safety before the dawn." 
 
 " Show me the way ; undo these handcuffs, and I will be your 
 bondman forever. But wherefore," inquired Joy, as if some 
 sudden suspicion sprung up in his mind, " do you take this trouble 
 and risk on my account *?" 
 
 " Do I not know that the villains, thine accusers, lied ? Should 
 I not feel an interest in a brave man unjustly condemned by the 
 artful Winthrop ? Have no suspicion of me, Philip," said Spike- 
 man, in a tone as if he were grieved at the thought. 
 
 " I entreat your pardon, and will allow of none," answered 
 the soldier, and his frank face abundantly confirmed the truth 
 of his declaration. " But how am I to escape ?" 
 
 " I have considered many plans," replied Spikeman, " but only 
 one doth seem capable of execution. Yet I fear me much thy 
 courage will fail, even when thou hast but to extend thy hand to 
 grasp thy freedom. The thing is not unattended with peril." 
 
 " Doubt not my courage, nor talk of peril to a man confined 
 in a place like this, when the chance of freeing himself is offered. 
 Try me, and see whether heart or hand fail." 
 
 " These are brave words, Philip, yet have I seen them who 
 talked as boldly, and yet flinched at the decisive moment." 
 
 " Who ever dared to call Philip Joy a coward ?" cried the 
 soldier, impatiently. " Methinks it is so long since I struck a 
 blow worthy of a man, that I long to be doing, if only to keep 
 my hand in practice." 
 
 " Then listen," said Spikeman, lowering his voice, and sup-
 
 74 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 posing that he had got the soldier sufficiently worked up and 
 committed by his language. With this key" taking one from 
 his pocket " will I unfasten thy manacles, and under pretext of 
 unwittingly leaving open the door of thy cell, direct the jailer to 
 enter and lock it, when thou, being a strong and active man, 
 may, on his entrance, overpower him, and grant thyself free 
 passage, and with five minutes' start, who is there could find thee 
 in the woods ?" 
 
 But Joy hesitated. " Liberty is sweet," he said, " yet would I 
 be loth to do aught to harm Bars." 
 
 " What favor owe you him ?" demanded Spikeman. " Has he 
 not evil entreated thee, and loaded thee with unnecessary and 
 cruel bands of iron, till compelled by me to remove them ?" 
 
 " I do suppose he was acting by order of his superiors. In all 
 other matters, Sam has been kind to me, and he did almost weep 
 when he placed the iron bands around my body. Nay, but to 
 lay hand on him, goes mightily against my stomach." 
 
 " Then remain to rot, if you like it better, in spite of all your 
 boastful speeches, for the darkness and damp seem to have sucked 
 all manhood out of thee ; or shouldst thou survive a month, to have 
 thine ears cropped and thy back scourged, and after that " 
 
 " By all the devils in hell," interrupted Joy, " that shall never 
 be. Unlock my irons. I will do the part of a man." 
 
 The tempter applied the key, and unlocking the gyves, 
 removed them, and placed them on the ground. 
 
 " They are heavy,'' he said. " A well-directed blow on the 
 head would confuse a man's thoughts. It is time to depart. 
 When thou art free, Philip, as, if possessing courage, thou art 
 sure soon to be, forget not the friend who helped thee to thy 
 liberty." 
 
 With these words, the Assistant took up the lantern, and 
 leaving the door ajar as he had proposed, proceeded to the outer 
 entrance. Here he found the jailer waiting, who, after locking
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 75 
 
 up, attended him at his request a short distance on his way 
 homeward. 
 
 "This Philip Joy," said the Assistant, as they walked together, 
 "is a malignant and desperate villain. I did but visit him in 
 order to get to the bottom of certain plots which I am well 
 advised are hatching against our Commonwealth, whereunto he 
 is privy, and which, indeed, he doth partly confess. Have thou 
 him in strict charge, Bars. May the Lord forgive me," he cried, 
 suddenly stopping, " if I have not, in my amazement at his 
 venomous audacity, left open the door of his cell. Hasten, good 
 Bars, lest by means of some confederate he escape in thine 
 absence." 
 
 The jailer turned instantly, as Spikeman had anticipated, and 
 rapidly retraced his steps. As for the Assistant himself, deeming 
 his presence no longer necessary or convenient, he pursued his 
 way, leaving further events to themselves. 
 
 When Bars returned, he found the door of the cell open. He 
 looked in, and by the help of his lantern, seeing Joy extended on 
 his straw, was about to close it without speaking, when the sol- 
 dier called, and he stepped into the dungeon. 
 
 " Sam Bars," inquired Joy, " wherefore did you at first load 
 me with irons, and afterwards take them off?" 
 
 " It was by order." 
 
 " And it was not of thine own head ?" 
 
 "Truly," said Sam, "I would not of my own will lay a 
 feather on thee, Philip." 
 
 " These be feathers, Sam, heavier than a loon's," said the sol- 
 dier, rising and approaching his keeper. " And being a friend, 
 doubtless it would please thee to see me at liberty?" 
 
 "Assuredly, and that you will soon be." 
 
 " Thou art a prophet," cried Joy, springing upon the jailer; 
 and seizing him with a powerful grasp, he hurled him to the 
 ground, letting fall at the same time the manacles which he had
 
 76 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 loosely put on to deceive. " Make no noise," he added, " and I 
 will not hurt thee, but to-night the words of thy prophecy must 
 be fulfilled ; so give me thy key." 
 
 The man thus treated made no resistance, nor attempted to 
 cry out, nor did he seem desirous to speak. 
 
 " What art in amaze about ?" said the soldier. " Hast lost 
 thy wits with fright ? I tell thee I would not hurt thee, for all 
 thy iron feathers." 
 
 " I am pondering," answered Bars, composedly, " whether it 
 were better to allow thee to reap the fruit of thy folly, or to give 
 thee good counsel." 
 
 " Speak quick, man," said Joy, " I have no time to spend in 
 long talks like sermons." 
 
 " Be not profane, Philip ; but there is that in the pocket of my 
 doublet, and which, if my arms were loose, I would give thee, 
 might make thee willing to abide till morning." 
 
 " A dagger, perhaps. Nay, 1 will search before I trust thee." 
 So saying, the soldier proceeded to investigate the other's pockets, 
 but he found nothing in them or about his person except his 
 keys and a strip of paper. 
 
 "I see nothing," he said, "but thine arms and a worthless 
 bit of paper." 
 
 " And that is an order for thy release on the morrow. Read 
 and satisfy thyself." 
 
 Philip retreated a few steps, and still keeping his attention on 
 the jailer, read the writing with some difficulty by the aid of the 
 dim light. 
 
 " Why told you me not this before ?" he demanded. 
 
 " Because it would have broke your sleep, and for another 
 reason. And now, Philip, will you ruin yourself and me, or 
 will you remain ?" 
 
 " Good Sam," said Philip, extending his hand and raising the 
 other up, " let thou and I be sworn friends. There is some
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 77 
 
 mystery behind this matter which it behooves us both to have 
 cleared up. Answer me a question. Did Master Spikeinan 
 know of that paper ?" 
 
 " Surely he did. He inquired of me concerning it." 
 " Umph !" grunted Philip. " Now tell again, what is that other 
 reason why thou didst say nothing of the paper to me before 1" 
 
 " Answer for answer ; tickle me and I will scratch thee. I 
 will answer that question if you will me another." 
 " There is reason in thee. I promise." 
 " Because Master Spikeman commanded me not." 
 " And canst tell why he wanted to speak to me alone ?" 
 " To get to the bottom of sundry plots wherewith you were 
 acquainted, and which you had partly confessed. And now it is 
 my turn to ask questions, so tell me how gattest thou rid of the 
 irons ?" 
 
 " Master Spikeman unfastened them." 
 
 " I might have guessed as much before," said Bars, scratching 
 his head. 
 
 " Hark ye, Sam, that same canon-ball of thine which thou 
 seemest to take so great delight in digging with thy fingers, would 
 have been a bloody coxcomb had I followed the advice of our 
 friend, Master Spikeman." 
 
 " How !" exclaimed the jailer, did he counsel injury to me *?" 
 " Thou hast said. At any rate, to my thinking, there was not 
 much difference from that." 
 
 " The accursed Judas !" burst out the excited jailer ; " the 
 blood-thirsty Joab, who would have had me smitten under the 
 fifth rib. Profane Korah, Dathan and Abiram, whom the earth 
 swallowed up for their bitterness against Moses, were children of 
 light compared with this horrid Philistine." 
 
 " I suppose she was sick at the stomach, and so gulped them 
 down for bitters, just as my good mother used to give me worm- 
 wood when I was weakly in the spring," said Philipi laughing.
 
 78 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 At any other time this speech would have drawn down a 
 serious remonstrance for its impiety, but at the present moment 
 Sam was too much engaged with the treachery of Spikeman to 
 bestow upon it any attention. 
 
 " Philip," he said, " I accept thy offer to be sworn friends. 
 This Satan, this Pharaoh, this platter with the inside unwashed, 
 shall not have another chance to set on honest men to murder 
 one another. Hearken, and thou shalt have another secret. It 
 was this hell incarnate who commanded me to load thee with 
 irons, and to starve thee besides, but that I could not do." 
 
 One revelation led to another, until the whole wickedness of 
 the Assistant was laid bare. Philip also learned in addition that 
 it was Bars himself who had communicated a knowledge of his 
 condition to the knight, by whom directions had been left to 
 have him come to the Mount of Promise as soon as he should be 
 liberated. Prudence, too, he was told, had been at the prison to 
 inquire after him, but the instructions to the jailer forbade the 
 carrying or delivering of messages, for which reason Philip had 
 hitherto remained ignorant of the interest betrayed by her. 
 
 With the discovery of the villainy of Spikeman there was 
 mixed up some comfort for the soldier in reflecting on the 
 affection of Prudence and the friendship of the knight ; but for 
 the jailer there was no such solace. He dwelt resentfully on 
 the exposure of his person and the loss of office which would 
 probably have been the consequence had Philip escaped, and 
 meditated schemes of revenge. 
 
 When the jailer took leave, the soldier stretched himself 
 again on the straw, and in spite of the prospect of liberty and 
 the scenes he had just passed through, was soon asleep.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 " Wherefore adew, my owne Herte true, 
 
 None other red I can ; 
 For I must to the greene \Vode goe, 
 
 Alone, a banishyd man." 
 
 THE NUT-BBOWN MAID. 
 
 THE uppermost desire in the heart of Philip Joy upon being 
 liberated in the morning by the order which, while it opened 
 his prison door, exonerated him from no other part of his 
 sentence, was to see Prudence ; but his late experience of the 
 wiles of Spikeman, although he could think of no motive for 
 his hostility, had taught him caution, and he determined to ad- 
 vance warily to gratify his wishes. 
 
 The occupation of Philip was that of a blacksmith and 
 armorer, in which capacities he had been of some utility to the 
 colony. Between whiles, also, whenever any desperate service 
 was required in order to strike terror into the savages, he had 
 been employed in his military character, and always with 
 credit to himself. In consequence of his skill in his handicraft 
 and bravery, he had at first been a man of no little considera- 
 tion, but as the population of the settlement increased, and fears 
 of the Indians diminished, and blacksmiths and armorers be- 
 came more numerous, the importance of the stout soldier 
 gradually waned. To this result contributed, in no small de-
 
 80 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 gree, the fact that he had never joined the congregation, and 
 sometimes indulged in a freedom of speech on interdicted topics, 
 which was unpalatable to those around him. Hence it hap- 
 pened that slight oifences, which were at first overlooked in 
 consideration of his usefulness, were no longer passed by when 
 that usefulness was no longer prized, and there were even some 
 who were disposed to visit him with punishment for transgres- 
 sions of the kind, of years previous. Spikeman, who by his 
 wealth and cunning, had lately succeeded in getting himself 
 for the first time elevated to the dignity of an Assistant, had 
 always appeared to be a friend, and indeed had truly been so, 
 until he sought to pluck the apple of discord, the too fascinating 
 Prudence, out of the soldier's hand. So deep was the impres- 
 sion of the Assistant's good-will to him, and so long had he been 
 in the habit of regarding the magistrate as a patron, that with- 
 out exactly disbelieving, he found it difficult to give full credence 
 to the jailer's representations. His mind was so confused that 
 he hardly knew what to do. He wanted to see Prudence before 
 he departed for the knight's residence, and yet, with a vague 
 dread of Spikeman's power for mischief, wished to avoid him. 
 
 Meditating upon these embarrassments, Philip mechanically 
 took his way in the direction of the Assistant's house, uncon- 
 sciously obeying the hope that some kind chance would enable 
 him to see his mistress without being discovered. With this 
 view, and as if believing that she would be able to see through 
 a disguise impenetrable to others, and with some sense of shame 
 at having been confined in a dungeon, Philip drew his slouched 
 hat over his eyes, and muffling his face in the folds of his short 
 cloak, walked in front of the dwelling, casting frequent glances 
 at the windows. It was in vain, however ; and fearful of at- 
 tracting an attention which he desired to shun, he started at 
 last for the forest, through which he was obliged to pass on 
 his way to the knight's place. Wearily he dragged his steps
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 81 
 
 along, for the confinement he had suffered, and the irons he had 
 worn, had diminished his strength and chafed his limbs. Ponder- 
 ing sadly his unfortunate fate, he was slowly advancing, and had 
 only just entered the wood, when he was saluted by a well known 
 voice, that made him start with a joyful surprise. It was that 
 of Prudence, who was following him. She had seen him whom 
 it would have been difficult to disguise from her, pass the house, 
 and had allowed him to suppose himself undiscovered, and then 
 pursued, in order to enjoy, undisturbed, a meeting which she 
 desired as much as he. She was so overjoyed and confused at 
 seeing him again, that somehow she stumbled as she came near, 
 and would have fallen had not Philip caught her in his arms for 
 which benevolent deed he rewarded himself with a couple of 
 smacks like the report of a pistol. 
 
 " Fie, for shame, Philip," cried Prudence, all in a glow, and 
 looking wonderfully, as if she wanted the offence repeated ; at any 
 rate the soldier so understood it, and clasping her again in his 
 arms, refused to release her till her lips had paid the penalty of 
 their sweetness. " Oh, fie," said she, once more ; " what would 
 folk say if they saw thee 1 ?" 
 
 " There's only birds or a chance deer to see us," said Philip, 
 " and it can do them no harm to take a lesson," and he attempted 
 to renew his demonstrations of affection. 
 
 "Be quiet now," said Prudence, pushing him away. "I 
 must soon hurry back, or I shall be missed, and I want, first, to 
 hear all about thee, and then I have something to say on my 
 part." 
 
 Thus rebuked, Philip seated himself, with the maiden by his 
 side, on the trunk of a fallen tree, and narrated the circum- 
 stances of his trial and condemnation, and the occurrences at 
 the prison. Some tears pretty Prudence let fall over parts of his 
 stoiy, while at others her hazel eyes flashed with indignation, 
 
 4
 
 82 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 and upon its conclusion she disclosed in turn the conduct of 
 Spikeman to herself. ^ 
 
 " I tell thee all, Philip," said Prudence, " because thou dost 
 still seem to doubt about the wickedness of this bad man, who is 
 trying to ruin us both." She stopped, and hid her face in her 
 hands. 
 
 Great was the rage of the soldier at what he had heard. 
 
 " By the head of king Charles," he swore, '' I will drive my 
 dagger into his black heart." 
 
 He rose in anger, as if about immediately to put his threat into 
 execution, but the girl threw her arms around him and drew him 
 down. 
 
 " That would be certain death to thee, Philip," she said. " We 
 must find other means to punish him. Besides, I must keep thee 
 safe to serve my young mistress." 
 
 " Thou art right, Prudence, and I am hot and hasty ; but 
 does not the villain deserve the warmest place in Beelzebub's 
 dominions who would harm thee ? Prudence, thou shalt not 
 remain in his house." 
 
 " That will I," replied the girl. " Why, who is to wait on 
 my mistress, and take care of her but me ? If mistress Eveline 
 were to hear thy speech, she would not be over obliged to thee, 
 Master Philip, for wishing me to desert her." 
 
 " You misunderstand me, and that is not my desire. But art 
 not afraid of the old villain ?" 
 
 " Me afraid !" exclaimed Prudence, contemptuously, curling 
 her lips ; " I am not half as much afraid of him as I am of 
 thee." And as she uttered the Avords, she drew herself a little 
 back from him on the log where they sat. 
 
 " But tell me, my brave robin red-breast," said Philip, casting 
 a look at the gay cloak which she had thrown around her person, 
 and not seeming to pay much regard to the latter part of her 
 answer, "how am I to serve mistress Eveline?"
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 83 
 
 " O, I know not, yet I dare say we shall be able to turn thee 
 to some good purpose; men are sometimes so useful !" 
 
 "I will recollect thy speech," said the soldier, laughing, " and 
 promise to teach thee, on a future occasion, how maidens also 
 may be useful. But hast never a message from mistress Eveline 
 to Master Arundel, should I chance to see him, for he is often at 
 the place of the Knight of the Golden Melice, and it is my pur- 
 pose to go thither to-day ?" 
 
 " Young ladies affect not to send messages to thy over bold 
 sex," said Prudence, tossing her head, " but an' thou dost see the 
 gentleman, thou mayest tell him, as from me, that she is well, 
 and desires his prosperity." 
 
 " A cold message, truly, and it is well the weather is warm, 
 else would poor Master Arundel be in danger of being frozen into 
 an icicle." 
 
 " A hundred such messages would not, I fear, cool thy hot 
 blood ; but Master Miles is gentle born, and less presumptuous 
 than thou ; thou mayest therefore say, rather than hurt his 
 feelings, that my mistress would have no objection to seeing 
 him." 
 
 "What a buttermilk kind of a message is that!" said the 
 soldier. Dost think that a man of any spirit is going to be satis- 
 fied with an errand that runs like a stream of cold water down 
 one's back? Come, Prudence, perk thy red lips into more 
 reasonable and comforting words." 
 
 " Thou art thyself unreasonable, Philip. Dost suppose it 
 becomes a young woman to let her gallant know all she thinks 
 about him "? He ought to be ravished to believe that she does 
 not hate him like the rest of them who wear beards ; at any rate, 
 thou wilt get nothing else from me." 
 
 " I must perforce, then, be content," said Philip, " since it 
 may not be otherwise ; and the less unwillingly because having 
 had some experience in the nature of women, I know they mean
 
 84: THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 more than they say. So I will even translate thy words into 
 thy mistress' intention, and say she is dying of melancholy till 
 she sees him." 
 
 " Thou wilt be a false varlet an' thou dost, and I will never 
 trust thee with message more. Such leasing will only harm thee, 
 for Master Miles knows there is not in America nor in dear 
 old Devonshire a modester or properer young lady. O dear, 
 how glad I should be just to step into the grand cathedral in 
 sweet Exeter, and see the brave knights who died so long ago 
 all lying cross-legged, so decent on their marble tombs by the 
 sides of their ladies." 
 
 " Take care, my little Puritan," said Philip, " this is no fitting 
 country for such talk. The reverend elders have long ears, and 
 for aught I know, there may be one in the tree overhead 
 listening." 
 
 Prudence jumped hastily from her seat, and cast a frightened 
 glance at these words into the tree, while Philip burst into a 
 laugh. 
 
 " Why, how you scared me," said the girl, recovering from her 
 trepidation. " This is the way you treat me, you vile man, for 
 putting myself to all this trouble on your account. But I would 
 have you to know that I am no more a Puritan, Philip Joy, 
 than thyself, if I do wear a close-fitting cap, which is none of the 
 most becoming either. If I do give into their ways, it is for the 
 sake of my mistress, whom no Geneva cloak, nor bishop's sleeves, 
 for that matter, shall make me desert." 
 
 "Bravo, bravissimo, as the outlandish fellows say," exclaimed 
 the soldier ; " thou art of the genuine game breed, Prudence, 
 and were it not that thy pretty person might come to harm, I 
 would desire no better front rank man than thee. But this is a 
 dangerous litany, and I beseech thee, dear Prudence, to remem- 
 ber how thou art named." 
 
 He said this in a tone of emotion, which, if anything were
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 85 
 
 wanting, would have been sufficient to convince the girl of the 
 interest he felt for her ; but she needed no such supplementary 
 proof. It had the effect, however, of making the conversation 
 assume a more serious aspect, and the girl more gravely replied : 
 
 " I Avill be careful, Philip, for my mistress' sake and mine 
 own, and " 
 
 " And for mine, too," interrupted the soldier. 
 
 " And for the sake of all them," continued Prudence, " who 
 find anything in me to take an interest in. O, Philip, I 
 tremble lest you should do or say something again that these 
 dreadful solemn folk, who look sour enough to curdle milk, and 
 hate you because you laugh, may get hold of to do you an injury. 
 O, Philip, pray be prudent about laughing." 
 
 " Nay, Prudence," said he, drawing his illustration from what 
 he happened to see at the moment, " you might as well bid yon 
 squirrel not to jump from bough to bough. It is our nature, 
 and you cannot change a squirrel into an owl, or a man into a 
 block. But," he continued, taking her hand, " I have not told 
 thee all. I know not when I shall see thee again, for I am a 
 banished man." 
 
 "Banished!" repeated Prudence, turning pale; "I thought 
 they had already wronged thee enough for a few innocent words 
 and now banished ! What will become of thee, Philip, and of 
 me!" 
 
 " Never fear, sweetheart ; we will turn their flank yet. I 
 have been thinking, as I came wandering along, that this Master 
 Spikeman, who keeps mistress Eveline as a sort of prisoner on 
 parole, has an object in getting me out of his way, so as better to 
 carry on his wicked plans. My jealous pate at first could think 
 only of thee ; but now I begin to fancy he may have designs upon 
 pretty mistress Eveline as well as upon thyself. Nay, never 
 bite your sweet lips till they bleed, nor dart the sparks out of 
 thine eyes, or you may singe my doublet. I do suspect this from
 
 86 THE KNTQHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the equal desire he hath shown to remove Master Miles Arunclel 
 from the colony. He did threaten him, as I have heard, with 
 some law they have here forbidding a man to pay his court to a 
 maid without license from the worshipful magistrates." 
 
 " Did ever mortal hear the like !" exclaimed Prudence. " O, 
 the weary magistrates and elders! what is the world coming to?" 
 
 " To nothing but Indians in these parts, if they go on in this 
 way, and not let young folk court, unless they keep sending 
 people from England to replenish the stock, and they will get 
 tired of coming when they hear how things are going on. But, 
 Prudence, banish or no banish, law or no law, they shall not, if 
 thou art agreed, prevent my seeing thee." 
 
 The girl looked affectionately at her lover, and gently returned 
 the pressure of his hand. 
 
 " I will hie me to the knight," continued Philip. " I happened 
 once to be of use to him, and he is not a man to forget a favor, 
 though he is somewhat changed since the time I first saw him. 
 He was then a fiery youth, for all he can look so grave at times 
 now. He hath some credit, for it was by his intercession with 
 the Governor that my imprisonment was shortened. I will hie 
 me to him, and hear what he advises, more especially as he hath 
 sent for me. And I bethink me, Prudence, it were no bad thing, 
 if he can do so much, to get him to speak a word for mistress 
 Eveline." 
 
 " An' thou couldest, it were a good deed, and heaven will 
 reward thce therefor." 
 
 " I will look to thee, instead of heaven, for my reward," said 
 the soldier. " Meanwhile do thou have thine eyes like those in 
 a peacock's tail, all around thee, for this Master Spikeman is 
 cunninger than all the foxes whose tails Samson tied together." 
 
 " Trust me, Philip, and be thou discreet. And now must 1 
 be going back, for I Avould not abuse the liberty the kind heart 
 of dame Spikeman gives me by loitering too long ; so good-bye."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 87 
 
 " And is this the way you take leave, when perhaps you may 
 not see me again for a month? Not one salute?" 
 
 " Methinks thou hast been firing salutes enough already to 
 welcome a ship from England. Be content, Sir Malapert, with 
 their discharges ;" and Prudence began tripping it away. 
 
 " I'll not be content with such a discharge," muttered the 
 soldier ; then raising his voice, he called after her, " Prudence, 
 Prudence, hasten not away so fast ; there is one thing I forgot." 
 
 The girl at the sound of his voice retraced her steps a little, 
 and met Philip. 
 
 " Harkee in thine ear," said he, " for I must speak low. I did 
 omit to put my seal to our covenant ;" and before Prudence was 
 aware, he had imprinted a smack upon her cheek. 
 
 " And there is mine," cried Prudence, hitting him a box upon 
 the ear, " and I warrant it will be as red as thine," and with 
 that she bounded like a deer away. 
 
 " The foul fiend fly away with me, an' I love not the girl 
 dearly," exclaimed the soldier, looking after her with admiring 
 eyes, as like a red-winged butterfly she flew through the green 
 bushes. " If I ever have the luck to get her, I shall have a 
 dame strong enough to carry her part of our bundle. "Well, go 
 thy ways, Prudence Rix, for as comely, and as sweet-breathed, 
 and as kind a lass, notwithstanding the weight of thy hand, as 
 ever milked a cow in the old country." 
 
 The frame of mind in which the soldier now pursued his walk 
 was very different from that in which it had commenced. The 
 dampness of the prison which had begun to affect his health 
 was forgotten, as the genial sun gradually dried the clamminess 
 out of his clothing, and he inspired the reviving morning air. It 
 seemed to him he could not drink deep enough draughts of the 
 woodland scents, which flowed so deliciously through his lungs, 
 as almost to compensate for the suffering which he had endured. 
 His unexpected interview with Prudence, after he had given up
 
 88 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 all expectation of it, conduced also to impart vivacity to his 
 spirits, and he advanced, not with a rapid pace, for of that his 
 treatment in the jail had made him incapable, but cheerfully and 
 resolutely. 
 
 It was perhaps an hour afterwards, when Philip, as he was 
 walking slowly on, heard the sounds of a person coming after 
 him, and looking round, he beheld the man whom of all the 
 world he least desired to see. The whole temper of his spirit 
 was at once changed. The peace which, like a stream of per- 
 fumes, had been flowing into his soul, was checked, and the at- 
 mosphere became hot and suffocating around him. It was 
 Spikeman approaching, who was on his way to a plantation he 
 had in the neighborhood, for there were few things promising 
 profit to which the adventurous speculator had not directed his 
 attention. 
 
 Philip strove to keep the horns of the rising devil out of his 
 heart, and averting his head, stepped on one side to allow the 
 o ther to pass. Spikeman noticed the desire, for it was too 
 m arked not to be observed ; and in a new country, even strangers 
 are not in the habit of passing one another without greeting, 
 but he paid no attention to it ; and as he came up, laid his hand 
 on Philip's shoulder, and bade him a good morning. 
 
 The soldier started as though pierced by a thorn, and shaking 
 off the hand roughly, requested the Assistant to go on his way 
 and leave him to himself. 
 
 " How now," exclaimed Spikeman. " Methinks this is cold 
 welcome for a friend." 
 
 " Pass on thy way," said the soldier. " I desire not thy com- 
 pany." 
 
 "Verily, am I amazed," said Spikeman. "Surely, to con- 
 fer a favor on the unthankful, is like pouring water on sand." 
 
 " I do advise thee, Master Spikeman," said Philip, " to cease 
 thine abuse. I am no longer a fool stumbling along with his 
 eyes blinded."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MKLICE. 89 
 
 The curiosity of the Assistant had been aroused at the be- 
 ginning, and he determined to ascertain how far Philip's know- 
 ledge of his conduct extended, for his guilty conscience whispered 
 that some discovery of the soldier occasioned the changed be- 
 havior. It might be caused only by suspicion, and if so, he 
 trusted by his ingenuity to dispel it ; but if he had been betrayed, 
 it was important that he should know it. The Assistant, more- 
 over, was curious to learn from the soldier himself, why he had 
 not broken jail as advised. He concluded that the soldier had 
 not ; for had he done so, the escape would probably have been 
 known by morning ; yet was Spikeman confident that Philip at 
 the time of their interview in the jail had no knowledge of the 
 order for his release. Perhaps Bars had overcome in the strug- 
 gle, and disregarded it. "With doubts like these floating through 
 his mind, he began to probe Philip. 
 
 " What ails thee ?" he inquired. " It would seem as if you 
 took me for an enemy, and yet have I not always approved my- 
 self thy friend, even jeopardizing my position as a magistrate no 
 longer ago than yesternight to release thee from jail ?" 
 
 " Master Spikeman," answered Philip, " thou dost well know, 
 1 doubt not, that I am at liberty, not because I did by thy ad- 
 vice knock out the brains of harmless Sam Bars, but by the grace 
 of the Governor's order." 
 
 " I counselled no more violence than was necessary to effect 
 thy purpose ; but who moved the Governor in thy case ?" 
 
 " Not thou, as I am well advised, but the noble Knight of 
 the Golden Melice, a man as much superior to thee, as I am to 
 an Indian.'' 
 
 " Thou art mad and vituperative, Philip, and were it not so 
 early, I should think thou hadst been indulging too liberally in 
 drafts of aqua vita;. It is a vile habit. But as the Archangel 
 Michael returned not a railing accusation, but said, the Lord 
 rebuke thee, Satan, so say I unto thee. Truly, I comprehend 
 
 4*
 
 90 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 thy game. Thou art weary of thy old friends, and being de- 
 sirous to propitiate new, dost seek a quarrel to mask thine in- 
 gratitude. But see whether this famous knight prove not a 
 broken reed." 
 
 The soldier, in spite of his conviction of the villainy of the 
 other, was touched at the taunt, and hastened to defend him- 
 self. 
 
 " It is false, Master Spikeman," he cried. " If thou wert 
 truly a friend, wherefore advise me to break jail, and thus ex- 
 pose myself to be hunted as a malefactor, when I had but to 
 wait till morning for deliverance?" 
 
 " It is much, Philip Joy, for one in my condition to conde- 
 scend to explain, especially after thy rudeness of speech ; yet 
 will I do it, that no fancied cause may be left for thy base sus- 
 picions. Shortly, then, I knew not of Gov. "VVinthrop's inten- 
 tion, for when I did entreat him in thy behalf, he spake in such 
 ambiguous phrase as effectually to cloak his thoughts. I doubt 
 not, now, that it was to make the surprise the more agreeable." 
 
 This was said with such an appearance of innocence, that the 
 simplicity of the soldier was confounded, and he began to doubt 
 more and more the truth of his suspicions. But the communica- 
 tion of Prudence rankled in his mind, and though disposed to 
 acquit the Assistant of treachery against himself, he could not 
 forgive the treatment of the girl. He did not doubt her word, 
 and yet desired to hear the Assistant's excuse, if he had any. 
 He shrunk from the subject, and yet was drawn to it, like a 
 moth fascinated by a light. 
 
 " There is another thing I like not, 1 ' he said, hesitatingly. 
 
 " And pray, what may thy wisdom have discovered now ?" 
 
 " That it is not becoming in a grave magistrate to try to 
 cozen servant girls," burst from the soldier. 
 
 " Has Prudence ?" but here the Assistant, sensible that 
 
 he had already said too much, suddenly checked himself, while
 
 THE KJSTIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 91 
 
 his sallow cheek looked still more yellow. But the escape of 
 the girl's name, even without the embarrassment, was a con- 
 fession of guilt to the soldier, who, with rising passion, ex- 
 claimed 
 
 . " Away, or I shall be tempted to do that whereof 1 may re- 
 pent/' 
 
 Spikeman marked his agitation, and hesitated whether to come 
 to an open breach, or continue his system of deception. The 
 craft of his nature preponderated, and he determined to adopt 
 the latter course. 
 
 " Gently, Philip," he said. " Thy prison hath strangely affected 
 thee ; but because I pity, I will not be angry. At least let me 
 finish the sentence which I begun. I did desire to know whether 
 Prudence, whom, that thou dost affect, I have for some time 
 known, (nay, never blush ; I have been young myself,) whether 
 Prudence, I say, gained access to thy prison to tell thee of my 
 exertions in thy behalf?" 
 
 "Thou exert thyself for me! Go to, thou wert more busy for 
 thyself." 
 
 " I understand thee not ; yet hearken, for the whole truth 
 must be revealed. I say that I have done all that man could 
 do, and as the event proves, not in vain. As for Prudence, I 
 will confess to one impropriety, if it be thy pleasure to call it so, 
 though I meant it not, and whereof thou art in some sense 
 the cause. Knowing thy regard for her, I did speak one day of 
 my hopes for thee, whereat the tears did stand in her eyes, and 
 I was so moved thereat, that I did salute her cheek, but only as 
 a father might caress a child." 
 
 The soldier was more bewildered than ever. He was inca- 
 pable of conceiving of such falsehood as the other's. It seemed 
 to him now that Prudence might be mistaken, and have con- 
 verted a mere compliment into an insult, so contrary appeared 
 the intimations which she had made to what was to be expected
 
 92 TEE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN METJCE. 
 
 from the years and gravity of the Assistant. The freedom with 
 which Spikeman spoke of kissing the girl confirmed the idea, 
 and Philip fancied that he had been harsh. 
 
 " Master Spikeman," he said at length, " if I have unjustly 
 suspected thee, I crave pardon. There may be something in 
 what you said, that the prison hath clouded my mind." 
 
 " Think no more of it, Philip, though doubtless it is so. I 
 have known many a one who, by confinement, hath irretrievably 
 lost his wits. Therefore will it be wise in thee not to be ar- 
 rested again." 
 
 " Wherefore arrested, since I have an order of release ? 
 
 " Alas, thou dost forget thy banishment. If thou art taken 
 within the forbidden boundaries, severe will be thy punishment. 
 Attempt not for Prudence's sake, or any cause, to return without 
 apprising me thereof, when I will endeavor to provide for thy 
 safety." 
 
 The soldier extended his hand. 
 
 " This is kind," he said, " and be assured, Master Spikeman, 
 that I will not soon conceive suspicion of thee again." These 
 women be notional things, he murmured to himself. 
 
 Spikeman took the hand. 
 
 " Now this is like thyself, Philip," he said " a brave soldier 
 true as a Toledo blade one who loves his friend, and hates his 
 enemy, although this latter part should not be so. Thou art 
 journeying, I see, to the knight's place. Mayst thou find in him 
 a patron, but it will do no harm to say be on thy guard ; one 
 old friend is better than a dozen new." 
 
 He turned away, and the soldier, as he looked after him, 
 said 
 
 " There is truth in thy words, but thou art ignorant that the 
 knight and I were friends long before I knew thee."
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Nature I court in her sequestered haunts, 
 By mountain, meadow, streamlet, grove or cell, 
 
 Where the poised lark his evening ditty chaunts, 
 And Health, and Peace, and Contemplation dwell. 
 
 SMOLLETT. 
 
 So LONG had the soldier been delayed by his interviews with 
 Prudence and the Assistant, that it was not until past noon that 
 he reached the knight's residence. It was a large, irregularly 
 built log-cabin, or cottage, covered with thatch, resembling some- 
 what, except in the last paiticular, and in being larger, the 
 log-cabins one meets in the new settlements of the West, with a 
 sort of piazza or porch, which seemed to have been lately built, 
 running across the front. Such was the rude exterior; though 
 the interior, as we shall presently see, when we enter the build- 
 ing, was furnished in a style indicating both wealth and refine- 
 ment. 
 
 The house stood near the bottom of a hill, upon a piece of 
 cleared land of perhaps half a dozen acres, upon which not the 
 vestige of a stump was to be seen. The ground sloped gently 
 away from the building to the southeast, until it met a small 
 stroam, which meandered at the base of the hill, and running 
 in an easterly direction, was lost to sight in the forest. In front 
 of the house, at the distance of a rod, bubbled up a bright 
 spring, which, dashing down the declivity, fell into the first-
 
 94: THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 mentioned stream. Except this cultivated spot, which had been 
 an old corn-field of the natives, selected by them for the fertility 
 of the soil, its advantage of water, and the favorable slope of the 
 land, which enabled it to engross more than a common share of 
 the genial heat of the sun, and expedite the maturing of its har- 
 vests, all was one unbroken extent of forest. In the soft au- 
 tumnal days, when the maize leaves rustled yellow on their 
 stalks, it must have looked to the soaring eagle, gazing from his 
 " pride of place," like a vast nest in a green leafy frame. 
 
 Around this building, at some little distance, viz., at the edge 
 of the encircling forest, were scattered some four or five wig- 
 wams, or Indian lodges, made of the bark of trees, from some of 
 which smoke curled lazily up into the blue sky, imparting assu- 
 rance thereby of their being inhabited, though the presence of 
 some naked children near the entrances, who were shooting with 
 little bows at marks, and amusing themselves in other ways, 
 made any such indication unnecessary. 
 
 As the soldier drew near, he heard more and more distinctly 
 musical sounds, and presently could distinguish the tinkling of a 
 guitar, accompanied by a female voice. He stopped and listened. 
 The air was slow and solemn, the notes were soft and clear, and 
 the words sweet, but not English. There was a _rich luxu- 
 riance, yet pathos in the music, like the utterances of a spirit 
 whose hopes were mingled with reminiscences of joys which it 
 had lost. How long Philip listened, he knew not, 'so entranced 
 was he by the sounds. It was a long time since he had heard 
 such delicious strains, and the effect upon him was therefore the 
 greater. Suddenly they ceased, as if his approach had been dis- 
 covered, and immediately thereafter, a man stepped out upon 
 the piazza. Philip recognized him at once as the young man to 
 whom Prudence had sent a message, and whom he himself hal 
 called Master Arundel. 
 
 He Avas a fair-haired youth of some twenty-three or four
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 95 
 
 years, with that clear, bright complexion so common among the 
 English, and which they owe to their foggy climate and habit of 
 exercise in the open air. Dark blue eyes looked out joyously 
 from a handsome face, which would have been effeminate, so 
 delicate were the features and rosy the tint of the cheeks, but 
 for a brown moustache, which shaded the lip, and redeemed it 
 from the imputation. His doublet and hose were of a dark 
 green cloth, as was also the cap he held in his hand, and he 
 wore boots made of yellow leather, reaching above the knee, and 
 full at the top. Around his neck was a white band, like those 
 worn by the wealthier colonists. This young gentleman first 
 spoke. 
 
 " Ha! Achilles, or Coeur de Lion from captivity," or to fashion 
 my speech more into the humor of this new world, " O, Daniel 
 from the lion's den, greatly doth my heart rejoice at thy de- 
 liverance." "Welcome, good Philip," he added, in a more na- 
 tural tone, betraying some sympathy, and taking him at the 
 same time by the hand ; " welcome to your friends." 
 
 The tired soldier sank down upon a bench before he was able 
 to speak. 
 
 " Thy tongue is dry, and moves slowly, and, now that I re- 
 gard thee more closely, art pale. We must cheer up thy droop- 
 ing spirit " 
 
 " Having thus spoken, the young man entered the house, and 
 presently returned with a flagon and drinking cups. 
 
 " Drink, man," said Arundel, filling a cup with wine, " and 
 wash all sorrow out of thine heart. The suns that ripened the 
 grapes out of which this juice was crushed, were bright and 
 joyous. May they impart their own happiness and vigor unto 
 thee." 
 
 The soldier put the cup to his lips, nor withdrew it until the 
 contents were drained. 
 
 " I feel," he said, " the good wine tingling through all my 
 veins, and am a new man again."
 
 96 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Fill once more," said the young man, suiting the action to 
 the word ; " one shower is not enough for so thirsty a soil." 
 
 The soldier did not refuse, and having drank a second time, 
 he felt refreshed. 
 
 " Pleasant enough quarters, Master Arundel," he said, look- 
 ing around ; " and I see ye have some red-skins camped near 
 by." 
 
 " They are the knight's particular friends, whose society it 
 seems to be his sovereign pleasure to cultivate. He has per- 
 suaded them to gather round him, forming what may be called 
 his body-guard/' 
 
 " Or outposts of the main garrison. Well, for runners or 
 scouts they may answer, but for hand-to-hand action, they are 
 naught. But where is Sir Christopher ?" 
 
 " He started on a hunt this morning, our larder having run 
 low. Hark !" he added, as suddenly the blast of a bugle was 
 heard echoing through the forest, " that is the sound wherewith 
 he is accustomed to announce his approach, and you will present- 
 ly see him coming out of the wood." 
 
 Sure enough, in a few moments the tall form of the knight, 
 arrayed in a deer-skin hunting-shirt, with leggins of the same 
 material, and '' a piece" in his hand, was seen emerging into the 
 open space. He was followed by a couple of Indians, each of 
 whom bore on his shoulders a deer. 
 
 " Quecheco," the two white men heard him say, as he came out 
 of the bushes, " carry thou thy deer to my lodge, and do thou, 
 Pococke, divide thine with thy brother Quecheco." After 
 speaking these words, he advanced toward them. 
 
 " So, ho, Philip," cried Sir Christopher, " again under my 
 banner. Fate hath decreed us I think for buenas camaradas, and 
 for my part I heartily rejoice thereat. A braver heart than thine 
 never beat under steel corselet, or truer hand wielded a sharp 
 sword."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 97 
 
 " I thank you, Sir Christopher, for your good opinion," said 
 the soldier, " but I have seen little service since we parted 
 among the Turbans, of whom somehow your wine sets me a 
 thinking, at all to my mind. As for fighting these naked savages, 
 who have nothing but children's bows and stone hatchets, while 
 our men-at-arms are clad in bullet-proof steel from head to heel, 
 methinks there is little manhood required therefor, and for what 
 I have done in that way, I confess myself somewhat ashamed." 
 
 " It doth please me to hear thee speak thus, Philip," replied 
 the knight. True valor is ever joined with generosity, and 
 despises to take advantage of superior strength to crush the 
 weaker. But fear not that I have any service of the kind for 
 thee. I came not among these innocent natives to bring a sword, 
 but the olive branch of peace. I would see them peaceful, and 
 united, and happy, not broken into hostile clans, and delighting 
 in murdering one another." 
 
 " I spoke not," said the soldier, " as desiring to make terms 
 with you, Sir Christopher, well knowing that you would ask 
 nothing which an honest man would be unwilling to perform, 
 and am only too happy to enter your service." 
 
 " So be it, Philip," said the knight. "Henceforth bfe here thy 
 home." 
 
 " Truly," exclaimed the soldier, stretching out his legs with a 
 sigh of relief, " there is some difference between lying in a prison, 
 or even talking with Master Spikeman in the bushes, as I did but 
 just now, and being with good wine and noble gentlemen." 
 
 " Didst meet on thy way that most puritanical of Puritans, the 
 praying, cheating, canting, hypocritical, long-faced Master Spike- 
 man ?" cried Arundel. " I wonder what new mischief he hath 
 now on foot, for it is his meat ?" 
 
 " Muster Miles Arundel," said the knight, " thy language is 
 too intemperate to be excused even by thy youth. Check the 
 bitterness of thine expression, and know that he who rules his 
 own spirit is greater than he who wins a kingdom."
 
 98 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 A flash of haughty resentment lighted up the eyes of the young 
 man at the reproof, but as he saw that no offence was designed, 
 he answered : 
 
 " I expect never to win a kingdom, but as for this villain " 
 
 "Peace, I entreat thee, my young friend," interrupted 
 Sir Christopher. " I am curious to hear of Philip's treatment 
 in his confinement, if he will favor us with an account thereof?" 
 
 Hereupon the soldier recounted to them all that had passed in 
 his prison, including his interview with Spikeman, and attack on 
 the jailer, and also the conversation in the wood, except those 
 parts which had relation to Prudence. 
 
 " I see not," said Arundel, upon the conclusion of the nar- 
 rative, " why the wily Assistant should be thine enemy, but he 
 cleai-ly is. Thou art honored in this respect as well as I." 
 
 " My mind doth misgive me that you are right," said Philip. 
 " Away from him. He seems an arch villain, though in his presence 
 the feeling changes, for he hath a tongue to wile a bird from the 
 bough." 
 
 " Be sure I am not mistaken. See now whether Sir Christo- 
 pher be not of the same opinion." 
 
 Thus appealed to, the knight answered : 
 
 " I fear that your judgment, Master Arundel, is correct, 
 though caring not to enter into the reasons which have forced 
 me to this conclusion. But we will endeavor to use such caution 
 that any mischievous designs of his shall be defeated. Happily 
 my homestead is not comprised within the limits of the colony, 
 and the sentence of banishment is complied with, Philip being 
 here." 
 
 Hereupon Sir Christopher rose and entered the house, and the 
 soldier took advantage of his absence to deliver the message of 
 Prudence, which, as he had threatened, he colored a little. 
 With all his efforts he was unable to conceal the interest which 
 he felt for the girl, but the young man good naturedly allowed
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 99 
 
 him to suppose it unnoticed. In a short time the knight re- 
 appeared, and invited them in to dinner. 
 
 The apartment which they entered opened immediately upon 
 the porch, and was a room some twenty feet square, constituting 
 somewhat more than a quarter of the building. The walls were 
 merely unhewn logs, divested of the bark, and filled in with a 
 tenacious clay resembling mortar. Against them were nailed, or 
 supported by wooden pegs, in divers places, branching horns of 
 the moose and deer, over which were hung hunting-shirts and 
 skins of various wild animals, tanned with the hair on. The 
 antlers also, in many instances, supported guns, and swords, and 
 hunting pouches, and powder-horns, and, in short, whatever 
 might be necessary 'for attack or defence in war, and success in 
 the chase. In the centre of the room a table for four or five 
 persons was set, and a squaw was busy near a fire preparing the 
 meal. 
 
 It was not long before the simple dinner, consisting principally 
 of venison steaks and bread made of Indian corn, was placed 
 by the squaw on the board, and the three men drew up, Philip 
 manifesting some modest reluctance, until pressed thereto by 
 the knight. 
 
 " The vain distinctions of the world," said Sir Christopher, 
 " are out of place here. My soul sickens at the servile respect 
 paid to stars and garters. The jewel of the spirit is to be 
 prized, not by the setting, but by the degree of its own splendor 
 it darts around." 
 
 Nor simple though the dinner was, were there wanting draughts 
 of wine like that of which the soldier had drank upon his 
 arrival. Of the three, he drank the most freely ; Arundel 
 moderately, and the knight almost abstemiously. As the last 
 regarded the pale face of Philip, and mai-ked the kindling 
 lustre of his eyes, he pardoned the poor fellow, in consideration 
 of what he had endured, the freedom of his libations.
 
 100 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 At the conclusion of the meal, Arundel, turning to the 
 knight, said : 
 
 " Philip has brought me word, Sir Christopher, which will 
 necessitate the abridgment of a visit I did intend should be 
 longer. My purpose is to return to Boston in the morning." 
 
 " May a friend inquire after the cause of your sudden de- 
 parture?" asked the knight. 
 
 " It hath some connection," answered the young man, slightly 
 blushing, " with a matter wherewith you are already acquainted. 
 I know not why I should hesitate to aver before yourself and 
 Philip that it hath reference to mistress Eveline Dunning." 
 
 " Fear not to speak the honest impulses of thine heart, Master 
 Arundel," said the knight, "nor deem that I can take amiss 
 thy preference of the starry eyes of pretty mistress Eveline to 
 a hermitage in the wood." 
 
 " She desires to see me," returned the young man, " and I 
 hold it a sacred duty to watch over her, for she is a lamb in 
 the jaws of a lion." 
 
 " My opinion of the worshipful Master Spikeman," said the 
 knight, "is not much more " favorable than thine own, though 
 mine eyes be not blinded by the deceitful mists of passion. Be 
 wary, however, else mayest thou incur an enmity which it were 
 well to avoid." 
 
 " What wouldest have me do, Sir Christopher ?" demanded 
 the young man, rising with some impatience. " Detains he not 
 my affianced bride? Refuses he not even to allow me to see 
 her, and must not our meetings be stolen 1 Does he not deny 
 the solemn obligation he took upon himself by the death-bed 
 of his too confiding friend, to unite Eveline with me in mar- 
 riage, and is he not thereby a perjured wretch, regardless alike 
 of his vow to God and of duty to the dead and living ? I care 
 not for his enmity, but prefer it to his friendship, nor will I 
 tamely permit him to triumph in his villainy."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 10 L 
 
 " Calm thyself, Master Arundel," said the knight ; " truly I 
 counselled no such thing. My heart is with thee, and my hand 
 at thy service in this matter, for I esteem thee wronged, but 
 neither violence of speech nor precipitancy in action will avail 
 to right thee. All means of persuasion are not exhausted. 
 Why not endeavor to interest Governor Winthrop in thy be- 
 half?" 
 
 " To what purpose ? Suppose you he would take my word 
 in opposition to that of a fellow saint and magistrate ?" 
 
 " Unjust ! Master Arundel ; degrade not the noble Winthrop, 
 a pattern of many Christian virtues, and some knightly qualities, 
 by such association. But to thy word would be super-added 
 that of the young lady. He must believe her." 
 
 " Nay, Sir Christopher, your eagle glance at once detects false- 
 hood wherewith it has no affinity, and you judge of others ac- 
 cording to the standard of your own nobleness, but I am per- 
 suaded the attempt would be in vain. The case stands thus : 
 there is really but witness against witness, for what know I of 
 what occurred at the death-bed of Eveline's father, except what 
 she herself has told me *? Kind though may be the heart of 
 the Governor, and sound his judgment, the false asseveration of 
 the Assistant would outweigh the declaration of Eveline ; and, 
 did it not, and were he ever so favorably disposed, no court in 
 this New Canaan, as they call it, would decide against one of the 
 congregation in favor of an orphan girl not protected by their 
 magic covenant, and whose hand is sought by an intruder into 
 their fold." 
 
 " I deny not the force of thine argument," replied the knight, 
 " and yet have I remarked an omnipotence in truth, that doth 
 make me insist on having recourse to Governor Winthrop. As 
 is the God-like sun, animating and vivifying all things, searching 
 into dark recesses and driving out bats and impure vermin by 
 his intolerable presence, and unveiling ugliness and hatefulness,
 
 102 THE KNIGHI OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 so is Truth. Withersoever she turns her shining mirror there 
 Error may not abide, but like a dastardly coward, flies from the 
 glory. Believe, Master Arundel, that He who is uncreated, 
 Truth will magnify that wherein He delights." 
 
 " To pleasure thee, Sir Christopher, there is nothing which I 
 would not undertake, convinced though I am of its inefficacy." 
 
 " So please you then, represent your grievance in the highest 
 quarter, before you further proceed. And now, I propose to 
 present Philip to Lady Geraldine, if her leisure serve. You will 
 accompany us.'' 
 
 Passing through a vestibule, which separated the two rooms, 
 the knight threw open a door, and admitted them into an apart- 
 mant of smaller dimensions than the first, but fitted up with far 
 more regard to comfort, and with even some pretension to ele- 
 gance. The floor was covered with matting made by the Indian 
 women, on which strange figures were drawn, stained with bril- 
 liant dyes ; the sides of the room also were hung with matting, 
 over which fell folds of scarlet cloth reaching to within a couple 
 of feet of the floor, imparting an air of gayety, while overhead 
 Avas tightly drawn and fastened to the rafters a light blue cloth, 
 approaching in color the hue of the sky. Some chairs were 
 scattered around, and on a table lay a guitar, on the top of a 
 book. No person was in the apartment at the moment of their 
 entrance, and, upon the invitation of the knight, they took seats 
 to await the arrival of the lady. 
 
 They had been seated but a short time when another door 
 opened, and a comely gentlewoman entered, ushered by a little 
 Indian girl. The age of the lady appeared to be about the same 
 as that of the knight, and, to judge from her complexion, she was 
 not of English extraction. Her features, though not regular, 
 were handsome ; the eyes large and black, with hair of the same 
 color, confined by a white cap ; her figure was tall and slender, 
 and her carriage dignified and noble. Her dress consisted merely
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 103 
 
 of a black gown, without ornament, and rising high into the neck, 
 and as she approached she looked like one oppressed with sad- 
 ness. 
 
 Her little swarthy attendant seemed to be a pet which she took 
 delight in adorning, and truly, the little girl was not unconscious 
 that her childish beauty was enhanced by richness of attire. A 
 crimson satin tunic, like a basque, was fastened around her waist 
 by a golden band, beneath which fell a blue silk skirt as far as 
 the knees, while high upon the ankles were laced deer-skin bus- 
 kins, profusely bedecked with shining beads and colored porcu- 
 pine quills. Around her arms, above the elbows, were strings of 
 colored beads, her wrists were clasped by bracelets of the same 
 description, and about her neck was twined a gold chain. 
 
 As the lady thus attended advanced, all rose to pay the respect 
 due to her sex and station. 
 
 " Behold, Lady Geraldine," said the knight, presenting to her 
 the soldier, " the valiant man to whom I once owed my life." 
 
 "He is very welcome," replied the lady, in an accent just for- 
 eign enough to impart a strange interest to her speech. " The 
 savior of my cousin's life is very welcome." 
 
 The embarrassed soldier, confounded at the presence of one 
 who looked to him like a superior being, could find no words to 
 return to her greeting, and only bowed low to conceal his confu- 
 sion. 
 
 " I have heard, Sir Christopher," she continued, " speak of the 
 daring feat of arms whereby he was rescued from the foe, and 
 longed to behold his valorous deliverer to return my soul-felt 
 thanks. Be seated, most welcome gentlemen. And thou, Mas- 
 ter Arundel, I trust, hast received intelligence from Boston which 
 will chase away the cloud that sometimes gathers on thy brow." 
 
 "Honored madam," answered the young man, in the inflated 
 style of gallantry which the custom of high-bred society not only 
 permitted but enjoined, " when the beautiful majesty of the heav-
 
 104 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 enly sun appears, clouds have no place above the horizon, but fly 
 away, chased by his golden shafts." 
 
 "Would that I had the power," said the lady, "as the benefi- 
 cent sun dispels the clouds, so to drive away all sorrow and dis- 
 appointment. There is no grief-laden heart that should not be 
 cheered." 
 
 " Recount now, Philip, to Lady Geraldine, the adventure which 
 causes the colony to lose a valiant soldier, and me to gain for our 
 solitude an old friend and companion in arms," said the knight. 
 
 The soldier, upon being thus addressed, found his voice, and 
 narrated to the lady the circumstances of his enforced departure 
 from Boston. She listened with an appearance of interest, and 
 upon its conclusion spoke a few words expressive of her sorrow 
 for his imprisonment, and of congratulation for the knight, to 
 whom she hoped he would be for the future attached. 
 
 " I do begin to consider my banishment as no misfortune," said 
 the soldier, whose confidence in himself was now restored. " The 
 labor of my forge and exposure of life for folk who know not how 
 to excuse a hasty word or two, are well exchanged for the service 
 of so noble a master and mistress." 
 
 " Be sure, thou shalt not rust like a sheathed sword," said the 
 knight, " and it shall go hard, but I will find for thee employ- 
 ment to content an undegenerate spirit. But, Lady Geraldine, 
 while we gain one to our company, we lose (only for a short time, 
 I hope) another. Master Arundel purposes to leave our solitude 
 to-morrow." 
 
 The lady looked inquiringly at the young man, who answered 
 with a blush : 
 
 "A message brought by Philip doth constrain my departure." 
 
 " A sweet constraint," said the knight, smiling. " Fear not, 
 Master Arundel, that Lady Geraldine will blame thee for obey- 
 ing an impulse as natural as the love of a bee for a flower. The 
 diamond eyes of Mistress Eveline would furnish apology for a 
 deeper crime."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 105 
 
 " I trust all is well with sweet Mistress Eveline," said the 
 lady. 
 
 " All well, may it please you, madam, save for the injurious 
 durance which, in despite of his promise, and regardless of all 
 honor as a man, the villain Spikeman, who calls himself her guar- 
 dian, imposes on her." 
 
 "He will relent," said the lady. "It may be he desires only 
 to try the strength of thy devotion. The flame of thy love will 
 burn the brighter for the trial." 
 
 " I have no hope of such result," said Arundel. " He is so 
 closely wedded to evil, that to do a good action would be to him 
 a pain." 
 
 " Nay," said the lady, " it cannot be there is a creature who 
 loves evil for its own sake. That were quite to extinguish the 
 heavenly spark. Judge not unhappy Master Spikeman so harsh- 
 ly. Commend me to the love of Mistress Eveline," she added, 
 rising, " when you see her, and say that I wear her sweet image 
 in my heart." 
 
 So saying, she bowed and left the apartment, preceded by the 
 little girl, the others rising, and remaining standing as long as she 
 was in sight.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Thinkest thou that I could bear to part 
 From thee and learn to halve my heart ? 
 Years have not seen, time shall not see, 
 The hour that tears my soul from thee. 
 
 BMDE OP ABYDOS. 
 
 IT was early on the morning of the next day when Arundel 
 started on his way to Boston, whither the message delivered by 
 the soldier had somewhat hastened his return. There was, indeed, 
 to one not in love, nothing in it to require such haste, and the 
 explanation of his departure is to be found only in the natural 
 desire of a lover to be near his mistress. Something might hap- 
 pen ; he would seek an occasion to see her ; perhaps a plan might 
 be devised ; at least, his wishes could not be promoted by keep- 
 ing himself at a distance. While the young man, musing on 
 sweet hopes and vague unformed designs, is threading his way 
 through the forest, we will take advantage of the opportunity to 
 explain in a few words what the reader, as yet, only imperfectly 
 suspects. 
 
 Two years previous to the time when our story commences, 
 Edmund Dunning, a landholder and gentleman of consideration, 
 in the county of Devon, in England, having recently adopted the 
 creed and practice of the Puritans, (as a sect dissenting from the 
 Church of England, somewhat in doctrine, and wholly in outward 
 observances, was called ; from asserting, as it was thought, pre-
 
 108 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 tentions to superior purity of belief and strictness of living,) left 
 the shores of his native island with an only child, a daughter, 
 then between seventeen and eighteen years of age, to seek that 
 freedom for his faith in the new world, which, as he conceived, 
 was denied him in the old. His whole family consisted of this 
 daughter, Eveline, his wife having deceased several years previ- 
 ously. His departure was hastened by a circumstance which had 
 for some time occasioned him no little uneasiness, and the evil 
 consequences of which he could think of no other means so ef- 
 fectually to avoid. This circumstance was an intimacy between 
 the beautiful Eveline and a young gentleman in the neighboring 
 town more tender than the father approved, who looked upon the 
 hopes of the suitor as presumptuous, and was, besides, opposed 
 to an union, on account of a diversity of religious sentiment be- 
 twixt himself and the aspirant. 
 
 This young man was Miles Arundel. A year before ' Master 
 Dunning and his daughter left England, he had come to the town 
 of Exeter, near to which the Dunnings lived on their estate, and 
 opened ( a studio as 'a landscape painter. It was not, however, 
 until a month after his arrival, that he seemed at all decided 
 as to his intentions, the time being spent in wandering over the 
 beautiful country, and making occasionally a sketch ; nor after 
 he had offered his services to the public in a professional ca- 
 pacity did he work very diligently. Yet was it remarked that 
 he was never in want of money ; and the citizens of Exeter 
 thought that he must get high prices for his pictures in London 
 to warrant his expenditure. 
 
 Among the families to which he was introduced as an artist, 
 was that of Edmund Dunning. Eveline was no indifferent 
 sketcher herself, and accompanied her father one day on a visit 
 to the rooms of Master Arundel. It is said that the young 
 people blushed at the meeting, but however that may be, the 
 blush was unobserved by Master Dunning.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 109 
 
 So agreeable did the young artist make himself, that one visit 
 led on to another, and lie was invited to the house of Dunning, 
 and soon found himself, he hardly knew how, on a familiar footing 
 in his family, and giving lessons in painting to his daughter. 
 Edmund Dunning had no intentions that any other lessons should 
 be given, and it accordingly grieved him when he discovered the 
 terms on which the young people stood to one another, and 
 which their ingenuousness could not conceal. With this relation 
 he had made himself acquainted as soon as he suspected it, by 
 inquiring of Eveline, who frankly told him the whole truth. 
 Arundel loved her, but dared not, on 'account of the distance 
 that separated him from her father, make known his feelings. 
 The father demanded of his child why she did not, at the be- 
 ginning, check such aspiring thoughts, and whether it was proper 
 to allow of the continuance of such a state of things. Poor 
 Eveline could only reply with tears, and that she could not pre- 
 vent Miles loving her, but confessed that she had done wrong, 
 and promised to break off the intimacy. 
 
 " I am unacquainted with his family, which is probably ob- 
 scure," said Edmund Dunning ; " but were the blood of Alfred 
 in his veins, he should have no daughter of mine so long as he 
 favors the persecuting Church of England, which I know he 
 does, notwithstanding his constant attendance at the meetings of 
 the congregation, the reason whereof I now understand." 
 
 The promise which Eveline made to her father she kept, nor 
 from that moment would she consent to see Arundel. He 
 pleaded hard for a single interview, if only to take leave, and 
 though her heart strongly took his part, she replied that she 
 would not increase the reproaches of her conscience by advancing 
 a step further in an intimacy which she had wrongly concealed 
 from her father, and was disapproved by him. All intercourse 
 between the lovers ceased from this time, and shortly after 
 Arundel disappeared from the neighborhood.
 
 110 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 But it was at the risk of her health that Eveline obeyed her 
 parent. The rounded form began to become thin; the cheeks, 
 in which red roses were accustomed to bloom, faded, and the 
 lovely blue eyes lost their lustre. The anxious father noticed 
 these signs with apprehension, and in the hope that new scenes 
 and a change of climate might improve his daughtei-'s health, 
 hastened their departure. 
 
 Almost immediately on his arrival in the new world he formed 
 an acquaintance with Spikeman, who used every effort to in- 
 gratiate himself into his confidence. So successful was Spike- 
 man, that he persuaded Master Dunning to embark a con- 
 siderable portion of his property in the business wherein Spike- 
 man was engaged, and on the death of Dunning, which happened 
 only six months thereafter, to appoint him the guardian of 
 Eveline. But as the shadows of this world were settling on the 
 eyelids of the dying man, the light of another and a better 
 dawned upon his mind. The differences of opinion which had 
 separated him from the friends of his youth and manhood, and the 
 distinctions of rank, assumed less and less importance. He re- 
 garded with pity the sadness of his daughter, and determined 
 that he would be no obstacle in the way of her happiness. He 
 called her and his friend to his bed-side, and after kissing her 
 pale cheek, gave his full consent to her union with Arundel, 
 and made Spikeman promise to favor her wishes in all things. 
 Having thus settled his worldly affairs, Edmund Dunning turned 
 his face to the wall and gave up the ghost. 
 
 The tears of Eveline, left an orphan far away from the only 
 spot which she considered her home, flowed bitterly at the loss 
 of her father. He had been a gentle and sweet-tempered man, 
 and an indulgent parent, and she thought of him with a grief 
 and yearning affection, the pain of which the removal of the 
 interdiction to her marriage with one whom she loved, served at 
 first, but in a slight degree, to mitigate. But time had its usual
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. Ill 
 
 effect. The swollen eyes of poor Eveline at last resumed their 
 brightness ; the color returned to her cheeks ; her step became 
 lighter, and she looked forward wish pleasure to the time when 
 she should give her hand to one who already had her heart. 
 
 But Spikeman was far from sympathizing with her views, nor 
 had he any intention to keep his promise. At the time when 
 he inveigled Edmund Dunning into entrusting property to his 
 hands, his affairs were in an embarrassed condition, and he 
 needed then and now the funds to save him from ruin. And 
 again, hypocrite though he was in some respects, he was not 
 altogether so. A man of violent passions, and unscrupulous in 
 their gratification, deluding himself with the idea that having 
 once tasted the sweets of justification, (as he fancied,) his con- 
 dition was one of safety, and that the sins which reigned in the 
 members of his body could not reach his soul, he was yet zealous 
 for the faith which he had adopted, and devoted to the interests 
 of the colony. It was to this devotion mainly that he owed his 
 dignity of Assistant. As a Puritan, he was, or at least believed 
 himself to be, opposed to a marriage between Eveline and 
 Arundel on the same principle which had at first influenced her 
 father, and been corrected only by the dawning light of eternity. 
 Shortly before the decease of his friend, Spikeman had fre- 
 quently, though never in the presence of Eveline, combated 
 Dunning' s resolution with which he had been made acquainted, 
 but in vain. Had he dared, he would have resorted to one or 
 more of the elders to exert their potent influence, but this would 
 have been to betray the secret, and in case of their failure, might 
 have placed himself in an unpleasant predicament. He concluded 
 it was better to lock it up in his own breast, and so remain master 
 of his actions and of her destiny, at least till her majority, which 
 lacked two years before attainment. During that time, his cir- 
 cumstances might change she might decease no one knew what 
 was in the future.
 
 112 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 It is not, therefore, surprising that the Assistant did not write 
 to England to inform Edmund Dunning's relatives of his death ; 
 much less that he did not inform Arundel of the fact. Months 
 slowly dragged by, and yet the expecting girl received no word 
 from home. At first Spikeman accounted for it by the length of 
 time required to make the passage between the countries ; after- 
 wards by the supposition that the letters might have failed, or in- 
 timating that Arundel had probably changed his mind. A cold 
 pang, as if she had been stabbed by an icicle, pierced the bosom 
 of Eveline at this cruel suggestion, and she felt utterly desolate. 
 What, however, frightened and depressed her spirit, only roused 
 the indignation of Prudence Rix, her attendant from England, 
 who even then had a sharper insight into the character of the 
 Assistant than her mistress. 
 
 "Hey-day!" she exclaimed; " to think that Master Miles, the 
 handsomest and darlingest young gentleman in Devonshire, and 
 who, if he was only a painter, looked grander and gave away 
 more gold pieces than many a lord she'd known, and who wor- 
 shipped Mistress Eveline like some pagans she'd heard of did the 
 sun, should think of forgetting her ! It was precious nonsense. 
 For her part, if she was Mistress Eveline, she would write to 
 him herself, without letting old vinegar-face know anything 
 about it." 
 
 The advice was not thrown away on the young lady, though 
 with an instinctive delicacy she did not follow it literally. 
 Instead of addressing Arundel directly, she wrote to a female 
 friend, and communicated the change in her circumstances, and 
 the relenting of her deceased father, rightly judging that the in- 
 formation would not long remain unknown to her lover. She did 
 this without the knowledge of Spikeman, else it is probable that 
 the letter would never have reached its destination. The event 
 answered her expectations, and with the arrival of the first ship 
 after her epistle was received, she had the gratification of greeting
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 113 
 
 Arundel. But what was her astonishment, when, upon the de- 
 mand of the young man that her guardian should carry into 
 effect the wishes of his deceased friend, Spikeman denied that 
 any obligation was imposed upon him. He would not admit that 
 there had been any change of opinion in the dying man, but 
 insisted, on the contrary, that he had remained steadfast in his 
 purpose to the last. He affected surprise at the declarations of 
 Eveline, and while not pretending to say what might have taken 
 place in his absence, persisted in asserting that nothing of the 
 kind had occurred in his presence. The young lady was surely 
 in error. The bewilderment occasioned by excessive grief on 
 account of her father's condition, and partiality for her lover, had 
 caused her to mistake the meaning of the former. He could not, 
 however much desirous to please his ward, violate the instruc- 
 tions of his deceased friend. 
 
 The remonstrances of Arundel, and gentle expostulations and 
 entreaties of Eveline, were without effect ; and when once the 
 young man, in a moment of anger, threatened Spikeman with an 
 appeal to justice and punishment by the government in England, 
 the latter grimly sneered at his threats, and bade him beware lest 
 he himself might be sent, as a malcontent, out of the country. 
 It was, indeed, far more probable that such would be the result 
 of Arundel's persistency, than that he should succeed in carrying 
 off his mistress ; and, blinded as he was by love, he could not con- 
 ceal from himself the danger. To this was to be added another 
 peril, which the Assistant, in one of their conversations, had 
 hinted at, and of which we have also made mention, viz: that 
 he might incur the punishment provided for those who paid court 
 to maidens without the consent of the guardian or magistrate. 
 
 But the young couple had, besides Prudence, a powerful friend, 
 whose kind heart pitied their misfortunes, and by whose means, 
 assisted by the faithful serving-maid, they had many stolen meet- 
 ings, unknown to their persecutor, and this was no other than 
 
 5*
 
 114 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 dame Spikeman herself. Destitute of children, she had been 
 early attracted by the beautiful orphan, for whom she soon learned 
 to feel the affection of a mother. Into her tender bosom the 
 unprotected girl poured her griefs, and always met with sympa- 
 thy and good counsel. At first, the good dame attempted to al- 
 ter the determination of her husband, but finding her efforts in 
 vain, she finally abandoned them, and contented herself with fa- 
 voring the lovers by every means in her power, without his 
 knowledge, trusting to the chapter of accidents for the result. 
 Perhaps a few pieces of coin, distributed by Arundel now and 
 then among the servants, contributed to preserve the knowledge 
 of their meetings from the Assistant, who, whatever he might 
 suspect, found it difficult, engaged in his business, to detect them. 
 
 While we have been making this tedious but necessary expla- 
 nation, the young man has had time to reach the thickest part of 
 the forest, lying midway betwixt the residence of the knight and 
 his place of destination. He followed a narrow path made origi- 
 nally by the Indians, as they traversed the woods in the manner 
 peculiar to themselves, known by the name of Indian file, now 
 skirting the edge of a morass, now penetrating through a thick 
 undergrowth, and now walking in more open spaces and under 
 the shade of enormous trees. 
 
 Arundel, as he walked along with his piece in his hand, had 
 kept watchfully looking round to discern any game within range, 
 when, as he reached one of these open spaces, his eyes fell upon 
 a dark object crouched upon a lower limb of a tree immediately 
 over the path before him, and he instantly recognised the animal 
 as the cougar or American panther. It is the habit of the crea- 
 ture thus to conceal itself in trees, waiting till its prey passes 
 along, when, with one bound, it springs upon its back, and quickly 
 succeeds, by its own weight, and by tearing the veins and arteries 
 of the neck, in bringing it to the ground. 
 
 The youth stopped, and gazed upon the motionless beast, whose
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 115 
 
 half-shut eyes he could see winking at him. He lay extended 
 upon the limb, his forward feet spread out at full length, on which 
 rested his small round head, with little ears falling back almost 
 flat, his hind legs drawn up under his body, and his flexible tail 
 hanging a short distance beneath the bough. The dark reddish 
 color of the hair of his skin, dashed with blackish tints, harmon- 
 ized and blended well with tlie hue of the bark, so that at a die- 
 tance, to an unpracticed eye, he appeared like a huge excrescence 
 on the tree, or a large butt of a branch that had lodged in its 
 fall. 
 
 The young man did not hesitate Avhat to do. He had come 
 prepared for meeting with wild animals, and felt too much confi- 
 dence in himself to fear the encounter. He approached so as to 
 be just without reach of the spring of the creature, and levelling 
 his piece, while he could see the cougar shut its eyes and cling 
 closer to the limb, fired. The sound of the gun rang through 
 the ancient forest, and in an instant the beast, jumping from the 
 limb, fell at his feet. So sudden was this, that Arundel had hard- 
 ly time to withdraw the weapon from his shoulder, before the 
 animal had made the spring. The first impulse of the youth on 
 finding the ferocious brute thus near, was to club his gun and 
 strike it on the head ; and now he discovered that it was wound- 
 ed in one of the forward legs, which hung helplessly down. But 
 the wound, instead of disabling or intimidating, only inflamed 
 the ferocity of the creature. It made repeated attempts to jump 
 upon its foe, which, in spite of the crippled condition of its leg 
 and the loss of blood, Arundel found it difficult to elude. Active 
 as he was, and though he succeeded occasionally in inflicting with 
 his hunting-knife a wound upon the beast, he soon began to sus- 
 pect that, notwithstanding he had thus far escaped with some in- 
 considerable scratches, the powers of endurance of the formidable 
 forest denizen were likely to exceed his own. The combat had 
 lasted some time, when, as the young man endeavored to avoid
 
 116 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELIGE. 
 
 the leap of the panther by jumping to one side, his feet struck 
 against some obstacle and he fell upon his back. In an instant 
 the enraged beast, bleeding from its many wounds, was upon his 
 pi'ostrate person, and his destruction appeared inevitable. With 
 a desperate effort, he struck with the hunting-knife at the pan- 
 ther, who caught it in its mouth, the blade passing between its 
 jaws and inflicting a slight wound at the sides, so slight as not to 
 be felt, and stood with its unhurt paw upon his breast, powerless 
 to do mischief with the other, and glaring with eyes of flame 
 upon its victim. At the instant when the panther, shaking the 
 knife out of its mouth, was about to gripe, with open jaws, the 
 throat of the young man, it suddenly bounded with a cry into 
 the air, almost crushing the breath out of the body of its antag- 
 onist, and giving him an opportunity to rise. When Arundel 
 stood upon his feet, he beheld the panther in the agonies of death 
 an arrow sticking in one eye and an Indian striking it with a 
 tomahawk upon the head, for which great agility and quickness 
 were necessary in order to avoid the paw and teeth of the crea- 
 ture in its dying struggles. These soon became less violent, until, 
 with a shudder, the limbs relaxed, and it lay motionless and 
 harmless. 
 
 Arundel now advanced to thank for his timely succor the In- 
 dian, who stood quite still looking at him. He was apparently 
 less than thirty years of age, tall and well formed, with a counte- 
 nance expressive of nobleness and generosity. His attire con- 
 sisted only of breech-cloth and leggins, with no covering for the 
 upper part of his person a garb offering fewest obstructions to 
 his movements through the forest. In his hand he held a bow ; 
 a quiver full of arrows was slung across his back ; the tomahawk 
 was returned to the girdle around his loins, and a knife hung by 
 a deer-sinew from his neck. 
 
 "The arrow was well aimed," said Arundel, " that saved my 
 life. How can I thank my brother "?"
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 117 
 
 " Waqua is satisfied," replied the Indian, in very imperfect 
 English, which we shall not attempt to imitate. 
 
 "You are my preserver," said Arundel, "and shall not find 
 the white man ungrateful." 
 
 "Enough," answered the Indian. "Let wild beasts find some 
 other food than men." 
 
 " It was a strong hand as well as true aim that sent this ar- 
 row," said the young man, drawing the shaft out of the animal's 
 brain, in which the barbed point, coming off, remained behind, 
 " and I must furnish you at least another arrow." 
 
 " Waqua has plenty of arrows in his quiver, and can get 
 more." 
 
 " Thou art an independent felloAv," exclaimed Arundel ; " but 
 there is one thing I have to offer thee which thou must accept 
 that is, my hand, and it is a sign that I will be thy brother." 
 
 There was something in the action and expression of Arundel's 
 face that was irresistibly attractive to the Indian. He took the 
 offered hand into both of his and replied, 
 
 " Waqua gives his two hands to the white man. He loves 
 the Avhite man, and the Great Spirit sent Waqua to protect his 
 brother." 
 
 " Thou hast established a claim to my friendship stronger 
 than often exists. Be sure we will be friends. My brother is 
 on a hunting path. What success has he *?" 
 
 " A deer," replied Waqua, stepping into a bush, returning 
 with the carcass on his shoulder, and throwing it upon the 
 ground. 
 
 " Is my brother's lodge distant f 
 
 " It would not tire a new born fawn to run the distance. My 
 white brother shall see the wigwam of Waqua, and rest his 
 limbs, and then Waqua will go with him to the lodges of the 
 white men at Shawmut." 
 
 It was yet early in the day. There was no need of hurry, and
 
 118 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the wish of the Indian of itself was enough. It would have been 
 indeed ungracious to deny acquiescence to one who had just 
 saved his life, and Arundel therefore at once signified his as- 
 sent. But before they started, the Indian with the knife which 
 he took from his neck, despoiled the panther of its skin. Throw- 
 ing it then across his shoulders, on top of the deer's carcass, he 
 led the way out of the path in a direction different from that in 
 which Arundel had been travelling. 
 
 It was truly as Waqua had said, and a few moments sufficed 
 to reach his habitation. It stood by itself, near the margin of 
 the Charles river, which empties into Massachusetts Bay, and 
 was merely a rough hunting lodge, made of bark, yet so con- 
 structed as effectually to answer the purpose for which it was 
 designed during the milder months. Doubtless in winter it was 
 deserted for the more comfortable wigwam in the village. 
 
 Arrived at his dwelling, Waqua took down some skins sus- 
 pended on one side, and spreading them upon the ground, cour- 
 teously invited his companion to a seat. Arundel was glad to 
 rest after his late violent conflict, and availed himself of the 
 opportunity to brush off the dirt, and re-arrange his torn and 
 disordered dress. Meanwhile, Waqua kindled a fire, and cutting 
 off some bear steaks, threw them on the glowing coals. The 
 exercise and danger of Arundel had given him an appetite, and 
 with no little interest he watched the process. The meal was 
 soon ready, and justice done to it by both ; and upon its con- 
 clusion, it became apparent that it was not on its account only 
 that Waqua had desired to return to his wigwam. It was also 
 to make some alteration in his toilette, therein betraying that 
 fondness for ornament which is equally active in the savage and 
 in the civilized exquisite. For the garments he had worn, others 
 were substituted of finer quality, and more showy appearance. 
 Over his shoulders was thrown a robe of beaver skins ; in his 
 hair were stuck some red feathers, and from his ears hung pen-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 119 
 
 dants carved out of bone, into a rude imitation of birds. Belts of 
 wampompeag encircled the arms above the elbow, and fell over 
 the robe, hanging down the shoulders. The preparation was 
 completed by painting the cheeks and forehead vermillion. Thus 
 decorated, with bow in hand, an ornamented quiver on his back, 
 and tomahawk in girdle, "Waqua considered himself fit to be pre- 
 sented at any court in the world. 
 
 Nor when he advanced, conscious of the improvement in his 
 appearance, and stepping as though he were lord of the un- 
 bounded Avilderness, did Arundel attempt to conceal his admi- 
 ration of the forest Apollo. Waqua remarked it in the other's 
 eyes, and a gleam of satisfaction lighted up his face. Throw- 
 ing the deer he had killed over his shoulder, and taking a small 
 bundle of skins in his hand, the Indian preceded his companion 
 on their way to the settlement.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " Absit, quoth the doctor." 
 
 DON QUIXOTE. 
 
 UPON arriving at the little town of Boston, Arunclel made 
 the Indian promise to return to him at the ordinary or inn where 
 he had his quarters, after the furs and veriison should be disposed 
 of. "Waqua was glad to make the promise, and the two sepa- 
 rated ; the one, directing his steps towards his lodging ; and the 
 other, to seek a purchaser for his commodities. Arundel was 
 anxious to express his gratitude, and, besides, was interested by 
 the talk of the child of the forest; while Waqua, on his part, 
 was evidently disposed to meet any advances. 
 
 Eleazar Nettle?, the worthy host of the Ship-tavern, who stood 
 at the door of the low rambling building, welcomed his lodger 
 with all the cordiality he could throw into a face originally not 
 ill-looking or unpleasing, but which, in consequence of practising 
 an appearance of mortification, (in order to stand well with the 
 grave citizens), which neither belonged to the calling wherein he 
 was engaged, nor by nature to itself, seemed an odd mixture of 
 earthly depravity and of heavenly grace. Not that Eleazar was 
 a bad fellow. Nature had originally enclosed in his dumpy body 
 a good-humoured soul enough, and, in a less austere community,
 
 122 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 where the bent of his disposition might have had fair play, he 
 would have been a rather jolly dog. He was, however, a victim 
 of fate. By what disastrous chance his lot was cast in that 
 grim-visaged region, has never been satisfactorily explained, but 
 being once in it, and a publican by profession, it was necessary to 
 conform to the habits and manners of those about him, unless he 
 desired to see his license taken away, and himself a suspected 
 person, as well as without employment. These prudential con- 
 siderations contending with Eleazar's nature, had sobered the 
 otherwise mirthful features of his face, and made him present 
 the appearance of a merry and a sad man rolled into one, each 
 striving for the mastery, and each alternately achieving victory, 
 according to circumstances. The merry man was safe in the 
 presence of Arundel, and, therefore, his mouth dissolved into a 
 pleasant chuckle as he welcomed him. 
 
 " It is a joy and an honor, Master Arundel," he said, " to see 
 again a discreet young gentleman like yourself, whose spirits 
 ahem ! are lively as my own ale, and yet chastised by a godly 
 'havior. You must have had something of a walk this morning. 
 What refreshment may it please you to take ? " 
 
 While uttering this speech, he had been busy ushering into the 
 tap or common reception room the young man, who, by the time 
 it was finished, was seated. 
 
 " Thy guess hits the mark, mine host," he said; " but what is 
 fitting I leave to thy discretion. Thou shalt prescribe like a 
 physician." 
 
 " Thou art a sweet-tempered gentleman, and easily satisfied," 
 answered the host, " and I should be no better than a heathen 
 salvage to abuse thy goodness. To begin, I have some of the 
 famosest malt liquor that ever ran down throat with a relish." 
 
 " Avaunt, with thy detestable malt liquors. You inveigled 
 me once into tasting the decoction, and methinks that should 
 satisfy thee, if not me. Thou wilt hardly succeed a second
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 123 
 
 time. It will never do. Thy cellar contains something better, 
 to my knowledge." 
 
 "As you say," replied the landlord, (whose habit was tore- 
 commend his ale to those who he knew would not take it, 
 in order, perhaps, to make his wines taste the better, by 
 consideration of the contrast) " as you say, Master Arundel, my 
 malt liquor, though the best in the country, is not for high-bred 
 gentlemen like yourself. I have Spanish wines, and French 
 wines, and wines from Italy, and from the Canaries, and" 
 
 " Any will do," said Arundel, knowing that a single kind was 
 made to play the part of vintages from all parts of the world ; 
 " so be prompt, good man, for my thirst increases." 
 
 While the publican, whose business was not sufficiently large 
 to warrant him to employ a tapster, was absent, Arundel looked 
 round the apartment to see what company was present. At no 
 great distance from where he sat were half-a-dozen persons, some 
 of whom, by their dress, seemed to be sailors, and others citizens. 
 As he turned to look at them, two or three,who were his acquaint- 
 ances, saluted him ; and the conversation, which his entrance had 
 a little interrupted, flowed again with a full current. 
 
 " A queer bit of a town, good-man Fairvvcather, the saints 
 have built up for themselves," exclaimed a -man in a sailor's 
 jacket. " Do you know what it looks like to me ? " 
 
 " How should I know, Capt. Sparhawk, how Boston looks to 
 you ?" answered the man addressed. 
 
 " That depends upon the strength of the liquor, methinks," said 
 a third. 
 
 "That answer, Billy Pantry," said the Captain, " fora lubber 
 that knows not the difference between the futtock shrouds and 
 Jacob's ladder, and whose head is so little and his paunch so 
 big, is what my old schoolmaster called a Lucy Lucy damn 
 the other part of the name there I miss stays, by Neptune ! 
 anyhow, it begun with a Nat, but there was more of it."
 
 124 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Natwood," suggested Billy Pantry. "I know a Polly Nat- 
 wood in Suffolk, one of the completest wenches" 
 
 "If she was not complete! 1 than thy wit," interrupted the Cap- 
 tain, " her figure-head was left unfinished. But, avast there ; we 
 are drifting off soundings. Where was I"? Aye ; belay, I have it. 
 I was telling you what your beggarly town looks like." 
 
 " Aye, but about Lucy," said another, who had not spoken be- 
 fore, and whose perception looked dimly out of his hazy eyes ! 
 <; I should like to hear first about her. I always liked the wo- 
 men." 
 
 "Hear old Wheat," cried the Captain " the wicked villain. 
 All the knowledge he has of the women, I'll be qualified on the 
 main brace, is what he got from Betty Quickfist when she hit 
 him a cuff on the ear for his impudence, and twisted it out o' 
 shape, as ye may see without taking a quadrant for the observa- 
 tion." 
 
 " Why," said Billy Pantry, turning his mess-mate's head about, 
 " his two ears are much alike, and, as you say, Captain, lop dam- 
 nably ; so he must have caught it on both of them, though this 
 one here, away to windward, looks as if it had been cut off and 
 stuck on again." 
 
 "Shut *up your duff-trap," said Wheat, gruffly, "or I'll send 
 your teeth on a cruise down your throat." 
 
 " Come, come," cried the Captain, " I choose to do all the 
 quarreling for this company. How now, my masters, is there to 
 be no discipline when my foot is off the quarter-deck ? If an- 
 other man speaks above his breath, by the beard of father Nep- 
 tune, I will stop his grog. Where was I ? Let me take the lat- 
 itude once more. Aye, here away bearing up to tell how I liked 
 this prig of a town." 
 
 " Blast my tarry top-lights and to'gallant eyebrow?. Do you 
 call this a town?" demanded Bill. "Folk does not call a thin<r 
 
 O 
 
 like this a town in old Hingland."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLBEX MELICE. 125 
 
 " Aye, old England forever," cried the Captain, standing up. 
 " Boys, fill your cups all round, and we will drink a health to 
 our dear old mammy." 
 
 "I should like to pleasure you, Captain," said one of the citi- 
 zens, " and will drink in all reason till sundown, but there is a 
 law against drinking healths." 
 
 " I suppose there will be a law next," exclaimed the Captain, 
 " against eating, and that will finish the job. The rest of you 
 may do as you like, but Jack Sparhawk never yet was afraid of 
 any man, and is not going now to strike his peak to Admiral 
 Winthrop. So here's a toast for ye : 
 
 " ' Prosperity to England's friends ! 
 
 Perdition to her foes ! 
 Heaven to herself ! to hell she sends 
 All Spaniards and Crapeaus ! ' " 
 
 Saying this, he drained his cup. " And now, boys, about this 
 little starched old maid of a town " 
 
 " There you are, in a fog, Captain," interrupted Pantry. " How 
 can it be an old maid, when, on every tack, half a dozen chil- 
 dren, like so many porpoises, come across your bows?" 
 
 "Any wit but thine own would easily box that compass," an- 
 swered the Captain. " But talking is thirsty business, and we 
 will have up another bottle. Halloa, old Nettletop, bear a hand 
 with some more of your weak-waters. What do .you stand gap- 
 ing there for, like a chicken with the pip ? Off with you. And 
 now, while old Thistle is rummaging the locker, I will give you 
 niy mind about this matter of " 
 
 But, alas ! an incident now occurred which has deprived pos- 
 terity forever of the invaluable opinion of Captain Sparhawk re- 
 specting the appearance of Boston in 1C , and of his explana- 
 tion of the phenomenon suggested by Bill. 
 
 Some five or ten minutes before, a grave looking personage, 
 with a long staff in his hand, had stolen quietly into the room,
 
 126 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 unnoticed by any one but Arundel the landlord being absent at 
 the time and taken a seat where he could overhear the conver- 
 sation. Upon mine host's return, and noticing the stranger, he 
 exhibited some embarrassment, and endeavored to catch the at 
 tention of the drinking party without attracting that of the new 
 comer. His efforts, however, were in vain, and assuming an air 
 of deep mortification, he waited for what should happen. Upon 
 being required by the Captain to supply more wine, he had shaken 
 his head, which it seems was not taken much notice of by the 
 sailor, and was preparing to reply, when he was anticipated by 
 the stranger. Lifting up his staff, and pointing with it at the ta- 
 ble, he said, 
 
 " Furnish no more strong liquor, good man Nettles, to these 
 carousers. Methinks they have already had more than enough 
 for their souls' or bodies' health." 
 
 "I will not gainsay thee, master Prout," said the host, " and 
 will obey, as becometh a man who respects ihee and thine office ; 
 but the wine is good and can do no harm, as thou mayest convince 
 thyself by trial. I will pour thee out a cup." 
 
 " Nay," said Master Prout, " I need it not. I do stand amaz- 
 ed," he added, bending his brows severely on the host, " that 
 thou, a man professing godliness, and one of the congregation, 
 shouldst administer to the carnal appetite till the graceless sinner 
 is converted into a swine." 
 
 " Dear Master Prout, be not so hard on a friend. I knew not 
 the strength of my wine, or that these strangers were so unac- 
 customed to drinking. The wine hath been but lately bought, 
 being part of the cargo of the Abstemious, and thou knowest I 
 indulge not, else I should have been acquainted with its potency, 
 and regulated things accordingly. But thou seest the six have 
 drunk only so many poor bottles." 
 
 "Enough, goodman Nettles," answered Prout. "Remove, 
 now, these incitements to temptation, and after that will I drop 
 a word of friendly advisement into the ears of these offenders."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 127 
 
 During this conversation a profound silence had prevailed at 
 the table the three citizens recognising in the intruder one whose 
 authority it would be folly to resist, and the sailors apparently 
 confounded at the boldness of the interference, and curious to 
 hear what should pass between the landlord and his dictatorial 
 visitor. But when mine host, in obedience to an order from the 
 latter, began to take away the bottles and cups, Captain Spar- 
 hawk, who had sat leaning on his elbow upon the table and eye- 
 ing the two, now seemed to think that his dignity required some 
 interference on his part. 
 
 "How now, my masters," he exclaimed. "What coil is this? 
 Are we to be boarded in this piratical way, and see all our stores 
 and provisions captured without a blow ? Run up the red cross, 
 Wheat. Call all hands to repel boarders, and follow me." 
 
 " Cease thy papistical babble ; it doth vex my soul more even 
 than thy drunkenness," cried Master Prout. 
 
 " Papist in thy teeth and drunkenness to boot," exclaimed the 
 excited captain, at the same time striking at Master Prout, who, 
 however, easily eluded the blow of the intoxicated man. 
 
 The other two sailors now manifested some intention of com- 
 ing to the assistance of their superior, but were held back by the 
 citizens, and restrained, moreover, by a knowledge of the formi- 
 dable power of Master Prout, who was well known as a sort of 
 censor or guardian of the morals of the place, appointed by the 
 magistrates. 
 
 " Keep quiet, man," said Prout, pushing the obstreperous cap- 
 tain back into his seat, " or thy mazzard and my staff may be- 
 come better acquainted than will be altogether agreeable. Do 
 thou hold him, good man Nettles, as being in some wise account- 
 able for his condition. So shalt thou, also,- partake of the savory 
 crumbs of advice which it is my intention to bestow on this man 
 of Belial and his companions." 
 
 Master Prout, thereupon drawing a chair, placed it immedi-
 
 128 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ately in front of the captain, and seated himself, while mine host 
 held the delinquent fast. The functionary paid no attention 
 whatever to the exclamations and ejaculations of the sailor, which, 
 furious at first, gradually died away until they ceased entirely, 
 but went on steadily with his speech. 
 
 " Thou art a stranger," he said, " and therefore am I the more 
 disposed to overlook thy transgression, seeing that thou art not 
 acquainted with the manners of the godly town of Boston, and art 
 not yet prepared to realize thy privilege in being permitted to visit 
 it. Moreover, I see by thy garments and speech that thou art one 
 of those who go down to the sea in ships, and who, though they 
 behold the wonders of the deep, are, for the most part, unaffected 
 by the mighty works of Him at whose word the stormy wind 
 ariseth,or at His rebuke chasteneth itself into a calm. But thou 
 art a man having within thee an immortal soul, and my spirit is 
 troubled exceedingly, and my bowels are like to burst within me, 
 when I behold thee given over to folly. Hearken thou, for my 
 lips shall utter judgment, and thine ears shall drink in under- 
 standing. 
 
 " Behold here, in this Boston, have godly fugitives from op- 
 pression, men whose faces are set as steel against all evil, set up 
 their habitations, to be an enduring city unto the Lord ; and, 
 within our borders, may no scoffer or profane person, as was 
 Esau, nor riotous liver, abide. But the necessities of our position 
 do in some wise constrain us, for trade and other useful purposes, 
 to allow communication with them who are not of our way of 
 thinking. Therefore do we grant unto them free entrance, for 
 a time, into our Canaan, sobeit they observe the limits of decent 
 moderation, and vex not our souls beyond Christian patience, 
 hoping, moreover, that, seeing our righteous example, they may be 
 converted from their evil ways, and trusting that the Lord will 
 preserve us from defilement. But we hold not ourselves bound 
 to tolerate rioting and drunkenness, which are not convenient,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MEL1CE. 129 
 
 but contrariwise, to restrain them by the sword of the magistrate, 
 if need be. Of both these thou art, unhappily, guilty, inasmuch 
 as thou didst forget where thou art, and wert mindful only of 
 the customs of thy heathen companions at home ; and were I ex- 
 treme to mark what is done amiss, surely thy punishment were 
 heavy. But this is thy first offence, and I hope will be thy last ; 
 therefore say I unto thee, go and sin no more, especially as thy 
 fault is not of public notoriety, and goodman Nettles and thy 
 friends, for their own sakes and this good youth (turning to Arun 
 del) and myself, to avoid scandal, will keep silence thereupon. 
 I pass over thy rude and silly speeches as proceeding not from 
 thyself, but from the evil spirit of wine that mastered and made 
 a fool of thee. Henceforward, while remembering our mercy, 
 dread our justice, shouldst thou be tempted a second time to of- 
 fend." 
 
 Having thus spoken, Master Prout rose, and deliberately 
 clapping his steeple-crowned hat upon his head, stalked demurely 
 out of the apartment, satisfied that after his rebuke the company 
 would be unable to obtain any more strong potations. In this 
 supposition he was perfectly correct goodman Nettles too 
 thoroughly understanding his own interest and the character of 
 the man to venture to disobey him ; for though Master Prout felt 
 friendly to the publican, as was evident, there were some things 
 he would not overlook, and no offence could be committed more 
 heinous than disregarding his orders. Captain Sparhawk, who 
 toward the close of the Puritan's address, had been subdued into 
 a most unwilling silence, manifested, as soon as it was finished, a 
 desire to reply ; but the host placed his hand on the recusant's 
 mouth, and compelled him to be silent. 
 
 " Art mad ?" he whispered. " Dost wish to ruin me, and 
 have thine ears nailed to the whipping-post, and perhaps cut off* 
 Remember thou art at Boston, and not in old England. Here, men 
 drink in a godly manner, and use the gifts of Providence as not 
 
 6
 
 130 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 abusing them, and not like blinded papists, or as some say, like 
 them of the Church of England ; but I am more liberal, as 
 becomes one of my profession. Be thankful for the clemency of 
 Master Prout, a worthy men, and a considerate, whose advice is 
 like silver nails driven in by the master of assemblies." 
 
 Thus continued, in this strain, the astute landlord, until Muster 
 Prout had left the house, and was out of hearing, when he re- 
 leased the captain, and allowed him liberty of speech. 
 
 If the publican had expected a burst of angry language from 
 the sailor, he was agreeably disappointed. So far from venting 
 his feelings in that way, the worthy captain seemed now to con- 
 sider all that had happened as a capital joke, and broke out in 
 a hearty laugh. 
 
 " Queer country, my men, this," he said, " where a meddle- 
 some tipstaff will not let a true-blooded Englishman pay toll to 
 his Majesty's excise. But old Sour-chops is gone, and we will 
 have 'tother bottle now to drink better manners to him ; so bear 
 a hand, Nettle, Thistle, or whatever you call yourself." 
 
 " I dare not give you more wine for the present," said the 
 host. " Master Prout's authority is absolute in this matter, and 
 not a drop from spigot or bottle runs on your account. Be 
 reasonable, noble captain," he continued, seeing that the sailor 
 was disposed to insist on his demand, " and consider that in 
 refusing thee, I do in some sort prejudice myself for our mutual 
 benefit." 
 
 Here the companions of the captain interfering, and the citi- 
 zens, in particular, insisting that on no account would they drink 
 more, the refractory Sparhawk, after some growls at the " queer 
 country," was obliged to submit, and soon after, paying the 
 reckoning, took leave with his company. 
 
 The scene was not altogether new to Arundel, who had looked 
 on with amused interest. It was not the first time when he had 
 seen the official in the exercise of his somewhat arbitrary au-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 131 
 
 thority, order away, like the physician of Sancho Pan/,a in his 
 famous government of Barraturia, the goblet, just as it was about 
 to be carried to the lips of the expecting guest. He had before 
 laughed at the stare of bewildered disappointment of the 
 astonished toper, and the subdued humor of Master Prout, hardly 
 concealed by his austere exterior, but he felt no disposition to 
 censure the severity of the regulation. It was of the utmost im- 
 portance, as well for the peace and good order of the colony, as 
 in accordance with the principles of self-denial and virtuous 
 living on which it was founded, that every disorder should be 
 checked in the bud. Considering the variety of adventurers, of 
 all shades of character, from the religious enthusiast, seeking in 
 unknown regions, invested with strange charms by a heated 
 imagination, the kingdom of saints upon earth, which he 
 had vainly hoped to erect in the old world, down to the reck- 
 less freebooter, whose life had been passed in wild indulgence, 
 unrestrained by law, human or divine, whom chance or design 
 had thrown upon their coast, it is obvious that a vigilant eye 
 and strong hand were necessary to note and repress every in- 
 cipient sign of irregularity or turbulence. 
 
 Yet did the host sigh as he dropped, into a seat at the de- 
 parture of the company. With one eye fixed upon a heavenly 
 and the other on an earthly treasure, he was counting up in his 
 mind the crowns he had lost by the intrusion of Master Prout, 
 and at the same time lamenting the depravity of men who could 
 bear no more than a bottle of wine apiece. 
 
 " Master Arundel," he said at length, " I do admire the wis- 
 dom ahem of the worshipful magistrates in the care they take 
 of the citizens and visitors of our godly town. By the ap- 
 pointment of Master Prout to the office which he doth some- 
 times exercise with somewhat of rigor, they do, too, in a manner 
 avouch the value of my calling, and their desire to countenance 
 it, and that in agreement with Scripture, for is it not written
 
 132 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 that He hath given wine to gladden man's heart "? Nevertheless, 
 methinks, being one of the congregation, a modicum might be 
 left to mine own judgment in regard to the capacity of my 
 guests. Not that I care about the two or three pieces whereof his 
 interference hath deprived me ahem but the feelings of godly 
 men who know best what is good for them, are hurt needlessly 
 oftentimes. The wine is good, as can be proved by our own 
 virtuous citizens, who have not injured themselves by early 
 rioting, and are able, as a reward of their youthful temperance, 
 to drink twice as much as this Captain Sparhawk, who hath 
 probably, in a measure, injured his constitution by indulgence 
 in bad liquors. Man is truly a fallen creature," concluded 
 goodman Nettles, heaving a deep sigh, " ahem or such wine 
 could never affect him." 
 
 Arundel felt no inclination to discuss the subject, and soon 
 retired to his apartment.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 " With wild surprise, 
 As if to marble struck, devoid of sense, 
 A stupid moment motionless." 
 
 THOMSON'S SEASONS. 
 
 A COUPLE of hours elapsed before Waqua made his appearance, 
 after disposing of his skins and venison. He had exchanged 
 them for such articles as his savage taste fancied, among which 
 Arundel noticed a small mirror, in a brass frame, hung like a 
 medal on his breast, and a red woollen sash tied around his 
 waist. As the Indian, thus bedecked, entered the room, it was 
 with an increase of dignity becoming one possessed of such 
 splendid ornaments, whereat, however, Arundel found it difficult 
 to repress a smile. But it was important to the maintenance of 
 their new friendship that no such levity should be perceived, 
 which might have aroused the resentment of the savage. Sup- 
 pressing then the feeling, and regarding his tawny friend with a 
 face of welcome, the young man said : 
 
 " You look bravely, Sachem ; it is a pity the Indian girls do 
 not see you." 
 
 " They will see," said the Indian, " when Waqua returns to 
 his village. Look," he continued, presenting the mirror to 
 Arundel, and, unable to conceal his admiration, " it is a still 
 spring in an open plain."
 
 134 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " You will not be obliged now to leave the wigwam and seek 
 the clear water when you wish to paint your face." 
 
 " Waqua thanks the white man," said the Indian, gazing 
 admiringly at himself in the mirror, " for the clear frozen 
 water which he can carry with him wherever he goes. Waqua 
 will never more be alone, for whenever he pleases he may look 
 into the bright frozen water and see a warrior. Let me behold 
 my brother in the wonderful medicine." 
 
 He held up the glass to Arundel, and laughed, as he saw the 
 reflection. 
 
 " My brother's face is now in the frozen water," he said, 
 " and whenever I look into it, I shall see my brother as well as 
 Waqua." 
 
 " And trust me, Waqua, that I will be a true friend unto 
 thee. I do begin to think that the extraordinary liking, of the 
 knight for thy race is not misplaced." 
 
 " Speaks my brother of Soog-u-gest, of the white chief who 
 lives away from his people in the forest ?" 
 
 " I speak of the Knight of the Golden Melice, of him whom 
 the Indians call Soog-u-gest, or the eagle. I had left his lodge 
 but a short time when Heaven sent thee to my aid." 
 
 " The tall, white chief, men say, is not like other white men. 
 He loves the forest children, and they love him." 
 
 " Love begets love, and one noble quality attracts another. 
 But it is my turn, Waqua, to show you hospitality ; and to a 
 strong, healthy fellow like you, dinner, methinks, can never come 
 amiss." 
 
 The meal which, upon the order of Arundel, was served up, 
 seemed to meet with the unqualified approbation of the Indian. 
 Yet this is an inference derived, not from the manner in which 
 he partook of the repast, but from the quantity which he ate. 
 Although unacquainted with the mode of using a knife and fork, 
 and, therefore, compelled to depend upon the instruments fur-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 135 
 
 nished by nature, there was nothing in his conduct that resem- 
 bled ill-breeding. He accepted, with a grave courtesy, whatever 
 was offered, eating deliberately, and expressing no preference for 
 one thing over another. His entertainer fancied that, from time 
 to time, he cast a stolen glance, as if watching motions in order 
 to accommodate himself to them. However that may be, the 
 young white man was greatly pleased with the untutored po- 
 liteness of his red companion, and desirous to please him in all 
 respects, did not deny his guest the stimulus of strong water ; 
 taking care, nevertheless, that the wine drunk should be in too 
 small quantities to affect him injuriously. Of this, Waqua par- 
 took with peculiar zest, and it is fortunate that he had one more 
 prudent than himself to stop him before temperate indulgence 
 became excess. For so great is the delight which the Indian 
 temperament derives from the use of intoxicating drinks, that it 
 is difficult to regulate the appetite. Brought up without much 
 self-control, if civilization be taken as a standard, regardless of 
 the past, heedless of the future, and mindful only of the present, 
 the wild child of nature quaffs with eager joy the fire-water, 
 which seems to bring him inspiration, and to extend the bounds 
 of existence. 
 
 " Waqua knows," said the savage, holding up his cup at the 
 end of the meal, " that the Great Spirit loves his white children 
 very much, else never would he have given them the dancing 
 fire-water that streams through me like the sun through morning 
 clouds." 
 
 " Beware," said Arundel, " that it be not more like the light- 
 ning, which marks its path with destruction. But, "Waqua,. come 
 thou now with me. I saw no red cloth in thy lodge, and there 
 was but little paint in thy pot, and I know where there is 
 plenty." 
 
 " My brother is an open hand, and will make Waqua's wig- 
 wam as gay as the breast of the Gues-ques-kes-cha."
 
 136 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 With these words, the Indian followed Arundel into the street, 
 walking in his tracks, and the two pursued their way in the di- 
 rection of one of the principal store-houses. 
 
 The street led directly by the house of the Assistant Spikeman, 
 and, as they passed, the eyes of the young man were busy, as 
 was natural, to discover traces of his mistress. Nor was he 
 doomed to disappointment. As he came opposite, a casement 
 opened, a small white hand was thrust out, and beckoned to him- 
 Thus invited, Arundel stepped within the door, whither he was 
 followed by the savage. In those days, the simple forest children 
 thought there was no harm in asking for a hospitality they were 
 ever ready to grant themselves, and which they considered a duty ; 
 nor inasmuch as they never attempted to take away anything by 
 violence, but thankfully accepted whatever was offered to them, 
 were their visits generally discouraged. Indeed, the importance of 
 treating them with indulgence was sedulously inculcated by both 
 elders and magistrates, as being conducive to their own security 
 as well as from higher motives. The expediency of such conduct 
 was so obvious that few were found to disregard it. Hence the 
 Indians, on their visits to the settlement, were accustomed, if they 
 wanted food, or to enter the houses for any other purpose, to step 
 in with the same freedom almost as into their own wigwams. If 
 now and then a circumstance occurred inconsistent with the 
 sacred duty of hospitality, it was not considered as reflecting 
 disgrace upon the whole community, but only on the sordid churl 
 who was the occasion of it, and whose domicile was ever after- 
 wards carefully avoided. 
 
 The young man and his dusky companion were met by Pru- 
 dence, who, while conducting them into a room, whispered : 
 
 " Why, Master Miles, who expected to see you ? People said 
 you was ever so far away in the woods, living with bears and 
 wolves. Have you got one here ?" 
 
 " Poh, poh ! pretty Prudence, no one hath better reason to
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 137 
 
 look for me than thyself, seeing thy message brought me. As for 
 my copper friend, he is the gentlest savage that ever took a scalp. 
 Do not be frightened, and clap thy hand on thy head : he will 
 none of thine. But thy mistress, where is she ? " 
 
 " I declare, Master Miles, you have scared almost all the 
 breath out of my body. Oh ! how my heart beats ! Follow ine 
 quick, for I want to get out of the way." 
 
 " Waqua will wait for his brother here," said the young man, 
 turning to his follower, whose eyes he noticed were fastened on 
 a full length portrait hanging on the wall ; " for which reason," 
 he added, " and, during my absence, may make acquaintance 
 with the venerable ancestor of Master Spikeman, who hath fol- 
 lowed his descendant's fortunes across the sea." 
 
 He waited for no reply, such was his impatience to see his 
 mistress ; but, preceded by Prudence, hastily left the apartment, 
 and was ushered into the presence of the young lady. 
 
 One who saw Eveline Dunning would never have wondered 
 that her lover had followed her to the new world. She was one 
 of those charming beings who are irresistibly attractive whom 
 to behold is to love, and whose presence " clothes the meanest 
 thing in light." Her features were regular, her complexion del- 
 icate and brilliant, her eyes blue and sparkling, and her hair of a 
 rich brown. Those blue eyes were commonly calm and soft, 
 though there were times when they could kindle up and flash, 
 and the full red lips became compressed, hinting at an energy of 
 character which required only circumstances to call it forth into 
 exercise. Her person was of the ordinary height, and most per- 
 fectly formed, and she moved with a grace which only faultless 
 proportions and high breeding can impart. 
 
 " My Eveline, my best and my dearest," said Arundel, im- 
 printing a kiss upon the blushing cheek she nevertheless offered 
 him, even before the considerate Prudence had retired, shutting 
 the door after her, " how blessed am I, once more to breathe the 
 air sweetened by thy breath." 
 
 6*
 
 138 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 He led her to a seat, and, retaining her hand, sat down by her 
 side. 
 
 " And how dearly I love to have thee near me, Miles," she 
 answered ; " the perils I make thee encounter for my sake too 
 plainly tell." 
 
 " Nay, sweet, the danger is only in thy imagination. Con- 
 scious that the right is on our side, we mny defy Master Spike- 
 man and all his wicked devices, certain that we shall yet triumph 
 over them." 
 
 " Would that I felt thy confidence, but sometimes I am quite 
 sad." 
 
 "Dearest Eveline, why thus cast down?" exclaimed Arun- 
 del, looking at her anxiously and kissing off a tear. " Has anything 
 happened? What makes thee unhappy 1 Of what art afraid?" 
 
 "Not cast down, not unhappy, not afraid, Miles, but anxious 
 on thy account, and weary of imprisonment. My jailer hath 
 lately dropped some threats respecting thee which have filled me 
 with apprehension, and it was in consequence of my grief thereat, 
 and of something I said, that Prudence, without my knowledge, 
 sent thee a message, as she afterwards told me." 
 
 " And I hope thou art not angry with her for being the cause 
 of my present happiness t" 
 
 " I feel not like chiding her or any one," answered Eveline, 
 smiling, " but would speak seriously during the few moments we 
 are together. Oh ! Miles, I have it from a sure hand, (though 
 thou must not inquire thereafter), that Master Spikeman is en- 
 deavoring to poison the minds of the Governor and of the Assist- 
 ants with false reports against thee, such as that thou art disaf- 
 fected against the government. Oh ! Miles, be prudent ; for if 
 anything were to happen to thee it would make me very un- 
 happy." 
 
 "The lying varlet! the cozening knave!" exclaimed the young 
 man, indignantly. " So this is the way whereby he designs to ac-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 139 
 
 f omplish his purpose ! But I defy his machinations. - I have an 
 advantage over him whereof he knows not. " 
 
 " What is that, Miles'? '' inquired Eveline, seeing that he hes- 
 itated. 
 
 " He, whose the right is, hath every advantage over him in 
 the wi'ong," answered her lover, rather evasively ; " but would 
 that I could persuade thee to cut the Gordian knot and put an 
 end to this torturing suspense, by flying with me, and giving me a 
 lawful right to be thy protector according to the wishes of thy 
 father." 
 
 " Cease, Miles, and do not importune me in a matter wherein 
 the impulses of my heart make me but too ready to forget the 
 suggestions of prudence." 
 
 " But how long mean you to submit to this unjust violence?" 
 
 " I know not. Be assured, however, that nothing but dire 
 necessity shall induce me to take a step, the thought of which 
 burns my cheeks with blushes." 
 
 " Do you distrust me, Eveline?" said Arundel, reproachfully. 
 
 " No ; but it becomes Eveline* Dunning ; it becomes one whom 
 thou hast thought worthy to be sought for across a stormy ocean ; 
 it becomes the descendant of a long line of honorable ancestors ; 
 it becomes a woman, whether in the thickly peopled city or in 
 the wilderness, among strangers or with her own kindred, to avoid 
 even the appearance of evil. Much will I endure, and long will 
 I bear my thraldom, before I will allow the thought of such a 
 mode of deliverance to harbor in my mind." 
 
 " My judgment tells me thou art right, Eveline, however much 
 my heart rebels ; but is there no emergency which can make thee 
 cast off this slavery?" 
 
 " None such has arisen, and whatever difficulties may harrass 
 me, I hope to be equal to them." 
 
 " And years, long years, may drag along with weary feet, while 
 we are wasting our youth in hopeless sighs over the tyranny of
 
 140 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 a heartless villain, lingering in this dreary land, where a smile is 
 a vanity and a light heart a crime." 
 
 " Does it pain thee so much," inquired Eveline, half reproach- 
 fully, " to remain in the wilderness ?" 
 
 " Nay, lovely one, where thou art is no wilderness, but a par- 
 adise. Hither I came, attracted by the love that binds my soul 
 to thine, and this land will I never leave alone. A cabin with 
 thee in these wilds were better than a palace ungraced by thy 
 presence." 
 
 " I thank thee, Miles, and thy words strengthen my courage. 
 So long as thou feelest thus, I cannot be unhappy. But shouldst 
 thou ever change ; shouldst thou weary of the delays and vexa- 
 tions which thy love for Eveline Dunning doth impose, hesitate 
 not to avow it, and thou shalt be free, though my heart break in 
 bidding thee farewell." 
 
 " Eveline, dearest Eveline," cried her lover, catching her to his 
 bosom, " how canst thou speak thus ? He who hath found heav- 
 en will never voluntarily resign it." 
 
 But why pursue a discourse which can have but little interest 
 except for the speakers? The reader will suppose the further 
 conversation which would naturally take place between two 
 young persons in their situation. Owing to the vigilance of 
 Spikeman, it was a long time (so at least it seemed to them) since 
 they had met, and the interview was sweeter for that reason. 
 While the precious moments are flitting by them unheeded, let 
 us return to Waqua. 
 
 The Indian was so absorbed in the contemplation of the por- 
 trait, that he paid no attention to the jesting observation made 
 by Arundel as he left the room, but continued motionless, gazing 
 fixedly upon it. It represented a man of middle age, of a stern 
 and somewhat forbidding countenance, standing with the open 
 palm of the right hand thrown forward, as if he were addressing 
 the spectator. It was exceedingly well done, so graceful was
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 141 
 
 the attitude, so boldly stood out the figure, so admirable was the 
 coloring, so illusive the air of life. It was the first portrait that 
 Waqua had seen, and he very naturally mistook it for a living 
 person. 
 
 Seeing, as he supposed, a man with eyes fastened on him, 
 standing in an attitude soliciting attention, and as if only wait- 
 ing until the conversation between those who entered should 
 cease, to address him, Waqua, with instinctive politeness, had 
 stopped, and looking full at the painting, awaited the speech. 
 He was somewhat surprised and scandalized, under the circum- 
 stances, at the garrulity of his companions, and, to confess the 
 truth, Arundel sunk considerably in his estimation. However, 
 he made all allowances for the rude manners of the whites and 
 differences of customs, though hardly restrained by such consider- 
 ations from uttering a rebuke for the others' want of respect to 
 age, and to the master of the house, for whom he took the pic- 
 ture. As, after Arundel and the girl left the apartment, the 
 figure remained standing, with eyes fastened on Waqua, and his 
 hand continually extended, the Indian, considering it an invitation 
 to be seated, sat down in a chair. He expected now to be ad- 
 dressed, and modestly dropping his eyes waited for what should 
 be said. Thus sat Waqua, until, surprised at the continued si- 
 lence of the other, he raised his eyes, and beheld him still in the 
 same position, with lips partly open, yet emitting no sound. The 
 situation of the Indian now became more and more embarrassing, 
 and he hesitated what course to pursue. Greatly perplexed, he 
 turned the matter over and over, until finally he reached the con- 
 clusion that this was a mode of welcome among the white men, 
 and that the politeness of the other kept him silent, in order that 
 the visitor should first take up the word, in which opinion he 
 was confirmed by the sedate and unmoved expression of the face. 
 With such a notion occupying his mind, he rose from his seat, 
 and throwing the beaver robe a little off the right shoulder to
 
 1:12 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 allow opportunity for gesticulation, he stood before the picture, 
 and after a moment of grave thought addressed it. 
 
 '' Waqua," he said, " is a young man, and ashamed to speak 
 first in the presence of his elder ; but the customs of the white 
 men are very different from those of their red brethren, and per- 
 haps among his white brothers the young men speak first that 
 their folly may appear. Because he thinks his white brother 
 desires him to speak, he will make a very little speech." 
 
 "The silent chief (so he called the picture, not knowing what 
 other name to use) knows that Waqua is a friend, because he sees 
 him in company with the white man who went away with the 
 chief's daughter with the strawberry lips. Waqua only asks 
 the hospitality of the silent chief, and permision to remain in 
 his lodge till his friend returns." 
 
 Thus having spoken, Waqua gathered up his robe upon his 
 shoulder, and awaited a reply. 
 
 But in vain. Still the figure preserved silence, and maintained 
 the same immovable attitude, gazing on him with eyes from which 
 there was no escaping, and which seemed to pierce into his soul. 
 The uneasiness of Waqua increased. He felt no fear, but a con- 
 fusion of thought which threatened to obscure entirely his facul- 
 ties. The idea crossed his mind that the man was dumb, but that 
 accounted only for the silence. Why the immobility ? If he 
 were dumb, at least he could walk, for well-formed limbs were 
 visible. But the man was quite still, not even winking, only 
 fastening his eyes steadfastly on his own. To the excited imag- 
 ination of the Indian, the eyes began to assume a deeper stern- 
 ness, and he found it more and more difficult to withdraw his 
 own. Suddenly, a thought darted through his mind, which made 
 him shiver all over, and spring from his seat. The idea of fasci- 
 nation caused the start. He had more than once beheld the 
 black snake extended on the ground, charming, with his glittering 
 eyes the anguished bird which, with fainter and fainter screams,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 143 
 
 striving to delay a fate it could not escape, kept flying round and 
 round in constantly diminishing circles, until it fell into the jaws 
 of the destroyer. The same fatal influence he had seen exercised 
 upon rabbits and other small game, the prey of the snake, and he 
 did not doubt that a like fascination was attempted to be prac- 
 ticed on himself, and that the man was a conjurer. The thought 
 threw him into a rage, and he determined to take vengeance for 
 the insult. Drawing, therefore, his tomahawk from his girdle 
 and brandishing it over his head, he exclaimed, 
 
 " Waqua is a warrior, and not a bird to be made weak by a 
 white medicine." 
 
 But before the enraged Indian could cast the weapon from 
 his hand, he felt his arm suddenly arrested, and, turning, beheld 
 the laughing face of Prudence Rix. 
 
 " Stop, stop !" cried the girl, hardly able to speak for merri- 
 ment ; " what are you going to do? It is not a man, but only a 
 painting." 
 
 It is not probable that the Indian perfectly comprehended the 
 explanation of Prudence, who, in spite of her affected fears, had 
 been, without his knowledge, an amused spectator of his conduct ; 
 but her interposition had the effect to prevent any violence, espe- 
 cially, as upon looking again at the portrait, he felt no longer the 
 awe which had oppressed him, and therefore knew that the charm 
 had lost its power. He lowered the tomahawk to his side, and 
 addressed himself to her. 
 
 " What white man ever entered the wigwam of Waqua and 
 was not invited to a seat on his mat ? Who can say that Waqua 
 fastened his eyes on him like a snake?" 
 
 "But see," said the girl, advancing to the portrait, and passing 
 her hand over its surface ; " it is nothing but a cunning painting. 
 Come and satisfy thyself." 
 
 Waqua complied, in part, with Prudence's invitation, feeling 
 some contempt for a man who would permit such an indignity ;
 
 144 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 and advancing to the picture regarded it with keen and inquisi- 
 tive glances. He refused, however, to touch the figure, until Pru- 
 dence, taking his hand in hers, placed it on the canvas. But no 
 sooner did he feel the flat surface, than, uttering a cry of aston- 
 ishment, he leaped backward, almost overturning Prudence in 
 his haste, keeping his eyes on the picture, and ejaculating twice 
 or thrice the expression, " Ugh !" 
 
 "What a simple saivage thou art," exclaimed Prudence. "I 
 tell thee it cannot bite. It can neither hear nor see, and thou 
 art a man to be scared by it!" 
 
 The Indian felt the taunt, conveyed quite as much in the tone 
 as in the words, and without replying, but as if to show that he 
 was above the feeling of fear, holding the tomahawk in one hand, 
 he passed the other over the whole surface, as far as he could 
 reach, winding up the achievement with eyes wild with wonder, 
 and snorting out divers astonished " ughs !"
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 " Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, 
 And shook his very frame for ire, 
 And ' this to me !' he said." 
 
 MABMION. 
 
 Ax this moment the Assistant Spikeman entered the room. 
 His advance had been so noiseless that it was unobserved by 
 either the girl or the Indian, so entirely were they engrossed by 
 the adventure of the portrait. 
 
 " Whom have we here ?" he exclaimed. " Methinks, Pru- 
 dence, there are other parts of the dwelling more fit for such 
 visitors." 
 
 " I desired to see," said the girl, evasively, " how a savage 
 would act who never had beholden a painting. There is no 
 great harm in that," she added, pouting. 
 
 " And doubtless he mistook it for a live man. Master Van- 
 dyke had skill, I trow, to deceive more learned eyes than those 
 of a wild Indian. But, Prudence, thou knowest that I mean 
 not to chide thee. Far different words arise spontaneously to 
 my lips. But go, now, and I will pay the honors to thy red 
 friend." 
 
 " He is no more friend of mine than 1 hope all the world are 
 my friends," answered the girl, glad to get away to acquaint the 
 lovers that Spikeman was in the house.
 
 146 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 "I wish," she muttered, as she closed the door, though not so 
 loud as to be overheard, " that some folk were not so great 
 friends of mine." 
 
 " Have my people given my friend anything to eat *?" inquired 
 the Assistant, on the departure of the girl. 
 
 " Waqua is not hungry," answered the Indian. " His white 
 brother has fed him until he has no place for more." 
 
 "What thinks Waqua of the painted man 1 ?" asked the As- 
 sistant, observing that the eyes of the savage wandered every 
 now and then to the painting. 
 
 "It is a great medicine," replied the Indian, noticing with 
 admiration the resemblance between it and the Assistant, (whose 
 father's portrait it was.) " My brother loved his father very 
 much, and so, before he was called to the spirit land, my brother 
 put him on a board, even as white men put faces in frozen water. 
 But my brother is wiser, because he makes his father stay on the 
 board, instead of disappearing like faces in frozen water." 
 
 " My brother is right," said the Assistant, not unwilling to 
 avail himself of an opportunity to impress on the mind of the 
 savage the superiority of the whites ; " but he has seen little of 
 the wisdom of the white man. It is a light thing to put a man 
 upon a board, though at the same time he may be in the spirit 
 land. It is wonderful to Waqua, but a white child understands 
 it. If Waqua remains the friend of the white man, greater and 
 more wonderful things shall he learn." 
 
 " Waqua is an Indian, with an Indian head, and he is afraid 
 it is not big enough to hold all these things. It makes his head 
 ache to think of them." 
 
 " My brother's head will grow. But will he follow me now 
 into another part of my dwelling ?" 
 
 The Indian made a gesture of assent, and the Assistant pre- 
 ceding him, the two went in the direction of the room where 
 were Arundel and Eveline.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 147 
 
 Prudence, when she left Spikeman and Waqua together, had 
 rushed in upon the lovers to apprise them of the Assistant's 
 presence. The proud spirit of the young man revolted somewhat 
 at the idea of stealing out of the house like a felon, and a little 
 time was spent before the expostulations of Prudence and the 
 entreaties of Eveline could prevail. And when he rose to leave, 
 some time longer was consumed in tender leave-takings, which, 
 though they seemed instants to the lovers, were lengthened 
 almost into hours to the anxious waiting-maid. Hence it hap- 
 pened that when the door was opened, Arundel was confronted 
 by the Assistant. Surprise and indignation were both expressed 
 in the countenance of Spikeman, as he demanded to what cir- 
 cumstance he was indebted for the honor of the young man's 
 company. 
 
 " Master Spikeman knows," answered Arundel, " without any 
 averment on my part, that I came not to see him." 
 
 " It needs no declaration of thine to assure me of that," said 
 Spikeman. 
 
 " I do nought," said Arundel, " which I will not avouch by 
 both deeds and words. Plainly, I came to see Mistress Eveline 
 Dunning, and strange indeed would it be, were I in this strange 
 land to avoid her presence." 
 
 " Speak out the whole truth," said Spikeman, with rising pas- 
 sion, and avow that like a thief thou didst steal in to corrupt the 
 affections of my ward, and teach her undutifulness to her guar- 
 dian." 
 
 Before the young man could reply, Eveline interposed. 
 
 " You do Master Arundel wrong, sir," she said, " to charge 
 him with aught unbecoming. He comes hither in open day, and 
 that by my special invitation." 
 
 The eyes of the spirited girl flashed, and her cheeks were crim- 
 son, as she made the avowal. 
 
 " This from you, Eveline Dunning," exclaimed Spikeman, with
 
 148 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ill-suppressed rage. " Have you so far forgotten the modesty of 
 your sex as to make this declaration in public * I knew before, 
 that this boy had bewitched you, but dreamed not that he had 
 triumphed over all maidenly reserve." 
 
 There was something insufferably insulting, both in the tone 
 and in the insinuation concealed in the language, which was not 
 entirely understood by the pure mind of Eveline, but which was 
 maddening to her lover. 
 
 " Only a base ingrate and liar," he cried, " would slander 
 celestial purity. Master Spikeman knows that what he utters is 
 false." 
 
 " Ha ! darest thou, malapert boy," said Spikeman, advancing 
 to Arundel with his arm raised, as if atTout to strike ; but Waqua 
 stepped between them. He had gravely listened to the heated 
 conversation, and supposed he understood its purport. 
 
 " Let not the wise white man," he said, addressing Spikeman, 
 " imitate a mad wolf in his anger. Give to my brother for his 
 wife the girl whose cheeks are like the summer morning, for her 
 heart has hid itself in his bosom." 
 
 The fury of Spikeman, thus bearded in his own house, was 
 now directed to the savage. Anger appeared to have completely 
 deprived him of reason, for turning upon the Indian with glaring 
 eyes and exerting his strength to the utmost, he hurled him with 
 irresistible force across the room against the wainscot, where his 
 head struck a post, and he fell bleeding on the floor. 
 
 Waqua was instantly on his feet again, and his first motion 
 was to clutch the tomahawk, but Arundel catching his arm, com- 
 pelled him to desist from his revenge. Holding the savage by 
 the arm, Arundel passed out of the apartment, leaving the As- 
 sistant standing as if petrified by his own violence, while Eveline, 
 pale, yet resolute, had sunk upon a seat, and Prudence was hys- 
 terically shrieking. As soon as they stood in the street, Arundel 
 said:
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 149 
 
 " I am grieved, Waqua, that thou, on my account, shouldst 
 have been the object of the ruffian's rage, Its possibility oc- 
 curred not to me." 
 
 " Let not my brother grieve," said the Indian. " It is nothing ; 
 not so much as the scratch of a bear's paw." 
 
 " I take blame to myself for this day's unhappy violence, and 
 hope that no further mischief may spring out of it. Will my 
 brother grant me a favor ?" 
 
 " The ears of Waqua are open," said the savage. 
 
 " Promise me, for my sake, to seek no revenge, but to leave it 
 in my hands." 
 
 But the Indian looked moodily on the ground. " Waqua," he 
 said, "will kill his enemies himself." 
 
 " If," continued the young man, " my brother knew that an at- 
 tempt to punish the bad white man would bring ruin on the 
 maiden and on me, would he be willing to destroy them too ?" 
 
 " Waqua will do no harm to his brother." 
 
 "Waqua's heart and mine are one, and he has a wise head. 
 He sees that the arms of the English are very long, and their 
 hands strong, and he will not run into them, for they will crush 
 him." 
 
 " My brother shall see the inside of Waqua. Let him look up. 
 Behold, the sun shines because he is the sun, and the wind stirs 
 the forest leaves because he is the wind, and water runs, and fire 
 burns, because the Master of Life made them thus ; and so the 
 Indian will never forgive, for then would he cease to be an 
 Indian. But Waqua will do nought to injure his brother." 
 
 With this unsatisfactory answer the young man was forced to 
 content himself as well as he could, though his mind misgave 
 him as to the possible consequences of the insult. He trusted, 
 however, that Spikeman's knowledge of Indian character would 
 place him sufficiently on his guard to make abortive any attempts 
 against him, and determined to keep a watchful eye upon his
 
 150 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE, 
 
 wild companion for the present, and until time should have 
 blunted sensibility to the injury. For this reason, and in order 
 also to counteract, as far as might be, the effect of the incidents 
 at the house of the Assistant, after purchasing the articles which 
 they came out to procure, he took the savage with him on the 
 visit to the Governor, which he had promised the knight to 
 make. Nor is this a circumstance that should excite surprise; it 
 being the policy of the colonists to cultivate the best understand- 
 ing with the natives, to accomplish which object the latter were 
 not only admitted into their houses, but sometimes even invited 
 by the principal inhabitants to seats at their tables. They 
 found Winthrop at home, and were admitted to his presence. 
 
 " Welcome, young friend," he exclaimed, " with England's 
 red rose still blooming in thy cheeks j and a welcome, too, to 
 my Indian brother." 
 
 "This, right worshipful sir," said Arundel, "is Waqua, to 
 whom I owe my life, which he saved this morning from a 
 panther." 
 
 " Ah !" said Winthrop, {: one of the hazards not uncommon 
 in our wild-beast-infested forest, and young blood is rash. But 
 relate to me thine adventure." 
 
 Arundel was obliged to detail the circumstances of his escape, 
 which he did with the greater pleasure, as contributing thereby 
 to recommend his companion to the favorable consideration of 
 so powerful a person as the Governor. At the conclusion of the 
 narrative, Winthrop devoutly said : 
 
 " The praise be to Him to whom it justly belongs, and whose 
 unsleeping Providence perpetually watches over us. Yet," he 
 added, turning to the Indian, "be not the instrument forgotten 
 by whom He manifested his favor. The life of a white man 
 is very precious, and Waqua may ask much because he saved it." 
 
 " It is a small thing," replied the Indian. " My brother would 
 have killed the beast himself without Waqua' s arrow; it only 
 saved him a little trouble."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 151 
 
 " How modest is ever true merit, Master Arundel," said Win- 
 throp, " and that is noticeable in both civilized and savage. 
 This community of feeling doth, as I take it, evidence, in con- 
 nection with other matters, the truth revealed in the Scripture, 
 (nature herself thereunto bearing witness,) that we are descended 
 from one common parent, of whose qualities all do partake, even 
 to the remotest generations. But, however desert may be dis- 
 claimed by thy preserver, it were shame, morally, as also censura- 
 ble in another view, were I to show myself no sense of the 
 obligation." 
 
 So saying, the Governor opened the desk before him, and 
 taking therefrom a medal attached to a glittering chain, presented 
 it to the Indian. 
 
 "Take it," he said, " and wear it in testimony that the white 
 chief knows how to estimate thy service, and desires to cultivate 
 thy friendship." 
 
 But the Indian held not out his hand to receive the proffered 
 medal. 
 
 " Why dost hesitate *" inquired Winthrop, in some amaze- 
 ment, (for never had he known before an ornament, of which the 
 savages are usually so fond, refused.) " Is there aught else that 
 would pleasure thee more"? Speak freely thy thoughts." 
 
 " Waqua thanks the white chief," replied the savage, softly, 
 " but he wears only one totem, and that is one which cannot be 
 taken from his neck. See !" 
 
 So saying, he threw open the folds of the robe of skins that 
 covered his chest, and disclosed upon his naked bosom the picture 
 of a turtle. It was painted upon or pricked into the skin in 
 divers colors, so as to be indelible, and though rudely done, was 
 sufficiently well executed to convey an idea which could not be 
 mistaken of what was intended to be represented. 
 
 " Waqua," he continued, " will have but one totem, and it is 
 that of his ancestors ; but if the white chief desires to please
 
 152 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Waqua, let him recollect and teach his people that the same 
 Great Spirit made red men and white men, and wishes them to 
 be brothers." 
 
 The sagacity of Winthrop penetrated the motive of the savage, 
 and wonder at the refusal to accept the token was lost in ad- 
 miration of the other's jealousy of whatever might imply a want 
 of exclusive devotion to his tribe, or a placing of himself in a 
 position inconsistent with perfect independence. He scrutinized 
 the Indian with much more attention than he had at first be- 
 stowed upon him, and fancied that in his daring face he read an 
 air of nobleness and command which at first he had not re- 
 marked. 
 
 " It troubles me, Waqua," he said, " to have thee refuse this 
 badge of my friendship, and which would be a declaration to the 
 world that thou wert my friend, and the friend of the white 
 man, but sith it may not be, receive my promise that I will 
 inculcate the maxim on my people, that we are all descended 
 from the same heavenly father, and bound to love and to practice 
 actions of mutual kindness. I were less, indeed, than Christian 
 man were I to do otherwise." 
 
 " And now T have a petition to proffer to your excellency, 
 and which lies very near to my heart, and without the granting 
 whereof the life saved by Waqua will be of little value to me," 
 said Arundel. 
 
 " A thing of moment, indeed ; and with such a consequence 
 following its rejection, a prayer which I cannot refuse." 
 
 " It is your reputation, honored sir, for justice, which em- 
 boldens me, who am but a comparative stranger, with no further 
 claim to your consideration than one man has upon his fellow to 
 do him right, to address you, and endeavor to secure your all- 
 powerful interest in my behalf." 
 
 Here the eyes of the Governor fell with an inquiring look 
 upon the Indian, and the mute appeal was understood by the 
 young man.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 153 
 
 " I care not," he said, unwilling, by any appearance of a 
 want of confidence, to hazard an interruption of the friendly 
 relations existing between himself and the savage, in whom he 
 already felt a considerable interest " I care not if Waqua hears 
 my story ; he is my brother and may look into my heart." 
 
 A gratified expression crossed the countenance of Waqua, but, 
 without a remark, he rose from his seat, and, with a delicacy little 
 to be expected among the wild children of Nature, withdrew to a 
 distant part of the room. 
 
 " It is better thus," said the Governor, " if thy complaint, as I 
 partly suspect, touch a member of the Government. The secrets 
 of a family should not be blazoned to the world. Our little Com- 
 monwealth is a family, and it becometh each one tenderly to 
 guard the good repute of all." 
 
 " I crave your Excellency's pardon," said the young man, 
 casting down his eyes at the rebuke, " for my imprudence ; but 
 your sagacity has already divined what forces me to fly to you 
 for succor. It is of the unjustifiable conduct of the Assistant 
 Spikeman I would speak." 
 
 " It is as I supposed. Something of this have I heard, but only 
 as flying gossip, which it were unmanly in any one to heed ; and 
 which, as such, it Avere disgraceful in the ruler of a people to re- 
 gard. But, if the charge come, bearing upon itself an authentic 
 stamp, it is a different matter." 
 
 " The words which I shall utter I will avouch with my blood. 
 A great and grievous wrong hath been committed and is continued, 
 against which both Heaven and earth cry out." 
 
 " It is a heavy charge, and now to the proof." 
 
 Hereupon Arundel entered upon the particulars of the breach 
 of faith on the part of Spikeinan, and of the restraint exercised 
 by him over Eveline ; to all which Winthrop listened with pro- 
 found attention, by neither word nor sign interrupting the narra- 
 tive. Upon its conclusion, however, he began in the spirit of 
 
 7
 
 154 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the profession wherein he had been educated, to ask questions 
 and urge objections. 
 
 "Thou hast truly, Master Arundel," he said, " made out a case 
 of great hardship, if the view taken by thee be correct ; and, un- 
 derstand me, I doubt not thine entire sincerity. But what fur- 
 ther testimony than that of the young lady hastthou, her repre- 
 sentations being contradicted by Master Spikeman ? " 
 
 " What ! " cried the young man, with some warmth, " is not 
 the word of Eveline sufficient to outweigh the prevarications of 
 a thousand tricksters like this Spikeman ?" 
 
 " This is no proper language," said Winthrop, a little sternly, 
 " but Amor semper ccecus" he added, smiling. " This rule I take to 
 be without exception. Am I to understand that thou hast no 
 further proof?" 
 
 " There is the asseveration of Eveline Dunning, met only by 
 the denial of the Assistant Spikeman, who would deny every 
 truth, so only it were necessary for his purpose." 
 
 " Thou dost prejudice thy cause by want of moderation. It 
 seemeth me, however, that Master Spikeman hath no necessity 
 to join issue with thee on the facts, and that a bare demurrer 
 were all-sufficient to throw thee out of court. Forgive me for 
 inflicting this pain, but I do it not without a motive, which is to 
 possess thee fully of the manner in which this matter is viewed 
 by others." 
 
 "There is then no justice in this land," cried the young man. 
 
 " I have thus far," Winthrop went o-i without heeding the ex- 
 clamation, " considered the case, under the supposition of a denial 
 on the part of Master Spikeman (whom thou dost not deny to be 
 the rightly constituted guardian of Mistress Dunning) of the facts 
 which, in thy opinion, impose on him a duty to give thee his 
 Avard in marriage. But suppose, as I have said, he were to de- 
 mur to thy declaration, that is to say, admit the truth of all 
 ihou hast said, but deny that any obligation resulted therefrom
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 155 
 
 to comply with thy wishes, would thy condition be thereby bet- 
 tered ?" 
 
 " Admitting the facts, I see not how he could do otherwise 
 than hasten to perform the desire of his deceased friend ; but this 
 he will never do, forsworn and treacherous that he is." 
 
 " Thus may p^sion speak, but not so the unprejudiced reason 
 concerning thy difference with Master Spikeman. Might he not 
 reply to thy reproaches that it was only when Master Dunning 
 was weakened by sickness that he did yield to importunity ; but 
 that in the days of unclouded health, and when the mind sat like 
 a king upon his throne, he did steadily oppose thy union with 
 his daughter, and then ask thee which he was in duty bound to 
 obey the settled purpose of his friend, as demonstrated by Ins 
 daily life and conversation, or a chance word of sickness, perhaps, 
 of delirium ? That Edmund Dunning did at first, even till his 
 death-bed, deny thee his daughter, thou dost admit ; and this is a 
 weighty argument, hard to be overcome by a dying whisper. The 
 reason thereof will satisfy most, for is it not written, ' Be ye 
 not unequally yoked with unbelievers?' Seest thou not that it 
 is only thyself who dost stand in the way of thy happiness ? 
 Oh ! that the light of Divine truth might penetrate thy mind, 
 and make thee, in all respects, worthy of the lovely lady." 
 
 "Eveline* Dunning would despise me, were I, even for the sake 
 of her hand, to renounce the faith of my fathers." 
 
 "Not for the sake of her hand, (that would be only a collateral 
 blessing,) but for other and worthier motives* Very precious and 
 encouraging is the promise in the Scripture, ' Seek ye first the 
 kingdom of heaven, and all other things shall be added unto you/ 
 Doubt it not, and consider also how sweet is the tie that doth bind 
 consenting hearts with one true faith a faith consoling exceed- 
 ingly a faith to lift high above the tempests of adversity to 
 heal the wounds of earth, and to be crowned with glory and im- 
 mortality in heaven."
 
 156 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Were I even to join the congregation, which, in my present 
 way of thinking, I might not do without guilt, Master Spikeman 
 would, doubtless, find means to make vain my suit." 
 
 " Judge him not so harshly. What motive Can he have, other 
 than to perform his duty to the living and to the dead ? Think, 
 rather, that Providence hath, in its own wonderful way, deter- 
 mined to lead thee by the silken cord of thy affections unto grace. 
 Be not disobedient unto the heavenly impulse." 
 
 " I perceive that I have failed in my prayer, and can have no 
 hope of your intercession, honored sir," said Arundel, rising, " and 
 will therefore take my sorrowful leave." 
 
 " It pains me," said Winthrop, also rising, " that, under pres- 
 ent circumstances, I am compelled to deny it. I may not do 
 aught to contravene a resolution of the deceased Edmund Dun- 
 ning, which seems to have been inspired by Heaven ; but, the 
 cause of that resolution being removed, no one will be happier to 
 promote your purpose. I say this the more cheerfully, because 
 thy happiness is within reach, to be wisely seized or unwisely re- 
 fused." 
 
 " With thanks for your Excellency's good will, and lamenting 
 that it is fruitless, I will now depart." 
 
 Hereupon, the young man making a sign to his companion, 
 the Indian approached. The sight of the latter seemed to sug- 
 gest an idea to Winthrop, for, turning to him, he said : 
 
 " On the morrow I expect an embassy from some of your coun- 
 trymen, Waqua. Will not the chief remain to witness it T' 
 
 On the quiet countenance of the Indian only an inquiry was 
 to be read. 
 
 " The Taranteens," said the Governor, in answer to the look, 
 " desire to brighten the chain of friendship between the white men 
 and themselves, and it ought to give pleasure to a wise chief to 
 behold it," 
 
 " Waqua is a young man," replied the Indian, " and is not
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 157 
 
 wise ; but he has heard the old men of his tribe say, that no faith 
 was to be placed in the word of a Taranteen." 
 
 " Let them beware," said Winthrop, who, from obvious mo- 
 tives of policy, adopted this tone in the Indian's presence, " how 
 they attempt to deceive me. The friendship of the white man is 
 like the blessed sun, which brings life and joy ; his enmity, like 
 the storm-clouds, charged with thunders and lightnings." 
 
 " Listen !" said the Indian, laying his hand on the arm of the 
 Governor. " The beavers once desired the friendship of the skunk. 
 They admired his black and white hair, and thought his round, 
 bushy tail, which was different from theirs, very beautiful ; so 
 they invited him into their lodges ; but when he came, his scent 
 was so bad that they were all obliged to abandon them. The 
 Taranteens are the skunk." 
 
 "I have no fear that they will drive us away," said Winthrop, 
 with a smile. <; They have every reason to conciliate our favor, 
 and we would be at peace, if we are permitted, with all men. 
 We came not into these far off regions to bring a sword, but the 
 blessings of civilization and of the Gospel." 
 
 " Waqua will come," said the Indian, " but the Taranteens are 
 a skunk. The white chief wijl remember the words of Waqua, 
 and will say, before many days, that he spoke the truth." 
 
 " We know how to deal with the treacherous," answered the 
 Governor, " but anticipate no evil now." 
 
 With these words, and, as if striving by extraordinary courtesy 
 to palliate the pain which he had inflicted on Arundel, he accom- 
 panied the two to the door of the apartment, where he dismissed 
 them.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Oh ! he sits high in all the people's hearts. 
 
 SHAKESPEARE. 
 
 IT was evident that, so far from anything being to be expected 
 from the interposition of the Governor, he was opposed to the mar- 
 riage of Arundel as long as the latter should remain outside of the 
 charmed circle of the Church a full communion with which was 
 necessary, eVen to the exercise of the rights of a citizen. But 
 the young man was incapable of deception. His ingenuous mind 
 turned, displeased, a-.vay from the bait the wily Governor had 
 presented ; and, dearly as he loved his mistress, he would have 
 preferred to renounce her rather than play the hypocrite to 
 obtain the prize. He was not much cast down, for, having sought 
 the interview, not from the promptings of his own judgment, but 
 out of deference to the wishes of the knight, he was not greatly 
 disappointed. He remained firm in the resolution, whatever 
 might be the risk, to release Eveline from the constraint exercised 
 over her by her guardian. Silent, with the Indian silent fol- 
 lowing in his footsteps, he returned to his lodgings to brood over 
 his prospects and to devise schemes. 
 
 The next day was the time fixed for receiving the Taranteens ; 
 and not without interest, notwithstanding the pre-occupation of 
 his mind, did Arundel look forward to the event. Such deputa-
 
 160 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 tions or embassies were, indeed, not uncommon, and the young 
 man had already been present at more than one occasion of the 
 kind ; but great consequence was attached to the present, and 
 unusual preparations were made to convert the ceremony into a 
 scene that should be imposing to the imagination of the savages, 
 and forcibly impress them with an idea of the power of the 
 English. 
 
 The name Taranteen was given to the natives living on the 
 banks of the river Kennebec, in the present state of Maine, and em- 
 braced a number of tribes, among whom were those called by the 
 French Abenakis. They were a fierce and proud race, and had 
 spread the terror of their arms to a wide distance from their hunt- 
 ing grounds. There was a perpetual feud betwixt them and the 
 Aberginians, as the Indians on Massachusetts Bay were styled, 
 who, hi consequence of wars with their northern neighbors, as 
 well as of the pestilence which had desolated their wigwams, had 
 become reduced from the condition of a powerful people to com- 
 parative insignificance. These Taranteens had, at the beginning 
 of the settlement of the colony, occasionally done some mischief, 
 descending their rivers in canoes in small bands, plundering the 
 cabins of exposed settlers, and sometimes murdering the inmates. 
 As the power of the whites increased, and their name became 
 more terrible, these forays had almost ceased, and in most in- 
 stances the colonists were able, in one way and another, to obtain 
 satisfaction for the wrongs committed. There was no defined 
 state of hostilities existing betwixt them and the Taranteens, nor 
 could it be said they were strictly at peace with each other ; and 
 it was felt that great advantages might result from an interchange 
 of civilities, and a formal establishment of friendly relations. The 
 efforts of Winthrop and of his council had been for some time 
 directed to this object, but hitherto they had been frustrated by 
 the intrigues of the French, who found it for their interest to dis- 
 courage intercourse between the Taranteens and the colonists, lest
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 161 
 
 the lucrative trade with the former, of which they enjoyed the 
 monopoly, might be diverted from them entirely, or diverted into 
 other channels. In these exertions the French traders were not a 
 little aided by the Jesuit missionaries scattered among them, who 
 naturally favored their countrymen, and besides were afraid of the 
 spiritual influence which the heretical Puritans might exercise 
 over their dusky neophytes. For even at that early period, the 
 zeal of the Romish Church had penetrated the wilds of North as 
 well as of South America, and erected the sacred crucifix Avhcre 
 before stood the stake of the victim. Solitudes which, until then, 
 had only trembled to the horrid war-whoop, were now tranquil- 
 ized by the soft sounds of the lowly muttered mass. The ferocity 
 of the natives began to be softened, and if not christianized and 
 practising only the outward ceremonies of Christianity, they had 
 at least taken the first step towards civilization. In this state of 
 things a circumstance had occurred, which made abortive any 
 further opposition of the missionaries and traders. 
 
 A shallop, or small vessel employed by the colonists in fishing, 
 had picked up at sea, at a considerable distance from the land, a 
 canoe containing some half a dozen Indians, who were on the 
 point of perishing from hunger. They were Tarantecns, who had 
 probably ventured out too far from the Main, and been caught in 
 a storm, and swept out by currents, until they lost all knowledge 
 of their situation, and had been for some days paddling about in 
 the fogs, which prevail in those latitudes near the coast, in a vain 
 attempt to retrace their course to land. The starving wretches 
 had been taken on board the shallop, and instead of being de- 
 stroyed as they expected, had been kindly treated, and brought in 
 safety to Boston, where they were presented to Winthrop. The 
 Governor, politic as well as humane, seized the favorable oppor- 
 tunity to cultivate a better understanding than had hitherto ex- 
 isted between his own people and the eastern tribes. lie was 
 completely successful in making the impression he desired upon 
 
 7*
 
 162 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the rescued Taranteens ; and when they took their departure, 
 loaded with presents, it was with a lively regret that they had not 
 sooner become acquainted with a people so hospitable and gen- 
 erous. Among their number was an inferior chief, endowed with 
 the gift of eloquence, which often exists in a high degree 
 among the red men. Plis eulogies of 'the colonists on his return 
 were so glowing, and his representations were so well confirmed 
 by his companions, that the exertions of the Frenchmen were 
 no longer able to stifle their curiosity to know more of their 
 neighbors, especially as the report of their returned tribes-men 
 effectually contradicted the monstrous fictions which had been 
 invented to deter them. Such was the origin of an embassy 
 which was a source of fear to the French, and of hope to the 
 English. 
 
 It is not surprising that Winthrop, thinking highly of the im- 
 portance of the occasion, should avail himself of all the means at 
 hand to produce a striking and imposing spectacle, and that he 
 should be seconded, to the best of their ability, by the colonists. 
 As Arundel walked along he could observe indications of the ap- 
 proaching ceremonies. The roll of a drum, mingled with the 
 shriek of a fife, and the blast of a trumpet was heard ; an occa- 
 sional passenger either on foot or horseback, with a musket on his 
 shoulder, and whose face was not to be seen daily in the streets 
 of the town, loitered on his way ; the guard at the door of the 
 Governor's house was doubled, more for show than for any other 
 purpose, and a greater number of the assistants than usual was 
 to be seen. Several of these gentlemen lived in the town, but 
 some resided on their plantations in the neighborhood, and came 
 to Boston only for purposes of business, or diversion, or pleasure. 
 Several men were also engaged in drawing a couple of culverins 
 to the place of audience, which was to be in the open air. Waqua, 
 as he walked demurely after Arundel, doubtless noticed all that 
 was passing, but he made no remark, nor through his appear-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 163 
 
 ance of indifference was the interest which he really felt per- 
 ceptible. 
 
 When they reached the inn, they found an unusual number of 
 persons there collected. Here were to be found not only the cap- 
 tain> and inferior officers of the vessels, who, while in harbor, were 
 accustomed to make this a place of resort, but divers colonists 
 from the country round, who, upon the requisition of the Gover- 
 nor, had assembled, provided with military equipments. The 
 heart of the landlord, goodman Nettles, rejoiced, and his contra- 
 dictory face beamed with pleasure, as, surveying the increasing 
 crowd, he calculated what quantity of ale and wine and victuals 
 they would put down their throats, and how many pounds, shil- 
 lings, and pence, into his own pocket. On such occasions the 
 large circle of his benevolence comprehended all mankind 
 Indians as well as whites. As the two entered the public room of 
 the inn, they heard rising above the confused din of voices, that 
 of Captain Sparhawk, who seemed objecting to the preparations. 
 " If they were good Christians," he said, " the sail would fit 
 better to the yard. If they were even your frog-eating moun- 
 
 seers, with their popery and d d wooden shoes, (' I hope,' 
 
 he added, ' a man may curse the Pope,') I wouldn't care about 
 touching off a culverin or two by way of good fellowship ; but as 
 for these whooping red skins, it will all be no better than so much 
 powder thrown away." 
 
 " Canst not let the Indians alone, Captain ?" cried mine host. 
 " Ahem ! for my part I believe there's many a proper man amonir 
 them, though 'tis a grievous pity," he added, sighing, "that they 
 be'nt Christians." 
 
 " Avast, and belay there with a double turn, goodman host," 
 exclaimed the Captain. " Of what use do ye think would it be 
 to make the red skins Christians? Keep your weather eye open, 
 and tell us if ye don't see breakers ahead. Hark ye ! do ye think 
 it would be so very pleasant to have the sharks swim into heaven
 
 164 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 and go jumping and yelling round like so many red devils as they 
 
 " But, Captain, if divine grace once entered their hearts, they 
 would give up all such ways, you know," sighed the host. 
 
 " Tell that to a landsman," answered the Captain, " and not 
 to a man who was with Jacob Le Maire the first time when them 
 harricanes that dances the devil's hornpipe the whole year round 
 Cape Horn ever had a chance to split an English jib. (Old 
 Jacob the Dutch, do ye see, the ignorant beggars, capsize it into 
 Yacob), old Jacob, or Yacob, as the Mynheers spoil it, was a 
 stout fellow, if he was a Dutchman. He was like a grampus 
 when he set his teeth, and a south wester couldn't blow harder if 
 he chose. But where away was I when I begun chase after old 
 Jacob Le Maire ? Aye, aye, here away with Indians on the wea- 
 ther bow, bearing up into heaven. What does the Scriptures say, 
 goodman Nettles, about an Ethiopian changing his spots ?" 
 
 But mine host was at the moment too busily engaged with new 
 guests to attend to questions of theology. 
 
 " You're out o' your reckoning there, Captain," said Bill 
 Pantry. " It is a leopard a sort o' wild beast, as one may say, 
 that finds it unhandy to get rid of his spots. They are pricked 
 in by natur', I take^it, in a manner, with Indy ink, so that it isn't 
 scrubbing will take 'em out." 
 
 " And why should not an Ethiopian have a right to spots as 
 well as a lecpard, or yourself, Bill, with a big anchor settling in 
 the mud, on your right arm, and the Union Jack flying on 'tother. 
 Answer me that, man, before you interrupt your superior officer 
 again." 
 
 " Why, do ye see, Captain," Bill began. 
 
 But the impatient sailor waited for no answer to his question, 
 for looking round, his eyes happened to fall on Arundel, with the 
 Indian near him, and immediately rising, he approached them. 
 
 " How are ye, once more, my hearty ?" he inquired, extending
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 165 
 
 his hand to Arundel, while he looked at the Indian. " Is this 
 one of the plenipo-po-pothecaries ? That's not it, but it's as much 
 like as children generally are to their fathers." 
 
 " Plenipotentiaries you mean," answered the young man, with 
 a smile. " No, this is not a Taranteen ; he is one of our own 
 Massachusetts Bay countrymen." 
 
 " I thought," said the Captain, " he looked too young for such 
 a line of business, though he looms up as grand as a king's ship. 
 But these Indians, if they be heathens, have some wit as well as 
 other folk, and they know that older chaps are fitter for the like 
 of this here navigation. Howsoever, there's something that 
 pleases me in the cut of your dark colored friend's jib. Would 
 it be asking too much for the honor of an introduction 1" 
 
 " Captain Sparhawk," said Arundel, " this is my noble friend 
 Waqua, to whom I am under the greatest obligations." 
 
 The Captain offered his hand to the savage, who, acquainted 
 with this custom of the whites, extended his own. As for what 
 the seaman had been saying, Waqua had but an imperfect con- 
 ception of it. 
 
 "Do ye see, Master Arundel," said the Captain, "I think 
 there is some difference between the red skins and the blacka- 
 moors. To be sure they are all heathens, and for that reason 
 not much better than so many big monkeys ; and there's a com- 
 fort in that, do ye see, because that gives us a right to catch and 
 make them do our disagreeable work. Anyhow, I've read in 
 Scripture that Ham, who was the old ringleader of the niggars, 
 was made black on purpose. Now, according to my notion, these 
 red skins are a sort o' cross betwixt Ham's and Japhet's children, 
 who were cousins, you know, for do ye see, though they're dark- 
 ish, they have got long hair like us white men. But come, let us 
 sit down and splice the main brace to better acquaintance." 
 
 Arundel accepted the invitation to a seat, for he knew not how 
 better to pass the time than in watching the humors around him,
 
 166 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 but declined participating in any potations. The Indian too, 
 much to the surprise of the Captain and of Arundel, refused to 
 drink, and to the pressing entreaties of the former only answered, 
 " Waqua is not thirsty." 
 
 " I believe," said the Captain, peevishly, " that the bad man- 
 ners of these crop ears will spoil the very heathens themselves at 
 last. Whoever heard of an Indian before who refused drink 
 when he could get it ?" 
 
 " Noble Captain," said Arundel, " be not offended at our 
 friend, who is not accustomed to wine, and therefore is probably 
 afraid of the effect upon himself; nor with me, who never could 
 bear more than half a dozen glasses, and have already sufficiently 
 indulged." 
 
 " Well, if there is anything I pray for more than for another," 
 exclaimed the disappointed Captain, " it is that I may never be- 
 come a milksop (saving your presence, Master Arundel)." 
 
 " There is not much danger of that," said the young man, 
 laughing. " But what is the difficulty across the room T' 
 
 A group of some dozen persons had been engaged for a consid- 
 erable time in animated conversation, the tones of which had gra- 
 dually been growing louder, until at last they could be heard 
 above all other noises. As the sounds increased, the general hum 
 of conversation died by degrees away, until the whole interest 
 was centered in the group above mentioned. 
 
 " I will stand by stout Capt. Endicott," said a strongly built 
 man in citizen's dress, and holding a musket in his hand, " rest- 
 ing assured that he does nothing without a reason, and that his 
 conduct doth spring from a godly zeal." 
 
 " And I will maintain, in any proper mode," replied an officer- 
 looking personage, " that it was a deed insulting to his majesty, 
 and disgraceful to a British subject. If not treason, it is some- 
 thing very like." 
 
 " Bethink you, Colonel McMahon," said the first speaker, " that
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 167 
 
 this is not England. I trow we left her to but little purpose, if 
 we are to enjoy no more liberty here than there." 
 
 " What kind of a liberty call you that, Capt. Larkham," de- 
 manded the other, " which authorizes Endicott, or any other 
 man, to cut out the cross from the King's colors ? Call you 
 yourselres loyal subjects who tolerate such an outrage?" 
 
 " And by what authority," retorted Larkham, " was the Papis- 
 tical sign foisted into the standard of England, except by that of 
 the scarlet woman, whose robes are red with the blood of the 
 saints?" 
 
 " Methinks," said the Colonel, " that the flag which waved at 
 Cressy and Poitiers deserved a better fate." 
 
 " I pray thee to take to heart and perpend," answered Lark- 
 ham, with some solemnity, " that I will yield in loyalty to no 
 man, and that the last drop of blood I have is at the service of 
 my countiy. In this matter a distinction is to be taken. It was 
 not as a contemner of the flag of England, and of the glorious 
 memories connected therewith (he would deserve my dagger in 
 his heart if it were so,) that Capt. Endicott cut out the cross, but 
 as one who is zealous against error. What ! is it reasonable to 
 ask us to march to battle with the sign of Rome flaunting over 
 our heads ? Shall we do anything which may induce the poor 
 savages (whom, as I am told, the emissaries of Home are de- 
 luding, taking good care to keep out of our reach) to recognize 
 her errors, and admit her power?" 
 
 " Such scruples," said the Colonel, " neither you nor I ever 
 heard at home. It required a foreign soil to give birth to them," 
 and as he uttered the word foreign, he threw an emphasis on it 
 which offended the other. 
 
 " I shall entreat of your courtesy," said Larkham, slowly, " to 
 weigh well the words which it may be your pleasure to apply to 
 any opinions of mine. I will resent any imputations upon the 
 loyalty of the colony, or upon mine own."
 
 168 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN 1 MELICE. 
 
 " Think not to affect me by any threat?, sir," answered the 
 Colonel, standing up, and looking sternly at his opponent. " I 
 say that it was the act of a rebel, and will avouch my words 
 against you, though the whole colony were at your back." 
 
 The last sentence was spoken in a defiant tone, and some mis- 
 chief might have been the consequence, had not Master Prout, 
 who for some time had been listening to the conversation, placed 
 himself with his long staff in hand, between the two, and com- 
 manded the peace. 
 
 " I pray ye, gentlemen," he said, addressing them in a manner 
 very different (as becoming their quality) from the style he had 
 adopted toward Capt. Sparhawk, " to consider the great scandal 
 ye occasion by this unseemly altercation. Who is there doubts 
 the godly zeal of Col. McMahon, or the loyalty of Capt. Lark- 
 ham, or the valor of either 1 There is no cause of enmity be- 
 twixt ye, but contrariwise of peace and good will. How sweet 
 it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the pre- 
 cious oil that ran down Aaron's beard, yea, even to the skirts of 
 his garment. I pray ye to be reconciled one to the other." 
 
 Master Prout was exceedingly fond of hearing himself talk, and 
 a shrewd man withal, he had purposely applied to each gentle- 
 man the quality in which he was deficient, and spun out his 
 speech with great deliberation, in order to give time for the pas- 
 sion of the opponents to subside. At its conclusion he was start- 
 led to hear a voice just behind him exclaim, 
 
 " Well done, Master Prout. A word fitly spoken is like ap- 
 ples of gold in pictures of silver." 
 
 All turned to the voice, and there stood Endicott himself, who, 
 in the height of the interest excited by the controversy, had en- 
 tered unobserved, and overheard a part of the dispute. There he 
 stood, with his left hand caressing the tuft of hair on his chin, 
 looking grimly round him. 
 
 " Capt. Larkham," he said, as soon as the commotion occa- 
 sioned by his sudden appearance abated, " I do appreciate thy
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 169 
 
 well meaning love, but hold it an unprofitable thing to engage in 
 debates which can lead to no useful results. What I have done, 
 I have done, and that not in the inconsiderate heat of youthful 
 blood, but with the thoughtful deliberation that beconaeth man- 
 hood. If there be any who impeach the deed, they do it ignorantly, 
 as not understanding the meaning or bearing thereof." 
 
 " I impeach it," cried the impetuous Colonel, " and shame it 
 is that so unsoldierly and disloyal an act should pass unpunished." 
 
 Here Master Prout advanced, first looking at Endicott for ap- 
 proval, as if about to arrest the audacious speaker. 
 
 " Nay, good Master Prout, by thy leave I desire no offices of 
 thine," said Endicott, putting him aside. " I might, with jus- 
 tice, take offence at thy language, which is harsh," he continued, 
 addressing the Colonel ; "but I will not, seeing that it springs 
 out of an honorable but misguided apprehension of the matter. 
 Is it possible that a gentleman of Col. McMahon's intelligence, 
 and whose spirit hath been enlightened to see the truth, even to 
 casting in his lot with ours, should condemn an act which me- 
 seems ought to command his sanction ? Had it been told me by 
 another, I would have disbelieved what but now mine own ears 
 have heard." 
 
 " I repeat," said the Colonel, " it appears to me no better than 
 treason." 
 
 " If thou dost esteem me a traitor, step forward and arrest me 
 in the King's name. But no ; surely thou dost speak hastily. 
 For the sake of the respect I feel for thee, I will explain the 
 motives of my conduct. Not from any disrespect to King Charles ; 
 not because I honor not the flag of my country ; but because I 
 owe a higher allegiance, even to the King of kings, cut I out the 
 sign of Papistical idolatry ; not as designing to be deficient in any 
 earthly duty, but as intending to make known to the world my pro- 
 test, and, as far as may be, the protest of this godly colony against 
 a corrupt church, which is no church ; and against all, though
 
 170 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 not calling themselves of her communion, who drink of the cup 
 of her abominations, desired I to remove from before our eyes 
 that which, whenever beheld, only reminded us of a damning de- 
 lusion and daily oppression. If this were sin, then have I sinned ; 
 but I will abide the consequences without flinching, whether in 
 this world or in the world to come." 
 
 A deep, stern murmur ran round the room, and it was evi- 
 dent, from the countenances of the company and from the expres- 
 sions that could now and then be caught, that by far the greater 
 part of them entertained the sentiments of the audacious sectary. 
 Such, it is highly probable, were the sentiments of a majority of the 
 government of the colony, notwithstanding their disavowal, after- 
 wards, of all sympathy with the act, and public censure of the bold 
 Puritan. Not that a democraticai feeling lurked therein, as some 
 may fancy, but for the very reasons manfully proclaimed by Endi- 
 cott reasons, not of a political, but entirely of a religious char- 
 acter. 
 
 Endicott, a sagacious and daring politician, as well as zealous 
 religionist, heard the sounds and beheld the faces of those around 
 him with satisfaction. It pleased him publicly to vindicate his 
 conduct, and to test the feelings of his countrymen. 
 
 " Thou nearest," he resumed, " those sounds and seest these 
 faces, and dost thou believe that all these men are also disloyul I 
 Review thy judgment, I pray thee, and believe that attachment 
 to the Crown may not be inconsistent with hatred of Papistical 
 baubles." 
 
 Capt. Endicott will find it difficult, in my judgment, to satisfy 
 the Privy Council of the propriety of the outrage, as easily as he 
 has satisfied himself and these people," replied Col. McMuhon. 
 
 " Be assured," replied Endicott, " that whether here or in Eng- 
 land before the Court of Assistants or the Privy Council, I will 
 avouch the deed, even though it should build the steps to a scaf- 
 fold."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 171 
 
 So saying, and looking deliberately around, and with an incli- 
 nation of the body, which hardly amounted to a bow, he placed 
 upon his head the slouched hat he had taken off on his entrance, 
 and left the apartment. Upon his departure, the company be- 
 came broken up again into various groups, and began once more 
 to busy themselves with the mugs and cans ; and Arundel, tired 
 of the confusion, left, with Waqua, for his own chamber.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Alas '. for them, their day is o'ef , 
 Their fires are out from shore to shore, 
 Ko more for them the wild deer bounds 
 The plough is on their hunting grounds. 
 
 SPKAGUE. 
 
 WHEN Arundel awoke the next morning, he found that the 
 Indian, who had coiled himself upon the floor and there passed 
 the night, was nowhere to be seen. It was, indeed, no wonder^ 
 since the rays of the sun had, for more than an hour, been striv- 
 ing to penetrate the oiled paper, which served instead of window 
 glass ; and no sooner did the young man realize the lateness of 
 the hour than he sprang from his couch) thinking all the while 
 what Waqua would say to his dilatoriness. After making a 
 hasty toilette, he descended the stairs, and, crossing the public 
 room to the door, looked out upon the street. There was quite 
 a number of persons passing backward and forward, many of 
 whom were dressed in the accoutrements of soldiers, and at these 
 he stood gazing awhile and looking round, if perchance he might 
 discover anything of the Indian. But, as he did not appear, the 
 young man turned back to await his coming. 
 
 Hour after hour passed away, but Waqua returned not ; and 
 Arundel began to fear that his companion had taken some offence, 
 either at himself, or at what had occurred the evening previous. 
 He ransacked his memory, for the purpose of discovering if he
 
 174 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 had said or done anything to which exception could be taken, or 
 had omitted any courtesy or attention ; but he could find nothing 
 to reproach himself with. He was unable to believe that Waqua 
 would steal away without formally taking leave, on account of 
 any slight or impertinence from another, after the command of 
 himself he had exhibited following the violence of Spikeman j 
 and, finally, tried to avoid thinking of the subject, expecting that 
 the truant would turn up at some time during tlie day, and ex- 
 plain his absence. 
 
 Meanwhile, it was understood that the expected deputation of 
 the Taranteens had arrived, and been received at the house of 
 the Governor. Armed men had been constantly coming into 
 town ; their wives and children, in some instances, accompanying 
 them; until the settlement had become a scene of gay and ani- 
 mated confusion. The place fixed upon for the reception of the 
 ambassadors (there being no building sufficiently large to contain 
 the number present, and who were anxious to witness the cere- 
 mony) was an elevation near the village, commanding a view of 
 the buildings, of the green rolling bay, and of the ships tossing 
 on its waves. Here, under the shade of a patriarchal elm, spread- 
 ing like an umbrella its immense and gracefully drooping branches 
 over a wide extent of green turf, Winthrop was to give public 
 audience to the dusky delegates. 
 
 The hour for the reception had nearly arrived, when Arundel 
 strolled to the place appointed. He found it covered with a 
 crowd of five or six hundred persons, including the women and 
 children. The number of armed men might have been two-thirds 
 of the whole. The women were gossipping together, and the 
 children amusing themselves in sports becoming their age, while 
 the soldiers were ranged in double files, extending from a large 
 chair or kind of throne placed near the body of the tree, thus 
 forming a lane, only by passing through which could access be 
 had to it. The spot where the chair was placed was covered to*
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN JVIKLICE. 175 
 
 some little distance around with scarlet cloth the chair itself as 
 representative of majesty, with cloth of gold and on either side 
 stood grimly a culverin or small cannon, capable of carrying a 
 ball of seventeen or eighteen pounds in weight silent, but elo- 
 quent orators, to convince of the ability of him who might oc- 
 cupy the scat to enforce his words. Other chairs, to the num- 
 ber of perhaps twenty, were ranged in a semi-circle on either 
 side of the seat intended for Winthrop ; while against the body 
 of the tree were leaned partisans and halberds ; and it was hung 
 about on nails driven in for the occasion, with shining corslets, 
 and swords, and daggers. 
 
 Arundel had barely time to run his eyes over the preparations, 
 when a salvo of cannon announced that the Governor was start- 
 ing from his house, and presently appeared the procession, pre- 
 ceded by martial music. First came the musicians, whose num- 
 ber it must be confessed was not very large ; next folloM r ed twenty 
 stout men bearing halberds or staves of about five feet in length, 
 finished off at the end with a steel head in the shape of an axe ; 
 immediately after these inarched the Governor, attended by his 
 Council of Assistants, all wearing swords at their sides, and sev- 
 ral "ministers;" after whom followed the Taranteen embassy, 
 consisting of about a dozen noble looking Indians of various ages, 
 from thirty to seventy ; and the whole was closed by two or three 
 hundred men, completely armed with both the offensive and de- 
 fensive arms of the period. The steeple-crowned hats, the slashed 
 sleeves, the red stocking?, russet boots, and rosettes on the shoes, 
 made a combination which, if it would be quaint and grotesque 
 in our eyes, was striking to those who witnessed it. 
 
 As the procession came nearer, Arundel could see among those 
 in the immediate neighborhood of Winthrop, the Knight of the 
 Golden Melice, conspicuous for the richness of his habiliments, 
 adopted either to heighten the general effect of the ceremonial, 
 or to increase his authority with the Indians, over some tribes of
 
 176 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 whom it was known that he possessed considerable influence. The 
 night, indeed, well understood how much manner and external 
 adornment affect not only the savage but the civilized man. A 
 perfect master of the former, he was uniformly courteous. No 
 frown ever deformed his face, nor even wrinkle ruffled its placid 
 surface, on which was stamped the expression of a sweet and con- 
 fiding nature ; and, when circumstances required, he knew how 
 to resort to the latter with an effect which seldom failed of achiev- 
 ing its purpose. 
 
 When the procession reached the files extending from the 
 throne, the soldiery composing them presented arms, and the 
 musicians stepping on one side, the Governor, preceded by his hal- 
 badiers, and accompanied by the Knight, his Council, and the In- 
 dians, walked between, and seated himself on the chair of State, 
 while those who were with him occupied the other seats, and the 
 halbadiers posted themselves around. 
 
 As Winthrop took his place, the ranks in front were further 
 opened, and the two culverins belched out with fire and smoke a 
 loud and sudden welcome. So near were the Indians to the guns, 
 and so unexpected to them was the discharge, that some of the 
 younger sprung to their feet, as if to repel an attack, dropping 
 again into their places with abashed looks, as their eyes met the 
 reproving glances of their elders. 
 
 Arundel, at this moment, felt a hand upon his shoulder, and 
 turning round, beheld Waqua. He was instantly struck with the 
 changed appearance of the Indian. Instead of the few dashes 
 of paint of the day before, exactly one-half of those portions of 
 his face and person, which were visible, beginning at the top of 
 the forehead, and descending down the middle of the nose, was 
 painted with bright vermillion, the other half remaining of its 
 natural color; his hair was gathered carefully up into a knot on 
 the top of his head, and bore a single eagle's feather, and in ad- 
 dition to the light tomahawk which he had worn before, a heav- 
 ier one was hanging at his girdle.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 177 
 
 " Welcome, my brother, exclaimed Arundel, I did not know 
 but that I had lost thee. Where hast thou been, and what means 
 the change in thy appearance "?" 
 
 " The great white chief invited Waqua to listen to his talk with 
 the Taranteens, (may the wolf crunch their bones,) and Waqua 
 is here. He has painted himself according to the custom of his 
 tribe. This (touching the paint) is for my enemies, and this (in 
 like manner touching the unpainted portion) is for my friends." 
 
 Arundel remembering the strong expressions of dislike towards 
 the Taranteens which fell from the Indian the day before, and 
 connecting them with his present preparation, felt some appre- 
 hension for what might happen from his boldly uttered aversion, 
 and determined to keep close by him, in order to restrain him 
 from imprudences, and to protect him, if need should arise, from 
 danger. He took care, therefore, during the rest of the day, to 
 carry Waqua with him wherever he moved, or to follow the In- 
 dian, when the latter's curiosity tempted him into different parts 
 of the assemblage. 
 
 It was seldom, if ever, that the Puritans undertook anything 
 of importance, either of a private or public character, without in- 
 voking the blessing and guidance of a superior power. There 
 was good policy as well as piety in the practice; for by admitting 
 the ministers into their councils, and giving them conspicuous 
 parts to perform therein, the magistrates secured their good will 
 and powerful influence with the people ; and, indeed, it may well 
 be imagined, that this spiritual aid in a theocratical commonwealth 
 was a part of the system. On the present occasion, the whole 
 assembly rose at a signal from Winthrop, and Mr. Eliot, after- 
 wards known as the Indian Apostle, asked for a blessing. The 
 prayer was like the man himself, earnest and simple, and listened 
 to with a fixed attention, that indicated the religious reverence of 
 the hardy men who were gathered around. The Taranteens 
 themselves, following the example of the others, stood up and 
 fastened their eyes intently on the speaker, as if, though not un- 
 
 8
 
 173 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 derstanding a woi'd he uttered, they expected to gather pome 
 meaning from the motion of his lips. 
 
 When the prayer was ended, Gov. Winthrop rose, and request- 
 ing Mr. Eliot (who was sufficiently familiar with the Algonquin 
 language to make himself understood in it) to interpret, he com- 
 menced an oration to the ambassadors, each sentence, as it was 
 spoken, being translated by Mr. Eliot. 
 
 Confining himself to such ideas as he thought would be most 
 appreciable by the rude intellects of the forest children, he began 
 by expressing his pleasure at the visit, and at the pacific spirit 
 which was manifested by his red brethren. He spoke of the hap- 
 piness of himself and of his people in being able to succor the 
 storm-tossed Taranteens, and of their readiness to extend kind- 
 ness to the whole nation. He pointed out the reciprocal advan- 
 tages which would result from the establishment of trade between 
 them, each parting with what he valued less for what he desired 
 more. He dwelt upon the vast power of his own nation, living 
 beyond the sea, toward the rising sun, and riding in safety at 
 pleasure over the mighty waves, in great canoes with wings, some 
 of which were in sight. He adverted to the pestilence which had 
 swept the land just previous to the coming of the whites, hinting 
 that it was the breath of the great Spirit which destroyed the in- 
 habitants, to make room for his more favored people. He con- 
 cluded by saying, that they were all children of the same parent, 
 who was most pleased at seeing them living together in harmony. 
 
 It was impossible to judge, from the countenances or manner 
 of the Indians, how they were affected by the speech, only the 
 gutteral " ugh," responding from time to time to the translation of 
 Mr. Eliot. This was designed as a sign of attention, or of ap- 
 proval, or the contrary, but it was difficult to the English to de- 
 termine in any case which. In fact, like skilful diplomatists, 
 the ambassadors preserved their dignity, and concealed their feel- 
 ings. 
 
 When the Governor had resumed his seat, one of the oldest
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 179 
 
 Indians, after a considerable pause, rose, and stepping forward a 
 few feet, so as to separate himself from all around, turned his face 
 to Winthrop, and began a speech in return. It was pronounced 
 with great deliberation, and rendered into English by the inter- 
 preter, as the orator proceeded. 
 
 " The Taranteens," he said, " are a great nation, who having 
 heard that a people of the same color, but speaking a different 
 language from their friends the French, had taken possession of 
 the country of the Aberginians, had sent him and his companions, 
 that with their own eyes they might see, and with their own ears 
 might hear, if what had been told them was the truth. Besides, 
 they desired to return thanks for the kindness shown to their 
 countrymen, which they would not forget. " Let this belt," said 
 the orator, taking a piece of wampompeag from the hands of one 
 of his companions, and laying it on the ground, " preserve my words. 
 It is very pleasant," he continued, " to plant the tree of peace. 
 May the sapling which we shall plant to-day become a bigger 
 tree than the great elm under which we are assembled, and may 
 we, for many seasons, dance together in its shade. The Taran- 
 teens are a great people ; they have many warriors, and big 
 canoes, and are so strong, that when they talk of peace, it is not 
 so much for themselves as for the sake of others ; and as my white 
 brother hath said, hath not the Great Spirit made all men, and 
 doth he not love to see them playing like children in the grass "? 
 " Now let my white brothers open wide their ears, for I am 
 going to say a thing which much concerns them and us. We 
 have heard that our white brothers are very fond of land, and 
 that if we make friends with them they will try to steal away our 
 land. We care not if they take all the land of the Aberginians, 
 but they must not think to have any part of our hunting grounds. 
 We want them all for the game to run in. These two black 
 belts preserve my words. 
 
 " But the Taranteens are a great people, and know how to 
 defend themselves, and if Owanux attempt to dispossess them,
 
 180 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 there will be talk of taking scalps. These three red belts preserve 
 my words. 
 
 " My brothers, Owanux will recollect that if the Great Spirit 
 was offended with the Aberginians, and breathed a hot breath 
 upon them and so they died, he smiles upon the Taranteens and 
 increases their number, and makes sharp the points of their ar- 
 rows, and directs their tomahawks, and subdues all the tribes 
 around unto them. These two belts preserve my words. 
 
 " As for trade, the Taranteens enjoy already a good trade with 
 their friends and allies the French ; but if they have anything 
 which their brothers Owanux want, they will not refuse to ex- 
 change with them. This one belt preserve my words." 
 
 Having thus spoken, and been greeted from time to time with 
 an ejaculation from his companions, the old warrior resumed his 
 seat, amid a shower of " ughs." 
 
 He was replied to, at the request of Winthrop, by Eliot him- 
 self, who gladly seized the opportunity to disabuse the Indians of 
 any prejudices that might have tainted their minds, and to open 
 them for the reception of that Christianity which he had so much 
 at heart. 
 
 "It was on account of the wickedness of the Aberginians," he 
 said, " that they were swept off from the face of the land, and it 
 was not merely for the purpose of trade that Owanux or the Eng- 
 lish had been sent by the Great Spirit to take their places. If 
 the English became wicked, they, also, would be destroyed in like 
 manner, and so would all who should imitate them. But the 
 English were sent to the Indians with a message which was not 
 painted on bark or handed down with pieces of wam-pom-peag, 
 but put into a book whence it spoke always the same words, and 
 they were those which the Great Spirit himself had spoken with 
 his own voice. The message was to make them better and hap- 
 pier ; and, he hoped, that they would allow him, at another time, 
 to tell it to them. He heard with great pleasure, and so did the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 181 
 
 Governor, how much they loved peace. The English loved peace 
 too, and would water the young tree they should plant that day, 
 and fence it round, so that no bear or other wild animal should 
 trample upon it while it was small. The Great Spirit said in the 
 wise book which He had given to the English, that He loved 
 peace ; and contained many tilings, besides, which it would be 
 useful and pleasant for the Indians to know. The book was 
 called Good Tidings ; and he hoped that it would rejoice the 
 hearts of his Indian friends." 
 
 When Eliot had ended, another Indian arose, and said : " That 
 their friends, the long 'robes, among the French, had al.-o books, 
 and he had seen them ; but he had never seen a book which could 
 speak the Indian language. He thought if the Great Spirit had a 
 message in a book for them, it would be in the Indian language, 
 and ihat the Great Spirit would teach the Indians how to read it. 
 He hoped his white brothers would not be offended if he said> 
 that he should doubt whether the Great Spirit had a message for 
 them in a book, until he saw the book itself and heard it talk 
 Indian. That was all he had to say." 
 
 It was then that Eliot formed the resolution, by God's grace, 
 to translate the Bible into the language of the Indians, a work to 
 which he devoted so many years of his life, and which, in con- 
 nection with his unwearied labor of love among the natives, con- 
 ferred upon him the honorable and well-merited title of "The 
 Apostle of the Indians." 
 
 Various speeches were made after this, on both sides, of which 
 it is necessary for our purpose to record only one. This was 
 made by one of the youngest and finest looking of the Taranteens. 
 His roving eyes, in wandering over the assemblage, had detected 
 the figure of Waqua ; and, as they fell on him, they lighted up 
 with an ominous gleam. He directed the attention of the Indian 
 next to him, a young man like himself, to the discovery, who 
 seemed in like manner disturbed. The two fastened their eyes
 
 182 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN" MELICE. 
 
 full on Waqua, but their gaze was returned by him with a look 
 as bold and stern as theirs. At the first opportunity, the one 
 who had first observed Waqua rose and spoke. 
 
 " Pieskaret,' ' he said, " is a young man, but this is not the first 
 time his nation has thought him worthy to speak in her councils, 
 and the winds have blown his name through the forests of Can- 
 ada, and many days travel along the margin of the great salt lake. 
 When the deer and the Aberginians hear it, they fly, though they 
 are afar off." 
 
 While uttering these words, he had kept his eyes fastened on 
 the face of Waqua, as if to watch their effect ; and he paused. 
 But the features of Waqua remained undisturbed, and he steadily 
 returned the fiery glances of the speaker. 
 
 " Pieskaret asks," resumed the Taranteen, " what have the 
 Aberginians to do with our treaties ? Who invited one of them, 
 or did he slink without being whistled for between the legs of 
 men into our midst ?" 
 
 Again the speaker paused, but yet the calm Waqua moved not 
 from his place, nor did he betray emotion. 
 
 " The Aberginians," begun the Taranteen again, with a ges- 
 ture of contempt, " are cowards and dumb dogs: if spoken to, 
 they dare not reply, even with a whine: the Taranteens have 
 put petticoats on them, and there is nothing baser than them- 
 selves except their allies, the Pequots." 
 
 The hitherto undisturbed mien of Waqua changed at these last 
 words, as by magic. With a clear, steady voice, while his sta- 
 ture seemed to increase, he suddenly cried out : 
 
 " Pieskaret, if that be the name of the scolding squaw, is a liar. 
 He knows that when the Taranteens hear the steps of a Pequot 
 they run like wood-chucks to their holes. Sassacus says that they 
 are old women." 
 
 Of course, the whole of these speeches was unintelligible, ex- 
 cept to the interpreter, to whom no opportunity was given to
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 183 
 
 translate them, and to the Indians. Great surprise, therefore, was 
 felt as the Taranteens all sprung to their feet at the name of Sas- 
 sacus, and attempted to push through the dense circle that sur- 
 rounded them. So solid, however, was the mass, that this was a 
 work of some difficulty ; even although the politeness of the 
 angry warriors had restrained them less than it did from jostling 
 others out of the way ; and, by the time when the foremost In- 
 dian had reached the spot where Waqua or Sassacus had stood, 
 the Pequot had vanished. They returned, disappointed, to their 
 places, snorting the name of the redoubtable warrior who had 
 ventured from his distant river to intrude upon a council of his 
 enemies, and shaking their heads with resentment. When Mr. 
 Eliot had explained to the Governor and Assistants the cause of 
 the excitement, Winthrop endeavored to appease their indigna- 
 tion by expressions of regret, and protestations that he was ig- 
 norant that the famous head-sachem of the Pequots was among 
 them ; but his words were not attended with much effect, and it 
 seemed that the council was about to be broken up, when Sir 
 Christopher asked permission to speak to the Indians. It was 
 granted; and to the surprise of all the Knight began, with great 
 fluency, to address them in their own language. The tones of 
 his voice were as sweet as those of a bubbling spring, and they 
 seemed to fall with a soothing effect upon the irritated spirits of 
 the sons of the forest. What he said Eliot himself could not 
 understand, for the Knight spoke in the peculiar dialect of the 
 Taranteens, which varies considerably from the Algonquin tongue 
 before used. For, besides the general language which received 
 from the French the name of Algonquin, and was nearly univer- 
 sally spoken all along the border of the Atlantic and far into 
 the interior, the various tribes had dialects of their own, intelli- 
 gible indeed to a native familiar with the parent speech, but 
 strange to one who, like Eliot, had only an imperfect knowledge 
 of it. As the Knight proceeded, those whom he addressed became
 
 184 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 more and more quiet ; and when he ended, they signified their 
 satisfaction at what he had said by the usual, and now unmis- 
 takable "ugh." 
 
 By this time, the last red rays of the setting sun were lighting 
 up the calm, green surface of Boston harbor, and the council 
 shortly broke up, to resume its sitting on the morrow. The pro- 
 cession was formed again, and in the order in which they came, 
 Winthrop, attended by the Taranteens,was escorted to his house. 
 As Arundel was departing, he felt his arm grasped by some one, 
 and turning round, he beheld the Knight. 
 
 "Where is Waqua?" he inquired, in a low tone. " He was 
 standing near thee when he spoke." 
 
 " I know no better than 'thyself," answered the young man, 
 " and would gladly be informed. He vanished suddenly, and 
 without warning." 
 
 " I know thee to be his friend, and how thou becamest so. 
 Thou hast now an opportunity to requite him in kind." 
 
 " Show me the way." 
 
 "Hie thee, then, to his wigwam, for there likeliest mayestthou 
 find him, and warn him against peril from these Taranteens, and, 
 it may be, from the Governor himself." 
 
 " Be pleased to explain more clearly, Sir Christopher." 
 
 " Waqua is Sassacus, the great head-sachem of the Pequots, 
 between whom and the Eastern Indians is perpetual hostility. He 
 has given them deadly cause of offence, and I fear that they mean 
 to revenge themselves, or that he may commit another imprudent 
 act. It were better that Sassacus should remove himself away 
 for the present. But I may not stay longer talking with thee. 
 Adieu." 
 
 Arundel, satisfied of the friendship of the Knight to the Indian, 
 
 determined at once to follow his counsel. As, however, Sassacus 
 
 had undoubtedly sought the forest, he considered it most prudent 
 
 o retrace his steps to his lodging, to procure his gun before ven-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 185 
 
 turing into its recesses, where, the prospect was, that he would 
 have to pass the night. This occasioned some delay, and it 
 was not until the twilight of the summer evening had faded, 
 and stars were beginning to twinkle in the sky, that he found 
 himself on the verge of the woods. 
 
 8*
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 For thou wert monarch born. Tradition's pages 
 
 Tell not the planting of thy parent tree, 
 
 But that the forest tribes have bent for ages 
 
 To thee and to thy sires the subject knee. 
 
 H ALLEGE. 
 
 THE young man knew not whither to turn his steps, except to 
 the hut of Sassacus, which, however, he felt doubtful of his ability 
 to find at night. No better plan occurred to him than to make 
 the attempt ; he, therefore, pressed forward, guiding himself as 
 well as he could by the stars, glimpses of which he caught from 
 time to time through the branches. He had, however, proceeded 
 but a short distance, when, without a warning sound, silent as a 
 shadow, the Indian stood at his side. 
 
 "I sought the great chief," said Arundel, contemplating the 
 renowned warrior, whose name was a synonym with whatever 
 was generous and daring, with more curiosity than he had re- 
 garded the obscure "Waqua " to warn him of danger." 
 
 " Sassacus fears no danger," replied the Indian ; " it is for the 
 Taranteens to tremble when they are in his neighborhood." 
 
 " What will the chief do T ' 
 
 " He will return to his wigwam, but his brother must not go 
 with him ; for the Taranteens desire to carry back with them 
 to-night the scalp of Sassacus." 
 
 " Nay, I will go with thee to partake the danger, if there be
 
 188 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 any, but I see no probability thereof. The Taranteens will not 
 seek the scalp of Sassacus, if he hunts not for theirs." 
 
 " My brother knows not that they are owls who fly in the night. 
 The eyes of Sassacus can pierce the skin on the bosoms of his en- 
 emies, and he saw in them men wandering in the dark, and look- 
 ing for the chief of the Pequots." 
 
 " But how are these strangers to find the way "?" 
 
 " When did Sassacus ever make a secret of his lodge ? He is 
 not a beaver, or a wretched wood- chuck, to burrow in the ground, 
 but an eagle who makes his nest on the highest trees." 
 
 From this reply Arundel could only understand, that the place 
 where the hut stood was too well known to make it difficult for 
 the Indians to discover it. There was no knowing what their 
 audacity, thirst for revenge for the insult, and the opportunity to 
 capture or destroy so famous an enemy, might tempt them to un- 
 dertake ; but he trusted that the want of a medium of communi- 
 cation (for only the Knight and Eliot, among the whites, as he 
 supposed, could make themselves intelligible ; and the Aberginians 
 were not likely to approach the Taranteens) would be an insup- 
 erable obstacle in the way of their purpose, should they enter- 
 tain any such as that intimated by his companion. It was evi- 
 dent, however, that Sassacus expected an attack during the night, 
 and that so far from shunning the danger, he rather courted it ; 
 for it was easily to be avoided, by leaving the wigwam to its fate. 
 There would not be much loss in that, the cabin being rudely 
 built of bark ; and the few articles of value which it contained 
 might, in a short time, be removed to a place of safety. Arundel 
 could scarcely be expected to participate in the feelings of the wild 
 warrior in the contemplation of a fight with savages in the dark. 
 Besides, he knew not by how many they might be attacked ; and 
 the prospect of a contest betwixt himself and Sassacus, on the 
 one side, and half-a-dozen or more Taranteens, on the other, 
 may well be conceived to have had in it nothing alluring. He
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 189 
 
 would not, however, desert his friend ; and, despairing of changing 
 the chiefs resolution, he walked in silence after him, turning over 
 in his mind the possibilities of a night skirmish. Sassacus had, 
 probably, an idea of his thoughts, for presently he resumed his 
 attempt to dissuade Arundel from accompanying him. 
 
 "My brother," he said, " has no quarrel with the Taranteens. 
 They have corne to smoke the calumet with his people, and not to 
 plrHnder his villages and burn his corn fields. Why should my 
 brother expose his life?" 
 
 It was partly to try the courage of the young man, perhaps, 
 and partly to ascertain how far he might be depended on, if there 
 should be a fight, that the Indian asked the question. At any 
 rate, a suspicion of the kind passed through Arundel's mind, and 
 he answered : 
 
 "My life belongs to Sassacus. It is no longer mine." 
 
 " Sassacus gives his brother back his life. Will he not now 
 return to his big lodge, where he will hear no war-whoop, but 
 only the pleasant song of the gues-ques-kes in the morning 1 ?" 
 
 " Cease," said Arundel. " Not if there were as many Taran- 
 teens in the woods as there are leaves on the trees will I desert 
 thee." 
 
 " It is well ; and my brother shall see the difference between 
 a Pequot and a wretched Taranteen." 
 
 All this time they had been walking without haste in a straight 
 line, the Indian leading the way, and seeming to follow a particu- 
 lar course by instinct ; for he looked not at the stars nor at any 
 signs, so far as his companion could judge, to direct his steps. In 
 this manner, they continued to advance, not much conversation 
 passing until they reached the hut of Sassacus. This they entered : 
 and, to the surprise of Arundel, the Indian, after throwing down 
 a few skins for seats, began leisurely to prepare a meal. He lighted 
 a fire outside of the lodge, which, of course, threw a light all 
 around, and served to guide the steps of any wanderers, whether
 
 190 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 friends or prowling enemies ; and waiting until the wood was re- 
 duced to glowing coals, threw upon them pieces of meat, whose 
 pleasant odor soon pervaded the atmosphere. The confident bear- 
 ing of the Indian had, by this time, produced such an effect upon 
 Arundel, that he did not even ask him why he so unnecessarily 
 exposed the place of his retreat, but partook of the viands from 
 the coals, and of the parched corn, which his host produced from 
 the wigwam, with a hearty appetite. His entertainer observed 
 his execution upon the meal with marked satisfaction ; and, upon 
 its conclusion, presented him with a pipe, and, taking one himself, 
 was soon under its soothing influence. Arundel, unaccustomed 
 to the use of tobacco, could only inspire a few whiffs, out of com- 
 pliment to the other, and then sat watching him. The fire light 
 shone full upon the face of the bronze statue " the stoic of the 
 woods, the man without a tear" before him, but no ferocity was 
 discoverable hi its lineaments. It seemed impossible to suppose 
 that thoughts of bloodshed were passing at that moment through 
 the mind of the handsome youth, dreamily closing and opening 
 his eyes, as the clouds from the pipe floated away over his head, 
 apparently unconscious of danger, intending no ill to others, and 
 not anticipating it for himself. 
 
 After smoking his pipe, the Indian, instead of extinguishing the 
 fire, threw additional wood, in considerable quantities, upon it ; 
 thereby still further increasing the wonder of Arundel. He next 
 invited the guest into the wigwam, and heaping up several skins 
 in a corner for a couch, said, that he was about to be absent for 
 a short time, but that his brother might sleep meanwhile in per- 
 fect security. With these words the Pequot departed, leaving 
 the young man reclined upon his bed, but not to slumber. 
 
 Sassacus was gone, it might be an hour, and on his return he 
 threw himself upon the ground ; and, in a short time, as was ev- 
 ident from his breathing, was asleep. Arundel could not under- 
 stand how any one, who was anticipating an attack from enemies
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 191 
 
 from whom he could expect no mercy, was able to rest so calmly. 
 Had he entrusted the keeping of his life for in a struggle he 
 could expect no more quarter for himself than for his companion 
 to any other one than the bold and adroit warrior whose fame 
 for cunning was as great as for bravery ; or had the relations be- 
 twixt himself and the savage been different, he would not have 
 remained in the cabin a moment longer. But he shrunk from 
 the betrayal of a want of confidence, and preferred even to risk 
 life upon the judgment of his wild friend. There lay the chief, 
 softly breathing, his limbs dissolved in sleep, and wearing in the 
 subdued light from the fire outside a placid expression, more 
 like that of the timid deer than of the cougar, whose nature his 
 own resembled. As for Arundel, so highly were his nerves 
 wrought up, that had he ever so much desired it, he would have 
 been unable to sleep. Interminable seemed the anxious hours, 
 and, as the night waned, he became at last almost incapable of 
 mastering his apprehensions. But as more than once he was on 
 the point of waking the sachem, the thought arose that it might 
 look like cowardice, and he forbore. 
 
 At last he heard a sound, which, seemed to come from just by 
 the side of the wigwam, like the whirring noise which the night 
 hawk makes with its wings. Instantly Sassacus sat up on his 
 couch, and listened. The sound was repeated, and he rose. He 
 looked toward Arundel, and with a smile, inquired how he had 
 rested. The young man, unwilling to confess the state of his 
 mind, answered in an evasive manner, and the Pequot, after re- 
 garding him a moment with a pleased expression, stepped to the 
 entrance and cast his eyes up to the stars. After considering 
 them he returned, and motioning to Arundel to arise, said, with 
 some humor, that he was sorry to disturb his brother, but that 
 the skunks he had spoke about were coming, and as he knew 
 that his brother did not like their smell, he would ask his brother 
 to go a little way off. Arundel, without altogether understand-
 
 192 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ing the purpose of his companion, got up, and after examining the 
 priming of his piece, followed his steps. 
 
 The chief led him in a direction opposite to that from which 
 they came, to a distance of near a hundred rods, when their course 
 was arrested by the river Charles. Here he stopped, and said 
 
 " My white brother will remain here, while Sassacus goes back 
 to give the welcome of a great chief to the Taranteens." 
 
 Arundel now comprehended the design of the other, but it was 
 far from being agreeable to him. The idea of letting the Pequot 
 fight the battle alone was derogatory to his honor, and besides, his 
 curiosity was stimulated to witness the conduct of the savage, and 
 he therefore answered with some asperity 
 
 " For what does the chief take me ? Am I a deer to be fright- 
 ened at the whizzing of an arrow, or the sight of a tomahawk ?" 
 
 " Sassacus would be grieved should his brother lose his scalp." 
 
 " No more. Where the chief is I will be. I am a warrior as 
 well as Sassacus," replied the young man, beginning to retrace 
 his steps. 
 
 " It is well," said the Indian, following after him ; but when 
 the Pequots go to war in the night they make no noise. My 
 brother must not make thunder (and he touched the gun). 
 
 " As thou wilt. I have my dagger." 
 
 " It is enough. Sassacus is a great chief, and my brother will 
 obey him for one night." 
 
 " In all things, save deserting thee." 
 
 '" Let my brother come, then," said the chief; "the arrows of 
 the Taranteens shall pierce my bosom before they reach his." 
 
 The two now returned together, and upon re-entering the wig- 
 wam, Sassacus again invited Arundel to repose, but not before he 
 had removed the skins on which his guest had been lying, into 
 the back part of the lodge, while he made his own couch near 
 the entrance. Determined to see the adventure, if there was to 
 be one, to its termination, Arundel laid himself down to wait for
 
 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE. 193 
 
 what should happen, while the chief stretched himself out, with 
 his face to the opening. Some brands were smouldering in the 
 ashes, and they threw an obscure light into the wigwam. 
 
 As they were thus lying, Arundel thought that he could hear 
 once in a while a faint rustling, but whence it proceeded he was 
 unable, with all his attention, to discover, and at last concluded 
 it was caused by the wind among dry leaves. 
 
 He had now become so accustomed to this state of things, that 
 the anxieties which he felt in the first part of the night were 
 gone, and he began to fancy that the expectation of Sassacus was 
 unfounded. The face of the chief was turned away, so that it 
 was impossible to determine whether he were sleeping or not ; 
 from the manner of his breathing, however, Arundel judged that 
 he was awake. But suddenly the respirations became long and 
 deep, and he exhibited the indications of a profound slumber. 
 An instant afterwards Arundel, Avhose eyes were constantly 
 turned to the opening, beheld the face of an Indian peering in. 
 His first impulse was to cry out, but before he could make a 
 sound, he saw a naked arm emerge from behind some skins which 
 hung from the upper part of the lodge quite down to the ground, 
 and bury a tomahawk in the head of the intruder, who fell dead 
 upon the spot. At the same instant, the dreadful war-whoop 
 rung through the air, and the chief leaping to his feet, and accom- 
 panied by the warrior, who had been concealed, the two sprung 
 into the open space in front. Arundel too, hastened after them. 
 In the star-light no objects were clearly discernible, but dark 
 figures could be dimly seen, engaged in hand to hand contests, and 
 the cracking of dry branches under trampling feet could be heard. 
 These sounds were mingled with thick panting breaths, and oc- 
 casionally the fall of a body on the ground. They lasted but a 
 few moments, and then a silence succeeded, as deep as if no liv- 
 ing thing were in the forest. As the eyes of Arundel became 
 more accustomed to the darkness, he beheld a tall form near by,
 
 194 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 which he recognized for that of Sassacus, and immediately ap- 
 proached him. 
 
 The chief was standing near the body of a huge Indian, who 
 was lying prostrate on the earth. He was in the last agonies of 
 death, and while Arundel was looking on, the sinewy limbs 
 quivered into immobility. Nor had Sassacus escaped without a 
 wound. The blood was streaming from a gash in his side, indis- 
 tinctly seen by light from the fire, but he paid no heed to it, and 
 the result proved it not to be dangerous. 
 
 When the dusky warrior had breathed his last, the chief ut- 
 tered a peculiar cry, and immediately half a dozen stalwart men, 
 several of whom had each a fresh scalp hanging at his girdle, sur- 
 rounded him. He addressed them in their own language, and 
 from his gestures, and the looks of his companions, Arundel sup- 
 posed that he was speaking of him. He next pointed to the dead 
 body, and seemed to be giving orders concerning it. One of the 
 Indians stooped down, and with his knife made a motion as if to 
 take off the scalp, but being rebuked by the chief, he desisted, and 
 then lent his assistance to two others in bearing away the corpse. 
 Aruudel had the curiosity to follow. The three bore the body 
 to the bank of the river, where, binding it with withes to several 
 large limbs of trees, they thrust it into the stream, and left it to 
 find its way to the ocean. A few earnest words, unintelligible to 
 the young man, were on their return spoken by Sassacus, who 
 had meanwhile had a styptic applied to his wound. When he 
 had finished speaking, the Indians dispersed in various directions 
 in the depths of the dark wood, and the chief beckoning to his 
 friend, they entered the wigwam, and disposed themselves to sleep, 
 which delayed not long to close their eye-lids.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 They spake not a word, 
 But like dumb statues, or breathless stones, 
 Star'd on each other. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 THE time fixed for the audience of the ambassadors on the 
 next day, was in the afternoon instead, of the morning, that all 
 things might be done with dignity, and an opportunity afforded 
 to show them the fort erected near the water, and the shipping, 
 and whatever else might impress them with the power of the 
 whites. With this view, the Indians had been committed to the 
 charge of the deputy Gov. Dudley, and of Sir Christopher Gar- 
 diner, the latter of whom acted as interpreter. The two gentle- 
 men accordingly employed themselves in the course of the fore- 
 noon, in exhibiting to their red friends whatever might, in their 
 judgment, best subserve the object, and at the moment we meet 
 them, were standing on the deck of the ship commanded by Capt. 
 Sparhawk, which lay alongside of the wharf. Of the dozen In- 
 dians who had been at the audience on the yesterday only seven 
 were present, and they were all the oldest. The whole group 
 appeared, to a careless observer, stolid and unmoved by what 
 they saw ; but one who watched them might notice that they cast 
 inquisitive, though stolen glances, on every thing around. More- 
 over, upon closer examination, he might fancy an air of uneasi- 
 ness among them, as ever and anon they turned their eyes toward 
 the houses of the settlement, and the forest that lay beyond.
 
 196 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 The jolly Capt. Sparhawk was endeavoring, to the best of his 
 abilities, to do the honors of his vessel, quite unabashed by the 
 presence of either Dudley or Sir Christopher. 
 
 " What will ye have to drink, my hearties ?" he cried, slap- 
 ping one of the biggest Indians on the shoulder, who merely turned 
 round and stared at the questioner. "To you, gentlemen," he 
 said, addressing Dudley and the Knight, " I can offer some of 
 Mounseer's, or Don Spaniard's wine, though to my liking, your 
 Rosa Solis is the only drink fit for a man ; and I will wager the 
 good ship Rule Britannia against a cock boat that these devils 
 will say so too." 
 
 " There is no need," said Dudley, roughly. " It were to ob- 
 scure the little intellect these savages have, with that which 
 serves no purpose, save to convert them into brutes. 
 
 The Knight's reply was more courteous. 
 
 " At another time, worthy Captain, it were a pleasure to ac- 
 cept thine invitation, but bethink thee that it is early in the day." 
 
 " It is near upon twelve," answered the Captain, looking at 
 the sun, " or I never squinted through a quadrant ; and may it 
 please ye, Governor, wont ye let the red skins speak for them- 
 selves ?" 
 
 " Nay," said Dudley, " so long as they are within my charge, 
 nothing stronger than water shall pass their lips." 
 
 " But," persisted the Captain, " if all I hear on shore be true, 
 I take it ye are trying to drive a bargain with them imps. Now, 
 have ye never noticed that the best time to trade with a man is 
 when half a dozen glasses have warmed his heart ?" 
 
 " Peace," said Dudley, " no more of this. We came to see 
 the ship and not to trespass on thy mistaken hospitality." 
 
 " The lubberly milksop !" muttered the Captain betwixt his 
 teeth. " But what," he added aloud, " are the red skins looking 
 at so sharp out to sea ?" 
 
 While this conversation had been going on, the attention of the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 197 
 
 savages had been arrested by an object floating on the water. It 
 rose and fell on the heaving sea, at one moment visible, and at 
 the next hid from view. At first it had been impossible to say 
 what it was. It might be a spar, or plank, or any part of a ship- 
 wrecked vessel. The tide was coming in, and the object became 
 more and more distinct, until an old sailor, whose experienced 
 eyes had also been attracted sea-ward, exclaimed, 
 
 " Captain, I'm a green hand, and never weathered the Cape, 
 if there ben't a man lashed on yon spar." 
 
 " By St. George's cross, but I believe thou art right, Dick 
 Spritsail," cried the Captain. " It's some poor fellow, I warrant 
 me, whose ship has gone down, and who made a raft to try his 
 luck. Johnny Shark, do ye see, is no pleasant customer to be- 
 come acquainted with, and so he took a venture on the spar for 
 a Christian burial, instead of making Jonah's viage." 
 
 " It's no Christian," replied Dick, " unless the waters in these 
 latitudes have the faculty to turn a man black." 
 
 The sailor had hardly pronounced the last words, when one of 
 the Indians, divesting himself of the skin that covered his shoul- 
 ders, leaped from the side of the ship, and swam in the direction 
 of the object which had attracted their attention. It would seem 
 that his keen eyes, like those of the sailor, had detected the 
 body, and that, unable to repress his curiosity, he had taken this 
 method to satisfy it. Amid the loud and wondering exclama- 
 tions of the white men, and the subdued gutturals of the Indians, 
 whose straining eyes betrayed their interest, the swimmer, with 
 lusty strokes, breasted the green billows as they came rolling into 
 the bay. When he reached the floating mass he carefully exam- 
 ined it, and then raised a wail sadder than the cry of the loon 
 over the dark waves, when it anticipates the coming storm. It 
 was responded to by his companions on board the ship, in a yell 
 of mingled rage and grief, that was heard in all parts of the vil- 
 lage, and far over the water.
 
 198 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " What possesses the imps now ?" cried the Captain, as two 
 more Indians, following the example of their tribesman, plunged 
 into the water. " I wonder what they have found?" 
 
 " Send a boat after them, Captain, if thou wilt do me a plea- 
 sure," said Dudley. " It seems to be something wherein they 
 take a great interest, and it will be only friendly to furnish them 
 assistance." 
 
 " O, ho ! old bear, canst growl sweetly enough an' it suits thy 
 purpose," said the Captain to himself. " But it shall never be 
 said that Jack Sparhawk was an unmannerly lubber. Halloo, 
 half a dozen of ye," he cried aloud, " run aft and lower the boat. 
 Bear a hand, men ; move quick," he added, as they came run- 
 ning from the bow, where they had been standing, toward the 
 stern. " Jump in Bill," he continued, as the keel of the yawl 
 touched the water, " take a couple of men, pull after them red 
 skins, and bring 'em ashore, with whatever they have found in 
 the offing." 
 
 In a very short space of time the boat was pulling away into 
 the harbor, and soon reached the object of the search. It turned 
 out to be an Indian, being no other than the warrior Pieskaret, 
 whose corpse the wily Sassacus had committed to the river 
 Charles, wearing the unshorn honors of his scalp, in order to 
 avert suspicion from himself, and fix it on the whites. For 
 rightly did the sagacious chief judge that no Taranteen could be 
 induced to believe that an Indian would forbear to possess him- 
 self, if he were able, of the coveted prize, especially that of so 
 mighty a warrior as Pieskaret. And with regard to the Pequot in 
 particular, he, of all, after the provocation of yesterday, would be 
 the last, if he had slain Pieskaret, to be supposed capable of an act 
 of so great self-denial. 
 
 The sailors found the Taranteens around the raft, and push- 
 ing it ashore. In spite of the remonstrances of the savages, 
 which the white men did not half understand, they unlashed the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 199 
 
 body from the boughs, and taking it into the boat, pulled for the 
 land, closely followed by the swimmers. As they approached 
 the vessel, they were ordered by Dudley to take it to the wharf, 
 and he and the Knight, followed by the natives, descended the 
 side, and advanced to the spot where the boat was to land. Here, 
 when they arrived, a considerable group of persons had collected, 
 and were examining the corpse. 
 
 So short a time had passed since the breath left the body, that 
 it still lookecl fresh and life-like. There, extended on the sand, 
 lay the strong, bold man, who but a day before had boasted of 
 his prowess, and of the terror of his name ; now a dog might in- 
 sult him with impunity. A deep wound gaped upon his breast, 
 and the water had not washed all the clotted blood from his 
 head. His countenance wore a look of deadly ferocity, and it 
 was evident that he had died as a brave man should, with his 
 face to the foe. 
 
 The Taranteens, after the first burst of feeling, looked on in 
 gloomy silence, and began to cast glances of distrust and appre- 
 hension around. The scalp-lock of Pieskaret was untouched. He 
 had fallen then in no conflict with Indians. His companions 
 had escaped with the body, and launched it on the water, in order 
 to apprise them of what had happened, and of their own danger. 
 In low tones they addressed each other, and drew aside for con- 
 sultation. 
 
 Meanwhile a thousand comments were made by the bystand- 
 ers. A cloud rested on the weather-beaten face of Dudley, and 
 over the whole group, except the Knight, whose equanimity no 
 circumstance seemed able to disturb. 
 
 " I suspected mischief," said Dudley to the Knight, when this 
 morning, only half the number of the savages presented them- 
 selves; and now doth it pass my understanding how this misera- 
 ble wretch lost his life." 
 
 " It is seldom that a brawl disturbs our peaceful settlement,"
 
 200 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 said Sir Christopher, "and I have heard of none during the night. 
 Has your worship obtained knowledge of any such ?" 
 
 " Of none. And now will great scandal, and even infamy rest 
 on us, by reason of this most untoward event. I fear me that 
 our position with reference to these Taran teens will be worse than 
 it was before, and that now they will be converted from indif- 
 ferent neighbors into relentless enemies, unless we discover and 
 deliver up to them the murderer, and even that will hardly re- 
 store confidence." 
 
 " Nor can we say that the man was murdered. It is hard to 
 set a limit to the unbridled passions of savages ; and it may be 
 that it was in self-defence, or in the endeavor to prevent some 
 other grievous wrong, that whosoever killed him took his life." 
 
 " A mystery doth enshroud the affair. Where lost the man his 
 life, and by whose hand, and for what cause ? It could not be 
 where they camped in the night. We heard no disturbance, no 
 signs of violence are to be seen, and the other Indians would 
 have known. If Indians killed him, why took they not his scalp, 
 and why set they him floating on the water "? Herein it looks 
 like the foolish prank of drunken sailors. But then what cause 
 of such enmity could there be ? for all was done very quietly. 
 And what has become of the missing Taranteens? Are they 
 too killed, or in the forest on their way home ? Has Sassacus 
 any hand in this matter ? Be it as it may, the bold partizan of 
 the Pequots must be looked after." 
 
 " It is as thou sayest, hard to determine," answered the Knight ; 
 " but if Indians were concerned in this most lamentable deed, 
 strange has been their conduct. Such truly is not the custom- 
 ary manner of the natives to dispose of their enemies. Wonder- 
 ful forbearance indeed, and disregard of the traditions and super- 
 stitions of the tribes must it require, to allow an enemy, when it 
 can be prevented, to step upon the happy hunting grounds, bear- 
 . ing the uuviolated honors of his head."
 
 THB KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 201 
 
 " It may be," replied Dudley, " that his foes were unable to 
 tear away the bloody trophy ; that before they could do so his 
 body was rescued by his companions." 
 
 " But how account for his being launched upon the deep J ? Is 
 this an Indian mode of disposing of friends ?" 
 
 " My mind is as perplexed as thine. I will consider the thing 
 more maturely hereafter. Thou knowest their heathen tongue. 
 Step forward, may it please thee, and try to calm their irritated 
 spirits, assuring them of our friendship and grief at what we can- 
 not explain." 
 
 Thus requested, the Knight advanced, and commenced a speech 
 to the savages, to which they listened in moody silence. What 
 he said was of course unintelligible to all except the Indians, but 
 it appeared not to produce a favorable impression. No sound, 
 whether of approval or the contrary, escaped their lips, as, sur- 
 rounding the corpse of their companion, they regarded it with 
 ominous brows, until the Knight concluded, when an Indian ad- 
 dressed him in reply. 
 
 " How hast thou prevailed?" inquired Dudley, when the Tar- 
 anteen stopped. 
 
 "Alas!" replied Sir Christopher, "no representations which I 
 can make are sufficient to soothe their exasperation or allay their 
 suspicions." 
 
 " Ask them," said Dudley, " after their other companions." 
 A howl of rage, and a few rapid words, were the return to the 
 inquiry. 
 
 " What means that "?" said the Deputy Governor. 
 "They say that they suppose they are following the footsteps 
 ofPieskaret." 
 
 " If such be their belief, then farewell to any treaty or relations 
 of amity with them. They will soon turn their backs upon both 
 our hospitality and friendship." 
 
 The words of the Deputy Governor were indeed prophetic, for 
 
 9
 
 202 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MEL1CE. 
 
 the Tai'anteens, now stooping down, raised their friends' corpse 
 from the ground, and bearing it in their arms, proceeded to their 
 canoes, which were lying at a little distance on the beach. In 
 one of them (not without efforts on the part of the whites to in- 
 duce them to change their determinatioli) they deposited the body, 
 and covering it with skins, took their paddles into their hands 
 and pushed from the shore. 
 
 " They are gone," said Dudley, as they receded from view ; 
 " and many a Aveeping wife and mother may rue this miserable 
 day. Better that the tawny heathen had remained in their track- 
 less forests, listening to the deluding lies of the French emissaries, 
 than come hither as spies upon our condition, and to take advan- 
 tage of our supposed weakness." 
 
 "Is it possible," inquired the Knight, "that thou believest not 
 in the sincerity of the professions of peace made by these poor 
 savages?" 
 
 " I trust them not," answered the suspicious Dudley. They are 
 of the seed of the serpent ; and as well might one expect light 
 from the caverns of the earth, as fidelity and truth from Indians." 
 
 "I pray thee, be not so harsh of judgment," said Sir Christo 
 pher. "I have some knowledge of the tribes, and have observed 
 that they are ever mindful of favor, however studious of revenge ; 
 nor is it their wont, without provocation, to break their word. 
 Canst thou say that the Taranteens have departed without seem- 
 ing justification'?" 
 
 " I suspect that these savages know more of the fate of their 
 companions, and of the cause of the death of this Pieskaret than 
 they choose to disclose. The longer my mind broods over the 
 subject, the more am I convinced that, without fault on their part, 
 they would not have drawn upon themselves destruction." 
 
 ]>ut this was a view of the case which seemed to find- no favor 
 with Sir Christopher. With a courtly grace and insinuating ad- 
 dress, without contradicting the other, but rather by the recital
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 203 
 
 of acts of generosity and evidences of nobleness of spirit which 
 had fallen under his own observation among the Indians, he en- 
 deavored to dispose the Deputy Governor to a milder judgment. 
 But the prejudices of Dudley were too deeply rooted to be 
 removed by persuasive manners, or tales however skilfully 
 framed. 
 
 The unfortunate result of the embassy was deeply regretted by 
 the colonists. They had looked forward to it as a means of in- 
 creasing their security, and establishing a trade from which they 
 hoped to derive large profits. They must now renounce both 
 expectations. Henceforth their cabins were to be guarded with 
 greater vigilance than ever, and the courted trade was to remain 
 monopolized by the French. Moreover, the evil would probably 
 not end there, but distrust and apprehension spread among the 
 tribes ; and if such a feeling were to become universal, and a 
 general union be the consetpaence, the condition of the colony 
 might become one of extreme danger. The character which the 
 whites would then sustain would be that of men disregardful 
 of the most sacred obligations; of wretches who, after offering 
 the rights of hospitality, had taken advantage of the unsuspecting 
 confidence of their guests to murder them. It was true, that 
 the whole twelve ambassadors might have been destroyed, and 
 a part were suffered to leave ; but it was feared that the undis- 
 criminating minds of the savages might not give proper weight 
 to the consideration, or might ascribe it to some policy which 
 was the more dreadful because so mysterious. It was seen now 
 how great had been the mistake in permitting Sassacus, the ter- 
 rible chief of the Pequots, the most dreaded and implacable foe 
 of the Tarantecns, to be present at the council. Him the Tar- 
 anteens had seen in apparent good understanding with the Eng- 
 lish, and been made the subject of his taunts in their presence. 
 Might they not justly consider this a strange way of courting an 
 alliance ? True, the English knew not that Waqua was Sassacus,
 
 204 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 but would the Indians believe it ? Nor had they known, until 
 the interpreter explained, and until it was too late to seize the of- 
 fender, what he had uttered ; but would the Taranteens, amid 
 the excitement of feeling mourning over the loss of friends, much 
 regard that?
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 t. 
 
 There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. 
 
 CHILDE HAROLD. 
 
 WHEN Arundel awoke after that fierce night, Sassacus had al- 
 ready left his couch and was preparing their breakfast. The 
 young man stepped to the door-way of the lodge, and looked 
 out upon the sylvan scene. 
 
 Nothing to remind of what had occurred was visible. A 
 shower had fallen at daylight, and obliterated all traces of vio- 
 lence. The rays of the early sun were shining in the rain drops 
 glistening on the leaves or falling in showers to the ground, as 
 the branches were agitated by the breeze, or shaken by a bird fly- 
 ing from one perch to another. No sounds other than those 
 made by the feathered musicians, or the rattling drops, disturbed 
 the tranquillity of the forest. After gazing round a few moments, 
 while the contrast betwixt the serenity of Nature and the pas- 
 sions of man forced itself on his mind, he threw himself down by 
 his red friend, and together they shared the morning repast. The 
 curiosity of Arundel induced him to inquire, what had become 
 of the Indians, who had rendered so timely a service the night 
 before. 
 
 " The breath of Sassacus," replied the chief, " called them out 
 of the ground, and his breath bade them depart. My brother
 
 206 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 will forget what he saw in the dark. It will be to him like a 
 dream." 
 
 Arundel understood by this, that he was desired to be silent 
 respecting what had happened, and indeed no caution was neces- 
 sary. He, therefore, said, in answer : 
 
 " None shall know the exploits of Sassacus till he tells them 
 himself." 
 
 " If Soog-u-gest asks, my brother may tell. He and Sassacus 
 lie under one skin." 
 
 Thus betrayed itself the simple vanity of the savage, who, with 
 all his caution, was unwilling that his prowess should remain 
 concealed ; yet preferred its announcement from some tongue 
 other than his own. It was the first intimation to Arundel that 
 the Knight and chief were acquainted, though Sassacus had once 
 before spoken of Sir Christopher. But the words of the Pequot 
 implied more, viz : that an intimacy existed between them, and 
 this stimulated his curiosity. The anxiety of Sir Christopher 
 that the Indian should be warned of the danger which threatened 
 him, was now explained. They were friends, but why should the 
 Knight conceal the fact? 
 
 " Has my brother been long acquainted with Soog-u-gest," 
 inquired Arundel. 
 
 "Ne-ka-tunch nee-zusts," (six moons), replied the Indian, 
 holding up six fingers. 
 
 " Will the chief tell me what he pleases about him ?" said the 
 young man, whose ingenuous nature revolted at any attempt by 
 insidious questions to extract from the savage a knowledge which 
 he desired to conceal. It appeared unworthy of himself, and a 
 wrong to both his friends. " I know little of Soog-u-gest, and 
 would like to learn more." 
 
 The fine, bold face of the Indian looked pleased at the frankness 
 of Arundel, and, it is probable, that he was more communicative 
 than if he had been adroitly questioned. His native subtlety
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 207 
 
 might then have taken alarm, and cunning been met by cunning- 
 But Sassacus felt no desire, on his own account, for concealment. 
 The two young men had been strongly attached to each other 
 from the first, and on the side of the Indian, at least, was spring- 
 ing up a friendship for the other, more like that which Plato 
 celebrates among the Greeks, or Cicero dilates upon, than the 
 feeling of modern times. 
 
 " Listen, my brother," said the chief. " It is more than six 
 moons since Soog-u-gest came into the woods. Sassacus was 
 laughing when he said that six moons only had lighted the path 
 betwixt him and Soog-u-gest, but he is not laughing now. The 
 white chief built his wigwam in the woods because he loves the 
 Indians and the sound of their language, and Sassacus loves him 
 for that reason, and because he has sat in the lodge on the pleasant 
 bank of the Pequot river, an I ate venison with Sassacus from the 
 same fire. All Indians love to hear him tell how great and happy 
 they might be. He knows more of the tribes than any other 
 white man, and has been far toward the setting sun, even beyond 
 the country of the Maqiuis. Soog-u-gest is very wise, and his 
 eyes pierce far into the darkness. And now let my brother bend 
 down his head, so that not one of my words may be lost. Soog- 
 u-gest has promised to teach the Indians to become wise and 
 powerful like the white men. Perhaps now that my brother 
 knows that, he will help." 
 
 < k But Governor Wlnthrop and the ministers will teach all that 
 can be taught you, and so will all the English." 
 
 ' ; My brother is mistaken," said Sassacus, earnestly. " Sac-hem 
 Winthrop's men are jealous of their great Manito, and do not 
 wish to teach the Indians how to talk with him, lest he should 
 like us better than themselves. Now, we want to know how to 
 talk with the Manito who instructed them in so many things. 
 If they are good for Owanux, they may be good for us too." 
 
 " Certain am I, Sassacus,'' said Arundel, " nothing would de-
 
 208 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 light the noble heart of the Governor more than to have you 
 Christians." 
 
 " Sassacus wishes not to be a Christian. He was born an In- 
 dian, and will live and die true to the traditions of his race. 
 Christian is good for Owanux, but is very bad for the red men. 
 The beavers build dams in the streams, while the eagle flies 
 among the clouds. The English are beavers, but Sassacus is an 
 eagle." 
 
 " But how can you attain to the knowledge of the white men, 
 without becoming like them ?" 
 
 " My brother must not be angry when Sassacus says, that is a 
 pappoose question. See ! I can teach my brother to make bows 
 and shoot arrows. Can he not instruct Sassacus how to make 
 guns, and the little black seeds which cause the lightning ?" 
 
 " That is not so easy as thou thinkest. I know not myself 
 how to make guns, and the powder which thou callest seeds." 
 
 " Toh !" replied the Indian, shaking his head, " my brother is 
 afraid Sassacus might hurt himself with the lightning." 
 " Why should the chief doubt my word ? I tell thee that only 
 certain men among us make guns. They are all brought from a 
 great island beyond the sea." 
 
 " The English are very cunning. They make them in secret, 
 so that the Indians may not learn." 
 
 " It grieves me that my friend thinks I speak to him with two 
 tongues. But I will not be offended. Are we not brothers?" 
 
 " When my brother loves Sassacus more he will tell him all 
 about these things, and they will then have one head and one 
 heart." 
 
 " They both belong to Sassacus now. But what does he in- 
 tend to do "? Will he return with me to Boston ?" 
 
 " Let my brother go to Shawmut, and if there is any danger 
 he will let me know. Sassacus will remain." 
 
 " You judge rightly. There were peril in showing thyself 
 there now. But how shall I find thee again ?"
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 209 
 
 " When my brother journeys in the forest, and would see 
 Sassacus, let him make a noise like the Gues-gues kes-cha, and 
 Sassacus, or one of his sanops will find him." He whistled the 
 peculiar note of the bird, (the robin,) and smiled at the awkward 
 imitation of Arundel. 
 
 " Good for Indian. My sanops, when they hear, will know 
 who is the Gues-ques-kes-cha." 
 
 Thus parted the two friends. As Arundel pursued his lonely 
 way, he kept running over in his mind the events of the day be- 
 fore, and of the past night. He admired the sagacity and cou- 
 rage of the Pequot Sachem, who, assisted either by his own men, 
 or friendly Aberginians, had been able to take a bloody revenge 
 for the attempt on his life. But no satisfactory reason occurred 
 to him why the body of Pieskaret should have been fastened to 
 the raft. It seemed a wanton act of bravado, which he could 
 not reconcile with the known qualities of Sassacus. Conceal- 
 ment and not exposure, he thought, should have been the policy, 
 but on the contrary, the very course had been adopted mo*t likely 
 to lead to discovery. Why again, he thought, is the chief of a 
 distant tribe lurking in these woods ? He surely can cherish no 
 evil design against the colony, for there is no misunderstanding 
 betwixt the English and the Pequots. 
 
 His thoughts then dwelt upon the Knight, and upon his con- 
 nection with the savage. Who was this man, who, in the flower 
 of his age, and with all the accomplishments of a gentleman, 
 chose to retire from the world, and with his sad companion, im- 
 mure himself in the woods ? He was no sour anchorite, who re- 
 garded with displeasure the innocent enjoyments of life, nor did 
 he appear to be an unprincipled adventurer, who had fled from 
 restraint in the old world, in order to give license to his passions 
 in the new. He was evidently a man of consideration in the co- 
 lony. He was treated with attention by all, courted by the 
 whites, and held in high estimation by the Indians. That such 
 
 9*
 
 210 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 a man as Sir Christopher Gardiner should adopt that wild life of 
 seclusion, did not indeed strike the mind of Arundcl with the de- 
 gree of surprise wherewith our own are affected, for it was a time 
 of adventure and romance ; the poetry of life was not bound up 
 principally in books, but was acted out in deeds ; and the occur- 
 rence of daily wonders, while it destroyed their singularity, 
 abated curiosity on their account. Hence men expressed no as- 
 tonishment at the course of life of the Knight ; hence, when Arun- 
 del became acquainted with him, he felt none, and it was only 
 upon more intimate acquaintance after Sir Christopher began 
 to take an interest in him ; after he had noted the influence ex- 
 ercised by the Knight over the ambassadors ; and after he had 
 discovered, as he supposed, a community of aims betwixt the 
 Knight and Sassacus, that his curiosity awoke. To judge from 
 the communication of the Indian chief, it would seem as if the 
 Knight were a sort of missionary among the natives, to teach 
 them the arts and practices of civilized life ; but nothing that 
 Arundel himself had noticed, justified any such suspicion. All 
 he knew of Sir Christopher was, that he was passionately fond of 
 the chase, which frequently led him deep into the forest, and had 
 been known in some instances to detain him several days away 
 from home. 
 
 As for the pale lady who, always clothed in black, appeared to 
 be devoured by some secret sorrow, and whom the Knight called 
 his cousin, it did not seem at all strange that she should love re- 
 tirement, to indulge the sad luxury of grief. A bruised heart 
 loves darkness and silence. 
 
 The conclusion to which Arundel came was, that it was partly 
 affection for his fair cousin, and partly a love of adventure, which 
 had brought Sir Christopher for a season to America, and that 
 his kindness to the Indians, and familiarity with them, had in- 
 duced Sassacus, and perhaps others, to indulge hopes as wild and 
 improbable of execution, as their ignorance was boundless. Fur-
 
 THE !: SIGHT OF THE GOLD MX MEL1CE. 
 
 suing these meditations, lie proceeded on to the settlement, and 
 arrived at the wharf, whither he was attracted by the little 
 crowd a short time after the departure of the Taranteens, who 
 were still in sight. 
 
 It was at the moment when the Knight was about to part from 
 the deputy Governor, that the young man came up. He remark- 
 ed the disturbed countenance of the latter ; but that of the former, 
 whatever he felt, betrayed no emotion. 
 
 " Young sir," said Dudley, " I have not seen thee for a long 
 time. How continues Master Arundel to like the new world ?" 
 
 " Indifferently well,'' replied Arundel. " Of every land, new 
 or old, something favorable -may be said." 
 
 "I observe thou dost hanker after the flesh pots of Egypt, and 
 art lean in the midst of abundance. It is because thou lackest 
 those views of truth, and that sustaining faith which can make 
 all trials welcome for their sake." 
 
 " Methinks," said the Knight, with a smile, " that the fair 
 rosy cheeks, and rounded limbs of our young friend, indicate no 
 want of the reasonable comforts of life." 
 
 " I doubt not," said the rough Dudley, without heeding the ob- 
 servation, " that to them who come hither through an idle curiosity, 
 or for wanton pastime, or for purposes still more unworthy, this 
 fair land possesses only temporary attractions ; but for those who, 
 with faith in the promises, have cast in their lot with the people 
 of God, it is the land of promise. Here from altars unpolluted 
 by the abominations of Rome, and free from the besotted mi- 
 micry of the Church of England, so called, shall ascend hosan- 
 nas from the Church and the armies of Israel. Here, into the 
 congregation, shall enter nothing that telleth a lie, or causeth to 
 offend." 
 
 He bowed formally, and involuntarily grasping with his left 
 hand the sword that hung at his side, departed. 
 
 " Rude, unjust, fanatical, I had almost said blasphemous," ex-
 
 212 THE 1 NIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 claimed the Knight, looking after him. " Ungracious Dudley ! 
 success crown all thy plans, whereon the true church shall indeed 
 set her seal, and confounded be the devices of her enemies." 
 
 " Softly," with no heightened color, with no elevation of the 
 voice, with eyes turned up to heaven as if he were uttering a be- 
 nediction, spoke Sir Christopher. " And now, Master Arundel," 
 he inquired, taking the young man's arm, " hast found Sassacus ?" 
 
 Arundel did not hesitate, after the permission given by the In- 
 dian, which rightly seemed more like a request, to acquaint his 
 friend with the adventures of the night. Sir Christopher listened 
 attentively, making no comment till the narrative was concluded. 
 He then said : 
 
 " The mystery of the morning is explained." And now, in 
 his turn, he related the discovery of the dead body and the indig- 
 nation of the Indians, and pointed to their canoes fading in the 
 distance. 
 
 " The circumstances," he added, " in which we have obtained 
 knowledge of the secret locks it per force in our breasts ; and, 
 besides, Sassacus is faultless, having only protected thy life and 
 saved his own, which is an additional reason. But, aside from 
 these considerations, I see not how the disclosure could be attended 
 with any advantage. The chief hath not shown himself hostile, 
 or done aught to make himself amenable to our jurisdiction. 
 Were the story to get wind, it could only excite more the re- 
 vengeful. feeling of the Taranteens and the ill-will of malignant 
 spirits among us, who, through the Pequot, have been disappointed 
 in expectations of trade." 
 
 There was no difference of opinion between the two, and it 
 was understood that they should be silent on the subject. 
 
 " Master Spikeman," said the Knight, addressing the Assistant 
 who now met them, " it is a pity we had not the benefit of thy 
 prudent counsels in a matter that hath just happened ; yet do I 
 trust that our conduct will be approved by thy better judgment."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 2l3 
 
 " Sir Christopher Gardiner stands in no need of the sanction 
 of my poor opinion for anything it may please him to do," an- 
 swered Spikeman. " But resolve me your riddle/' 
 
 " Know you not that the ambassadors have left in anger ?" 
 
 " I know it, and the knowledge fills me with foreboding sor- 
 row." 
 
 " Whether we should have detained or allowed them to depart 
 in their present frame of mind, is the question which T would sub- 
 mit to thy decision ?" 
 
 " I presume not to arraign any conclusion, whereunto either 
 the worshipful deputy or Sir Christopher Gardiner may arrive. 
 Doubtless, they acted after grave consideration." 
 
 " Yet, being asked, tell me, with thy usual candor, Master 
 Spikeman, what you yourself would have done in like circum- 
 stances "?" 
 
 The Assistant saw the snare, and determined that the Knight 
 should derive no advantage from the question. He perceived 
 that the object was to estop, by his admissions, any objections to 
 the course pursued in permitting the Taranteens to leave, which 
 he might afterwards be disposed to make. He, therefore, replied: 
 
 " Never be it said that I officiously obtruded an opinion ; but, 
 Sir Christopher, thus urged, I confess that it had better pleased 
 me had the savages been detained. Opportunity might then 
 have been afforded to disabuse their ignorance and convince them 
 of our innocence." 
 
 " I will not say thou art in the wrong, but if the excellent 
 Dudley erred, it is a strange departure from his ordinary admi- 
 rable judgment." 
 
 "I pray thee to understand that I impugn not the action of 
 the judicious Deputy Governor ; but wherefore gave you not 
 you who are so well acquainted with the nature of these heathens 
 advice to stop them for the present?" 
 
 " And how know you I gave it not *? But truly, Master Spike-
 
 214 THE KNiGIIT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 man, I did not. I trust I am not forward to speak before princes. 
 For what saith Holy Scripture : ' Even a fool, when he holdeth 
 his peace, is counted wise ; and he that shutteth his lips is es- 
 teemed a man of understanding.' Yet had I seen any imminent 
 danger from allowing the departure of the savages, believe me I 
 had spoken, even at the risk of incurring the dishonor to see my 
 counsel rejected." 
 
 " It is evident, Sir Christopher, that you have grave doubts on 
 the subject. Now, methinks, it had been well to remember (casting 
 aside, as an inconvenient garment, these scruples) what the wise 
 king of Israel also said, in another place : ' Where no counsel is, 
 the people fall ; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.' 
 
 " It pains me," answered the Knight, whose courtesy increased 
 with the other's coldness, " not to obtain thine approval. But, 
 Master Spikeman, now that we are alone, (for Arundel, at the 
 very beginning of the conversation, without greeting, or in any wise 
 noticing, the Assistant, had passed on and was out of sight), I 
 avail myself of the good chance to avow my anxious desire to 
 secure thy friendship." 
 
 " If such truly be the wish of Sir Christopher Gardiner," re- 
 turned the Assistant, " it is a thing easy to be compassed." 
 
 The countenance of the Knight lighted up, as he replied, " I re- 
 joice greatly at thy words." 
 
 " But," continued Spikeman, " I am a man of deeds and not 
 of words. I will be plain with you, Sir Christopher, and show 
 you that it is no fault of mine that I have been unable (however 
 much desiring it) to look upon you as a well wisher of mine, but 
 your own. Have you not interfered in favor of, and harbored, 
 that Philip Joy, convicted of contumelious language against tlie 
 magistrates and elders, and whom, I have reason to believe, is 
 specially evil-disposed toward myself; and are you not now in 
 open familiarity with, and a supporter of this young man, who 
 but just now parted from you ; who deigned not, even by a look,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 215 
 
 to notice me ; and whose business here seems to be to scatter re- 
 ports intended to work detriment to my character ? It is conduct 
 like this which hath separated us one from the other." 
 
 " Master Spikeman," said the Knight, deprecatingly, " the re- 
 lation wherein I stand to Philip is of public notoriety, and, there- 
 fore, cannot be unknown to you; and, meseems, is sufficient to 
 excuse the slight favor I show him. Yet, herein Avill I approve 
 myself loyal unto my regard for thee. I believe thou errest in 
 ascribing an evil intent on the part of Philip, but if he cherish 
 any such, I will take order with him, which shall redound to thy 
 satisfaction. As for this Master Arundel, thou layest more stress 
 upon a casual acquaintance with him than it deserves. I coun- 
 tenance him not. I attach no more consequence to what he may 
 say than belongs to the prattle of a beardless boy. Wouldst 
 have me rude to one who enlivens my solitude, being fresh with 
 news from the old world, and who visits me only through a like 
 love with myself of sylvan sports ?" 
 
 " I presume not to dictate to Sir Christopher Gardiner," said 
 Spikeman, coldly, " who shall be his associates, or what course in 
 any respect he shall pursue. You will remember that your ex- 
 culpation (such as it is) was volunteered by yourself." 
 
 The eyes of the Knight fell to the ground at this ungracious 
 reply, so that his resentment, if he felt any, was hid under 
 their drooping lids. A faint suffusion passed over his face, but 
 after the pause of a moment, he extended his hand with a smile, 
 while he said : 
 
 " I will find means to dissipate this delusive cloud that inter- 
 poses itself betwixt us. Meanwhile, accept my hand, in token 
 that, however changed thyself, I remain the same." 
 
 It was impossible to refuse to take the hand so offered, but it 
 was with no cordial grasp the Assistant received it : and the two 
 parted with feelings of aversion to one another, strengthened by 
 the interview.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 And, Douglass, more I tell thee here, 
 
 Even in thy pitch of pride, 
 Here, in thy hold, thy vassals near, 
 
 * * * * 
 
 I tell thee thou'rt defied. 
 
 MARMION. 
 
 THREE weeks followed after the events recorded, without the 
 occurrence of anything deserving special mention. The life of 
 the colonists went on as usual, in erecting new tenements, in cul- 
 tivating their farms, and in such other occupations as their situa- 
 tion made necessary. But little was seen of the Knight in the 
 settlement, it being understood that he was amusing himself as 
 usual in the sports of the forest. He did occasionally, however, 
 make his appearance in the village, in the prosperity of which 
 he manifested an interest. Notwithstanding the slighting manner 
 in which he had spoken of Arundel, and the displeasure of Spike- 
 man at the favor which he showed the young man, his conduct 
 toward him remained unchanged. As before, Arundel was fre- 
 quently at Sir Christopher's place, and often accompanied him 
 on short expeditions, though never on distant excursions, which 
 required several days. 
 
 The interest of the young man in the Knight increased daily. 
 Sir Christopher's manners were so gracious, his temper so sweet
 
 218 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 and equable, and the sentiments he expressed so noble, that it 
 was impossible an ingenuous youth should escape their fascina- 
 tion. Yet did Arundel fancy that the attachment which he felt 
 was hardly returned. It might be a mere fancy springing from 
 a jealous sensitiveness, which is disappointed if it be not paid in 
 the full measure of its own coin. Perhaps the inexperienced 
 youth was unreasonable in expecting from his senior, schooled to 
 greater caution by intercourse with the world, the demonstrative- 
 ness which characterized his own conduct. Be it as it may, upon 
 more acquaintance, the Knight seemed to his young friend to re- 
 semble nothing so much as a polished rapier, which, while it 
 shines to the eye, is cold to the touch. Of the pale lady Ger- 
 aldine he saw little. He had noticed accidentally a circumstance 
 in reference to her, for which he was unable to account. Having 
 arrived late one afternoon at the residence of the Knight, he 
 found, upon inquiring after him, that he had been absent several 
 days, and was not expected to return for two or three more. 
 Arundel then asked to see the lady, but was answered that she 
 was confined sick to her room and unable to receive any one. 
 Late as it was, for the sun was setting, he was preparing to re- 
 turn to the settlement, when he heard sounding from the edge of 
 the forest the Knight's hunting horn. He stepped to the outer 
 door, and beheld Sir Christopher advancing with the lady. 
 
 The former was habited in his usual hunting gear, while the 
 dress of the lady G-eraldine consisted of an over-coat of dark 
 cloth, falling just below the knee, fitting tightly about the 
 chest, and rising high into the neck. On her feet were mocca- 
 sins, of the natural russet shade of the leather, laced up the 
 calf of the leg, so that they nearly reached the skirt, and on her 
 head she wore a black leather cap, ornamented with an osti'ich's 
 feather, beneath the protection of which her hair fell down in 
 plaits upon her back. The dress was a mixture of the civilized 
 and of the savage, and as she approached, with a little color in
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THK GOLDEN MKLICE. 219 
 
 her cheeks, occasioned by the .exorcise, Arunclel thought that she 
 looked even beautiful. Her manner appeared to him to betray 
 confusion, but there was no embarrassment on the part of the 
 Knight. He welcomed his visitor with his customary politeness, 
 merely inquiring how long it was since he had arrived, adding, 
 that his cousin had been persuaded to accompany him on a hunt- 
 ing expedition, for the sake of her health, which would account 
 for the disorder of his house. The two were accompanied by 
 several natives, among whom was the little girl ; but their hunt it 
 would seem had been unsuccessful, for they had not much game. 
 A falsehood had been told by the domestic, evidently to conceal 
 the absence of the lady, which Arundel could explain only on 
 the supposition that it was designed to mislead others and not 
 himself, and was said to him only because the servant was unable 
 to discriminate. 
 
 In spite of the vigilance of Spikeman, Arundel, aided by the 
 cunning of Prudence, and the connivance of the Assistant's wife, 
 had two or three times seen Eveline; and the lovers, with protes- 
 tations of eternal fidelity, encouraged each other to look forward 
 to happier days. Philip Joy too, though in disobedience to the 
 orders of the Knight, who had strictly commanded him not to 
 put foot upon the soil under the jurisdiction of Winthrop, con- 
 tinued to keep up a communication with his mistress. Pretty 
 Prudence, like a beleagured city hard bested, kept the enemy 
 Spikeman at bay ; nor did he, with all his parallels and cir- 
 cumvallations, make any progress. Not so, however, thought 
 the Assistant, (for what man cannot the cunning of a coquette 
 deceive ?) who every once in a while fancied the fortress was 
 about to capitulate. Whenever he began to despair, a few sweet 
 smiles, or a word of encouragement, were sufficient to re-kindle 
 hope ; for though the girl hated him, she yet took a mischievous 
 pleasure in practising her caprices on him, and keeping him dang- 
 ling at her apron strings.
 
 220 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Such was the state of things, when one morning a canoe was 
 seen entering the harbor of Boston, containing a couple of 
 Indians. They paddled directly up to the wharf, where several 
 persons were standing, looking on, while others were engaged in 
 various employments connected with commerce, and sedately 
 stepping on shore, one of them hauled the canoe upon the beach, 
 beyond the rising of the tide. This being done, they advanced 
 in the direction of the group of white men. The one who was 
 evidently the leader, as well from his walking first, (the other 
 stepping in his track,) as well as from the superior richness of 
 his dress, which was the skin of a moose loosely disposed over 
 his shoulders as a robe, and that of a deer divested of its hair, 
 beautifully tanned, and painted in bright colors, for a breech 
 cloth, with the feathers of some bird in his scalp lock ; while the 
 garments of his follower were merely deer skins dressed with the 
 hair ; pronounced, as soon as they came within about a rod of the 
 white men, the single word " Taranteen," and then both stopped. 
 So similar were the dress and general appearance of the Indian 
 tribes to one another, that the eye alone would have been insuf- 
 ficient to detect a difference ; but the utterance of the word indi- 
 cated at once to which one the new comers belonged, and their 
 desire to have it immediately understood. Various questions 
 were now asked by the curious, who thronged around the sava- 
 ges, but no answer was returned save the word Taranteen, and 
 some words that sounded like an attempt at French. 
 
 The gallant Captain Sparhawk, who, to judge from the part he 
 took in the conversation, and the emphasis wherewith he ex- 
 pressed his opinions, was the principal personage present, having 
 exhausted his stock of Spanish, and German, and French phrases 
 which he had picked up in his trading voyages, as well as sundry 
 uncouth sounds it was his pleasure to call Indian, in a vain at- 
 tempt to make himself understood, at last decided that the only 
 proper course was to take them before the Governor. At the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 221 
 
 mention of Winthrop's name, the Indian's face was lighted up 
 with a look of intelligence, and he made a motion with his head 
 as though he knew for whom it was intended. 
 
 " Do ye see now, my hearties," cried the gratified Captain, 
 " the ignorant beggar understands me after all. I mistrusted, 
 from the beginning, that he was only playing 'possum, as they say 
 down in Virginny. For look ye, ye lubbers, it would be strange 
 if a man who has been buen' camarada with the Spaniard, and 
 guter Gesell with the Dutchman, and parleywood with Mounseer, 
 and made the weight of his ship in gold for his owners, out of 
 these here salvages, shouldn't be able to speak their gibberish. 
 It's not so hard after all, do ye see, when one gets the Aveather 
 guage of it. But here, some o' ye, gallivant the red skins up to 
 the Governor, (a good enough fellow in his way, I dare say, if 
 he were not so d d hard on drinking healths,) with my com- 
 pliments, with the compliments of Capt. Sparhawk, (do ye hear?) 
 and let him know how they drifted ashore. And hark ye, if he 
 should be inclined to a little agreeable conversation with the 
 tanned hides, just let him send me an invitation, and I shall be 
 happy to officiate as interpreter. Heave ahead, Bill Pantry, and 
 take command of the squad. You've been long enough under 
 my command to know how to do the honors in a gentlemanly 
 way." 
 
 Accordingly Bill Pantry, in obedience to the orders of his 
 Captain, which seemed to the bystanders the most sensible sug- 
 gestion, took possession of the Indians, and escorted them to the 
 Governor's house. 
 
 It so happened, by an accident, that the invaluable services of 
 Capt. Sparhawk, as a linguist, were not needed on the occasion, 
 for upon the strangers being announced by one of the soldiers on 
 guard at the door, the Knight of the Golden Melice was found 
 to be with Winthrop. 
 
 As the Indians entered the room, Winthrop rose, and with
 
 222 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. , 
 
 great urbanity, offered his hand to him who appeared to be the 
 principal. To his astonishment, however, the Taranteen extend- 
 ed not his own. 
 
 " How is this ?" exclaimed Winthrop. " Is this intentional 
 discourtesy, or are ye ignorant of the customs of the English ?" 
 
 Hereupon the principal Indian uttered a sentence or two, un- 
 intelligible to Winthrop. 
 
 " Thou dost understand the language of the Taranteens, Sir 
 Christopher," he said. " May it please you, who are so happily 
 here, to explain his meaning ?" 
 
 " He says," replied the Knight, " that he has been sent as a 
 messenger by his nation, and that he hopes you will respect his 
 character." 
 
 " Surely," said Winthrop. " How could he imagine the con- 
 trary? Who can impeach our faith?" 
 
 " You forget," said the Knight, " what suspicions must have 
 been engendered by the unhappy termination of the late em- 
 bassy." 
 
 " It will be difficult to persuade me," said Winthrop, " that 
 it was other than a broil, wherein our people had no part. I can- 
 not be deceived," continued he, waving his hand, observing that 
 Sir Christopher was about to reply, " by the cunning stratagem 
 resorted to, for the purpose of averting suspicion. But a truce 
 with this. Say to him he is as safe as his child, if he has one, in 
 his wigwam. What says he now?" he inquired, after the Knight 
 had interpreted his words, and the Indian replied. 
 
 " He asks where are the four companions of Pieskaret." 
 
 " Tell him I know not, but suppose they have either returned 
 to their homes, or been destroyed by hostile Indians." 
 
 When this was explained, the stately savage sadly smiled, and 
 shook his head. He then spoke again. 
 
 " He says," answered the Knight, to the look of Winthrop, 
 "that it -is not the custom of Taranteen ambassadors to run
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MEL1CK. 223 
 
 away, and that they know how to protect themselves from the 
 Aberginians." 
 
 " I protest," said Winthrop, " that, however different my own 
 opinion, I do lialf believe that these blinded ravages in fact im- 
 agine tlieir tribes-men were murdered by the whites. To bo de- 
 plored is'it that such an opinion should get footing among them, 
 staining as it doth our good name and pregnant with many pos- 
 sible evils. Assure him, Sir Christopher, of my grief at what 
 has happened ; of my sincere desire to discover how Pieskarct 
 lost his life ; of what has become of his missing people ; and of 
 my readiness, if it can be shown that an Englishman has in any- 
 wise connection therewith, to render to the Taranteens perfect 
 satisfaction." 
 
 The Indian listened to all this -with the deepest attention as it 
 Avas explained to him, and then replied : 
 
 "Pieskaret is gone, and his kindred will see him no more 
 The eyes of his wife are swollen with weeping, and his children, 
 like little birds in the nest, open their months for food ; but Pies- 
 karet comes not to fill them. His feet were like those of a deer, 
 and his voice like the shouting of the great salt lake on the rocks. 
 Woe is me, for I shall see my brother no more. But he is glad 
 on the happy hunting grounds of brave warriors. It is well with 
 him : we know where he is, but we know not where are our 
 brothers who were with Pieskaret. We know that the English 
 love slaves, and we fear that they have made slaves of onr bro- 
 thers. We will turn away our eyes from the widow of Pies- 
 karet and his little children, and will stop our ears so that we 
 cannot hear their crying, and forget the fate of Pieskaret, if the 
 white chief will return our brothers." 
 
 " Alas ! unhappy that I am," said Winthrop, " that this new 
 suspicion should iill the minds of the savages. Assure him, upon 
 my faith as a Christian upon my honor as a gentleman make 
 the asseveration as solemn as thou canst that he suspects us 
 falsely."
 
 224 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 But the grave chief abandoned not the idea. With eyes 
 searching the countenance of the Governor, he said : 
 
 " The Taranteens will give many belts of wampompeag and 
 will heap up their canoes with skins for Owanux, as a ransom 
 for their tribes men." 
 
 " Tell him," said Winthrop, " that, overlooking the insult of 
 doubting my word, if they were to give me belts of wampompeag 
 extending from here to the sun, and skins to cover the ground 
 from Shawmut to his country, I could not restore his tribes-men, 
 for I know nought of them." 
 
 " When my brothers came to visit the white chief, they placed 
 themselves in his keeping and feared not the darkness, for they 
 knew that he was very powerful. They slept like a pappoose on 
 its mother's bosom." 
 
 " I understand," replied Winthrop, " thou would' st make me 
 responsible in particular for the misfortune of thy friends ; but my 
 conscience reproaches me not. If they are dead, it is probably 
 in consequence of their own default ; and, I repeat, I believe not 
 that an Englishman had a hand in their destruction." 
 
 Here the Taranteen, who acted as spokesman, turning to his 
 companion, uttered a sentence ; whereupon the other, feeling in 
 the folds of his deer skin robe, produced a pipe, the bowl of which 
 was made of a reddish clay, into which was inserted, for a stem, 
 a reed beautifully ornamented with black and white shells, and 
 bright colored feathers of various birds. This the orator received 
 from the hands of his follower, and again addressed the Gov- 
 ernor : 
 
 " The Taranteens are a great nation, and they love peace. It 
 pleases them to see the smoke as it ascends from the calumet. It 
 is more beautiful to their eyes than the white summer clouds 
 which protect them from the heat of the sun. They would be 
 glad to smoke with Owanux. but they cannot do it now, because 
 should they attempt it, the blood of Pieskaret would put out the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 225 
 
 fire and the groans of his four brothers would agitate us so that 
 the pipe would fall from our hands. I want the white chief 
 to strengthen our hands, so that we can hold the calumet firmly, 
 and perhaps that will satisfy Pieskaret too." 
 
 "I understand him," said Winthrop, after the Knight had in- 
 terpreted, " but let him proceed." 
 
 " If the white chief will deliver to us the murderers of Pies- 
 karet, and release our brothers from slavery," said the Tarantecn, 
 slowly and impressively, "it is well, and we will smoke with 
 Owanux and forget what has happened ; but if he will not," 
 and here his voice sounded like the growl of a bear, as, putting 
 his hand into his bosom, he took out a small package and handed 
 it to Winthrop, " we speak to the white chief thus :" 
 
 The Governor received the package, and saw that it consisted 
 of a tomahawk in the centre, around which were placed several 
 small arrows tipped with a red dye, and tied together with the 
 stuffed skin of a rattle-snake, the rattles of which sounded as he 
 took the ominous present into his hand. He waited composedly 
 until the Knight had explained the words, though he compre- 
 hended at once the meaning of the savage, and then answered : 
 
 " If the Taranteens are a great nation, they are a nation of 
 fools, else why do they not listen to my words ? 1 tell thee a 
 white English chief cannot lie ; the Great Spirit will not permit 
 a Christian chief to lie. In vain have I asserted our innocence 
 in this matter ; in vain have I expressed sorrow, and humiliated 
 myself to thy reproaches. But the English know how to treat 
 those who, faithless themselves, believe not in the faith of others. 
 Behold!" 
 
 Winthrop drew his rapier, and cut the snake skin so that th 
 tomahawk and arrows fell apart. Placing the skin upon a table, 
 he next took up the arrows, and, breaking several at a time, let 
 the pieces drop at his feet. Then seizing the tomahawk, he dashed 
 it with such violence on the hearth of the fire-place, that th* 
 
 10
 
 226 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MKLICE. 
 
 handle flew off and the stone head was broken. Lastly, taking 
 down from a nail in the wall whereon they hung, a powder-horn 
 and pouch of bullets, he filled the skin with powder and ball, and 
 held it out to the Taranteen. 
 
 " Return now to thy people," he said, looking at the Indian 
 with a stern aspect, " and tell them what thou hast seen and 
 heard. Tell them that, though the English love peace, they fear 
 not war. Tell them that we have never wronged the Taranteens 
 by word or deed, nor is it our intention now to punish them for 
 their injurious suspicions. But tell them also that, as I have 
 broken their arrows and dashed their war- axe in pieces, so will 
 I serve them, if the north-wind brings to my ears a whisper of 
 evil designs from them. And as I have stuffed the snake skin 
 with powder and ball, so will I fill their bodies with the same. 
 
 Return." 
 
 
 
 As Winthrop uttered these words with a firm voice and im- 
 posing manner words so explained by his actions that they 
 needed no interpretation he was confronted by the Taranteen 
 with a dignity equal to his own. The demeanor of the savage 
 was as calm as if he were smoking a pipe in his wigwam. He 
 quietly followed every motion with his eyes, listened with all at- 
 tention, as if he understood what was said, and, when Winthrop 
 had concluded, took the loaded skin and handed it to his fol- 
 lower. The inferior Indian shrunk as he received the portentous 
 powder and shot in their strange envelope, but whatever appre- 
 hensions he felt, he succeeded in conquering them, taking care 
 however to hold the missive at a little distance from his person. 
 
 " Tender now our hospitality," said Winthrop to the Knight, 
 " so long as they remain among us." 
 
 " But the Taranteens showed no disposition to accept the offer. 
 Something was growled by the principal one, which Sir Christo- 
 pher interpreted to intimate a desire to depart. 
 
 "Be it so," replied Winthrop. " Moulton," he added, calling
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 227 
 
 a soldier, "take with you Gamlyn, and escort these savages with 
 all civility to their canoes. And should they desire anything to 
 promo'te the comfort of their return, let it be furnished and 
 placed to my account." 
 
 The orders of the Governor were explained to the Indians by 
 the Knight, and they left the room in the care of the soldiers. 
 
 " Sir Christopher," said Winthrop, on their departure, " this 
 is a miserable coil. Now will these misguided savages, instigated 
 I doubt not by the emissaries of Rome, soon be yelling upon our 
 borders, and seeking to imbrue their hands in our blood. Were 
 we dealing only with the natives, there might be some hope of 
 soothing their ferocity and averting an outbreak of their insane 
 rage ; but nothing can be done with the Jesuit more subtle than 
 the serpent, more fell than the Hyrcanian tiger." 
 
 " Have the disciples of Loyola penetrated to this fierce tribe ?" 
 inquired Sir Christopher. 
 
 " Art thou ignorant that the cunning father Le Jeune, the 
 daring Brebeuf, and I know not what instigators of mischief be- 
 sides, are said to be among them ? Pity is it truly that so much 
 learning and so great zeal should be expended in so bad a cause." 
 
 " It was known before I left England that these men had made 
 some little progress among the natives in Southern America, 
 where gold and silver abound ; but who would have looked for 
 them in these colder and comparatively inhospitable regions ? 
 May there not be some error in this matter, and our fears of the 
 dreaded Order have converted interested and malignant traders 
 into members of the so-styled Company of Jesus ?" 
 
 " It may be so, for our information is not so accurate as I wish 
 but this we do know, that a strange activity hath of late mani- 
 fested itself in the movements of these foul conspirators, against 
 uncorrupted Christianity the world over ; and only a short time 
 since was it that godly Mr. Eliot discovered, on the neck of a 
 equaw, one of their brass idols made into the image of the Cruel-
 
 228 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 fied, which, in righteous indignation, he took away from the 
 woman. Deluded and deluding, alas, if they have found their 
 way into this land !" 
 
 " It is not necessary to suppose the presence of any member of 
 the Company of Jesus, in order to account for the image on the 
 neck of the Indian woman. The French traders are Catholics, 
 and one of them might have given it to her." 
 
 " True ; yet doth my jealous mind connect these men with 
 every perversion and corruption of Gospel truth. They are at 
 this moment as well the plotting mind as the executing arm of 
 the rotten Church of Rome. The spirit of Loyola would seem 
 lately to have left Hades, to animate his followers upon earth. 
 Be sure, Sir Christopher, that where error and mischief are, there 
 is the Jesuit." 
 
 " It is ever a consolation," said the Knight, devoutly, " and in 
 especial in these troublous times, that the Founder of the Church 
 hath promised to be with her to the end of the world, and that 
 the gates of hell shall not prevail against her." 
 
 " If they have stolen among the innocent natives to intercept 
 that knowledge of divine truth which it is our purpose to im- 
 part, we will, by God's grace, defeat their designs and bring to 
 naught their inventions. In this Christian work it may be my 
 desire to engage your services, Sir Christopher." 
 
 " It needs nat that I should make protestations of zeal, or 
 offers of my poor self ; yet do my feelings prompt me to say that 
 my badge ' the honey-bee,' is not more diligent in collecting his 
 precious store than I will be in such a cause." 
 
 " Then expect to have thy zeal and courage put to the test. . 
 Should I request thee to visit the Taranteens in their own coun- 
 try, what would be thy reply?" 
 
 The Knight paused, as if the question was of importance suffi- 
 cient to require consideration, so long, indeed, that Winthrop 
 thought it proper to resume.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 229 
 
 " I know," he said, " that it is a service not unattended with 
 danger ; yet did danger never frighten a noble soul, but doth 
 ever act as an incentive. There is no one save thyself well ac- 
 quainted with the tongue of these savages, (Mr. Eliot's knowledge 
 thereof, I observe, is imperfect, and he is in other respects but 
 poorly qualified for the enterprise), and who would be able to 
 make the impression upon them and obtain the information which 
 I desire." 
 
 " Disclose more perfectly your wishes, right worshipful sir," 
 said Sir Christopher. 
 
 " I call thee to a danger which, possessed I thy marvellous 
 skill in languages, I myself would meet. I will unbosom myself. 
 The thought of a conflict with the Taranteens distresses me. It 
 can result only in ruin to them and injury to the budding pros- 
 pects of our colony. Our interest is peace. We want trade 
 with the natives. We want their confidence. Without the lat- 
 ter there can be no trade, neither can we counteract the plots 
 of our enemies, nor find opportunity to introduce the Gospel 
 among them. The mysterious calamity which befel the embassy 
 hath sadly shaken my expectations ; but I am unwilling to aban- 
 don the field. What means are in my power I will apply to 
 restore a good understanding. Moreover, I would be more fully 
 assured of the truth or falsehood of the reports that there are 
 Jesuits amon? the Taranteens. Where is the man more compe- 
 tent to take upon himself this important trust one which hath 
 for its object to prevent effusion of blood to detect the traitorous 
 plots of a wily and deadly foe, and to advance the cause of una- 
 dulterated religion, than thyself?" 
 
 The Knight bowed in acknowledgment of the compliment, but 
 said nothing. 
 
 " I seem to see the finger of God displayed," continued Win- 
 throp. " For this very purpose wert thou sent among us; 
 yet, noble sir, notwithstanding the importance of the object to
 
 230 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 be attained and the honor to accrue to him who shall secure 
 them for us, let me not urge thee unreasonably. Seest thou im- 
 minent danger in the enterprise, undertake it not. I pray thee, 
 without regarding aught that I have said, to act according to thy 
 better judgment." 
 
 " It was through no apprehension of peril that I was silent," 
 said the Knight. " Danger and I have been too long acquainted 
 to distrust one another. I did but turn over in my mind the 
 proper means to accomplish your designs. I place myself at your 
 disposal, and am only rejoiced that (lamenting the occasion) I can 
 be employed in any manner to advance a good work." 
 
 " Heartily I thank thee, Sir Christopher, for the cheerful ten- 
 der of thy service, though it was only what was to be expected 
 from a man of thy chivalric temper. I will take this thing into 
 further consideration, and will shortly acquaint thee with my 
 conclusion." 
 
 " And, meanwhile, I will prepare myself to fulfil the wishes of 
 your worship," answered the Knight, preparing to take leave. 
 
 " Commend me," said Winthrop, " to the friendly thoughts 
 of Lady Geraldine, with sincerest hopes that the peace which 
 surpasseth understanding may nestle into her heart to chase 
 away her melancholy, and may her steps be guided unto the 
 true fold, where only safety is to be found." 
 
 " "With many thanks," returned the Knight, " I seek my her- 
 mitage in the woods."
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 " A something light as air a look 
 
 A word unkind, or wrongly taken 
 Oh, love ! that tempest never shook, 
 
 A breath, a touch like this, hath shaken." 
 
 MOORH. 
 
 SIR CHRISTOPHER, on leaving the Governor, proceeded in the 
 direction of the hostelry, where he had left his horse ; and on his 
 way was greeted with one of those sights to be seen only in this 
 strange commonwealth. It was a woman in the stocks, being no 
 other than an old acquaintance, Dame Bars, the wife of the 
 jailer. The good woman possessed a kind heart, but she was not 
 perfection. She had a weakness for a pot of ale ; and, if justice 
 had in anywise been done to the proportion of malt therein, it 
 was very apt to make her eloquent to an extraordinary degree. 
 On these .occasions, feeling herself to be clearly in the right, she 
 found it difficult to endure contradiction, considering it excess- 
 ively unreasonable and rude, and expressing her sentiments there- 
 upon with great freedom. In one of these moods, she had been 
 overheard by Master Prout, in a colloquy with one of her gos- 
 sips, contrasting the " wearyful and forlorn" condition of women 
 in the colony with the merry times she used to have in England ; 
 and upon her friend suggesting a few words in favor of the 
 change, bursting out with sundry epithets more sounding than 
 musical, and more energetic than complimentary.
 
 232 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 We will not pretend to say whether Master Prout was more 
 scandalized by the sentiment of dissatisfaction at the colony, or 
 by there proaches lavished on the other goody, who, indeed, to 
 do her justice, was not slow in the use of that formidable 
 weapon wherewith Nature, as if to make amends for physical 
 weakness, has armed the lovelier sex. It may be that both com- 
 bined roused his righteous indignation, in consequence whereof 
 Dame Bars had to expiate the sins of her tongue by silencing its 
 eloquence in a cleft stick, and cooling her heels in the stocks. 
 
 But the appearance of the poor woman was now anything but 
 belligerent. So far from manifesting a refractory disposition, 
 her face was covered with her hands, and tears of shame and 
 mortification were stealing through the fingers. Her husband 
 was standing by her side, and endeavoring to comfort her, while 
 Master Prout, with his long staff", was threatening some idle 
 school-boys, who, with the mischief natural to their age, were 
 showing an inclination to proceed to extremities against the cap- 
 tive, which was not approved by the grave custode of order. 
 
 As the Knight drew nigh, a feeling of pity was excited in him, 
 and he stopped, and addressed some words to .the officer of the law. 
 
 "lam unwilling," said Master Prout, in reply, "to refuse 
 any thing to a gentleman so highly esteemed by the Governor, as 
 yourself, Sir Christopher, and therefore will I release the woman ; 
 but truly was it my intention to detain her an hour or two longer, 
 in order that she might have time for serious and profitable re- 
 flection. Verily, as saith James, in his epistle, the tongue can no 
 man tame ; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." 
 
 " Methinks then," said the Knight, smiling, " thou hast per- 
 formed an achievement which holy St. James himself might deem 
 a miracle, for the good dame's tongue is tame enough at present." 
 
 Master Prout's demure features ventured as near to a smile at 
 the jest, as his principles would permit, and then approaching the 
 woman, he unfastened the stocks, and allowed her to withdraw 
 the imprisoned members.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 233 
 
 " Good woman," he said, "thank this noble Knight for thy 
 deliverance, and may this be the last time that these wooden bars 
 shall contract a friendship for thee." 
 
 So spoke Master Prout, with a twinkle of the eye at the Knight, 
 on account of the good thing which he fancied he had said, and 
 the woman lost no time in extricating herself from durance. Her 
 face was crimsoned with blushes ; she dropped a curtsey to the 
 Knight, and hurried off with her husband. 
 
 "Master Prout," said the Knight, as he turned awa^, accept 
 my thanks for the courtesy, and believe me that thou hast made 
 me so much thy friend, thou hast only to express a wish, and if 
 it is in my power it shall be granted." 
 
 On arriving at the inn, Sir Christopher ordered immediately 
 his horse, and mounting, rode homeward. At a slow pace he 
 proceeded through the streets, and allowed the animal, with the 
 rein lying loose upon his neck, to follow the winding path in the 
 forest. No adventure befel him on his solitary ride, and in due 
 time he reached his home. He was met by Philip Joy, to whom 
 he delivered the horse. 
 
 " Is the Indian whom I left in thy charge safe ?" he inquired. 
 
 " He is, Sir Christopher," answered the soldier. 
 
 " Sassacus has not seen him, I trust." 
 
 " No one has seen him but myself. I have faithfully followed 
 your orders, and kept him like a rat in a trap. He takes to eat- 
 ing and sleeping prodigious kindly, and has shown no disposition 
 to do any thing else." 
 
 " It is natural he should do so, and you have acted with dis- 
 cretion." 
 
 With these words Sir Christopher entered the house, and 
 straightway proceeded to find the Indian. He was lying on the 
 floor, apparently asleep, but at the noise of the opening door, 
 roused himself and sat upright. 
 
 " How have my people treated Mesandowit in my absence T ' 
 inquired the Knight. 
 
 10*
 
 234: j THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Well," answered the savage. " Mesandowit has eaten, and 
 drank, and slept, and is refreshed." 
 
 " Is he ready to return to his own country ?" 
 
 " Mesandowit is ready." 
 
 " When the trees cast long shadows he shall return, and I will 
 go a little distance with him, lest he should meet the Aberginians." 
 
 " Good and now Mesandowit will sleep." He stretched him- 
 self again upon the skin, which served for a couch, probably not 
 entirely rested after the long and rapid journey he had made, and 
 disposed himself to slumber. The Knight, on leaving him, went 
 to the door of the lady's apartment, and gently rapped. 
 
 It was opened by the Indian girl, and he was immediately ad- 
 mitted. 
 
 " Celestina," said the Knight, looking first at her and then at 
 her little attendant, " I have something to say to thee." 
 
 " Neebin," said the lady, addressing the child, " may run about 
 in the woods a little while." 
 
 When the girl had departed, the Knight, -seating himself at 
 some distance from the lady, opened the conversation. 
 
 " Celestina," he said, " there has been of late a want of that 
 frankness which characterized our intercourse at our arrival in 
 this country, and for some time thereafter. Will you not tell 
 me the cause *?" 
 
 " Sir Christopher," replied the lady, " a suspicious mind is 
 ofttimes deceived by its imaginations. Wherein, pray, has been 
 a change in my conduct ?" 
 
 " Nay. I know not that I can say, in this and in that thou 
 hast not trusted me, but I feel that it is so." 
 
 " Look into thyself, Sir Christopher, and there wilt thou find 
 the cause. The outer world is but a reflection of the inner." 
 
 " I protest, Celestina, I am not altered. Thou art to me as 
 ever, my trusty and valued associate, bound to me by ties of pe- 
 culiar significancy, and as sacred as those which commonly unite 
 man and woman.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN JIELICE. 236 
 
 " It is my dearest wish that thou shouldst feel the full force of 
 the obligation they impose on thee." 
 
 " Do I not ? Have I not labored with untiring diligence to 
 promote the end we both have in view ? Wherein have I failed ? 
 Point out the error, and I will correct it." 
 
 " I do not presume to be so bold. The masculine energy of 
 Sir Christopher Gardiner is not to be guided by a woman." 
 
 " Alas! Celestina," said the Knight, with some feeling, "were 
 we not joined in this holy enterprise because it was supposed the 
 fulness of the one might supply the deficiency of the other ? O, 
 turn not away so coldly." 
 
 " My warm devotion, my active zeal, shall never be wanting to 
 the work whereunto we are pledged ; and if any feeling hath 
 arisen inconsistent with the harmony that should unite us, I am 
 not sensible that it springs from any fault of mine. But you ex- 
 aggerate," she added, smiling, " my momentary sadness into un- 
 necessary importance a sadness wherewith thou mayst have no 
 connection." 
 
 " Thou canst not deceive me, Celestina. I have profited little 
 by the lessons of this world, and feeling was given me in vain, were* 
 I incapable of noticing the change in thee. There was a time 
 when thy spirit, like a musical string in accord with another, vi- 
 brated in harmony with mine but it is no longer so." 
 
 " Thou art importunate, Sir Christopher. Wilt thou not be- 
 lieve what I say f 
 
 " Pardon me if I am over urgent, and ascribe it to the value 
 I attach to my lost treasure. It sweetened the solitude of exile, 
 and made me almost forget the attractions of stirring Europe. 
 But thou dost not, and canst not deny my complaint." 
 
 " Is there not enough in the circumstances wherein I am 
 placed, to agitate the timid heart of a woman, and account for her 
 unreasonable caprices ? Why persist in connecting them with 
 thyself as the cause ?"
 
 236 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " This is not the first time that I have vainly endeavored to 
 discover wherein I have offended, that by the humiliation of my- 
 self, or by any other means, I might restore the unison that be- 
 fore existed between us. I conjure thee, Celestina," he said, 
 approaching and taking her hand into one of his, while with the 
 other he drew back a curtain on the wall, which, on being with- 
 drawn, exposed to view the carved figure of Christ extended on 
 the cross, " by the Captain of our faith, whose soldiers we are, 
 to put away this estrangement, which if it does not defeat, may 
 hazard and retard our mutual plans." 
 
 The lacly withdrew not her hand, but allowing it to remain in 
 Ms, stood up. She bowed her head before the crucifix, and mur- 
 mured Domine Jesu speravi in te. Turning then to the Knight 
 ehe said 
 
 "Sir Christopher, look upon that sorrowful face, and that 
 drooping head, bleeding under the points of the accursed thorns. 
 Thy sins and mine gave them their sharpness. Gaze upon 
 the hideous nails that pierce those blessed hands and feet, and 
 upon the blood trickling from that divine side, and say, canst 
 thou be untrue to him T' 
 
 " Woman ! Celestina ! what meanest thou ? Why this solemn 
 adjuration ?" 
 
 " Thou wert dedicated to a service," she continued, her pale 
 face flushing with enthusiasm, " to which nobles and kings, the 
 proudest and noblest of earth, might aspire. Do thy devoir, and 
 incalculable will be thy reward ; fail therein, and the doom of 
 Judas were heaven to thy fate." 
 
 "Thou art mad, Celestina. Some dreadful delusion hath 
 blinded thy understanding. Hear me now" and he bent down 
 and kissed the feet of the image of the Saviour, and then raising 
 his head fixed his eyes upon it " per adventum tuum, per nati- 
 Titatem tuam, per baptismum et sanctum jejunium tuum, per cru- 
 cem et passionem tuam, per mortem et sepulturam tuam, per
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 237 
 
 sanctara .resurrectionem tuam, et^per admirabilem~ascensionem 
 tuam T am guilty, truly, of weakness and ignorance, and unin- 
 tentional sin, but not of want of faithfulness to that whereunto 
 thou hast called me." 
 
 " Sir Christopher ! Oh ! Sir Christopher," cried the lady, fall- 
 ing at his feet, "Wherefore, when I besought thee before to 
 explain thy conduct, did you treat me so slightingly ? Wherefore 
 ever refuse to satisfy my questions ?" 
 
 " Because I considered them unworthy of thee and me ; be- 
 cause I regarded them as the petulance of a passing feminine 
 curiosity ; because I knew not how serious was thy desire ?" 
 " Deus adjuva me /" sobbed the lady. 
 
 " Rise, my sister," said the Knight, assisting her to a seat. 
 " Henceforth let no distrust exist between us, and, that it may be 
 so, inquire, and I will answer as at the confessional." 
 
 Of the conversation which ensued we shall give no account, 
 save that, at its conclusion, tears were flowing plentifully from 
 the eyes of the lady, while the Knight seemed puzzled at her ex- 
 traordinary emotion. 
 
 " Celestina," he said, " thou art moved beyond what thy venial 
 fault requires. Forgive thyself as freely as I forgive thee." 
 
 " Thou knowest not all my sin," she answered, " nor dare I 
 trust it to the air, lest my own words should strike me dead. 
 Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis /" 
 
 When the Knight left the room, she fell upon her knees before 
 the crucifix and buried her face in her hands. She remained in 
 this position for perhaps a quarter of an hour, during which time 
 only an occasional sob escaped her, and then rising, passed into 
 an inner chamber. 
 
 As for Sir Christopher, neither did he make his appearance 
 until late in the afternoon, when he emerged from the house in 
 the company of the soldier Joy and the Indian, whom he called 
 Mesandowit. The course they took was in a northerly direc-
 
 238 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 tion, and as they proceeded, the Knight was engaged in earnest 
 conversation with the Indian. In this manner they went on 
 long after the sun had set, even until the position of the stars 
 announced that the hour of midnight was at hand. There must 
 have been some danger to the savage feared by the Knight to in- 
 duce him to lend his escort thus far. But they met nothing to 
 excite apprehension. Silence reigned throughout the unviolated 
 forest, unbroken save by the cry of a night bird, or the stealthy 
 step of some wild beast stealing through the thickets, or the 
 cracking of dry branches under their own feet, or their mur- 
 mured conversation. It was at least six hours since they left the 
 house of the Knight, and the distance passed over could not be 
 less than eighteen or twenty miles. The three stopped, and, be- 
 fore parting, it seemed that the Knight was desirous of impress- 
 ing more strongly on the mind of his red companion something 
 which he had already been urging. 
 
 " Has what I have said sunk into the ears of Mesandowit ?" 
 he asked. 
 
 " It has sunk very deep, even as a stone when it falls into the 
 great salt lake." 
 
 " Will he remember the place ?" 
 
 " He will remember it. Mesandowit once took two scalps 
 there." 
 
 Self-possessed as in general was Sir Christopher, the reply 
 startled him ; but the association in the mind of the savage was 
 too obvious to excite alarm long, and it was without feeling any 
 he replied. He thought proper, however, to remind the Indian 
 of the friendly relation he stood in to his tribe and of the favor 
 he had done them. 
 
 " The Sagamore and his Paniese," he said, " who brought the 
 defiance of the Taranteens to the English, have returned safe to 
 their people. Let not the Taranteens forget when I come to 
 visit them that they spoke through my mouth, and that I stood 
 between them and the anger of sachem Winthrop."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE QOLDEN MELICE. 239 
 
 The Taranteens never forget. Mesandowit will tell them how 
 Soog-u-gest*flew to Shawmut, when Mesandowit, of the swift 
 foot, brought a message from the sachems of the Taranteens, that 
 they desired him to take care of the two warriors who brought 
 the red arrows tied up with with a snake skin as a present to 
 Owanux. The Taranteens are a great people an<J forget not a 
 benefit." 
 
 " I am unable to fix the exact time ;" said the Knight ; " but 
 the young moon that looks now like the eye brow of Mesandowit, 
 will probably not be round before we shall meet again." 
 
 They parted at these words, and while Sir Christopher and 
 Philip turned their faces homeward, the Taranteen pursued the 
 same direction in which they had been traveling. Fatigued with 
 the distance they had come, it was now with a more leisurely 
 pace the two proceeded, and, walking for the most part in silence, 
 the sun had risen before they reached home.
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 When shaws beene sheene and shrads full fayre, 
 
 And leaves both large and longe, 
 Itt is merrye walking in the faire forrest, 
 
 To hear the small birdes songe. 
 
 BALLAD OF ROBIN HOOD AND GUT op GISBOBNK. 
 
 THE project of Governor Winthrop of sending an embassy 
 to the Taranteens met with general favor among his councillors. 
 All agreed that war with the ferocious savages was, if possible, 
 to be avoided under any circumstances, but especially now when 
 the English must appear to the natives to be stained with the 
 crime of a dastardly breach of faith and murder unparalleled in 
 atrocity. The conduct of Winthrop in returning a bold defiance 
 to their threats, was also approved, (for in treating with them, an 
 exhibition of a want of confidence would be considered a con- 
 fession of weakness, and only serve to precipitate the calamity 
 to be avoided,) but it complicated the difficulty, if that were pos- 
 sible, and embarrassed any attempt at reconciliation. The Tar- 
 anteens were felt to occupy a position of great advantage, and 
 likely to attract the sympathy of the Indians generally, and even 
 to unite tribes before hostile to one another against the perfidious 
 Owanux. To the Taranteens no blame could be attached. They 
 had been guilty of no breach of faith ; they had acted like brave 
 and honorable men. Even after the outrage upon them they had
 
 242 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 respected their wild code of honor, nor would commence hostili- 
 ties, until like the snake, whose warning rattles they sent, they 
 had apprised the enemy of their intention. But the challenge 
 had been given and accepted, and a state of war initiated. Soon 
 might their war-parties be expected to fill the forests, cutting off 
 stragglers and attacking any bodies of men which they should 
 deem inferior in strength to their own. Hence the danger of 
 traveling in the woods, and especially of attempting to penetrate 
 into that remote region, the habitation of the hostile tribe was 
 greatly increased. Where was the man daring enough to en- 
 counter the peril unless supported by a military force, which 
 would give the embassy more the appearance of a foray than of 
 a tender of peace 1 Such an armed band would only invite at- 
 tack. Besides it was inconvenient, and indeed of the highest 
 detriment to the colony, to take off so many able-bodied men as 
 would be necessary for the purpose, from the cultivation of the 
 fields, and those other industrial pursuits upon which the existence 
 of the colonists depended, even though they should all return safe 
 to their homes a result by no means to be expected. 
 
 When, therefore, Winthrop suggested Sir Christopher Gardiner 
 as a proper person, from his familiarity with the habits of the 
 natives, and his knowledge of their language, to undertake the 
 enterprise, it is no wonder that the proposition was favorably re- 
 ceived. All felt it to be a service of danger ; it was highly de- 
 sirable that it should be attempted ; no one was so well fitted for 
 it as the Knight ; and were the effort at reconciliation to termi- 
 nate fatally, the loss of no one would be less regretted by several 
 of the Assistants. For there were among them some who were 
 no friends of the Knight, and would gladly have had him out of 
 the colony ; either not liking his intimacy with the natives, or aus- 
 picious of the circumstance, that, although he had offered to unite 
 himself with the congregation, he had, somehow or other, never 
 done so, either in consequence of doubts entertained respecting the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 243 
 
 soundness of his faith, or some unknown cause. This feeling 
 was heightened by a jealousy of the favor enjoyed by the Knight 
 with Winthrop a favor which, some declared, warped the better 
 judgment of the Governor. In proof of this, they pointed to 
 the remission (at the intercession of Sir Christopher) of a part of 
 the punishment of one Ratcliffe, who had incurred the vengeance 
 of the law, and also of the indulgence shown to Philip Joy. At 
 the head of these malcontents was the Assistant Spikeman one 
 who, by his evil propensities and incapacity to appreciate the 
 noble sentiments of Winthrop, stood to him La a certain relation 
 of hostility. For there is no law more prevailing than that evil 
 hates good, compelled thereto by the very constitution of its 
 nature. Indeed, it is evil by reason of that hatred ; when that 
 ceases, evil ceases also. 
 
 By no one was the proposal to entrust the business to Sir Chris- 
 topher, if he would accept it for the cautious Winthrop did not 
 allude to the understanding betwixt himself and the Knight 
 received with more favor than by Spikeman. He was eloquent 
 in praise of the qualifications of the proposed envoy, and de- 
 rided the danger, expressing a conviction that it would be easy 
 for him, if he chose, to restore peaceable relations. The qualifi- 
 cation in the speech of the Assistant was noticed by Winthrop, 
 and he intimated astonishment at the suspicion, and wonder at 
 the willingness of one who felt it, to entrust the commission in 
 such hands. But the artful Spikeman easily extricated himself 
 from so slight a difficulty, alleging, as the cause of the doubt, the 
 want of that Christian bond on the part of the Knight, without 
 which no one could be entitled to the entire confidence due to one 
 in full communion. 
 
 When the Assistant left the Council, he debated with himself 
 how, if Sir Christopher accepted the service, he might join Arun- 
 del, and the soldier Joy with him. Could he succeed, he consi- 
 dered that he would be in a fair way to rid himself at once of
 
 244 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 three persons who interfered with his designs. The heat of his 
 animosity was directed indeed principally against Arundel and 
 Joy, the Knight coming in for a portion as their favorer and 
 abettor. But in the pursuit of an object, no scruples of conscience 
 ever interfered with the plans of Spikeman, willing to involve 
 alike friend and foe in one common destruction, if so only his 
 purposes could be accomplished. He calculated somewhat upon 
 the bold temper of Arundel, and also upon his regard for the 
 Knight, by whose side he doubted not the young man would be 
 willing to defy any danger to which the other would expose 
 himself. 
 
 With this view he took care, by means of his spy, Ephraim 
 Pike, to acquaint Arundel with the honor intended for Sir Chris- 
 topher. The expedition was represented by Pike as a mere party 
 of pleasure, and as affording fine opportunities for observing the 
 tribes in their native haunts. The good sense of the young man, 
 and the experience he already had, taught him better than to re- 
 gard it exactly in the light wherein the spy exhibited it ; but, 
 though conscious that there must be danger, in the excited con- 
 dition of the Taranteens, he could not believe it to be great, else 
 neither would Winthrop ask such exposure of life, nor would the 
 Knight accept of the enterprise. As for what danger was to be 
 encountered, it rather stimulated than deterred in the desire to 
 partake of it, as the lion hunt has greater attractions for the 
 hunter than the chase of the deer. Some words dropped from 
 Pike about the woodcraft of Joy, and his bravery ; but he dared 
 not speak plainer for fear of betraying himself. 
 
 The information of Pike, it seems, was not without effect, for 
 early on the morning of the following day, Arundel started for 
 the habitation of his friend, taking with him what he considered 
 necessary for a distant journey in the woods. The distance was 
 passed over in a couple of hours ; but, early as it was, he found 
 that a messenger had anticipated him. This he discovered, as
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 245 
 
 well from the language of the Knight, who stood in the porch of 
 his house with a letter in his hand, as from the appeai'ance of the 
 man with whom he was conversing, whom Arundel perceived 
 was one of the soldiers who ordinarily mounted guard before 
 the door of the Governor. 
 
 " This," said the Knight, handing the letter to the messenger, 
 ** to Governor Winthrop, and a fair return to thyself." 
 
 The man took the letter, and, after making the military salute 
 of the period, turned on his way to Boston. 
 
 " Here has come," said Sir Christopher, after the usual greet- 
 ings, " a request from the Governor that I would undertake an 
 embassy to the Taranteens, to soothe their excited minds and 
 prevent an outbreak." 
 
 "May I inquire what is your reply ?" asked Arundel. 
 
 " How canst thou doubt ? Surely, where honor and good 
 deeds invite, no true knight can turn back." 
 
 " I am to understand, then, that you have accepted the office 
 of mediator ?" 
 
 " I have accepted the trust, hoping that good may grow out 
 thereof." 
 
 " And when is it you purpose to depart 1" 
 
 " Incontinently. The matter brooks no delay." 
 
 " Then have I a petition to prefer, which, I hope, will meet 
 with the same favor as the Governor's. Let me attend thee on 
 this journey." 
 
 The suddenness of the request appeared to embarrass the 
 Knight for an instant ; but it was only for an instant. 
 
 " Hast thou fully considered," he asked, " the perils whereunto 
 thou dost expose thy young life ? What would be the condition 
 of Eveline Dunning shouldst thou never return "?" 
 
 " My life is not more valuable than thine, and the situa- 
 tion of Eveline would be no worse than that of thine own 
 relative."
 
 246 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Aye, but consider the difference in our positions. Glory, duty, 
 summon me irresistibly ; whereas, thou hast no calling other than 
 curiosity." 
 
 " Say not so," exclaimed the young man, with feeling. " I 
 will not deny the motive assigned ; but believe me there are 
 others, whereof you would not disapprove." 
 
 " May I know them T 
 
 " Needs it that I should say how greatly I admire thee ; how 
 gladly I would follow in thy knightly footsteps ; how any peril 
 would be welcome, if partaken with thee ?" 
 
 Sir Christopher turned away. " I did not think," he said to 
 himself, " his affection was so great." 
 
 " Master Arundel," he replied, walking back, " I do prize 
 thy friendship more than precious jewels ; but I were untrue to 
 that love, should I expose thee to danger. For myself, I were a 
 recreant, and no knight, could I, because of danger, refuse to 
 obey a call to benefit my fellow- men ; but, for thee, it is a 
 reckless and unneeded temptation of peril. Deem me not un- 
 kind, but think it is my love and anxiety that speak in your 
 behalf." 
 
 " It is the first request I have made to thee," said Arundel, 
 " and, if refused, it shall be the last. I shall be compelled to be- 
 lieve you consider me unworthy of your friendship, too effemi- 
 nate to bear a walk of a few days in the forest, and unreliable 
 in the hour of trial." 
 
 The voice of the young man trembled, and his whole manner 
 betrayed his wounded feelings. 
 
 " Hear me, my young friend," urged the Knight ; " hast thou 
 well weighed the terrors thou would'st seek ? It is not merely 
 
 death thou dost defy ; but, holy Ma , holy angels, what a 
 
 death ! Canst thou endure to have thy tender flesh pierced with 
 splintered sticks ; thine eyes torn from the sockets ; the flames 
 greedily dashing over thy head, and licking up, as with the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 247 
 
 forked tongues of serpents, thy blood, hissing as it drops upon 
 the glowing brands ? And this for the poor satisfaction of being 
 with me; for thou canst not afford protection, should the Indians 
 attempt outrage. Alas ! how bitterly would the sorrow of my 
 own fate be enhanced by the consciousness of thine !" 
 
 " I have considered all these things, and they move me not. I 
 admit the possibilities of the painting, but no more. The con- 
 duct of the Taranteens proves how high stands with them the 
 point of honor and the sacred estimate wherein they hold an em- 
 bassy ; else never would they have ventured upon one like the 
 second, after the unhappy termination of the first. I partake 
 not of thy fears." 
 
 " Then, if not with the unthinking heat of youth, but with 
 thoughtful deliberation, thou hast well weighed the matter, I will 
 not deny thee, and thou shalt visit with me these savages, if 
 Providence spares our lives to reach them. But I start this 
 day, within a few hours ; the time is short ; thou canst not be 
 ready." 
 
 "I am ready. I came prepared, anticipating all things save 
 thine objections." 
 
 " Enter, then, my poor house, my dear young friend, and re- 
 fresh thyself," said Sir Christopher, leading the way. 
 
 The persistency of Arundel having thus wrung a consent from 
 the Knight, the subject was not again referred to by either of 
 them ; but both considering the matter settled, addressed them- 
 selves to the preparations remaining to be made. A small quan- 
 tity of dried deer's flesh, and corn parched and pounded, was 
 packed up, sufficient, as was supposed, to supply the wants of the 
 travellers, should they be at any time unfortunate in procuring 
 game, upon which their chief reliance rested. The guns were 
 carefully cleaned, the locks seen to be in order, and store of bul- 
 lets and powder was provided. These preparations being com- 
 pleted, refreshed with the noonday meal, Sir Christopher called
 
 248 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 on Arundel to follow him. An Indian was to go with them as 
 far as it was judged safe for him to proceed into an enemy's 
 country. The journey it was calculated would require a Aveek 
 to accomplish to the principal village of the Taranteens ; so that, 
 allowing an equal length of time for coming back, and the ne- 
 cessary delay among the Indians, a period of at least three weeks 
 might be expected to elapse before their return. The two white 
 men, then, habited in closely-fitting hunting garments, made of 
 dressed deer-skin, as pliable when dry as silk, their guns slung 
 over their shoulders, followed the Indian, dressed in native cos- 
 tume, with bow and quiver, and carrying the provisions, and 
 commenced their journey. 
 
 The first two days were unmarked by any incident. Their 
 course lay over the hills and through the valleys of the pleasant 
 State of Massachusetts, now blooming under the hand of culture, 
 ornamented with cities and villages, and supplying the world with 
 the products of her joyful and free industry ; then, an intermi- 
 nable forest, roved by fierce animals, and by red men scarcely less 
 savage, divided into tribes sparsely scattered, living in mutual 
 distrust, incapable of labor, supporting themselves by the uncer- 
 tain issues of the chase, already daunted by the whites, and per- 
 haps dimly descrying the fate that awaited them. 
 
 Crevecceur, in the description of his journey in Upper Penn- 
 sylvania, tells us how accurately the native sagacity of the 
 wiser Indians could discriminate between their own characteris- 
 tics and those of. the .e strangers, and foresee the conse- 
 quences that must follov . 
 
 " Seest thou," said one of them, " that the whites subsist on 
 grain, while we depend on flesh ; that the flesh requires more 
 than thirty moons to mature, and is often scarce ; that each of 
 those won- ful grains which they deposit in the ground gives 
 back more man a hundredfold in return ; that the meat whereon 
 we subsist has four legs to run away, while we have only two to
 
 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE. 249 
 
 catch it ; and that the seeds planted by the strangers remain and in- 
 crease, and never run away ? That is the reason why they have, 
 so many children, and live longer than we do. I say unto each one 
 of you who will listen, that, before the cedars of our village shall 
 die of age, and the maple-trees of the valley cease to yield sugar, 
 that the race of the sowers of little seeds will have exterminated 
 the race of the flesh-eaters, provided our hunters do not also re- 
 solve to sow." 
 
 Through the vast solitude, impressive by its silence and its 
 loneliness, guiding their course by day by the position of the 
 sun and the mosses on the trunks of the trees, and at night by 
 the stars, the three men pursued their way. On the afternoon of 
 the third day, the Knight, after a conversation with their guide, 
 came to the conclusion that it was better the Aberginian should 
 return, as they had now approached too nearly to the haunts of 
 the Taranteens to suppose that they should long remain undis- 
 covered. Accordingly, the Indian took his departure, leaving 
 to the white men all the dangers of a further advance, and to 
 find their way as best they might. 
 
 11
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 " Mery it was in the grene forest, 
 
 Amonge the leves grene ; 
 Whereas men hunt east and west. 
 Wyth bowes and arrowes kene." 
 
 BALLAD OF ADAM BELL, " Clym of the Clough, and William of Clovdesly,- 
 
 As the Knight, with confident steps, led the way, Arundel ex.* 
 pressed surprise at the skill which he displayed. 
 
 " You forget that I may be said to be half an Indian myselt, 
 said Sir Christopher, " and am therefore entitled to a knowledge 
 of the woods. I know not how many times I have accompanied 
 the natives in their distant hunting expeditions, and it would be 
 strange if the experience were thrown away." 
 
 " But surely you could never have penetrated so far in the di- 
 rection of this fierce tribe ?" 
 
 " Farther, my young friend. I have wandered more than a 
 week's journey to every quarter of the compass from my lodge ; 
 and it is the knowledge of the country thus derived, and inti- 
 macy with Indian character, that inspire me with resolution in 
 our enterprise. It might be considered a perilous accomplish- 
 ment," he added, with a smile, " since it recommended me to the 
 consideration of the Council, to whom, moreover, the life of one 
 not of the congregation is of less value." 
 
 The Knight had never before shown a disposition to be so com- 
 municative. Perhaps the isolation of the two from the world,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE, 
 
 and the devotion which Arundel had manifested, heightened his 
 feeling of regard, and drew out his confidence. The young man's 
 interest in the conversation increased, and he said : 
 
 " Surely, you would not impute to the Governor, or to a 
 majority of his counsellors, a design to expose you to probable 
 
 destruction. Unutterable baseness were therein." 
 
 
 
 " I said not so. I pray thee, Master Arundel, to attach no 
 such construction to my words ; you would thereby do foul 
 wrong to my thoughts. Nay, I thank the Governor for honoring 
 me with the commission, and doubt not that he acted only in 
 obedience to a higher prompting than his own. I did but point 
 to a feeling which thine enlightenment must lament as much as 
 mine, and which contracts Christian love into very narrow and 
 erroneous boundaries. D'ost thou understand me?" 
 
 " I think I do. You refer to the jealous retainer of power in 
 the hands of their Church." 
 
 " Of their Church, so called. Here are we, for example : we 
 may desire, with that natural longing whereby men are some- 
 times animated, to enter into closer relations, and to bind our- 
 selves by more intimate ties with those around us, (oftentimes, I 
 fear me, for purposes of worldly advancement, as well as encour- 
 agement in holy living); and, lo ! a very slight difference of 
 opinion a sublety whereon a casuist shall batter his brains for 
 days in vain shall build up a wall of exclusion, especially if 
 there be some within the enchanted circle who are jealous of our 
 influence and distrust their own." 
 
 " I doubt not you are right. My own observation partly con- 
 firms these views, though I have been too short a time in the 
 colony to form an undistrusted opinion. My youth and inexpe- 
 rience admonish me to express myself doubtfully ; but I think 
 myself safe in agreeing with you, that this is scarcely the best way 
 to establish that universal Church to which the ambition of the 
 Puritans aspires."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 253 
 
 " Have a care, Master Arundel," said the Knight, laughing, 
 and his laugh rang out joyously through the forest, as if he were 
 glad to escape from restraint, and in strong contrast with the 
 caution which he recommended, " lest thy treason be carried by 
 some bird to the enthusiatic Endicott, or the stern Dudley, and 
 thou be made to atone for thy lese majeste." 
 
 " I bear them no ill will, and they know it. I am but a stranger 
 among them, seeking at their hands a jewel most unjustly de- 
 tained, and which, if given up, will hardly endanger the common 
 weal. But, Sir Christopher, explain your sentiments more per- 
 fectly on the point whither our conversation converged." 
 
 " Master Aruntfel, I am a soldier, and no casuist, and, there- 
 fore, hardly so well prepared to answer as good Mr. Eliot, or 
 grave Mr. Wilson ; yet do thoughts on such subjects sometimes 
 puzzle the brains of a soldier in a steel helmet, as well as those 
 of a teacher in a Geneva cap ; and, sworn brothers as we are, 
 proving our affection by a voluntary community of danger, I will 
 not hesitate to avow my secret reflections, knowing that they are 
 safe in thy keeping. All Christians must acknowledge Holy 
 Scripture, when properly understood, as the imperative rule of 
 faith, without a belief of which there can be no salvation. Now, in 
 Scripture I do find the Church likened unto a net let down into 
 the sea, and when drawn up containing within itself a diversity of 
 fishes. This similitude teaches me that the Blessed Founder of 
 our religion did contemplate variety, and not that strict and tame 
 uniformity which would compel every curve into a straight line, 
 and make the Church more like a platoon of point device Spanish 
 soldiers than reasoning men variously organized." 
 
 " I have heard the text differently explained, to wit : that the 
 Church is thereby intended to be represented as a receptacle of all 
 men, without distinction of Jew or Gentile of color, or of what- 
 ever separates man from man." 
 
 " They who interpret it thus, do limit the Word of God, and
 
 254 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 make vain the text itself. For, was it not designed that all 
 should be brought within one fold, that there might be one shep- 
 herd ? Now, how may this be done, if respect be not had to the 
 prepossessions and prejudices of mankind ? See the infinite differ- 
 ences that prevail all through the world. These it is the sacred 
 prerogative of the Church to guide and control not violently 
 tearing them up by the roots, but making them subservient to her 
 advancement." 
 
 " That, it seems to me, were little better than encouraging 
 heathenism under the forms of Christianity." 
 
 "Nay, it is more like the manreuvre of a skilful helmsman, 
 who, when a flaw that may not be resisted strikes the sails of 
 his ship, doth not luff, and thereby increase the power of his 
 enemy, and risk destruction, but, by a gentle turn of the rudder, 
 glides by the danger, making its very violence facilitate his ad- 
 vance ; or it may be compared to the progress of a wise tra- 
 veller, who, when he encounters a steep hill, doth not always 
 press straight forward, but, influenced by its shape, sometimes 
 turns aside and encircles its base, thereby diminishing the labor 
 and not increasing the distance." 
 
 " It doth look to me," said Arundel, " more like the crooked 
 track of the serpent, which cannot advance to its object without 
 twisting its body into contortions." 
 
 " And can anything be more graceful than its lovely curves ? 
 Doth not Scripture in some manner commend the- sagacious rep- 
 tile, holding him up to us as an example, and bidding us be wise 
 even as serpents? The children of Israel, moreover, when in 
 the wilderness, were cured of their wounds by merely looking at 
 the brazen serpent, thereby typifying the value of wisdom, whereof 
 the snake is an emblem." 
 
 " You are more skilled in dialectic than I," said Arundeb 
 laughing, " and were I to hear you with shut eyes, I should think 
 a monk's cowl would fit your head better than a morion."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 255 
 
 Sir Christopher stole a sharp, quick glance at his companion 
 at these words, but he could notice nothing in the youth's hand- 
 some features save the light-heartedness of a happy spirit. He 
 seemed to think it necessary, however, to explain more perfectly 
 the meaning of what he had been saying. 
 
 '" Harbor not the thought," he continued, " that I, in any wise, 
 approve the damnable doctrines which, by many zealous Protes- 
 tants, are ascribed to the Catholic Church, viz : that religion 
 consists in the mumbling of unmeaning forms and performance 
 of unnecessary ceremonies ; in the gaudy decoration of temples 
 with pictures and statues, which some consider an incitement to 
 devotion ; in an entire abandonment of the soul of the layman to 
 the care of the priest, as if the laic himself had no part in work- 
 ing out his salvation. As a good Protestant, I am bound to con- 
 demn and anathematize these errors ; but, more distinctly, I hold 
 that our Puritan brethren (to come back to the point of depart- 
 ure) are over-strict and unwise in applying a Procrustean measure 
 in their discipline, and, for that reason, if for no other, they 
 cannot be a Church universal. Too stiff, unbending and unfor- 
 giving are they to the weaknesses of human nature, and, there- 
 fore, (without more,) I predict utter failure to every attempt of 
 theirs to make the natives like themselves. They do forget that 
 milk, not flesh meat, is the food for babes." 
 
 " Hold you these Puritans to be, in any true sense, a Church 
 at all?" inquired Arundel. 
 
 Again the Knight looked sharply at the other, and this time 
 he burst into a laugh, wherein, it seemed to the young man, a 
 sneer was mingled with the gaiety. 
 
 " That were a dangerous question," he answered, " anywhere 
 else than three days' journey from Winthrop, and to ears less for- 
 giving than mine. But here we are, debating, as thou didst intimate 
 a moment ago, more like two pattering monks than journeying 
 like merry cavaliers. For my part, the dissensions of Christ-
 
 256 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 endom weary me, and I prefer to leave to the holy men vowed 
 to the service of the altar, the labor of unloosing the knots of 
 controversy, rather than perplex my brains with them. Come, 
 Master Arundel, hast never a song wherewith to waken the echoes 
 of the virgin forest and shorten the toils of our way ?" 
 
 " I esteem not myself a singer, though I can troll a stave or 
 two," replied the young man. " But I fear that my minstrelsy 
 would be rude and uncouth to the cultivated ears of one who, like 
 you, Sir Christopher, hath listened to the lays of many lands, 
 and so, refined and perfected his taste." 
 
 " It is true," said the Knight, " that I have heard the songs of 
 many countries, warbled by beauty to the accompanying sounds 
 of divers instruments, from Spain to Persia, from the Andalusian 
 guitar to the Turkish lute. But fear me not. I am no super- 
 cilious critic. Thy modesty hides merit. I will be bound now 
 that thy performance will exceed thy promise." 
 
 " But is there no danger of attracting wandering savages, and 
 so being taken prisoners, or shot with their arrows *?" 
 
 "The danger of being treated as enemies is less, for what In- 
 dian would suspect such of going singing through the woods ?" 
 
 " Then here is my song," said Arundel, '* but I shall look for 
 a like complaisance on thy part." 
 
 " Who loves the greenwood cool and sweet, 
 
 O ! let him come with me ! 
 No harsher sound his ears shall greet, 
 
 Than songs of birds so free ; 
 No sight less fair his eyes shall view, 
 
 Than trees, and ferns, and flowers 
 Sun, stars, the branches shimmering through, 
 
 To light the flying hours. 
 
 Ambition hither cannot come, 
 
 Here Pomp is out of place, 
 And fawning Flattery finds no home 
 
 With Simper and Grimace,
 
 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE. 257 
 
 But Nature, in her artless dress, 
 
 (A greenwood nymph is she,) 
 With eyes so wild and flowing tress, 
 
 And bare ungartered knee. 
 
 Then come, O, come ! O, come with me ! 
 
 Forgot be toil and care ; 
 O ! come beneath the greenwood tree, 
 
 For happiness is there. 
 The sun shall shine with tempered ray, 
 
 The moon-beam soft, yet bright ; 
 O, come ! Joy beckons us away, 
 
 To revel hi delight !" 
 
 " Good !" exclaimed the Knight. " Thy voice is as sweet as 
 a sky-lark's, and runs with marvellous cunning through the har- 
 monious changes of the tune. Why, never preface thy song again 
 with an apology, or I shall begin to doubt thy sincerity." 
 
 " Wild woods and savage life have not tarnished the courtly 
 polish of Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Arundel. "And now 
 for my guerdon, though in truth I feel shame for the little I have 
 been able to do, in comparison with what I expect." 
 
 " By my troth, thou art a master in the science of delicate 
 compliments. There was, I confess, a time when, with youthful 
 vanity, I did esteem myself possessed of some skill, and could 
 step along the gamut with any Don or Signer of them all ; but 
 that is long since, and I fear me that the gutturals of Northern 
 Germany have quite driven out of my throat the liquids and 
 vowels of Italy. However, to pleasure me, thou hast sung with 
 infinite discretion and wonderful sweetness, a most delectable 
 song ; and now it were boorish not to attempt at least to repay 
 thy musical favor." 
 
 So saying, the Knight sung in a manner and with an expres- 
 sion that proved him to be an accomplished musician, and in 
 
 11*
 
 258 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 some contrast with the less artful style of Arundel, the following 
 song: 
 
 " On golden Guadalquiver's banks 
 
 Are tinkling gay guitars, 
 To hail with song and smiling thanks, 
 The soldier from the wars. 
 
 When glowing youth and beauty met, 
 
 Blush at each other's glance, 
 And, bounding to the castanet, 
 Entwine th'impassioned dance. 
 
 And purple Xeres sends her wine, 
 
 To laugh in those dark eyes, 
 Whose flashing orbs the stars outshine, 
 
 Of Andalusia's skies. 
 
 Red lips repeat the hero's name, 
 
 White hands are scattering flowers ; 
 
 Honor be his and deathless fame, 
 And gratitude be ours ! 
 
 Delightful land of orange blooms, 
 
 Of chivalry and song, 
 Whose memory the past perfumes 
 
 ! how for thee I long ! 
 
 Where'er may stray my wandering feet, 
 
 1 never will forget, 
 
 Or Guadalquiver's maidens sweet, 
 Or merry castanet. 
 
 When sun, and moon, and stars turn pale, 
 
 On Nature's funeral pyre, 
 O'er all Spain's glory shall prevail, 
 
 An eagle soaring higher."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELIUE. 259 
 
 " You have well profited by your opportunities, Sir Christopher," 
 said Arundel, at its conclusion. " By mine honor, such sweet 
 and artful notes never waked the echoes of a mighty forest. I 
 seemed to mingle in the graceful fandango, and to taste the ex- 
 hilarating Xeres in your song," 
 
 " Ah !" replied the Knight, with a half sigh. " It is only a 
 reminiscence of youthful follies. But now it is thy turn again. 
 I warrant me there is store of ravishing melodies in the treasury 
 whence thou didst take thine." 
 
 "I dare not," said the young man modestly, "sing after thee. 
 My poor notes would sound like those of the croaking raven, in 
 comparison with the warblings of the yellow minstrel of the Ca- 
 naries." 
 
 " Out with thee, hyperbolical flatterer ! Believe me I set a 
 higher value on thy nature than on my art. Come, pipe up once 
 more, and I will, meanwhile, try to recall another ditty." 
 
 " If such is to be my reward, I will not refuse, although I do 
 thereby only expose my own incapacity. Here is a serenade : 
 
 " I stand beneath thy window, love, 
 
 To tell my pleasing pain : 
 O, flowers below, and stars above, 
 
 Bear to her heart my strain ! 
 Say that the charms of earth and sky 
 Are waiting for her company, 
 And all sweet things my fair invite, 
 To rise and perfect make the night. 
 
 Yet, no ! I would no earthly sound 
 
 Might mar that tranquil sleep, 
 O'er which the angels, standing round, 
 
 Admiring vigil keep. 
 
 With these bright guards I choose to share 
 The watching of my jewel rare ; 
 For though their love may be divine, 
 I know it cannot equal mine.
 
 260 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN HELICE. 
 
 I see her as she chastely lies 
 
 Upon the linen white ; 
 Was ne'er to man's or angel's eyes 
 
 So beautiful a sight ! 
 O, mark her bosom's fall and swell, 
 (Profane it were of more to tell,) 
 While hover round her rose-leaf mouth, 
 Sweets that excel the Arabian South. 
 
 Listen ! she murmurs in her dreams, 
 
 And music puts to shame : 
 O, can it be 1 she breathes, meseems, 
 
 My too too happy name ! 
 cease, bliss-crowded heart, to beat 
 So fast, lest like some India fleet 
 Surcharged with spices, thou outright 
 Founder, o'erfreighted with delight !" 
 
 " Excellent," exclaimed the Knight. Never talk to me of the 
 wonderful little birds of the Canaries, unless to call thyself one. 
 I fancy thy verses a tribute to the celestial attractions of Mistress 
 Eveline Dunning." 
 
 " And now let me hear thee," said Arundel. 
 
 " I did match my first lay," said Sir Christopher, " to thy 
 youthful blood. Now will I give thee one more befitting my 
 years and gravity," and adapting the words to a wild foreign 
 air, the Knight sent his rich full voice ringing through the wood. 
 
 " Who, on Glory's pinion, 
 
 Shall mount the upper air, 
 And write his name with sunbeams 
 Sublimely there ! 
 
 Blare of trumpets shivering 
 Above the reeling fight, 
 Proves the inhuman challenge 
 
 The warrior's right 1
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 261 
 
 Son of thoughtful Science, 
 
 Unthinking of renown, 
 Is thine the name to thunder 
 
 The ages downl" 
 
 " Hist !" he said, interrupting the song. " What is it I see glid- 
 ing in yonder thicket ? Stand fast, Master Arundel, while I go 
 forward to reconnoitre." 
 
 The young man would have accompanied him, but this Sir 
 Christopher imperatively forbade. " Thou art under my lead and 
 protection," he said, " and foul shame were it, should I expose 
 thee to a danger which I should face myself alone ;" and in spite 
 of his urgency, Arundel was obliged to remain behind. 
 
 The Knight was gone, perhaps, a quarter of an hour, and Arun- 
 del began to be anxious at the length of his absence, and had 
 stepped forward a few rods to seek him, when he made his ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 " If it were a wild beast, or anything that could harm us," he 
 cried, as he approached, " it has glided off into the bushes." 
 
 " Then shall I entreat the continuance of thy song. I would 
 like to hear resolved the question which it pleases the poet to 
 ask." 
 
 " I care not to sing more now," returned the Knight. " My 
 voice, I perceive, begins to roughen, and brawls along more like 
 a shallow brook, over pebbles, than the flow of a deep, equable 
 stream. It were to shame the brave words." 
 
 This determination Arundel was unable to alter, and he could 
 Dot avoid ascribing it quite as much to a change of opinion in his 
 companion, respecting the prudence of singing in that wild region, 
 as to any assumed roughness of voice. Thinking thus, he unr 
 slung his gun, and examined carefully the priming, holding him- 
 self in readiness for any emergency. He noticed, however, to 
 his surprise, that no such precautions were adopted by Sir Chris- 
 topher, who, though in silence, walked with as fearless a step as 
 ever, and allowed his piece to remain upon his bark.
 
 262 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 The shades of evening were now beginning to wrap objects in 
 obscurity, and it became necessary to look out for a place of rest. 
 In finding one fitted for the purpose, the Knight betrayed no em- 
 barrassment. 
 
 " There should be," he said, " a small cave in the neighbor- 
 hood, wherein we may be sheltered. I will lead thee thither in 
 a short time." 
 
 Accordingly, they descended the side of a pretty steep declivity, 
 and, at the bottom, forming a sort of miniature valley, found the 
 object of their search. It was certainly a very small cave, if, in- 
 deed, the recess, which was not twelve feet deep, made by the 
 jutting out of some huge rocks from the side of the hill, deserved 
 the name. A brook came dashing round before the cave, sepa- 
 rating it as it were from its surroundings, and deepening its pri- 
 vacy ; and over the entrance hung immense hemlock branches, 
 sweeping with their evergreen plumes the rocky roof, and almost 
 hiding the aperture. It seemed impossible to have selected a 
 place better adapted for concealment. 
 
 " We need not fear," said the Knight, " to make a fire in this 
 secluded spot. It will serve to keep off wild animals, and as for 
 Indians, they can hardly be expected to stumble on us." 
 
 Arundel, as being only a follower, and inferior in experience 
 of wood-craft to his elder friend, made no objection, but ad- 
 dressed himself to prepare for passing the night. The two, with 
 their hunting hatchets, cut from the moist land, watered by the 
 brook, a quantity of hemlock boughs, wherewith to compose their 
 beds, making couches more comfortable, and even luxurious to a 
 tired wanderer, than one would suppose who had never tried 
 them. Next, they kindled a fire, whereupon supper wasprepai-ed 
 some small game, consisting of partridges and rabbits which they 
 had shot in the course of the day. These, together with the 
 parched corn they brought from home, not without a draught or 
 two of aqua vitas tempered by the pure stream, satisfied the crav- 
 ings of appetite.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 263 
 
 " And now, Master Arundel," said the Knight, after the re- 
 past was finished, during which he had looked with admiring 
 eyes on the achievements of his companion, " tell me, didst ever, 
 at princely banquet in courtly hall, enjoy with keener zest the 
 artificial dishes of cunning cooks, designed to tickle the delicate 
 and difficultly pleased palate ?" 
 
 " Never," answered Arundel. " Knew the epicures of Europe 
 the efficacy of a forest tramp, we should meet them oftener than 
 Indians in the woods." 
 
 " Thus deals boon nature with her children," said Sir Christo- 
 pher. " Out of the richness of her abundance doth she prodi- 
 gally supply what man, with all his devices, cannot obtain. The 
 scent of the woodland, the winged minstrelsy, the murmur of the 
 brook, and tripping of the deer, say I, before the inventions and 
 appliances of dissatisfied man, whereby he vainly tries to procure 
 to himself pleasures which he might have for the asking. But 
 how fares it otherwise with thee 1 Art not tired ? With me, 
 who am an old campaigner, our tramp should be a trifle, and yet 
 I confess my limbs are not as supple as in the morning. Thou 
 wert excusable shouldest thou feel it more." 
 
 " I feel no fatigue now," said Arundel, " though an hour ago 
 I might have confessed it. But what is that ?" he exclaimed, 
 grasping his gun. " Methought I saw two eyes peering from the 
 thicket. Shall I fire T' he added, bringing the piece to his 
 shoulder. 
 
 " For thy life, no!" interposed the Knight quickly, striking up 
 the muzzle o c the gun. " That were to inform any wandering 
 savages of our retreat." 
 
 " I will then explore the bush to find out what it is, whom cu- 
 riosity has attracted whether beast or Indian." 
 
 " It were well not to do so," said the Knight. " It would 
 only be unnecessary exposure ; and an enemy, if it be one, would 
 have every possible advantage in waiting for thee he knowing 
 thy position, and thou not his."
 
 264 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Nevertheless, it were a great satisfaction could I discern the 
 creature. Perhaps I may bring back a buck for breakfast. Thou 
 art acquainted with the stupid habit of deer to gaze on fire. It 
 may be one of thenu" 
 
 " For all that, I counsel thee to remain. A prudent soldier ex- 
 poses not himself to danger without cause." 
 
 " By Heaven !" exclaimed Arundel, " I see the eyes of the ani- 
 mal again, in the light of the fire. I will shoot, come what will 
 of it ;" and before the Knight could interfere, he had discharged 
 his piece in the direction of the object. The dark woods echoed 
 to the report, and some birds disturbed from their perches began- 
 to flutter blindly round, but no other sounds were heard, and 
 presently silence, as profound as before, brooded over the forest. 
 " Thou hast been guilty of a sad imprudence, Master Arun- 
 del," said the Knight, " and I hope no evil consequences may re- 
 sult therefrom. What art thou about now ?" 
 
 But the young man, who, from the instant he had discharged 
 his piece, had been busy reloading it, and whose preparations 
 were now completed, paid no attention to the question; but, 
 excited by what he had seen, rushed out of the cave into the 
 open air. 
 
 " Santa Madre de Dios /" exclaimed the Knight. " I hope nothing 
 evil will befall him. Were it better now to follow or to 
 remain ?" 
 
 While Sir Christopher was deliberating, Arundel, holding his 
 piece in readiness, cautiously took his way toward the thicket, 
 whence he fancied the eyes had looked. As he was groping along 
 not yet recovered from the blinding effect of the fire-glare, he 
 suddenly felt his gun seized, and several strong arms thrown 
 round his person. Pie cried out for assistance, and struggled, but 
 in vain. The gun was torn away, a hand placed over his mouth, 
 and a tomahawk brandished at him, as if to intimate his doom, 
 should he continue his outcries. In this state of things nothing
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 265 
 
 was left but to yield himself to his captors, and, resigning him- 
 self to ais fate, he waited for what should follow ; nor was he 
 kept long in suspense, for presently an Indian came gliding up to 
 the group in whose midst he stood, and spoke a few words, 
 whereupon he was led to the cave, and directed by signs to enter 
 it. Here he found Sir Christopher lying quietly on the ground, 
 without apparently having received any injury, and his piece in 
 the possession of some Indians by whom he was surrounded. 
 Arundel was permitted to sit down by his side, admiring, as he 
 did so, the wonderful composure of the Knight.
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 " There have been holy men who hid themselvei 
 Deep in the woody wilderness." 
 
 BBYAM. 
 
 ARUNDEL had now an opportunity to look round and observe 
 the state of things Besides the Knight and himself, there were 
 seven or eight Indians in the little cavern, armed with bows and ar- 
 rows ; and he remarked with pleasure that these persons were not 
 stained with war-paint, indicating that they were on no hostile 
 expedition, but engaged in hunting. So far from offering violence, 
 or even rudeness, the savages treated them with marked deference, 
 keeping at a respectful distance, and yielding to them the piles of 
 hemlock branches which they had arranged for coaches. Arun- 
 del listened to the conversation between the Knight and the In- 
 dians with that strained attention with which one unacquainted 
 with a language will sometimes hang upon its sounds, as if by a 
 concentration of the faculties to wring a sense out of it ; and if 
 he was unable to make out the meaning of the words, he at least 
 satisfied himself, both from the intonation of the voices and ex- 
 pression of the faces, that no immediate injury was designed. To 
 the appealing looks which Arundel from time to time directed to 
 him, the Knight at length replied : 
 
 " I know not, Master Arundel, whether we should consider 
 ourselves more fortunate or the contrary, in falling into the hands 
 of these copper-colored cavaliers. We are their prisoners, and,
 
 268 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN HELICE. 
 
 as such, bound to obey their motions ; but their presence will 
 guard us from attack, and in that way be a shield ; and their 
 treatment in other respects will shame, I doubt not, the conduct 
 of more civilized men in like circumstances." 
 
 " Know you," inquired Arundel, " the name of their tribe, and 
 their intentions towards us ?" 
 
 " They are Taranteens, and, as far as I can learn, mean to take 
 us to one of their villages. It was fortunate your shot took not 
 effect ; for, otherwise, I know not what would have been the 
 consequence." 
 
 " I confess now its rashness ; but it is manifest that we were 
 tracked, and, in any event, would have been prisoners." 
 
 " Perhaps not prisoners. Perhaps, after making our acquain- 
 tance, they would have offered us their company as an escort. 
 As it is, we must submit to close watchfulness on our journey, 
 and, afterwards, take what fate may come. I counsel thee (and 
 speak as one knowing the habits of these people) to betray no 
 distrust or apprehension. "We must show that we rely with per- 
 fect assurance on our character as ambassadors, not only for im- 
 munity from danger, but for courteous treatment. And now," he 
 added, disposing himself to rest, " we had better court that sleep 
 which will be so necessary to prepare us for the fatigues of to- 
 morrow." 
 
 Arundel followed his example, and, as if it had been a signal for 
 the Indians, they all left the cave, with the exception of two, who 
 stretched themselves out by the fire at the mouth. 
 
 It was long after it had fallen upon the lids of Sir Christopher, 
 that sleep visited the eyes of Arundel ; but tired nature at last 
 yielded to the solicitations of the drowsy influence, and he forgot 
 both his joys and his sorrows. 
 
 When he awoke, the daylight was streaming into his retreat, 
 and, sitting up on the hemlock boughs, he looked around. The 
 couch of Sir Christopher was deserted, and no Indian visible.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 269 
 
 Wondering what had become of them, he rose and walked to the 
 entrance, and beheld standing on the margin of the brook, the 
 Knight in conversation with the savage, who, the night before, 
 appeared to be the leader of the party. They were so interested 
 with their subject as not to notice his presence, and he had an 
 opportunity to observe their bearing to one another. To judge 
 from that, the Knight looked to Arundel more like a conqueror 
 than a captive, and rather giving than receiving orders. The at- 
 titude of Sir Christopher was commanding, and he engrossed the 
 principal part of the conversation. From the frequency with 
 which it was repeated, Arundel, as he fancied, could make out 
 one word,.which sounded like " Mesandowit," but its meaning he 
 was unable to divine. He stood looking at them until the Indian 
 discovered him, who, ejaculating the word " ahque," (beware,) 
 the Knight turned and also saw him. 
 
 " Thy appearance dispenses with the necessity of asking how 
 thou hast passed the night, Master Arundel," cried Sir Christo- 
 pher. " Well, there is nothing like a trust in Providence, where- 
 to I commend thee, to inspire with courage. Courage may, in a 
 certain sense, be said to be piety." 
 
 " Truly, Sir Christopher," said Arundel, catching confidence 
 from the cheerful tone of the Knight, " I begin to regard thee as a 
 sort of Providence, for wherever you move, you seem to exercise 
 a command. Now would I give something to know the secret 
 whereby you have tamed yon savage," 
 
 " It is no astonishing mystery. I did but elucidate to him 
 clearly our sacred character and thy mistake in firing." 
 
 " Is he content with the explanation "?" 
 
 " He seems to be. The natives are not so unreasonable as is 
 sometimes represented. Difficulties between men do often arise 
 from an ignorance of each others intentions; and one grand 
 cause of contention is, doubtless, an inability to comprehend 
 their diverse languages. Now, I suffer under no such disability.
 
 270 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 I can impart my ideas, and receive their own in return, and thus 
 is language a bridge of reconciliation betwixt us. Believe me a 
 common cord vibrates through the hearts and minds of all men, 
 and skilful words are the fingers wherewith to touch it." 
 
 "Thou art a skilful musician in more than one sense," said 
 Arundel, as he turned to the brook to wash his hands and face. 
 
 No very strict, certainly not obtrusive surveillance, was exer- 
 cised by the Taranteens over their captives. They were allowed 
 to move about where they pleased, and their escort began to as- 
 sume the appearance of a guard of honor, rather than a band of 
 suspicious enemies ; nor did the savages seem at all disposed to 
 hurry, or take any measures to prevent a surprise, feeling, pro- 
 bably, a consciousness of security in being on their own hunting 
 grounds. Their breakfast, of which the two white men partook 
 with them, was leisurely prepared, and eaten with equal delibera- 
 tion, and the sun was high when they resumed their journey. 
 All these circumstances were noticed by Arundel, and tended to 
 increase his confidence. However, he made no remark respecting 
 them. 
 
 But when, soon after the commencement of their march, their 
 guns were returned, he could not forbear from uttering his sur- 
 prise. 
 
 " They know not how to use the weapon," replied Sir Christo- 
 pher, " and it suits them not to carry loads not their own. Be- 
 sides, I have pledged our honors that the pieces shall not be used 
 against them. Methinks, moreover, were we inclined to play 
 false, it were fruitless, in view of their superior number." 
 
 Nothing of importance occurred during the couple of days 
 longer their journey lasted, and before it was completed, both the 
 prisoners lost all apprehension of violence. They were even per- 
 mitted to shoot the game which was started, and the Indians 
 manifested no little pleasure when the shots proved successful. 
 They watched closely the loading of the pieces and priming, and
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 271 
 
 tbe manner in which the lock trigger was raised, and sometimes 
 took the guns into their own hands, and brought them up to the 
 shoulder, as they had seen the white men do, as if desirous to be 
 taught their use. Something also, in reference to the subject, 
 they said to the Knight, but he shook his head, and showed no 
 disposition to instruct them. An unlucky experiment made with 
 the piece of Sir Christopher, by one of the Taranteens, at length 
 put an end to their importunities. 
 
 The Indian took the gun, after he had seen it loaded by Sir 
 Christopher, and imitating his actions, discharged it at a bird sit- 
 ting on a bough, at no great distance. 
 
 He had failed to remark that the Knight placed the piece 
 firmly against his shoulder when it was fired, and ignorant of the 
 propriety of doing so, held it with a natural feeling of timidity at 
 a little distance from his body. The consequence was, that the 
 recoil prostrated the savage on his back, and the gun dropped 
 from his hands, while the fortunate bird seemed to deride the 
 unskilful marksman, and to challenge him to another trial, by 
 paying no other heed than hopping on another bough. His com- 
 panions gathered round the fallen savage, and two or three took 
 hold of the white men, as if to prevent escape ; but when they saw 
 no wound upon his person, nor expression of pain in his face, (for 
 the pride of the unfortunate warrior forbade the betrayal of what 
 he felt,) their words of sympathy and intentions of revenge were 
 converted into jeers and laughter. As for the unlucky fellow 
 himself, on rising from the ground, he retreated a little way from 
 the gun, and regarding it with a look, wherein awe and aversion 
 were combined, took care not to approach nigh to it again. 
 
 On the evening of the seventh day after their departure, they ap- 
 proached the village of the Taranteens. The whole company 
 halted at a little distance from it, and the returning Indians 
 shouted a peculiar cry, after which they proceeded more leisurely 
 on their way. The yell had been heard and understood, for soon
 
 272 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 were seen advancing, groups of men, women, and children. 
 These, upon joining their friends, manifested none of that stolid 
 indifference, which it has been the pleasure of certain writers to 
 ascribe to the natives, forgetting that by nature the same feelings 
 animate the hearts of all men, whatever may be the degree of 
 their civilization, or the color of their skin. On the contrary, 
 there were smiling faces and tones of welcome, and other demon-" 
 strations, that proved the existence of affection. The squaws 
 and children looked askance at the strangers, but their glances 
 were rather timid than obtrusive, and augured no unfavorable 
 prepossessions. Accompanied by a constantly increasing num- 
 ber, our friends were conducted to a lodge in the centre of the 
 village, which they were told they would occupy during their 
 stay. It was carefully covered with bark, and, as usual, skins 
 were hanging on the sides, and lying on the ground for 'couches, 
 and there were some cooking utensils, made of clay, on one side. 
 Such were all the articles constituting the simple menage of tho 
 child of natnre, and completed his idea of necessary furniture. 
 Here the strangers were left by their guides, though several of the 
 tribe remained lingering around the wigwam. 
 
 " Thus far," said the Knight, stretching himself out on a skin, 
 for in whatever circumstances he might be placed, he was always 
 at his ease, " hath heaven breathed favoring airs into our sails. 
 We will accept the omen and be hopeful for the future." 
 
 " No more skilful ambassador, it seems to me," said Arundel, 
 " ever mediated betwixt mighty governments than thyself, Sir 
 Christopher. Why, Ephraim Pike was right,* and I did injus- 
 tice to his hang-dog look when I distrusted him." 
 
 "What said he?" inquired the Knight. 
 
 " That our journey would be a mere pleasure flight, unattended 
 with danger." 
 
 " He would have found it different had he undertaken it," 
 muttered Sir Christopher. " And was it Ephraim who advised 
 thee to associate thyself with me V\
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICB. 275 
 
 " He did not presume to advise. I scarcely know how it hap- 
 pened, but as I accidentally met the man, the conversation turned 
 upon thy enterprise, of the dangers whereof he made light." 
 
 " There is some mystery," said the Knight, " connected with 
 this. Be sure the obscure varlet would not have sought thee out 
 for such a purpose of his own motion, but was instigated thereto 
 by another." 
 
 " Who could that be, and with what motive "?" 
 
 " Nay, I judge no man ; but, perhaps, it so happened that they 
 who intended harm conferred a favor." 
 
 At this moment they saw approaching through the opening in 
 the lodge a couple of squaws, bearing in their hands earthen 
 pots, from which a warm steam was issuing. These they brought 
 straight into the wigwam, and, placing them before the white 
 men, invited them to eat. After a few words from the Knight, 
 which the smiling faces of the women showed were well received, 
 they retired, and the tavo friends addressed themselves to a busi- 
 . ness seldom disagreeable, and specially pleasant to them. In the 
 one vessel they found pieces of broiled venison, and in the other 
 a composition at that time peculiar to the Indians, but which 
 has since become a favorite in New England, and still retains its 
 Indian name of " succotash." It is a dish consisting of sweet 
 corn and beans boiled together, and savored with some kind of 
 meat, according to the taste. The meat preferred by the vitiated 
 taste of the whites is pork ; but inasmuch as swine were unknown 
 at the time in the country, except in the civilized settlements the 
 unclean animal having been introduced by the Europeans- its 
 place in the present instance was supplied by the more wholesome 
 bear's meat, for such the experienced palate of the Knight pro- 
 nounced it to be. At the completion of the [meal, although it 
 was early according to our habits, the unbroken silence that 
 reigned around indicated that the Indians had retired to rest, and 
 
 12
 
 274 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the two weary travelers, imitating their example, threw them- 
 selves on their couches. 
 
 Some hours had passed since they laid themselves down to 
 sleep, when the Knight arose, and, after glancing at his com- 
 panion, started, with a light and noiseless step, to leave the wig- 
 wam. At the opening he found a Taranteen, whom his stirring 
 had wakened. With him the Knight exchanged some whispered 
 words, and then took his way in the moonlight toward a lodge 
 situated near the centre of the village, and conspicuous for its 
 size. He met no interruption, and having arrived at the entrance, 
 drew aside the skin which served for a door. The first object 
 which caught his eye was a flame proceeding from some pieces 
 of a resinous wood, which were supported by a sort of iron 
 trestle standing on a rude table in the centre, and sending up spi- 
 rals of smoke to escape by an aperture above. By means of the 
 light which this cast, he was enabled to take a view of the apart- 
 ment. 
 
 It was of an oblong shape, some forty feet long by twenty 
 wide, and coming to a line at the top, and at first seemed destitute 
 of furniture and of occupants. As the Knight stood hesitating, a 
 voice from the remotest part of the wigwam addressed him. 
 
 " Welcome !" it said, in French, " true son of the Church ! 
 valiant soldier of the Cross ! servant of Heaven ! My soul hath 
 been in travail to see thee ; and now, laus Deo, its desire is grati- 
 fied." 
 
 The Knight advanced in the direction whence the voice pro- 
 ceeded, and when he had passed on so far that his back was to 
 the light, could see the speaker. He was one who, whatever 
 were the mistakes of his creed, seems to have been animated by 
 a purpose lofty to himself, and an ardent faith in its truth, and, 
 therefore, honor be to his memory, as well as to all other brave 
 spirits, who, like him, (though erring,) forget themselves for 
 others. But he is worthy of description.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN ME LICE. 275 
 
 He was a man of about sixty years of age, somewhat under the 
 middle size, but strongly made, and evidently capable of enduring 
 great futigue. His eyes were black and piercing, his complexion 
 so dark as to be almost olive, and his features regular, the mouth 
 being small and sharply chiseled and compressed. Thick, long, 
 white hair covered his whole head, with the exception of a small 
 round spot on the crown which was bare, revealing the mark of 
 the priest, and fell upon his shoulders. He was habited in a 
 long, closely-fitting robe of some coarse material, which had once 
 been black, but was now faded and tarnished by time and expo- 
 sure, and a hempen rope to keep it in place was girded about his 
 loins. Such, as we have described him, was the famous Father 
 Le Vieux, one of the most active and devoted among the French 
 Jesuits in America. 
 
 Father Le Vieux had risen from his seat, and was advancing 
 toward his visitor, when the latter first beheld him. As the two men 
 drew nigh, the Knight sunk on his knees at the feet of the priest. 
 " Salve fili mi /" said the father, laying his hands on the head 
 of the kneeling Sir Christopher. " Beatus qui venit in nomine 
 Domini. Arise, my son !" he continued, in French, taking the 
 Knight by the hand, and assisting him. " Thy companion, I 
 trust, sleeps soundly." 
 
 " He is asleep, reverend father," answered the Knight, in the 
 same language, " like one who has made a covenant with his 
 eyes not to open them before morning." 
 
 " May the blessed angels press their palms thereupon, that he 
 awaken not. Now, then, disclose to me what, for our mutual 
 purpose, it is meet that I should know." 
 
 With these words, he led the way into that part of the lodge 
 whence he came, and was followed by Sir Christopher, who sat 
 down by his side on a sort of bench. 
 
 "First, reverend father," said Sir Christopher, " would I con- 
 fess my sins and obtain absolution. It is long since my bosom's
 
 276 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 stains were wiped out by authority of Holy Church, and my soul 
 languishes for forgiveness." 
 
 " Kneel, then, and on peril of thy salvation keep nothing back." 
 
 Sir Christopher, with bowed head, knelt by his side, and, in 
 low-murmured tones, while the priest boAved down to him his 
 ear, made his confession. It lasted some considerable time, for 
 which reason the good father betrayed a little impatience, either 
 because he thought that the sins were too trivial to be dwelt 
 upon so long, or because he was anxious to hear the communica- 
 tion of his penitent on other matters. At its conclusion, he 
 placed his hand on the Knight's head, and said : 
 
 " The sins which, with a penitent heart and lively faith, thou 
 hast confessed, not having wilfully concealed anything, and de- 
 termined by God's grace to commit them no more, do I, a servant 
 of Holy Church, commissioned for that purpose by the successor 
 of blessed St. Peter, whose are the sacred keys, and unto whom 
 and his fellow-servants it was promised by the Head of the 
 Church, ' whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, 
 and whatsoever }e loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven,' ab- 
 solve thee from, and unbind and remit unto thee, both in time 
 and in eternity, in nomine Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sanctus. Amen. 
 Rise and sin no more. And now, make thy report." 
 
 The Knight rose from his knees and resumed his seat, where- 
 upon ensued a long conversation. 
 
 It referred to the condition of the colony under Winthrop, and 
 of the elder settlement at Plymouth ; the prospect of their in- 
 crease ; the dissensions among them ; the relations maintained 
 with the savages, and influence exerted over them ; and, in 
 short, to whatever bore upon the present circumstances and 
 probable flestiny of the two races. The occurrences at the 
 reception of the Taranteen embassy were also detailed the 
 appearance of Sassacus, the excitement of the Indians, and the 
 consequences which followed.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 277 
 
 " I found it hard," said Sir Christopher, " to allay their wild 
 passion on the discovery of the Pequot Chief. I had to urge 
 upon them that they were committed to my care by you (I had 
 before received your missive from one of them) and that instant 
 destruction would follow any act of violence. I reminded them 
 that their mission was one of peace, and endeavored to shame 
 them for exhibiting so much feeling at the sight of a single war- 
 rior. Nor was I blinded by their apparent submission, but strove 
 to remove the Pequot out of their way. With how little success 
 you know." 
 
 Father Le Vieux listened with profound attention, and from 
 time to time made memoranda in his tablets of those parts of the 
 communication which possessed for him the deepest interest. At 
 its conclusion, he continued silent awhile, looking thoughtfully on 
 the ground, as if deliberating over what he had heard. 
 
 " The thoughts of man are vanity," he said, at length. " In a 
 way that we dreamed not of hath Almighty Wisdom delivered 
 us from this peril. Vainly, in our ignorance, we strove to pre- 
 vent a meeting between the Taranteens and the English heretics ; 
 and lo, it was the very thing to be desired ! They were brought 
 together only to be more widely divided, and a commencing 
 friendship has ended in a confirmed enmity. Blessed be the 
 Pequot, and mitigated be the pains of purgatory to the poor sa- 
 vages who fell in the night attack, for the good they have done. 
 We are now safe from this danger." 
 
 The father paused, as if reflecting, and then again spoke. 
 
 " It would be strange," he said, " and the thought itself 
 seems impious, if this goodly land, with its thousands of im- 
 mortal souls, should be delivered over into the hands of these 
 accursed heretics. My heart is troubled, and a sacred horror in- 
 vades me when I think thereupon. This is a time of tribulation, 
 and our faces gather blackness. Holy Mary !" he continued, 
 (crossing himself and raising his eyes to Heaven,) " intercede with
 
 278 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 thy glorified Son to quicken our faith and shorten the days of 
 our trouble. Let not these insatiable locusts from the pit of 
 darkness, whose end is destruction these deceivers and deceived, 
 who would tear down thy church, and defile her altars, have, 
 even in seeming, their will ! O, let a strong wind arise and cast 
 them into the sea, that they may devour thy heritage no 
 more !" 
 
 " Amen, and Amen !" responded the sweet voice of Sir Chris- 
 topher. " So may all the enemies of the church perish ! But 
 O, holy father, sad is it to see so much heroism in men, so much 
 resigned fortitude in delicate women, such wonderful courage, 
 such patience wasted, in promoting error." 
 
 " Quam diu Domine /" exclaimed the father. " The days of man 
 are but as a shadow and a tale that is told. He cometh out of 
 darkness, and returneth thither again. But thy years, O Lord, 
 are everlasting, and thy counsels like the great deep. O, stamp 
 this truth on our hearts, and it shall cure our impatience. How 
 long Divine Wisdom shall permit the raging waves of this pesti- 
 lential heresy of the arch-deceiver, the licentious Luther, to beat 
 against His church, threatening as with the jaws of hell to devour 
 her, it is not for man to know ; but we do know that they cannot 
 prevail, for she is founded on a rock, and bought with a great 
 ransom, and the Word of God is pledged to her triumph. But 
 it becomes every true son of Holy Church to have his loins 
 girded, and to let no weakness of the flesh or fainting of the 
 spirit interfere, to delay that hoped-for time when this miserable 
 delusion shall disappear. Verily, heavy is the task imposed on 
 feeble shoulders ; but in the strength of One who can supply 
 strength, will we prevail." 
 
 "Has any information," inquired Sir Christopher, "been re- 
 ceived respecting the new colony to be planted under Lord Balti- 
 more, in Maryland, or promise of assistance from our friends at 
 home ?"
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 279 
 
 " The English Catholics," answered Father Le Vieux, " are 
 lukewarm. The air of their foggy isle is tainted. Not much do 
 I expect from this Cecil, Lord Baltimore. He is, forsooth, a phi- 
 losopher a man who stands half the time upon his head for 
 he is one of them who are puffed up with conceit of worldly 
 knowledge, and who, in contradiction of Holy Scripture, assert, 
 with Galileo Galilei, that this world is a ball which daily 
 turns round. His company has not arrived, and never may 
 arrive. Not on the timorous and doubting English Catholics, but 
 on my own brave countrymen and the faithful Spaniards, must 
 we rely for the accomplishment of the heaven-inspired thought 
 of our great founder, the immortal Loyola." 
 
 " Expect you," inquired Sir Christopher, " to convert these 
 English colonies into dependencies of France or Spain ?" 
 
 " To you and to me, and every true Catholic, it is of little 
 consequence whether they be French, or Spanish, or English col- 
 onies, so they be gathered into the bosom of Mother Church. 
 Of how little moment are the transitory things of time, our poor 
 distinctions of nationalities, our weak prejudices, our loves and 
 hates, in comparison with eternity and its determinations. Then, 
 in that other world, there will be neither French, nor English, 
 nor Spanish, but ' the blessed of the Father/ to enter the king- 
 dom prepared for them ; or howling heretics, whose doom is fire 
 unquenchable." 
 
 " Holy Father," said the Knight, " I pray you to forgive me ; 
 but, in my ignorance, I by no means approve of your design, nor 
 have I confidence in its success. Consider the consequence, 
 should even a suspicion of it be entertained by the Government 
 of England. These colonies are now regarded as only nests of 
 wild sectaries, who have fled from restraint at home to indulge 
 fanatical imaginations in a wilderness. At present, they are neg- 
 lected and despised by the general, none, save those of their own 
 infatuated faith, thinking of, or countenancing them ; but, let it
 
 280 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 be once surmised that France or Spain is attempting, either by 
 fraud or violence, to set foot among them, and you will see the 
 whole force of the kingdom in arms to counteract your plot, and 
 thousands of heretic emigrants will arrive, where now only a few 
 make their appearance." 
 
 " My son, it is easier to crush error in the egg than in the full- 
 grown serpent. But forget you not that you are only a secular 
 coadjutor, and therefore bound simply to obey ?" 
 "Peccavi" said the Knight, bending his head. 
 "Alsolro. I espied this weakness in the confession of sins, 
 and now solemnly warn thee against it. Attend, my son, and be 
 my words remembered. I perceive in thee a jealousy of the po- 
 litical power of other nations, when they conflict with thine own. 
 This, to the untutored mind of the vulgar, seems commendable, 
 yet do I reprehend it, and say unto it, 'Apage, Sathanasf as the 
 fruitful seed of discord betwixt nations, and an impediment in the 
 march of the Church. As high as the concerns of Heaven trans- 
 cend those of earth, do the interests of the true and universal 
 Church those of the petty kingdoms which, for their own good, 
 she subjects to her control. They are not to be thought of when 
 her magnificent voice is heard. Who is it speaks from the chair 
 of St. Peter, but the Vicegerent of God ? Who is Vitalleschi, 
 our chief, but another accredited instrument to accomplish the 
 salvation of the nations ? And if it be the duty of every Cath- 
 olic to set the welfare of the Church before all other considera- 
 tions, and to die a thousand deaths before abandoning it, how 
 much more is it the life-business of each member of the Society 
 of Jesus to sacrifice all things for her! Power, wealth, fame, 
 life, and honor, which some value more than life, what are they 
 all when weighed against that one duty and the reward that 
 awaits its observance ? The principles of the blessed Company 
 of Jesus are not the crude fancies of some crazy heretic, nor sug- 
 gestions of man's unguided reason, but they are conclusions of
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 281 
 
 wise men inspired by the Holy Spirit, and infallibly directed to 
 truth ! Such thou and I have acknowledged them to be by be- 
 coming members of the Order, and thereby assuming its obliga- 
 tions. My faith burns daily brighter each obstacle but inflames 
 my zeal. If, by my martyrdom, I could advance our cause one 
 hour, how gladly would I lay down a life worthless, if not spent in 
 the service of the Church." 
 
 Father Le Vieux paused, his fine face beaming with enthusiasm, 
 while the Knight bent again his head, and, kissing the priest's 
 hand, murmured " Peccavi." 
 
 " Thy faithfulness I commend," resumed the father, " but as 
 thy spiritual guide, I warn thee against human weakness. It is 
 a mighty discourager of great undertakings. Only by faith and 
 remembrance of what thou art vowed to, can it be overcome. 
 Nor doubt, though thou dost not clearly understand, and but lit- 
 tle progress seems to be made. Remember that though we must 
 soon depart, the Society of Jesus remains. Our Order may be 
 as the drops of water perpetually falling on a rock, which are 
 dashed into fragments by the fall ; yet is the fate of the repelling 
 body inevitable, and, after centuries, it is doomed to be washed 
 away." 
 
 " Reverend Father," said the Knight, " I will bury thy words, 
 in my mind, and often meditate upon them." 
 
 " Do so, my son, and by the aid of Holy Mary, and the Saints, 
 and blessed Evangelists, doubt not they will profit. But I charge 
 thee to beware of laic reason and human impulses. Refer all 
 things to the standard whereby thou hast been taught, for so 
 only will it be well. Farewell ; morning approaches, and I de- 
 part, for I would not have the presence of a white man suspected 
 by thy companion. I will communicate further with thee as 
 opportunity presents, and, meanwhile, I will consider how thy 
 mission may be made to redound most to the honor of the 
 Church. If, by restraining the ferocity of the Taran teens, the 
 
 12*
 
 282 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 end may be accomplished, gladly will I exert my influence there- 
 for ; but, on the contrary, if I see that a union among the tribes 
 can be effected, whereby these intrusive Philistines can be driven 
 from the land, I will put myself at the head of our savage friends, 
 and Winthrop and his unhappy followers shall be doomed." 
 
 He ceased, and bowed, and the Knight reverently bending his 
 body, took leave.
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Low, reverently low, 
 Make thy stubborn knowledge bow, 
 Weep out thy reason's and thy body's eyes, 
 Deject thyself, that thou mayest rise, 
 To look to heaven be blind to all below. 
 
 MATHEW PKIOE. 
 
 ON rising, which he did with the sun, leaving the Knight buried 
 in sleep, Arundel took his way through the village to enjoy the 
 fresh morning air and examine the Indian wigwams, it being the 
 first considerable collection of them which he had seen. He 
 found them, to the number of forty or fifty, extending at a dis- 
 tance of four or five rods from one another, in a couple of wide 
 avenues, from the edge of a wood to the margin of a river. The 
 piece of ground on which the lodges were built seemed to be a 
 bit of alluvial formed by the overflowing of the river. All 
 along the stream were scattered fields of maize, whose tall, stout 
 stalks attested the richness of the soil. The cultivation was of 
 that sluggish and negligent description which was to be expected 
 from the indolent character of the Indians, it being entirely en- 
 trusted to the squaws, the men considering labor beneath their 
 dignity. The object was attained, if the plants were sufficiently 
 protected against the encroaching weeds to enable them to over- 
 top the latter, after which they were left to take care of them- 
 selves. Yet, notwithstanding all this negligence, prodigal Nature
 
 284 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 rendered a rich return. It has been said (with what truth we 
 know not) that the weeds of a soil depend upon the race which 
 cultivates it they which spring from the sweat of an' Indian being 
 different from those which embarrass the toil of the white man 
 or the negro. If it be so, then have we perhaps another proof 
 of the kind accommodation of mother Earth to her children, ex- 
 cusing for the reluctant Indian that labor which she exacts from 
 the hardier white and black man. 
 
 As Arundel passed by the bark wigwams, he was able to form 
 some opinion of the mode of life of the Taranteens. Indolently 
 thrown upon the ground in front of his lodge, in the soft summer 
 morning, he beheld its master inhaling the fumes of that perni- 
 cious but seductive plant, which is one of the few gifts the North 
 American savage has transmitted to his conquerors, that promise 
 to perpetuate his memory. Little children, of whom seldom 
 more than two or three were to be seen in any wigwam, played 
 around him, now and then obtaining a word of notice, while 
 the patient squaws were either engaged in ordinary culinary prep- 
 arations, or, if more than one wife were in the lodge, dividing 
 their labors among themselves, the one cooking, a second mending 
 mocasons or robes, and a third preparing to start with her agri- 
 cultural tools, made of Quohaug shells, (a large kind of clam,) 
 for the maize field. Here and there he could see young men 
 armed with bows and arrows, leaving for the surrounding woods, 
 in pursuit of that game on which was their principal dependance 
 for food. Only one old person did he behold, whence he inferred 
 that their precarious life was unfavorable to longevity. He 
 lounged throughout the whole encampment without interruption, 
 sometimes regarded with a frown, sometimes with a smile, but 
 for the most part treated with indifference. 
 
 The monotony of Indian life affords little to interest during the 
 week spent by Sir Christopher and Arundel among the Taran- 
 teens. It was passed by the latter in daily hunts with some
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 285 
 
 young Taranteens, with whom he had contrived to ingratiate 
 himself, and to whom his gun was no unwelcome assistant in the 
 chase. The Knight had assured him of the absence of all danger 
 from the Indians, but even without such assurance, Arundel 
 would have preferred to encounter some peril rather than submit 
 to the tedium he must otherwise have endured. 
 
 As for Sir Christopher, his preconcerted meeting with Father 
 Le Vieux, and the conversation betwixt them, prove that he had 
 other objects besides the establishment of peace between the 
 English and the Taranteens. The determination of the question 
 of peace or war seemed to be left entirely with the Father. We 
 may consider his remaining in the village was for the purpose of 
 waiting for the announcement of the conclusion to which the 
 Indians, under the direction of the Jesuit priest, should come, 
 and also to arrange their mutual plans ; for, taking advantage 
 of the absence of Arundel, which, as is seen, he encouraged, 
 the Knight had frequent conferences with the priest, the grand 
 object of which was to advance such measures as might 
 obtain the whole of North America for the Catholics, as South 
 America had already been secured. It would seem that, although 
 the Knight had the accomplishment of that result as much at 
 heart as the priest himself, his national pride and patriotism re- 
 lucted at the idea that English colonies should become possessions 
 of the hereditary enemies of his nation. It was to combat this 
 notion, and to satisfy him of his duty, to trample upon it at the 
 foot of the cross, that the arguments of the father were directed. 
 The plan of Sir Christopher was to supplant and overpower the 
 Puritans with English Catholics, which, by the aid of the 
 immense wealth of the Church, and the ability of the enterprising 
 Jesuits, he doubted not might be done, but not to make the colony 
 French. Devoted Catholic as he was, he was unable to renounce 
 his love of country. 
 
 Not so with the father. With the sagacity of a priest, he
 
 286 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 placed no dependence upon any portion of a people whose coun- 
 cils were ruled by Protestants, and with the conceit of a French- 
 man, he had unlimited confidence in la grande nation ; besides, 
 he had been a witness, and partaken of the sufferings of his breth- 
 ren, the French Jesuits, among the savages, and he relied much 
 on a zeal, the superior of which the world has never seen, and 
 which he believed sanctioned by heaven, and in spite of him- 
 self, and try as he might to persuade himself of the contrary, 
 national feeling (as in the case of Sir Christopher) mingled with 
 the aspirations of the religionist. He would, indeed, rather than 
 fail, have courted the Turk himself, on whom he looked with 
 eyes about as favorable as on a Protestant, but he preferred that 
 his own nation, as well as his own order, should monopolize both 
 the glory and the advantages of the achievement. These feelings, 
 secret almost to himself, he carefully kept concealed from Sir 
 Christopher, whom he regretted was not a countryman, and con- 
 fined himself to the religious aspect of the case. No opportunity 
 to remove a doubt, or inflame the zeal of his coadjutor, did he 
 allow to escape. 
 
 " There is but one Church," he said, in one of their conversa- 
 tions, " and only through her sacred portals is the kingdom of 
 heaven to be entered a truth received by every Catholic else, 
 vain and unmeaning was the solemn tradition of the keys to St. 
 Peter. They who are not for her are against her, and must be 
 subdued to obedience by mild means if they will suffice by harsh, 
 if necessary." 
 
 " To these truths I give my entire assent," said the Knight. 
 
 " I doubt it not I doubt it not ; but let all take heed, my son, 
 not to exhaust belief in the shadowy region of theory. Truth 
 should be an armed soldier to step out to deeds." 
 
 " Lord ! strengthen me," said the Knight, humbly. 
 
 " Such," said the father, " is the prayer of every true Catho 
 lie. Forgive me, my son, if, for the refreshing of my own resolu-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 287 
 
 tion, and the strengthening of thy soul, I repeat familiar truths, 
 but which cannot be too often reiterated, or long enough medi- 
 tated upon. Methinks that as I give their vocal sweetness to the 
 air, these old woods do assume a more reverent aspect, and a tide 
 of holier transport streams through my heart. Holy Jesus ! I 
 would have no will ; I would have no mind but thine. Swallow 
 me up in thine ineffable perfections." 
 
 The two crossed themselves at the sacred name, and the Knight 
 softly said, " Amen." 
 
 " But let us be cautious," continued the priest, " not to de- 
 ceive ourselves as do some, who fancy themselves sound, and yet 
 are diseased ; who mix up the suggestions of the carnal under- 
 standing with heavenly promptings. Said tot holy St. Augus- 
 tine, credo quia impossibile est ? There are minds too shallow 
 to perceive the profound wisdom of the maxim, and scoff at it as 
 an absurdity. By God's grace, my son, we are not of the num- 
 ber. We see it ; we feel it. Thanks to the discipline wherewith 
 we have been exercised. Our souls do calmly repose on this truth, 
 and in its strength shall the servants of the church triumph. 
 What is impossible to man, is possible with God." 
 
 " I embrace this truth," said Sir Christopher. 
 
 " Nor when commanded by a superior is it ours to question, in 
 imaginary wisdom, as is the manner of the world, the propriety 
 of the order. As an archangel, commissioned by the Supreme 
 Intelligence to execute his decrees, and pour pestilence or famine 
 upon a land devoted to destruction for its sins, may not say what 
 doest thou, so must not a servant of the Order of Jesus doubt the 
 inspiration of him whom he is bound to obey. Does he so, he is 
 too weak for the post whereunto his presumption has aspired, and 
 false alike to himself and the cause he espoused. Not unto the 
 weak in mind, but to the strong in faith, is committed the cause 
 of the Church." 
 
 " Holy Father," said the Knight, " your words probe the
 
 288 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 secrets of my soul. I do intend, and practice always, perfect 
 obedience to my superior, knowing that whatever is ordered by 
 him whom the ordinance of God, and of our holy Order hath set 
 over me, I may not only perform without sin, but that the same 
 will redound to my salvation ; and yet, in spite of fastings and 
 prayers, do involuntary doubts sometimes creep into my mind, 
 which I hasten to banish, as the whisperings of the devil." 
 
 " They are they are the instigations of Sathanas," said the 
 priest, crossing himself. " O, my son, whenever these tempta- 
 tions occur, remember thy vows and obligations, and betake thy- 
 self more diligently to prayer and penance. But, Sir Christopher, 
 it becomes me not to address thee as a babe in Christ. Though 
 it be thy pleasure to remain in an inferior position, thou hast a 
 mind which soars with the highest in the order, and comprehends 
 the theory and working of our regimen. Upon the divine pat- 
 tern have we modeled our system, and the operation of the same 
 must run parallel therewith. As at the head of the Universe 
 stands the Law-giver and Ruler, so with us ; as obedience to him 
 is order and truth, so with us ; as to accomplish his purposes he 
 makes use of all influences, tempest, lightning, plague, pestilence, 
 the sword, as well as of the breeze of health, the refreshing rain 
 and golden sunshine, now melting with his smile, and now terri- 
 fying with his frown, so do we. Teaches not God by his exam- 
 ple how to govern his world?" 
 
 " Aye, possessed we his wisdom," said the Knight. 
 
 " Doubt not, that if with a holy motive we seek to do his will, 
 He will furnish the wisdom. Blessed unto the children of Israel 
 was their obedience, when hearkening unto Moses, God's vicege- 
 rent to them, they did, stifling all suggestions of infatuated reason 
 which would stamp the deed as a cruelty, put to the edge of the 
 sword thousands of men, women, and children, of the unhappy 
 Canaanites. Who will doubt it right ? And thinkest thou the 
 authority of Moses over a few wild tribes more prevailing, and
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 289 
 
 an act sanctioned by him a temporary guide, more pleasing than 
 one approved by the successors of St. Peter, more solemnly and 
 extensively invested with the divine power, and destined to exist 
 to Ihe end of the world ? If the offending heathen might lawfully 
 be slaughtered at the command of the Jewish leader, it is impious 
 to shrink from sacrifices like those on the altar of St. Barthol- 
 omew, when required by the Vicar of Christ. If by direction of 
 one entitled to give the order, I slay my brother, my motive being 
 obedience, and the promotion of the interests of the Church, the 
 greater is my reward for overcoming the weakness of the flesh, 
 and forcing it, albeit, reluctant, to obey. Emptied of myself I am 
 filled with divine grace. The creature is enabled to be made the 
 sword of the creator. A higher reason, incomprehensible because 
 so high, is substituted for the lower, and the dogma of St. Augus- 
 tine becomes an animating principle and a living power. Try, 
 prove, search, examine thyself, my son, and thou wilt find these 
 doubts do arise from the rebellious reason ever ready to set itself 
 up as God, and to demand the worship which belongs to Him. 
 Each one would be a law unto himself, and hence as many laws 
 as law-givers. Let the reason of man prevail, (an impious 
 thought, and an impossible fact,) and the seamless coat of Christ 
 is rent, a deluge of all manner of heresies and abominations fol- 
 lows, and Zion in sackcloth mourns her blighted hopes. Behold 
 the condition of the world, how it confirms my words !" 
 
 " Father, feeling as well as the unsanctified reason, does at 
 times rebel." 
 
 " Alas, they are conspirators together. How willingly the one 
 echoes the fancies of the other, while they deal out mutual en- 
 couragement! But it needs not to say, to thee at least, that 
 feeling can be no criterion of truth ; or, rather, that the disturb- 
 ance of the faculties, baptized with the name of feeling, and which 
 springs from a corrupt nature, must be hostile thereto. There is 
 in high contemplations on man's duties, but one infallible test of
 
 290 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 truth, viz : the Holy Scriptures, as interpreted by the faithful 
 witness, the Church. To them, my son, the one as the record, and 
 the other as the inspired interpreter, is it our duty, and should be 
 the business of our lives, to bring into subjection the rebellious 
 passions, the fainting weaknesses and erring reason. Inspired 
 by this grand truth, behold thousands of devoted men and women, 
 weak with human infirmity, but sustained by courage from on 
 high, renouncing the dulcet, but transitory enjoyments of this life, 
 to encounter, for the salvation of their souls, and of others, pri- 
 vation and sorrow, and painful death. Qua terra non plena nostri 
 Idboris ? Yet, O how contemptible is the suffering, when com- 
 pared with the joy of the hope which is set before us of the 
 stany crown that awaits the willing martyr ! Feed thy soul, 
 my son, on these divine contemplations, until they become a part 
 of thyself, and the path that leads to a bloody grave shall be 
 strewed with roses. Be the motto of our order forever before 
 thine eyes. From the mystical words in majorem gloriam Dei, 
 shall beam a light brighter and more blessed than that of the 
 sun, for it flows from the throne of the Eternal." 
 
 With suggestions and arguments like these did the enthusiastic 
 father endeavor to animate and confirm the less exalted resolu- 
 tion of his fellow-laborer. Nor were they without an influence. 
 As the thirsty traveller, faint and worn with the toil and heat of 
 the day, drinks of the refreshing spring, and bathes his brow in 
 its cooling waters, and goes strengthened on his way, so did the 
 Knight derive vigor from his words. 
 
 At their last meeting, Father Le Vieux announced the conclu- 
 sion to which he had persuaded the Taranteens. 
 
 " Hostilities at the present time were premature," he said. 
 " The tribes are not sufficiently united to make head, with all the 
 assistance we can afford, against the heretics. We will wait 
 awhile, until the present supposed outrage is followed by another 
 and, in the position and temper of the English, it is inevitable
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 291 
 
 which shall rouse other tribes. Be sure, the Taranteens will 
 not forget. The war-whoop must sound simultaneously, from 
 the Kennebec to the mouth of the Connecticut, or our labor will 
 be worse than lost. Meanwhile, a great advantage has been 
 gained. A gulf is now between the proud Englishman and the 
 Taranteen, over which neither will pass. Your report, then, to 
 them who sent you will be peace. Thus will their confidence in 
 you and your influence be increased." [At the same time the 
 father gave a letter for Sister Celestina.] " Tell her," he con- 
 tinued, " of my admiration of her devotion. Blessed be she 
 among women !" 
 
 Thus they parted, the priest to return to his self-sacrificing 
 labors among the Indians, at no distant period to end in that 
 crown of martyrdom after which his soul panted, and the Knight 
 to his post of observation near the English colony.
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 " So full of passion were his amorous glances, 
 
 So artfully the wicked jade dissembled, 
 So well each sighed ridiculous romances, 
 
 That for them both, I vow, I fairly trembled." 
 
 ANOHYMOUS. 
 
 DURING the absence of the Knight and his young friend, events 
 had occurred which require us to shift the scene of our theatre 
 to Boston and its environs. 
 
 The indefatigable Spikeman continued to prosecute his in- 
 trigues with his accustomed audacity. The evil passion which 
 he had conceived for the pretty Prudence, so far. from being 
 checked by the repulses he received from the wily maiden re- 
 pulses which left room for hope only stimulated to redoubled 
 exertion. He was like a sportsman, whose eagerness in the pursuit 
 of game is only heightened by its shyness and difficulty of cap- 
 ture ; and, with no disparagement of the virtue of the co- 
 quettish girl, it must be admitted that, for the want of something 
 better to exercise her active faculties, (the difficulties of her in- 
 terviews with Philip having increased since his banishment,) she 
 found a mischievous delight in the power she possessed over 
 Spikeman, and in playing off her caprices at his expense. So far, 
 indeed, by her blandishments, had she succeeded in blinding his 
 eyes and subjecting him to her power, that she herself wondered 
 at her success. The path which she was treading was danger-
 
 294 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ous, but her youthful presumption, and the pleasure she derived 
 from the influence which the insane passion of the Assistant gave 
 her over him, stopped her ears to the warnings of prudence and 
 the suggestions of propriety. If Philip Joy, whom with no 
 divided affection she loved in her own way, had known all, he 
 would scarcely have been so contented at the dwelling of Sir 
 Christopher. Yet, as we have seen, did Prudence make no se- 
 cret to Philip of the admiration of Spikeman ; and, after the 
 first conversation in which she disclosed it, had more than once 
 laughed with him at the advances of her antiquated lover. But 
 her disclosures were made in such a manner with such a half- 
 telling of the truth with such a revelation here, and a conceal- 
 ment there, as to provoke more merriment than apprehension. 
 
 Nor, while indulging a feeling which cannot be called love, 
 was Spikeman regardless of his hatreds. He strove by every 
 means to excite distrust and ill-will against Sir Christopher and 
 Arundel. As for the humble Philip, he hardly looked upon him 
 any longer as a rival, such had been the success of the deceitful 
 Prudence. With these preliminary observations, the reader is 
 prepared for what follows. 
 
 It was at the house of the Assistant Spikeman, and there 
 were no persons in the room save himself and Prudence. The 
 door was closed, and the girl was standing with a besom in one 
 hand, while the Assistant, who was seated, had hold of the 
 other, and was looking up into her hazel eyes. He drew her 
 down with a force which was not resisted, and imprinted a kiss 
 on the cheek she half averted. 
 
 "Prudence," he said, " how long shall I languish ? Verily am 
 I as one who longs for the dawn." 
 
 " You do not love me half as much as you pretend," said the 
 girl, still standing by his side, and suffering her hand to be 
 pressed by his. " There is too wide a difference betwixt us, and I 
 am all the time afraid you are only making a fool of me."
 
 295 
 
 " By this palm, softer than the down of the cygnet ; by thy lips, 
 redder than rubies ; by thy diamond eyes, I swear I love the 
 dearer than niy own soul," exclaimed Spikeman. 
 
 " How can you speak of your soul," said Prudence, smiling as 
 she spoke, " when you know you are talking and acting like a 
 wicked man f 
 
 " Canst thou not understand the liberty of the saints ? Is it 
 not written, that to him only who thinketh a thing to be evil, 
 it is evil '? Surely, I have explained all this, even unto 
 weariness?" 
 
 " Aye, it may be so with thee ; but I am no saint. I am 
 afraid I'm doing very wrong." 
 
 " If you thought so," replied the Assistant, gently drawing her 
 down upon his lap, " would you occupy this place ; would a smile 
 beautify those intoxicating lips, and would I read paradise in 
 thine eyes ?" 
 
 Prudence threw her arm round Spikeman's neck, and sunk her 
 face upon his shoulder, as if to evince her tenderness and hide her 
 blushes, but in truth, to conceal a disposition to laugh. 
 
 " I wish," she said, presently raising her head, and looking 
 Spikeman bewitchingly in the face, " I knew whether you really 
 mean what you say ?" 
 
 u Thou art unjust to me, Prudence. Have I not given every 
 possible proof of affection ? What hast thou asked that I have 
 withheld ? Have I not treated thee as the elect lady of my soul ?" 
 
 " Nay, there be some things which you refuse to tell me. I 
 am foolish," she added, forcing some moisture into her eyes ; 
 " but but " 
 
 "But what, O garden of delights?" asked Spikeman, kissing 
 the hypocritical tears away. 
 
 " When you refuse me anything, I think you do not love 
 love me." 
 
 " Ask, and thou wilt be convinced of the contrary."
 
 296 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " I am but a woman," she said, looking at him with a smile 
 so sweet that we almost pardon poor Spikeman his infatuation, 
 " and I feel like dying when I know there is a secret, and cannot 
 get at the bottom of it." 
 
 " What secret ? I understand thee not." 
 
 " If you yourself had not dropped a hint, I had never thought 
 of it ; but it was about this Knight they call Sir Christopher 
 Gardiner, whom Governor Winthrop thinks so much of." 
 
 " We will cure him of that folly. What foolish thing have I 
 said to this girl 1 ?" thought the Assistant. "Prudence," he ad- 
 ded, " this is a matter that cannot concern thee. Thou wouldst 
 not have me speak of secrets of State ?" 
 
 " Said I not right !" exclaimed Prudence, rising, and preparing 
 to leave the room, " that your love was but a pretext ?" How, 
 I want to know, is a secret of State better than any other 1 ? 
 Now, had I given poor Philip half the encouragement which my 
 
 silly fondness for thee O, dear ! " and she put her 
 
 hands up to her eyes. 
 
 " Come," said Spikeman, pursuing and bringing her back, 
 " name not the presumptuous varlet. On one condition I will tell 
 thee, even though it ruin me."" 
 
 " What may that be ?" inquired the girl. 
 
 " I have long solicited an interview where we should not 
 be liable to interruption. Grant me that, and I will conceal 
 nothing." 
 
 " Thou dost grant nothing without a condition. I do not 
 know," she added, tossing her head, " whether I care anything, 
 after all, about this mystery. I dare say there is nothing in it, 
 and, as you say, it concerns me not." * 
 
 " Be not angry, sweet Prudence. Ask, and I will answer all 
 thy questions." 
 
 " You know, too, how much I would do to pleasure you, 
 sighed Prudence. " Ah 1 me, how weak a thing is a woman's 
 heart."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 297 
 
 " Then you will not deny me ? Know then that letters have 
 arrived from England, charging this knight, or pretended knight, 
 with diverse grave offences." 
 
 " And what may they be ?" inquired the girl. 
 
 " He is complained of as a fugitive from justice," answered 
 Spikeman, who meant to communicate no more information than 
 he was obliged to. 
 
 " The sweet, handsome gentleman ! I do not believe he ever 
 harmed any one. But what did he ?" 
 
 " Of that I am not positively informed, not having seen the 
 epistles, they being addressed to private persons." 
 
 " Have they anything against Master Miles, too T' asked Pru- 
 dence. 
 
 " I doubt not that he is the worse of the two, if all were 
 known." 
 
 " These be dreadful lies about the nicest and properest men in 
 the country," cried Prudence. " And what will be done with 
 them when they come back f 
 
 " That I cannot tell ; but be sure we shall find some means of 
 getting rid of them. And now, Prudence " 
 
 "I do not know that I made any promise," she said, archly; 
 " and you have told me very little, after all." 
 
 " I have told thee all I know. Keep now equal good faith with 
 me." 
 
 " It would be very improper," said the girl, turning away her 
 face, " to invite a man to a secret meeting ; but I sometimes wan- 
 der on the edge of the forest to gather wild flowers, and hear the 
 birds sing, and if you should come thither by accident, at the 
 same time, nobody, I suppose, would find fault." 
 
 " But when but when, lovely Prudence ? Ah ! you compre- 
 hend not the longing of my soul." 
 
 " That I cannot say now. I am only a servant girl, and must 
 obey the directions of my mistress, which are often very unreason- 
 able, and order not my time." 
 
 13
 
 298 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Would I were a king, for your sake ! But shall it be soon t" 
 
 " As soon as may be, and I will let you know the time and 
 place." So saying, she broke away from the enamored Spike- 
 man, and ran to acquaint her young mistress with all that had 
 happened. 
 
 The young lady felt seriously alarmed at the communication 
 of her confidante -an alarm increased by the vagueness of the 
 information, as in a dark night the fearful imagination invests 
 with terrors some object, which, in the light of day, proves to be 
 a harmless bush or stump and the two young women consulted 
 together if any thing could be done to avert the threatened dan- 
 ger. They could think of nothing better than to acquaint Arun- 
 del with it, which Prudence took upon herself to do. 
 
 " But how," inquired Eveline, " is it to be done ?" 
 
 " You forget Philip Joy, madam," said Prudence. 
 
 " I might have known better than to distrust your wiles and 
 stratagems, you cunning girl," said her mistress; "but have a 
 care of thyself. I sometimes feel much anxiety on thy account 
 but I forbid this meeting with Master Spikeman." 
 
 " An' it be so," answered the waiting-maid, pouting, " you 
 may find some one . else, Mistress Eveline, to tell you about the 
 plots of the old dragon, who has us in his claws." 
 
 " For shame, thou petulant thing ! yet tell me now all thy 
 design." 
 
 "You tell me not all your thoughts about Master Miles, and 
 why should I acquaint you with mine about my Joe f said Pru- 
 dence, bursting into a laugh. 
 
 " There is some difference, methinks, between the cases have 
 thy way though. I have confidence in thee, Prudence, and be- 
 lieve thee as witty as pretty. Thy own goodness and love for 
 the soldier Joy shall stand by thee like guardian angels, to save 
 from harm. Yet like I not this tampering with anything that 
 looks like evil."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN" MELICE. 299 
 
 The girl knelt down by the side of her mistress, and taking the 
 young lady's hand, laid it on her heart. 
 
 " Thou feelest," she said, " how it beats. Dost understand 
 what it says ?" 
 
 " Methinks it repeats only, Philip, Philip, Philip," said Eve- 
 line, smiling. 
 
 " Where one fillip belongs to him, a great many belong to 
 thee," answered the waiting-maid, affectionately. " It will be 
 time enough to let him have more when I am sure all his are 
 mine." 
 
 The young lady bent down, and, throwing her arms round the 
 maiden's neck, kissed her cheek. 
 
 " What have I done to deserve such affection ?" she murmured. 
 " O, Prudence, thou art a treasure to me ; but be cautious, be 
 cautious, my girl. Not for all the blessings which thy loving 
 heart would heap upon me, would I have the least harm befall 
 thee." 
 
 A few days after, as the summer sun was setting, and his last 
 rays lighting up the tops of the trees into a yellow sheen, and 
 kindling into liquid gold the placid surface of Massachusetts Bay, 
 a female figure was to be seen hovering on the margin of the 
 wood in that neighborhood. In consequence of the inequalities 
 of the ground, and of some intervening bushes and trees, the col- 
 lection of houses that lay along the shore of the bay was not 
 visible from the spot where she was walking, nor was there a 
 path to indicate that it was a place of any resort. It seemed to 
 be a spot well adapted to privacy. No sound was to be heard, 
 save the occasional tap of a woodpecker, or the whirr of the 
 wings of a partridge, as, startled by the approach of the person, 
 he suddenly rose into the air, or the songs of the robins, bidding 
 farewell, in sweet and plaintive notes, to the disappearing sun. 
 The female walked on, stopping now and then to gather a wild 
 flower, until she reached a spring which bubbled at the foot of
 
 300 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 an immense beech tree. It ran a rod or two in a silvery stream 
 from its fountain, and then leaping down a miniature fall into a 
 sort of natural basin, surrounded with rocks, expanded itself into 
 a small pool, as clear as crystal. Around the basin were gath- 
 ered companies of such wood-flowers as love the water, conspicu- 
 ous among which, both for number and beauty, were the yellow 
 and orange blossoms of the elegant " jewels," as boys call them. 
 Advancing to this little mirror, the female took a seat on one of the 
 rocks, on the edge of the water, and bending over, appeared to 
 contemplate, with no little satisfaction, what she beheld there ; 
 and to tell the truth, it was a pretty face, and justified some 
 vanity. Black hair and hazle eyes, red lips and blooming cheeks, 
 and a well-formed person, composed a whole whereon the eye 
 rested with pleasure. Prudence, (you have guessed it was she,) 
 after looking at the reflection of herself awhile, and smoothing 
 down a stray tr.ess or two, selected from the flowers in her hand 
 some of the most beautiful, and humming a tune, commenced 
 arranging them in her hair. She was some little time about her 
 toilette, either because her taste was difficult to be suited, or be- 
 cause her employment afforded an excuse for looking at what 
 was certainly more attractive than the flowers themselves. She 
 was so long about their arrangement, that she had hardly com- 
 pleted it, and had time to twist her neck into only five or six 
 attitudes, to see how they became her, when a rustling was heard 
 in the bushes, and immediately the Assistant Spikeman stood by 
 her side. 
 
 "Verily, sweet maiden," he said, "'thine eyes outshine the 
 stars, which will soon twinkle in the sky, and the flowers around 
 thee'pine with envy at beholding a blush lovelier than their own." 
 
 A sudden and unpleasant interruption put a stop to the fine 
 speeches of the debauched hypocrite, for he had hardly concluded 
 the sentence, when, without a warning, a strong hand grasped his 
 throat, and he was hurled with irresistible violence to the ground.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 301 
 
 As the Assistant was lying prostrate on his face, he could hear 
 Prudence, with screams, each fainter than the former, running in 
 the direction of the settlement, while, without a word being spo- 
 ken, his arms were violently forced upon bis back and bound, an 
 operation which his struggles were unable to prevent. This be- 
 ing performed, he was suffered to rise, and, upon gaining his feet, 
 he saw himself in the presence of Sassacus. The blood fled tlje 
 cheeks and lips of Spikeman as he beheld the savage, and felt 
 that he was in the hands of one whom, without cause, he had 
 injured, and who belonged to that wild race, with whom revenge 
 is a duty as well as a pleasure. His knees trembled, and he was 
 in danger of falling to the ground, as the thought of death, whereof 
 horrid torments should be the pi'ecursors, flashed through his 
 mind. But the trepidation was only momentary, and soon, with 
 the hardihood of his audacious nature, he steeled himself to dare 
 whatever should follow and it marks the character of the man, 
 that the bitterness of the moment was aggravated at the thought 
 of the vanishing of the fond dreams with which he had idly fed 
 his imagination. 
 
 His captor called out in his own language, and presently 
 another Indian came running up. A few words passed between 
 them, when the latter stepping forward, Sassacus made a motion 
 to Spikeman to follow, placing himself at the same time in the 
 rear. Resistance would have been unavailing, and could serve 
 no other purpose than to rouse the passions of the Indians, and 
 invite immediate injury. Something might yet happen to his 
 advantage. He might be rescued, or effect his escape, or the 
 chapter of accidents might have something else favorable, he 
 knew not what, in store. The Assistant, therefore, quietly sub- 
 mitted, and followed as ordered. 
 
 Their course lay directly through the densest portions of the 
 forest, and as the rapidity of their progress was impeded by the 
 constrained position of the captive's arms, Sassacus, as if in con-
 
 302 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 tempt of any effort to escape, cut the ligatures with the knife 
 that hung at his neck, intimating the motive at the same time by 
 an acceleration of speed. As Spikeman was thus hurried along, 
 his thoughts went after Prudence, and he wondered what had 
 become of her. Notwithstanding his own peril, he felt (and it 
 proves the deep interest he cherished for the girl) a melancholy 
 pleasure in the hope that she had escaped, not that even though 
 she had fallen into the hands of the savages, he would have en- 
 tertained fears for her life, but she might have been doomed to a 
 hopeless captivity, far away from friends, whom she was never to 
 see again, and condemned, in some distant wigwam, to exchange 
 the comforts of civilization for a wild life, which, to her, could 
 bring only wretchedness. Bad as was Spikeman, and lamentable 
 as might be his infatuation for the girl, there was even in that, 
 something which redeemed it from being utter evil. 
 
 Daylight had now faded entirely away, but the Indians abated 
 not their speed, and pursued their course in a straight line, as 
 though guided by an infallible instinct. In this manner they 
 proceeded for nearly two hours, and, at the expiration of the 
 time, arrived at a collection of three or four lodges of the rudest 
 structure. Several of the natives were lying on the ground, 
 smoking their pipes, but they took no other notice of the new- 
 comers than looking at them as they came up. Sassacus led 
 the way into the largest wigwam, and, having directed his prisoner 
 to sit down, left the cabin. 
 
 Spikeman knew well enough that, with all this seeming inat- 
 tention, he was vigilantly watched, yet could he not forbear from 
 walking to the entrance, looking around at the same time, if, by 
 chance, he might espy a weapon. He saw none, however, and 
 two stout Indians made motions to him to return. Meditating 
 on his situation, and casting about in his mind for expedients, 
 either to evade his captors or to change the resolution of the Pe- 
 quot chief, which, he doubted not, aimed at his life, he resumed
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 303 
 
 his seat. He was unable to remain more than a few moments 
 in quiet, and presently again approached the opening, and this 
 time beheld a sight which curdled his blood. 
 
 It was a stake driven into the ground, at a distance of not 
 more than a rod from where he stood, around which several In- 
 dians were heaping up faggots of dry sticks and broken branches. 
 Spikeman shuddered, and tasted, in almost as lively a manner as 
 if he were already experiencing them, the agonies that awaited 
 him, for he could not doubt that the preparations were made on 
 his account. The conduct of his keepers, therefore, was unneces- 
 sary, who pointed first to the pile, and then to himself, intimating 
 thereby that one was designed for the other. The effect pro- 
 duced on him was such that he could hardly restrain himself 
 from attempting to burst through his guards, either by some mir- 
 acle to get free, or to obtain an easier death from the tomahawk 
 or arrow. But in all the horrors of these dreadful moments, the 
 mind of Spikeman remained as clear as ever, and he saw plainly 
 the impossibility of evasion, and the folly of supposing that the 
 Indians would be tempted to throw a tomahawk, or discharge an 
 arrow against an unarmed man, whereby they might rob them- 
 selves of the fiendish pleasure they anticipated besides, thought 
 the miserable Spikeman, I should be more likely to receive the 
 stroke of death when their passions are excited, than at present ; 
 and with a desperate calmness, and striving to defy the worst, he 
 awaited what should happen.
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 These the sole accents from his tongue that fell, 
 But volumes lurked below that fierce farewell. 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 WHEN Sassacus left Spikeman, it was only to step into a lodge 
 not half a dozen rods distant. Though smaller than the one into 
 which the prisoner had been introduced, it was superior in com- 
 fort, as was, indeed, to be expected, being that of the Sagamore 
 himself. Here he found the soldier, Philip Joy. 
 
 " "What means this, Sassacus ?" exclaimed the soldier, as the 
 Pequot entered. " Was it not our covenant that the life of the 
 white man should be spared ?" 
 
 " My brother did not mean what he said when he asked that 
 his enemy might be permitted to run away. Who, when he 
 catches a wolf, says, ' Wolf, Indian set the trap only to see 
 whether it would hold fast your leg?. The wise hunter talks 
 not so, but strikes the wolf on the head.' " 
 
 " Sassacus," said Joy, " this may not be. If you had caught 
 Master Spikeman, by your own cunning, it might have been dif" 
 ferent ; but it was the white girl and I who devised the scheme, 
 and I told you where to place the ambuscade, which has been 
 successful. Were you to murder this man, the guilt would rest 
 more on Prudence and me than on you, whose savage and un- 
 Christian notions may partly excuse so dreadful an act." 
 
 13*
 
 306 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " My brother's heart is soft, like moss, but the heart of Sassacus 
 is a stone. My brother must learn to harden his heart, and he 
 shall soon behold a punishment becoming a great Sagamore. My 
 brother thinks and feels like a Christian. Good ! but he must 
 let Sassacus feel like an Indian." 
 
 " Let him go," said Joy, " and he shall pay you store of wam- 
 pompeag and colored cloth. Of what use can it be to you to 
 put him to a horrid death ?" 
 
 " Wampompeag and colored cloth are good, but Sassacus is a 
 great chief, and they cannot make him forget an injury. Before 
 the white men came, his ancestors punished and rewarded, and 
 he will not surrender the prerogative of his family." 
 
 " By the bones of my father," swore the soldier, " I will not 
 permit this cold-blooded murder. Hated I him ten-fold more 
 than I do, I would defend his life at the hazard of my own. 
 Where is my gun?" he demanded fiercely, seeking after it. 
 " Who has dared to remove it ?" 
 
 " Sassacus took it away, that his brother might do no mischief 
 with it," said the Pequot. 
 
 " False Indian !" exclaimed the soldier, passionately ; " call 
 me not again your brother. I will have nothing to do with one 
 whose promises cannot bind, and who loves revenge more than 
 honor." 
 
 " Sassacus never breaks his word, but, if he did, it would be 
 only imitating the white men. Would my brother speak to my 
 prisoner, whom, at this moment, he loves more than the justice 
 of an Indian ?" 
 
 " Why should I speak to him, when I should hear only 
 curses?" 
 
 " Then remain here to behold the punishment of the bad white 
 man." 
 
 He strode out of the lodge, while the soldier, burning with 
 indignation, disposed himself so that, unseen, he might notice all
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDKN MELICE. 307 
 
 that was done, and determined, unarmed as he was, to inter- 
 pose. 
 
 Presently Sassacus re-appeared, emerging from the larger lodge, 
 followed by the Assistant, whose arms were bound again, and 
 who was conducted by two savages, holding him by either arm. 
 They led him straight to the pile around the stake, which the 
 Chief ordered to be lighted, and whose billowy flames were kept 
 rolling up by additions, from time to time, of the dry wood which 
 lay in abundance around. Seated on a log not far from the fire, 
 whose heat might indeed be felt, Sassacus commanded his prisoner 
 to be brought before him. 
 
 " Bad white man," he said, " look on yon flames ! Are they like 
 that hell which thy powaws say is prepared for such as thouf 
 
 Spikeman turned his ghastly face away from the blaze, with a 
 shudder, but he said nothing. 
 
 " The white man is silent," said Sassacus. " He acknowledges 
 the justice of his doom. Lead him to the fire." 
 
 Spikeman, notwithstanding the horror of his situation, suc- 
 ceeded in a measure in concealing his feelings, and, affecting an 
 indifference to his fate, advanced a few steps with the two In- 
 dians, who held his arms, when, suddenly making a violent 
 effort, he burst the withes with which he was carelessly bound, 
 and, throwing them both off, started to run. The oppor- 
 tunity had probably been given purposely by the savages, for 
 their diversion, and in order to protract the terrors of the cap- 
 tive, and knowing that flight was impossible. But, blinded by 
 the glare of the fire, Spikeman remarked not a trunk of a tree in 
 his path, and, stumbling over it, fell to the ground, bruised and 
 torn, and before he could rise, found himself again held fast. Curs- 
 ing his ill luck, he made no further resistance, but sullenly suffered 
 himself to be led back. Philip Joy, on seeing Spikeman break 
 away, started from his place of concealment ; so that the two 
 were confronted on the latter's return. The sight of Philip
 
 308 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 awoke a hope in Spikeman's bosom, who begged him to intercede 
 with the savage. 
 
 " I have done so already," answered Philip ; " but he will not 
 listen to me, and has deprived me of my arms." 
 
 " Speak to him again he will regard what you say. Save 
 my life, and I will make recompense a thousandfold for any 
 wrong I have done you or him." 
 
 The Pequot, smiling, stood by, quietly listening to the colloquy, 
 and before Philip could address him, said : 
 
 " Did Sassacus promise his white brother to let the dog 
 (pointing to Spikeman) run away 1" 
 
 " You did ; but care no more for your word than if you were 
 no chief." 
 
 " My brother's, is a pappoos speech. Sassacus never broke his 
 word ; he only tried whether the dog was as brave as he was 
 bad. White man," he added, turning to the Assistant, " thou art 
 free. A great chief disdains to give thee the death of a warrior. 
 Go back to thy people, and tell them what return the Sagamore 
 of the Pequots makes for thy breach of hospitality. His promise 
 to his brother saves thy life this time. But, beware ! A Saga- 
 more does not forget. Be a snail that keeps its head within its 
 shell. If the snail puts it out, Sassacus will step upon it. 
 Depart." 
 
 He gave directions to a couple of his sanops to conduct the As- 
 sistant to the verge of the forest, and, turning away, walked to 
 his lodge. He was followed by Philip, who had now recovered 
 from his amazement, and, understanding the conduct of the chief, 
 felt ashamed at his own want of discernment and distrust. 
 
 " Is my brother satisfied?" inquired the Pequot. 
 
 " Sagamore," answered Philip, " I wronged thee. It shall be 
 a lesson to make me more cautious in judging of thy actions." 
 
 " It is well. My brother will hereafter remember that the 
 thoughts of a chief do not always shine in his face or sound in
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 309 
 
 his words. My brother will forgive me," he added, smiling, " for 
 shutting his eyes a little while very tight. It was that my bro- 
 ther might be the more pleased when he opened them." 
 
 " A trusty friend" this Indian, after all, in his way, (thought 
 Philip, as he gazed on the face of the Pequot, which had set- 
 tled into its usual gravity), and loves a jest, too. Who would 
 have thought it? Methinks he has the better of it with Master 
 Spikeman, though I misdoubt if he considers the score as 
 settled." 
 
 As for the Assistant, thus suddenly and unexpectedly re- 
 prieved from a shocking death that seemed certain, he was stu- 
 pified at the abrupt change in his circumstances, and, as he 
 hurried on, half doubted whether it were not a dream. As he 
 threaded the intricacies of the wood, he had time to compare and 
 weigh events, and was thus enabled to come to some sort of con- 
 clusion. Pie recolleoted now many little things in the conduct 
 of Prudence, which would have opened the eyes of any one not 
 blinded by an absurd passion, and saw how, while seeming not 
 averse to his pursuit, she had, in fact, only tempted on from one 
 folly to another, until his whole being lay disclosed to her, with- 
 out herself making any corresponding return. He doubted not 
 that she had been all the time in correspondence with Joy, and 
 with him had concerted the plan whereby he had been betrayed 
 into the hands of the savage, to be outraged and mocked, and 
 made to suffer all but the bitterness of death. He gnashed his 
 teeth with rage as these reflections stormed through his mind, 
 and, far from being grateful for his deliverance, resolved to exert 
 the whole force and subtlety of which he was capable, to revenge 
 himself on his tormentors. The fire of his indignation burnt not 
 so fiercely against the Pequot, yet he, too, was embraced in the 
 schemes for vengeance, for Spikeman fully comprehended, from 
 his parting words, that the enmity betwixt them could be satis- 
 fied only by the destruction of one or both. Turning all these
 
 310 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 things over in his mind, he quickly formed a plan, which he 
 determined to put as soon as possible into execution. 
 
 The dawn broke before his guides left the Assistant ; but it 
 was too early to venture to return home, instead of which, 
 he sought his store-house, and there passed, meantime, awhile, 
 brooding over schemes of revenge. Of himself he was pow- 
 erless ; it was therefore necessary to set other forces at work, 
 and, in the letters which had been received reflecting on the 
 character of the Knight, he thought he saw the means of driving, 
 not only him, but Arundel also, out of the colony ; and they be- 
 ing once removed, he trusted to his ingenuity to rid himself of the 
 simple soldier and the Indian. The political power of the colony, 
 in short, was to be compelled to effect his private designs. This, 
 in the condition of the little State, was no difficult enterprise. In 
 a strange land, hemmed in by savages, whose power they were 
 unable to estimate with any degree of certainty, and who, how- 
 ever contemptible singly, were formidable by reason of their 
 number upon whose friendship they could never securely rely 
 on the eve of a war, probably, with the Taranteens distrustful 
 of even some of their own people, who murmured at the severity 
 of the discipline they were subjected to the government felt that 
 they had need of all the eyes of Argus, and of as many ears, to 
 guard against the dangers by which they were beset. They were 
 like, in one respect, to the timorous rabbit, snuffing the faintest 
 hint of danger in the breeze ; but unlike him in that, they sought 
 safety, not in avoiding, but in anticipating and confronting 
 danger. 
 
 " Dear life !" cried Dame Spikeman, as the haggard face of her 
 husband presented itself in the morning, " where hast thou been 
 all the night ? You look mightily cast down, and O Lord ! 
 Heaven forgive me ! you have a wound on the side of your 
 head. Husband, what is the matter ?" 
 
 " Why, dame," answered the Assistant, "is it a new thing for
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 311 
 
 * 
 
 me to be absent one night ? Bethink thee how often my occa- 
 sions call me to the plantation ?" 
 
 " Out upon the weariful plantation ! O, sweatheart !" said 
 the jealous but fond wife, " I like not these absences. But, how 
 got you this hurt ?" she inquired, parting his hair on the temple, 
 and exposing the dried blood. 
 
 " It is only a scratch I received in the forest, and hardly worthy 
 thy notice, dame. But where is Mistress Eveline? and I see not 
 Prudence ?" 
 
 " The young lady is still in her chamber, and, as for the wait- 
 ing maid, I heard her but five minutes since singing away as if 
 there were no music in the world but her own. Truly, it 
 sounded more like a snatch from some profane ballad than a godly 
 hymn. I will tutor her about this levity. Now do not be angry, 
 dear life," added the dame, whose heart was made more tender, 
 and her tongue more communicative, by the anxieties she had 
 suffered during the night, on her husband's account ; " but I 
 have fancied that you looked at the girl oftener, sometimes, than 
 was becoming in a man who had a wedded wife who never said 
 him nay." 
 
 " Fie, Dame," said the Assistant, laughing, and pinching, and 
 kissing her still tempting cheek ; " what crazy fancies be these ? 
 Consider my years, and profession, and dignity, and, most of all, 
 my love for thee. Why, this is very midsummer madness." 
 
 "I suppose I am foolish," replied the dame, wiping a tear 
 away, " but I feared, lest the girl might derive some encourage- 
 ment from it, though otherwise, Prudence is a good lass, and obe- 
 dient, and I have no other fault to find with her ; but I recollect 
 now, when I was a girl, how I did feel when you came near me, 
 and I have not got over all these feelings yet, nor do I choose 
 that Prudence should have them. So, dear husband, it were safer 
 for the girl that you should look oftener at me, and less at her." 
 
 " My good, and faithful, and loving wife !" exclaimed the As-
 
 312 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN HELICE. 
 
 sistant, enclosing her in his arms, and feeling something like com- 
 punction at the moment, " you deserve a better mate. But 
 trouble not thyself with such misgivings. Do not this wrong, 
 sweet, to thine own charms, and to my profession and station, as 
 one of the congregation and a magistrate." 
 
 " Nay," answered the pleased wife, " I distrusted thee not so 
 much as the presumption of the damsel ; and if the devil goes 
 about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, as we 
 know he does, from the precious book, what place is more likely 
 for him to be in than these awful woods, filled with red heathens, 
 whom I take to be little better than his children ; and whom 
 would he sooner devour, than a pretty maiden like Prudence ?" 
 
 " Enough of this, dame," said the Assistant, with difficulty 
 suppressing a smile at his help-meet's simplicity. " Bethink thee, 
 that though thy loving words are a feast to the spirit, the body 
 requires more substantial fare ?" 
 
 " True, and you shall have it forthwith, although, you wicked 
 man, I did sleep hardly a wink for thinking of thee." So saying, 
 the dame hurried off to hasten the morning meal. 
 
 The Assistant watched the countenances of Eveline and her 
 attendant that morning at breakfast, and, in spite of the efforts 
 of the former to appear unconstrained, and the demureness of the 
 latter, detected, he thought, sufficient to justify his suspicions. 
 He doubted not that the girl had betrayed his weakness to her 
 young mistress, and that all along he had been a laughing-stock 
 for both. " I will teach them," he said to himself, as he reflected 
 with bitterness on his failure, " how to offend one who has the 
 power and the will to crush them. The banishment of her min- 
 ion, who, a love-sick swain, has followed her across the sea, 
 only to be sent back a disappointed fool, will answer for my 
 young lady ; and as for the girl, the slitting of Joy's ears and 
 nose, and an acquaintance of her own pretty feet with the stocks, 
 will suffice. It shall not be said that the sword of the magistrate 
 was put into my hands in vain."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 3 13 
 
 While the Assistant was busying his brain with machinations 
 like these, the opportune arrival of another ship from London, with 
 letters to himself, containing accusations against Sir Christopher 
 Gardiner, filled his heart with joy, and furnished additional means 
 to facilitate his purpose. Without delay, he took them to Win- 
 throp, and demanded a private audience. After reading the let- 
 ters received by Spikeman, the Governor opened his desk, and 
 handed to his councillor others addressed to himself, and which 
 had arrived by the same opportunity. Greedily did the Assistant 
 devour their contents, and unbounded, though concealed, was his 
 joy at finding them in one particular of the same purport as his 
 own. His face, however, was sad, and his voice mournful, as, 
 returning the epistles, he said 
 
 " A grievous thing is it, that hypocrisy, so finished, should walk 
 the earth. It is a day of rebuke and of scandal to us, as magis- 
 trates, that we should be so deceived." 
 
 4< I am not altogether convinced," said Winthrop, who, steady 
 in his friendships, and prepossessed from the beginning in favor 
 of the Knight, was loth to think evil of him, " that these charges 
 are true. My own letters mention them only as reports thine 
 speak of them more positively. Vouch you for the truth of your 
 correspondent V' 
 
 " There is no man more truthful," answered Spikeman, who, 
 had it been necessary, would have been a guaranty for Beelzebub 
 himself. " I have known him long. He has never deceived me, 
 nor can I imagine motive therefor now." 
 
 " So fair, and yet so false !" murmured Winthrop; "and yet 
 we know that the evil one appears sometimes as an angel of light. 
 I will not trust in human appearance more. What shall be done 
 with him on his return "?" 
 
 " Let him be sent out of the colony, and they who are leagued 
 in his plots with him," said Spikeman. " I understand now the 
 wonderful eagerness of Master Arundel to be joined with him in
 
 314 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 this embassy. Birds of a feather, says the proverb, do fly with 
 greatest joy together. Out upon this false Knight, for his pre- 
 tended lore of retirement ; upon his leman, this lady Geraldine, 
 forsooth ; and this squire of dames, Master Miles Arundel, whose 
 counterfeited affection for my ward may be only another cloak 
 for most pernicious plots." 
 
 " Thou art becoming suspicious of all the world, Master Spike- 
 man," said Winthrop, smiling. 
 
 " And is it not time to be suspicious, when those who have 
 been honored with the confidence of our government, and to 
 whom we have entrusted an important matter, are discovered to 
 be no better than landlaufers and conspirators T' 
 K" Dost distrust the good faith of the Knight in his embassy ?" 
 inquired the Governor. 
 
 " A bitter fountain cannot send forth sweet water, and should 
 even the undertaking of this false Knight be successful in appear- 
 ance, would not my suspicion be quieted." 
 
 " Come, Master Spikeman, remember that you may be called 
 to sit as a j udge on the fate of this gentleman, and that it becomes 
 men in our positions to keep the mind free from injurious pre- 
 possessions, for only thus may justice, which is a ray from the 
 effulgent countenance of Him who sits on the circle of the hea- 
 vens, be attained." 
 
 " This is no private matter of mine own," answered the As- 
 sistant, " but a thing of public concernment ; and I humbly trust, 
 should ever my voice be demanded in its decision, that it will be 
 raised to the glory of God, and the advancement of the interests 
 of the colony which he has planted. But I should consider 
 myself derelict to duty, and unworthy of the trust committed to 
 me, were I to hold back my honest judgment, in view of the evi- 
 dence now before me, subject to such modification as further ex- 
 amination may give rise to, especially when that judgment is 
 asked for by the honored head of our oppressed Israel."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 315 
 
 " It is my purpose," said Winthi'op, rising, wherein he was 
 imitated by the other, " to call together, this evening, at this 
 place, for the due consideration of this subject, such of the As- 
 sistants as may be here present in Boston, and to advise with 
 them thereupon, when and where I shall hope to be favored with 
 the presence and counsel of my friend, whose zeal is never slack 
 in aught that may redound to the welfare of the Commonwealth." 
 
 " My presence, God willing, may be depended on, worshipful 
 sir," answered Spikeman. 
 
 A meeting of the Assistants was accordingly held at the house 
 of the Governor the same evening, and the subject of the letters 
 received from England, and the course to be pursued in view of 
 their contents, considered in all their aspects. No great diversity 
 of opinion prevailed in respect to the necessity of caution, in re- 
 posing any further confidence in Sir Christopher ; but as for the 
 proceedings to be adopted on his return, there was a considerable 
 difference of sentiment. The more moderate, and least preju- 
 diced against the Knight, at the head of whom was Winthrop, 
 advised that he should be received with all honor, and the 
 charges laid privately before him, in the first instance, and an 
 opportunity afforded him to refute them. This they urged was 
 the more just and honorable mode, inasmuch as the accusations 
 came not before them invested with any judicial authority. But 
 an opposite party, headed by Spikeman, strenuously insisted on 
 another course. They contended, that in a matter of the kind, 
 severity, and even what might look like precipitation, was better 
 than a slackness, which might defeat their object. They pressed 
 the point, that such was the number of letters received (some of 
 them by private persons) reflecting on the character of Sir Chris- 
 topher, it was impossible the information they contained should be 
 concealed from the public, and that, consequently, even before 
 the return of the Knight, news of it would reach his house. 
 This, they said, would put the false Lady Geraldine on her
 
 816 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 guard, and afford opportunity to destroy papers, or whatever 
 else might be in existence to inculpate the Knight. It was, there- 
 fore, their opinion, that the lady, with whatever might be found 
 in the house to assist their judgment, should be instantly seized, 
 and such other measures taken as to insure the arrest of Sir 
 Christopher. There was, however, too much nobleness of feel- 
 ing in a majority of the Council to relish invading the privacy 
 of a female, on mere suspicion, while her protector was absent, 
 engaged in business of the State. Winthrop looked displeased at 
 the suggestion, and even the brow of the rough Dudley was cor- 
 rugated into a haughty frown. As usually happens between 
 differing opinions, a half measure was resolved upon, which satis- 
 fied neither party. It was to keep so strict a watch, that the 
 moment of Sir Christopher's return should be known, and a file 
 of armed men despatched by night, who should serve partly as a 
 guard of honor, and partly as a restraint upon the person, to 
 escort him to Boston. At the same time, with apologies for its 
 necessity, his books and papers were to be secured, and the lady 
 brought in all honor with him. This was the plan, should the 
 Knight visit his house before coming to Boston ; but if he arrived 
 at the settlement first, he was to be detained and examined, after 
 an account of his mission had been received.
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 " The flying rumors gathered as they rolled ; 
 Scarce any tale was sooner heard than told ; 
 And all who told it added something new, 
 And all who heard it made enlargement too ; 
 In every ear it spread on every tongue it grew." 
 
 POPI'S " Temple of Fame." 
 
 IGNORANT, of course, of the events which had occurred during 
 his absence, the Knight started from the Indian village in high 
 spirits, as it appeared to Arundel, at the success of his embassy. 
 
 " These savages are more placable than I anticipated," said 
 Sir Christopher, " for it must be admitted that, in appearance at 
 least, they have cause for grievous resentment. One might 
 almost suspect that, since their late defiance, a suspicion of the 
 truth had somehow penetrated their untutored minds. At any 
 rate, no war-whoop will be heard for the present, and we have 
 been received and treated with all courtesy." 
 
 " A gentler race of wild chivalry," said the young man, " doth 
 surely nowhere exist. Their free and careless lives make me 
 more than ever in love with nature, and long shall I remember 
 the noble Taranteens with pleasure." 
 
 "Admired you them enough to cast in your lot with them," 
 said the Knight, with a smile, " I doubt not that you might 
 become a king over regions as extensive as those which owe alle- 
 giance to the sceptre of our gracious monarch, Charles."
 
 318 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " My admiration soars not to that height ; yet, to my ima- 
 gination, is there something delightful in the condition of these 
 children of nature, thoughtful only of to-day, and careless of to- 
 morrow, when compared with that of the painful delvers of 
 civilization. The former are birds flying freely in the air ; the 
 latter, poultry scratching in a barn-yard." 
 
 Sir Chri>topher laughed good naturedly at the sally of his 
 friend. " Verily," he said, " were it not for thy mistress, I do 
 believe thou hadst remained amongst the Taranteens. Unfortu- 
 nate for them is it that civilization has an ally in love. Were 
 this life all," he added, gravely, his whole manner changing, 
 " there were some reason in what yow say. It were wisdom, then, 
 to sport like insects in sunbeams to sink at night into dreamless 
 sleep. But such is not man's destiny. What infinite concern- 
 ments hang on the present moment ! How imperative and 
 urgent is our duty to wean these poor heathen from their wild 
 ways and false creed, that they may be rescued from the in- 
 tolerable perdition that awaits all who are not of Holy 
 Church." 
 
 " It surely is a lamentable future for the poor creatures," said 
 the young man ; " and yet I suppose it must be so, because the 
 learned of all creeds, which call themselves Christian, do agree 
 therein. Ah, me ! poor Sassacus !" 
 
 " I opine," said the gentle Knight, " that the flames of hell 
 will be tempered to such poor wretches, in consideration of their 
 ignorance." 
 
 " It is horrible to think of," said Arundel, shuddering ; and, as 
 if desirous to change the subject, he inquired, " May I ask, with- 
 out offence, after the country of Sassacus f 
 
 " Assuredly you may. It is some hundred miles lo the south of 
 Boston the principal villages of the Pequots being on a river of 
 the same name, and on a lesser stream called the Mystic, and 
 along the reverberating shores of the Atlantic. It is a pleasant
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 319 
 
 land of bright waters, and fair valleys, and towering hills, fit to 
 produce a race of hardy warriors." 
 
 " Hast thou visited it thyself?" 
 
 " Once, on a hunting expedition, did I wander thus far, and 
 partake of the hospitality of the Pequot Chief, who, in return, 
 was prevailed upon to visit my poor quarters." 
 
 " I wonder what induces the noble savage to linger so long 
 about Massachusetts Bay, after having made his visit to you, and 
 confess to some apprehensions on his account." 
 
 " Have no fear on that score," said the Knight, cheerfully. 
 " Sassacus is prudent as well as brave, and,as you saw on the 
 night when he was attacked by the Taranteens, has some of his 
 men with him ; besides, the Aberginians are at peace with his 
 tribe." 
 
 " It is only the ingenious malice of the Assistant Spikeman 
 that I dread." 
 
 " Be assured, also, on that head. He will not venture into 
 Boston during our absence, and will so carefully keep out of the 
 way as to allow no opportunity for violence." 
 
 How mistaken was the Knight, is already known ; but the 
 most consummate tact and profoundest wisdom are not able to 
 guard against every possible emergency. 
 
 With conversations of this kind did the two companions be- 
 guile the way, on their journey homeward, which occupied some- 
 what less time than it took to reach the Indian village. It was 
 early in the morning that is to say, the sun had just risen 
 when they stood on the edge of the clearing within which stood 
 the Knight's habitation. Here they were met by an Indian, who, 
 to Sir Christopher's inquiry if all was well, answered, senten- 
 tiously, " All well." On arriving at the house, they found the 
 soldier, Philip, who manifested his joy at seeing them again in a 
 manner contrasting somewhat with that of the phlegmatic 
 native.
 
 820 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICB. 
 
 After the demonstrations of welcome, Philip said, " 1 know 
 not, Sir Christopher, whether you have not got away from one 
 danger, only to fall into another. According to my thinking, a 
 man of any spirit may better trust himself with the salvages, 
 whom I find nice, reasonable people enough, who will not inter- 
 fere with him if he will let them alone, than with the meddle- 
 some, crop-eared knaves down on the Bay." 
 
 " Remember in whose presence you are speaking, Philip," said 
 the Knight, " and that it becomes not me to hear those whose 
 ambassador I am, evil spoken of." 
 
 " I crave pardonj" said Philip ; " but, if all tales be true, they 
 deserve no such forbearance. It was out of no friendship, they 
 sent you to be murdered by them Taranteens, nor will they fire 
 a culverin at your return." 
 
 " Out with thy news, at once," cried the impatient Arundel, 
 " nor stand there hanging fire, like a musket when the priming is 
 wet. What hast to tell ?" 
 
 " 111 news, Master Arundel, folk say can travel a mile, while 
 good is putting on his boots ; but you seem not to be contented 
 with its haste. Nay," added Philip, noticing that the Knight 
 began to show impatience, " an' you will have it. It is little less 
 than treason, I fear, they are charging against Sir Christopher. 
 It is a kind of Guy-Fawks plot they are accusing him of hatch- 
 ing that is to say, that he means to make himself king of both 
 colonies." 
 
 " Is that all, Philip," said the Knight, laughing. " By our 
 lady, I have heard worse stories about myself many a time, since 
 I lived in these woods." 
 
 " I tell thee, Sir Christopher," said the soldier, earnestly, 
 " this is no laughing matter. If I were in thy place, I would 
 either fall back on Sassacus and his tribe of Pequots, or gather 
 me forthwith a few hundred salvages, under arms, if you mean to 
 stand your ground. It is true, bows and arrows are beggarly
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 321 
 
 things against muskets, in a fight at arms-length, but at close 
 quarters, knives and tomahawks can do somewhat." 
 
 " But, good Philip," said the Knight, " thy words convey little 
 information. Canst not be more precise?" 
 
 " All I know," said the soldier, " is, that they say the trouble 
 comes from certain letters which have just arrived from England, 
 charging you, Sir Christopher, with I know not what horrid 
 crimes. The person who told me was sure they were very bad ; 
 but what they were, knew, forsooth, no better than I." 
 
 " Perhaps the Lady Geraldine will be able to clear up the 
 mystery," said the Knight to Arundel. " Let us dismiss all 
 thought of it for the present. There will be time enough here- 
 after to disquiet ourselves." 
 
 " And I will hie me presently," said Arundel, " to Boston, to 
 inform the Governor of your arrival, and to discover, if that be 
 possible, what means the nonsense that has taken possession of 
 Philip, unless Lady Geraldine can explain it, which will save me 
 the trouble. Is it your pleasure to accompany me, or remain 
 you later t" 
 
 " I have some trifling duties to attend to," answered Sir Chris- 
 topher, " and shall remain. It will be enough for thee, with all 
 convenient dispatch, to inform him of the successful issue of our 
 mission." 
 
 They now entered the house together, and the Knight went 
 immediately to seek the lady. He was absent but a short time, 
 and, on his return, stated that the only information she had was 
 derived from the soldier. " She bade me say," he added, "that 
 her prayers have been earnest on thy behalf, and that she wel- 
 comes thee again to thy friends." 
 
 The young man, (who, meanwhile, had been listening to a 
 communication from Philip,) as was meet, returned thanks, and 
 desired his dutiful service to be presented to the lady. 
 
 Upon parting, Sir Christopher instructed him respecting his 
 message. 14
 
 324 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " What magnificent results do flow from seemingly insignificant 
 causes !" said Sir Christopher. " A spark shall light a confla- 
 gration of a mighty city; an acorn shall bear an oak to waft 
 armies over oceans to conquest ; and the conversion of a child 
 to the true faith may change the destinies of nations. It may be 
 thy blessed lot, Celestina, to plant a seed which shall grow into 
 a tree, whose branches shall cover earth with grateful shade, and 
 reach to heaven. There was a time when, influenced by the 
 example of a king or queen, whose mind divine grace had illumi- 
 nated, whole multitudes rushed to be laved in the saving waters 
 of baptism. Wherefore should not those days return ? Now 
 doth the suffering Church mourn like a pelican in the wilderness, 
 and though she gives her blood in streams from her torn bosom 
 alas ! how flows that crimson river, as if in vain !" 
 
 " Not all in vain," said the lady. " Cheering accounts of 
 the progress of our missionaries in the Southern portions of this 
 vast continent reach us from time to time, and the prayers of the 
 Church are sanctifying the land from the flood of the Mississippi 
 to the forests of Canada. But tell me now, Sir Christopher, of 
 thine adventures." 
 
 The Knight looked significantly at the Indian girl. 
 
 " Neebin," said the lady, " take the book and examine it by 
 thyself. Sir Christopher and I desire to be alone. But beware 
 that thou show it to no one, for all are not privileged like thee 
 to see its beautiful pictures." 
 
 The child took the missal, but lingered, as if unwilling to de- 
 part, and it was not until after a more decided repetition of the 
 command, that, with a pout, she left the room. 
 
 " Whom of the holy fathers saw you ?" inquired Sister Ce- 
 lestina, after the door was shut. 
 
 " Only Father Le Vieux," answered Sir Christopher, " and 
 he charged me with a commission which I now discharge." So 
 saying, he took from his bosom the letter which the Jesuit mis- 
 sionary had entrusted him with, and handed it to the lady.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 325 
 
 Sister Celestina took it, and, imprinting a kiss upon the 
 epistle which had come from the holy father's hand, laid it on 
 the table. 
 
 " Let my presence be no restraint," said the Knight. " I have 
 nought to say, which can be of equal importance with anything 
 that comes from Father Le Vieux." 
 
 " Thanks for your courtesy," said the lady ; and, taking up 
 the letter, she broke the wrapper wherein it was contained, and 
 which was fastened together by means of some unknown cement 
 or gum, and commenced its perusal. 
 
 Perhaps the Knight had some design in desiring her to open 
 it in his presence, for, during the whole time while she was en- 
 gaged in reading, he watched her countenance, as if he expected 
 to see the contents of the letter there ; and though her training 
 had been as complete as his own, yet, by reason of her more 
 delicate organization, she was unable so to conceal her emotion 
 that it should be entirely unobserved. The faintest possible color 
 suffused her face as she proceeded, and when she raised her eyes 
 at the conclusion, they had in them a look which, though it 
 baffled the sagacity of her keen observer, betrayed a something 
 which he did not like. It was not triumph, nor despondency,, 
 nor joy, nor grief, but, according to the fancy of Sir Christopher, 
 a strange mingling of them all. The two had been in the habit, 
 on their arrival in the country, and for some time thereafter, to 
 show to each other their letters a custom from which the 
 Knight had never departed, but which, of late, had been observed 
 with less scrupulousness by the lady ; and he noticed now, that, 
 instead of handing the epistle to him, as formerly, she hid it in 
 her bosom. Something, indeed, she said about its being from her 
 confessor, but the explanation, though natural, did not satisfy, 
 He made no remark, however, but proceeded to give an account 
 of what had befallen him and his companion. He told her how, 
 by an arrangement with Mesandowit, (who had been sent by the
 
 324 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " What magnificent results do flow from seemingly insignificant 
 causes !" said Sir Christopher. " A spark shall light a confla- 
 gration of a mighty city ; an acorn shall bear an oak to waft 
 armies over oceans to conquest ; and the conversion of a child 
 to the true faith may change the destinies of nations. It may be 
 thy blessed lot, Celestina, to plant a seed which shall grow into 
 a tree, whose branches shall cover earth with grateful shade, and 
 reach to heaven. There was a time when, influenced by the 
 example of a king or queen, whose mind divine grace had illumi- 
 nated, whole multitudes rushed to be laved in the saving waters 
 of baptism. Wherefore should not those days return ? Now 
 doth the suffering Church mourn like a pelican in the wilderness, 
 and though she gives her blood in streams from her torn bosom 
 alas ! how flows that crimson river, as if in vain !" 
 
 " Not all in vain," said the lady. " Cheering accounts of 
 the progress of our missionaries in the Southern portions of this 
 vast continent reach us from time to time, and the prayers of the 
 Church are sanctifying the land from the flood of the Mississippi 
 to the forests of Canada. But tell me now, Sir Christopher, of 
 thine adventures." 
 
 The Knight looked significantly at the Indian girl. 
 
 " Neebin," said the lady, " take the book and examine it by 
 thyself. Sir Christopher and I desire to be alone. But beware 
 that thou show it to no one, for all are not privileged like thee 
 to see its beautiful pictures." 
 
 The child took the missal, but lingered, as if unwilling to de- 
 part, and it was not until after a more decided repetition of the 
 command, that, with a pout, she left the room. 
 
 " Whom of the holy fathers saw you V inquired Sister Ce- 
 lestina, after the door was shut. 
 
 " Only Father Le Vieux," answered Sir Christopher, " and 
 he charged me with a commission which I now discharge." So 
 saying, he took from his bosom the letter which the Jesuit mis- 
 sionary had entrusted him with, and handed it to the lady.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 325 
 
 Sister Celestina took it, and, imprinting a kiss upon the 
 epistle which had come from the holy father's hand, laid it on 
 the table. 
 
 " Let my presence be no restraint," said the Knight. "I have 
 nought to say, which can be of equal importance with anything 
 that comes from Father Le Vieux." 
 
 " Thanks for your courtesy," said the lady ; and, taking up 
 the letter, she broke the wrapper wherein it was contained, and 
 which was fastened together by means of some unknown cement 
 or gum, and commenced its perusal. 
 
 Perhaps the Knight had some design in desiring her to open 
 it in his presence, for, during the whole time while she was en- 
 gaged in reading, he watched her countenance, as if he expected 
 to see the contents of the letter there ; and though her training 
 had been as complete as his own, yet, by reason of her more 
 delicate organization, she was unable so to conceal her emotion 
 that it should be entirely unobserved. The faintest possible color 
 suffused her face as she proceeded, and when she raised her eyes 
 at the conclusion, they had in them a look which, though it 
 baffled the sagacity of her keen observer, betrayed a something 
 which he did not like. It was not triumph, nor despondency,, 
 nor joy, nor grief, but, according to the fancy of Sir Christopher, 
 a strange mingling of them all. The two had been in the habit, 
 on their arrival in the country, and for some time thereafter, to 
 show to each other their letters a custom from which the 
 Knight had never departed, but which, of late, had been observed 
 with less scrupulousness by the lady ; and he noticed now, that, 
 instead of handing the epistle to him, as formerly, she hid it in 
 her bosom. Something, indeed, she said about its being from her 
 confessor, but the explanation, though natural, did not satisfy, 
 He made no remark, however, but proceeded to give an account 
 of what had befallen him and his companion. He told her how, 
 by an arrangement with Mesandowit, (who had been sent by the
 
 328 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Taranteens to inquire of him whether their second, viz., their 
 hostile embassy, would be in danger from the English, and which, 
 in consequence of Sir Christopher's assurances, had been ven- 
 tured upon,) they had been taken prisoners of the conversation 
 which passed between himself and Father Le Vieux, and of the 
 means resorted to, in order to remove Arundel from the Indian 
 village. The lady listened with a pleased ear to the recital, and, 
 at its conclusion, expressed her gratification at the dexterity with 
 which the business had been managed, and the success which 
 had crowned it. 
 
 " The holy saints and angels have watched over you, to guard 
 you in your ways," she said, " and it proves the Divine appro- 
 bation." 
 
 " Truly, Celestina, is such a belief necessary, else would the 
 things I am called sometimes to do, break me down with their 
 oppressive weight. Only by its means can I satisfy myself, when 
 the commands of my superiors seem to conflict with mine honor." 
 
 " Honor ! exclaimed sister Celestina "what is it but a delusive 
 phantom, whereby ye men are frighted from the noblest under- 
 takings "? * What right has such a consideration to interfere, when 
 you are called upon to act by them who are set over you, and 
 whom you are bound to obey ? It is a deadly sin to dream that 
 they may err, and granting that they do, on them and not on 
 you rests the responsibility." 
 
 " True ; yet speak not slightingly of a feeling which is ever 
 the parent of glorious deeds. Was it riot inspired by honor, that 
 the Roman Regulus returned to certain torture and death ? that 
 the chivalrous King of Israel, when fainting with thirst, poured 
 out to the Lord the water for which his soul longed ? that gal- 
 lant hearts innumerable have crimsoned the battle-field with 
 their heart's blood, rather than that even a suspicion should soil 
 their escutcheon "?" 
 
 " Were a profane heretic, or an accursed Jew, or a misguided
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELIOE. 327 
 
 heathen, to set these up to himself as ensamples, it might be ex- 
 cused," said the sister, scornfully ; " but what has the soldier, who 
 has enlisted under the banner of the blessed St. Ignatius, to do 
 with imaginations alike fantastic and full of a sounding frenzy ? 
 Was it for the glory of God that these men died, or because 
 they coveted the praise of the world, and gratified a ferocious in- 
 stinct of their nature "?" 
 
 " I deny not the superior nobility of the principle of my order," 
 returned the Knight, " inasmuch as it excludes selfishness, save* 
 as it is of necessity, connected with the aspiration for salvation ; 
 still can I not be mistaken in the admiration of a sentiment 
 which lifts man above all baseness, and prompts him to achieve 
 exploits that shall send his name reverberating through the halls 
 of princes and the cabins of laborers, to be warbled by the lips 
 of beauty at the festival, or shouted in front of the charging host. 
 Yet, mistake me not, Celestina, but believe, that while my heart 
 loves not honor less, my understanding renders a deeper homage 
 to the principle of Ignatius. But whither hath my wandering 
 talk strayed ?" he added, checking himself. " I did desire, after 
 delivering thy letter, to say, that it is my purpose to follow hard 
 on the heels of Master Arundel, and also to caution thee to con- 
 tinue to keep carefully concealed, during my absence, the sacred 
 crucifix, and whatever else might betray us to our enemies. For- 
 give me that I give this advice, but I see that thou hast relaxed 
 thy watchfulness over the missal." 
 
 " The warning is unnecessary. Nightly is the blessed cross, 
 whereon the hands of his holiness have been laid, deposited with 
 my missal and rosary in our place of concealment. And as for 
 Neebin, fear not to trust her. She is as jealous of her treasure 
 as could be thou or T. But leave me not until you receive tidings 
 from the heretics. These ill-omened reports I like not. They 
 may, indeed, be idle, yet it is only prudence to wait." 
 
 " I care not for them, yet, to pleasure thee, would I do more.
 
 328 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 I will remain, according to thy wish, and, meanwhile, to-night, 
 seek Sassacus, who soon returns to his distant tribe." 
 
 " Be it so, then," said the lady. " Neebin !" she called to the 
 Indian girl, who was in the adjoining apartment, and who, at 
 the summons, came running up ; " give me now the book, and I 
 will tell thee a story about one of the pictures." 
 
 The Knight understood this as a signal to withdraw, and ac- 
 cordingly took his leave. 
 
 9 The lady, on his departure, instead ^of talking with the child, 
 returned her the missal with an excuse, and drawing the letter 
 of Father Le Vieux from her bosom, commenced reading it again. 
 
 " My judgment, then," she murmured, " is confirmed by 
 that of the holy father. Thus writes he : ' I fear, my daughter, 
 that the leaven hath not done its perfect office. There be many 
 called, but alas, how few are fit for the work ! In some things 
 hesitancy is a deadly sin. Let the faint-hearted step aside, that 
 more vigorous souls may take their place.' Whatever may be 
 the consequences," she continued to herself, " I feel cheered, in 
 that my course will be approved by the father. Thou knowest, 
 holy Mary, that it was through no ignoble motive, but only for 
 thy glory I did this thing, whereof, alas ! my poor woman's heart 
 more than half repented. Oh ! pity, that one endowed with so 
 many gracious qualities as Sir Christopher, should lack the iron 
 firmness which gives consistency and dignity to life, and that his 
 weakness compelled me to that which I would not, for the world, 
 his noble nature should suspect ! But since this letter from the 
 father, no doubt assails me. The course I have adopted I will 
 pursue, nor shall my constant soul falter. Sooner shall the needle 
 desert the beloved pole." 
 
 The face of the woman assumed an expression of indomitable 
 resolution. She looked like one incapable of a weakness like 
 one who, mastered by an engrossing purpose, feels that all else is 
 trivial, and to be as little regarded as the dust which the travel- 
 ler shakes from his soiled garment.
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 He hears 
 
 On all sides, from innumerable tongues, 
 A dismal, universal hiss. 
 
 PARADISE LOST. 
 
 WHEN Arundel arrived at the little settlement, he proceeded 
 straightway to the hostelry, which was his usual stopping place, 
 and as he entered, was met by the landlord with those demonstra- 
 tions of welcome, wherewith the publican is in the habit of greet- 
 ing his customers. 
 
 " So you have got safe off from them bloody salvages, (praised 
 be the Lord for all his mercies)," said goodman Nettles. " And 
 you look browner, as though you'd caught some of their color from 
 being with them, but hearty as my tapster, Zachariah Sider, who 
 can begin with the head of an ox, and never stop till he wipes his 
 mouth with the tuft on the end of the tail, washing it down, 
 moreover, with a quantity of ale that ails me ahem ! (here 
 Nettles put his finger on the side of his nose, and grinned as 
 if he had really said a capital thing,) to see wasted on his lean 
 carcase. But, Master Arundel, you must be dry. There is some 
 of the old Canary left^' 
 
 " Let me have a bottle, and, if agreeable to thee, we will empty 
 it together." 
 
 As the landlord left the room, Arundel, on looking round, dis- 
 covered what he had not observed befo.re, viz., our old friend, 
 Master Preut, in a sor,t of recess, formed by the projection of the
 
 330 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 chimney. The worthy functionary was engaged, at the moment, 
 in taking his eleven o'clock refreshment of a pot of beer, (a habit 
 from which his exile from the old country had not been able to 
 wean him,) but, at the approach of the young man, he rose, and 
 gravely shook hands with him. Miles had barely time to offer a 
 share of the wine, which, however, Master Prout refused, when 
 Nettles returned with a bottle. 
 
 " There," said he, setting it down, and looking affectionately 
 at it, " I warrant me you get no such soul of the grape among 
 the red heathen, though if they had any wit they might have pun- 
 cheons of it, if they only knew how to make them, for they say 
 there is store of grape vines growing about." 
 
 " As for me," said Master Prout, after raising the tankard to 
 his lips, and taking a draught, long and deep, " I'm a genuine En- 
 glishman in my taste. Give me, say I, your humming beer, with 
 a body to it, in place of all the wishy-washy wines of the French- 
 man or the Spaniard. They only pucker one's mouth, and heat 
 one's blood ; but there is neither bread nor cheese in them, as in 
 good John Barleycorn." 
 
 " The ale deserves all your praise, Master Prout," said the 
 host, " though I say it myself; nevertheless, is the good wine not 
 to be despi ?ed. I know no reason why a true born Englishman 
 may not like both." 
 
 " It may be well for thee, whose business is to get thy living 
 from their sale, to talk thus," replied Master Prout ; " but for all 
 that, I relish not these foreign decoctions your Canaries, your 
 Sherries, and your Portos. Their very names have a smack of 
 popery in them. Down with the Pope, and all his inventions to 
 tickle men's palates and damn their souls." 
 
 " And so say I, down with the Pope, but up with good wine, 
 and down with it too, so it only runs in the right place ; but it 
 grieves me to hear you, good Master Prout, evening down good 
 wine to the Pope why "
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 331 
 
 " Contradict me not, goodman Nettles," interrupted the guar- 
 dian of public morals. " I say that I have ever remarked 
 the man who prefers wine to ale, to be of an unsteady faith. It 
 savors of a hankering after the flesh-pots of Egypt. Let not 
 such a man be trusted." 
 
 As the constable was speaking, Arundel could not help fancy 
 ing that he looked hard at him, as if some personal application of 
 the words were intended. He took no notice, however, of them, 
 especially as mine host immediately rejoined : 
 
 " Dear, good Master Prout, speak not so. Why, if my cus- 
 tomers were to hear you, the character of my house might be 
 ruinated. Whoever heard before that the Pope had ever any- 
 thing to do with wine 1 ? I do not believe he drinks it at all." 
 
 " Art thou a Christian man, and so ignorant of the things that 
 pertain to salvation ? Tells us not the Book of Revelations of 
 the merchandise of the great city of Babylon, when it shall fall 
 cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine ; 
 and sayest thou the Pope hath no part thereof 1 ?" 
 
 " An' you are for Scripture," answered mine host, " have at 
 thee with a text in return ? Saith not the Scripture, also, He 
 giveth wine to gladden man's heart ? Moreover, though there be 
 wine at Rome, it doth not follow, therefrom, that it is drunk by 
 the Pope." 
 
 " Contradict me not, I say, goodman, and pervert not the 
 Scriptures with thy famulistical interpretations. I observed you 
 spoke but a moment ago of the soul of the grape, as if it were 
 possible that a divine principle could lodge therein. I cau- 
 tion thee against this, as a profane and indecent form of speech, 
 unbecoming in one of the congregation ; and, besides, an' thou 
 wouldst retain my custom, take heed thou put more malt into 
 thy ale." 
 
 " It is strong enough to answer thy purpose," muttered the 
 offended landlord, but in so low a tone as to be unheard ; and,
 
 382 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 as new customers began to come in, he left, in order to assist, in 
 manipulations of the bottle and spigot, his tapster, Zachariah 
 Sider, whom his late flourishing fortune had enabled him to add to 
 the establishment. 
 
 " Has anything worthy of note occurred, during my absence of 
 three weeks f ' inquired Arundel of Master Prout. 
 
 " How were it possible otherwise ?" replied the constable, 
 whom the colloquy with the host seemed not to have left in the 
 best of humors. " Here hath been Increase Faith Higginson 
 twice coopered up in a barrel, once for drunkenness, and a second 
 time on suspicion thereof ; Jonathan Makepiece hath lain in the 
 stocks for quarreling with, and using contumacious language to- 
 ward David Battle ; Susannah Silence hath sat tied in a chair, 
 before her door, with a cleft stick upon her tongue, for being too 
 free in the use of that member ; divers godly persons have con- 
 nected themselves with the congregation, and two unworthy 
 Ac hans beendriven therefrom the one for incontinence, until 
 he repent thereof, and the other for denying the just power of 
 the elders." 
 
 Arundel could not forbear smiling at this odd enumeration of 
 important events, which his informant observing, and construing 
 into disrespect, immediately added : 
 
 " Have a care, Master Miles Arundel, unto thyself. I wish 
 thee well, for thou art a proper young man, and, did the inner 
 garnishing correspond with the outer adornment, thou wert in- 
 deed a comely vessel of grace ; and, therefore, say I unto thee, 
 there te other matters touching thee more nearly than those 
 things whereof I have spoken, and whereat, I know not where- 
 fore, it pleased thee to smile." 
 
 " I pray you to pardon my involuntary offence," said the young 
 man, " and to believe that my smiling betokened no disrespect. 
 My mirth was awakened by the comical pictures which thine 
 ingenious answer conjured before the imagination."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 333 
 
 " I trow," said Master Prout, " they who come under the dis- 
 pleasure of our magistrates, will find their punishments no such 
 comical matters. There be such things as whippings and nose>- 
 slittings, as well as sittings in the stocks, and the like." 
 
 " I know," answered Arundel, " that your magistrates are no 
 lambs. Yet of thy complaisance, tell me wherein I am inter- 
 ested in aught that has befallen in my absence." 
 
 " This Sir Christopher G-ardiner, the man who is sometimes 
 called ' The Knight of the Golden Melice,' is a great friend of 
 thine, is he not 1 ?" asked Master Prout. 
 
 " I account it an honor to call him my friend. A worthier or 
 more honorable gentleman lives not in the colony." 
 
 " There be different opinions on that head, my young master. 
 The closer thy friendship, the worse, I fear, it will be for 
 thee." 
 
 " Speak out, Master Prout," exclaimed Arundel, losing pa- 
 tience. " If thou knowest any talk prejudicial to the fair fame 
 of the Sir Christopher, let me know it, that the calumniator may 
 be dragged to light, and receive deserved punishment." 
 
 " It would take a long arm to reach his accusers, seeing they 
 are on the other side of the ocean. Hark ye, young sir -it is in 
 every one's mouth that thy famous Knight is an agent of Sir Fer- 
 dinando Gorges, who makes unrighteous claim to the lands 
 granted us by his Majesty King Charles, and, moreover, thou 
 art connected with him, in men's minds, as in some sort an ac- 
 complice." 
 
 " Is that all ?" said the young man, scornfully. " I judge 
 from thy speech that these lies come in letters from England. 
 Pray, are they credited by any one, save by them of the baser 
 sort T ' 
 
 " Callest thou me one of the baser sort ? Wilt thou revile 
 them who are set in authority over thee * Have a care, my 
 young cockeril, or thy own comb may chance to be cut."
 
 334: THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Out with thee, malapert knave," said the young man, in his 
 vexation, " and know to respect thy betters. Truly, the world 
 is come to a pretty pass, when a fowl like thee is permitted to 
 ruffle his feathers at a gentleman." 
 
 " An' he were not in some sort an ambassador, whom I have 
 heard it is unlawful for a constable to touch," growled Master 
 Prout to himself, as Arundel angrily turned his back upon him, "I 
 had taught him incontinently, better than to speak to me in this 
 fashion. As it is, I will advise with Master Spikeman about this 
 matter." So saying, with a flushed brow, the irate officer of the 
 law departed. 
 
 " What means this, Colonel McMahon?" demanded Arundel. 
 " Here have I been a bare three weeks away, on business of the 
 commonwealth, and on my return I find myself rewarded with 
 sour looks and unpleasant speeches, sans any consciousness of 
 deserving them. I cannot ask a plain question, without being 
 answered in riddles that would have crazed the brain of 
 CEdipus." 
 
 The person addressed, a grave man, of middle age, and the 
 same who had had the words with Endicott about the cutting out 
 of the cross, took the questioner aside, and, as'soon as they were 
 out of hearing, answered : 
 
 JK- " Truly am I afraid that I shall also be involved in thy con- 
 demnation of those who return answers after the manner of the 
 sphynx ; but, to be short, there have two ships lately arrived 
 from England, bringing, it is said, unpleasant tidings touching 
 Sir Christopher Gardiner." 
 
 " What be these tidings ?" inquired Arundel, noticing that the 
 speaker hesitated. 
 
 " I neither am, nor desire to be, in the confidence of the gov- 
 ernment," answered ^Colonel McMahon, haughtily, the wounds 
 inflicted on whose loyalty by the mutilation of the standard, 
 were not yet healed ; "and the information I have is derived
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 335 
 
 from a private source and uncertain rumor. For the former, the 
 Knight is pointed at as an agent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges ; for 
 the latter, it becomes me not to heed the idle chatter of tho 
 vulgar." 
 
 " Comports it with your sense of propriety to reveal more T' 
 asked Arundel. 
 
 "Were I never so desirous," said the Colonel, courteously, "I 
 should be unable. In fact, what I have told is the sum of my 
 knowledge. I could, indeed, indulge in surmises based on rumor, 
 but that were too much like the gossiping of old women, and both 
 unbecoming in me to speak and in you to hear, more especially as 
 that rumor attaints in other respects the fair fame of your friend. 
 It is different with the base-born scullions around us, who are 
 licensed to utter whatever their unruly imaginations may con- 
 ceive ; but a gentleman will not allow epithets upon his tongue 
 to the disparagement of another, which, after all, may be false." 
 
 Having thus spoken, the Colonel raised his steeple-crowned 
 hat in a formal manner, slightly bending his body, and walked 
 up to the landlord, to whom he paid his score, and then left the 
 apartment. 
 
 " I will endure this no longer," said Arundel to himself, put- 
 ting on his own hat. " I will seek the Governor immediately, 
 and demand from him its explanation." 
 
 Upon arriving at the house of Winthrop, he learned, with a 
 feeling of disappointment, that the Governor was absent on a 
 visit at Plymouth, and he turned reluctantly away, in order to 
 communicate to the rough Dudley, instead of the polished chief 
 magistrate, the result of the mission, and to obtain that informa- 
 tion which would enable him to give shape to the chaotic ru- 
 mors. 
 
 He was received with neither cordiality nor incivility by the 
 Deputy Governor, to whom the young man communicated 
 the success of the conciliatory efforts of Sir Christopher with
 
 836 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the Taranteens, and at the same time delivered the Knight's mes- 
 sage. His auditor listened in grim silence, interrupting him 
 by no inquiry, nor did he, when the communication was finished, 
 vouchsafe a word of thanks for the service rendered. Dudley 
 had been a soldier in his youth, having received a captain's com- 
 mission from Queen Elizabeth , and commanded a company of 
 volunteers under the chivalrous Henry Fourth of France, at the 
 siege of Amiens, in 1597 ; and, if he had not the quality of 
 frankness by nature, had acquired an appearance of it in the 
 camp, together with a military decision and roughness of manner. 
 It was not his wont to disguise his feelings, and on the present 
 occasion they were obvious, even before he opened his lips to 
 speak. When Arundel had concluded, he waited for the com- 
 ments of the Deputy, nor had he to wait long. First, however, 
 Dudley inquired, 
 
 " Is there nothing more thou wouldst communicate 1 ?" 
 
 " If there be any thing of importance or of public concern 
 omitted, it is done unwittingly," said Arundel. 
 P " Then is thy news most jejune and unsatisfactory, seeing that 
 our condition is neither war nor peace, but a sort of armed truce, 
 liable to be broken at any moment by these treacherous savages. 
 I am not to be deceived by the promise, that, for the present, we 
 need fear no hostilities. I know their craft. If they refuse 
 formally to make peace, they are preparing for war. Well, they 
 may try their hand. But I am disappointed in the opinion I 
 had of the extent of the influence, by some means acquired, over 
 the Indians by this Sir Christopher Gardiner, if he indeed have 
 authority to bear the title." 
 
 " Who dares to say," exclaimed Arundel, whose irritation this 
 fresh taunt increased, "that Sir Christopher assumes a title which 
 belongs not to him, or to asperse in any respect his character ?" 
 
 " It will come to light," said Dudley, " in its own time ; but 
 tell me now, wherefore made not the Knight, as you choose to
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 337 
 
 call him, his appearance himself? Methinks such proceeding 
 were more respectful to the authority which commissioned 
 him." 
 
 The brow of the young man flushed at the rude speech, and it 
 was with difficulty that he restrained his feelings; but he suc- 
 ceeded so far as to reply with an appearance of tolerable calm- 
 ness, that it was only that morning they had returned, and that 
 the Knight purposed to present himself on the morrow, being de- 
 tained for the present by reasons which doubtless ought to be 
 satisfactory. 
 
 "It were strange," said the surly Dudley, " if his private af- 
 fairs should be of more importance than the interests of our 
 Commonwealth ; and yet it seems that the former do, in his esti- 
 mation, outweigh the latter." 
 
 " I pray of your goodness to pardon the fault," said Arundel, 
 who was determined that nothing should provoke his anger again 
 that day. " Sure am I that, had the Knight of the Golden Melice 
 known the importance attached to his presence, he had come 
 forthwith, without stopping for rest, or to chauge his soiled gar- 
 ments, instead of sending me, his unfortunate and most unworthy 
 substitute." 
 
 "I like not this fantastic title," said Dudley, whose ill-humor 
 seemed not at all soothed by the gentle language of the young 
 man, but rather to increase. " I like it not, whether it be an 
 idle appendage stuck on by the humorous learning of Winthrop^ 
 as I have heard, or a quaint conceit springing out of the man's 
 own vanity. I deny not honor and dignity, where they right- 
 fully belong, but what is to become of the realities, if the shams 
 receive an equal consideration ?" 
 
 " I wander like a man in a mist, who sees not a foot before 
 him," said Arundel. " I have entreated your Worship to deal: 
 more plainly with me, but it has been your pleasure to seem aa 
 if you heard me not ; and, for the report which> in the discharge-
 
 838 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 of my duty, I have made, I have received only innuendos against 
 the fair fame of my friend, and which do, in some sense, alight 
 upon myself. From whatever quarter they may proceed, I scorn 
 and defy them, and brand them as false ; and, I doubt not, the 
 appearance of Sir Christopher will force his detractors to disap- 
 pear, even like so many whipped curs." 
 
 Arundel spoke with a feeling of anger, notwithstanding his 
 resolution to keep command over himself, and rose to take his 
 leave. The spirit which he had shown in his last speech, so far 
 from displeasing the Deputy, had a contrary effect ; for, rising 
 himself, Dudley grasped his visitor's hand, and dismissed him 
 with less frigidity than he had received him. Something also he 
 said, as if in excuse of his conduct, about the necessity of caution, 
 amounting sometimes to unreasonable suspicions on the part of 
 the rulers of a weak colony, depending more upon the wisdom 
 of its counsels than upon force for its existence, intimating at 
 the same time, that if any suspicions were attached to the young 
 man, it was doubtless more in consequence of his accidental con- 
 nection with Sir Christopher, than because he deserved them. 
 
 It is natural that Arundel, after his long absence, and the un- 
 pleasant events of the day, should desire to derive some consola- 
 tion from the society of his mistress. We are not surprised, 
 therefore, to find him taking his way toward the house of the 
 Assistant Spikeman, in the hope of receiving some signal which 
 would permit him to enter. Nor was he disappointed Pru- 
 dence, with a light kerchief thrown over her head, being just 
 stepping out of the door on an errand to some neighbor as he 
 came up. The girl gave a pretty start as she beheld Arundel, 
 partly natural and partly affected, and then beckoned to him to 
 enter. 
 
 " O ! how you frighted me !" she said, after she had carefully 
 closed the door. " You have sent all the blood into my heart ; 
 and it nutters so !"
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 339 
 
 " I will bring it back again into thy cheeks, where it shows so 
 prettily," replied Arimdel, saluting her. 
 
 " Fie ! Master Miles," exclaimed Prudence, but not looking at 
 all displeased. " It is well Master Prout sees thee not. Well, 
 what do you want ? I suppose you came to see me ?" 
 
 " I have seen thee, pretty Prudence, and am so unreasonable 
 as to desire also to be shown to thy mistress. She is well ?" 
 
 " I humbly thank your Worship," said the girl, curtseying 
 awkwardly, and snuffling through her nose in a manner intended 
 to ridicule the grave Puritans, " worthy Dame Spikeman is 
 well in body, albeit ill in spirit, being afflicted with a grievous 
 visitation called a husband." 
 
 " Come, come, you mad-cap girl," said the young man, laugh- 
 ing at the caricature, " pervert not my meaning, but show me 
 the way to Mistress Eveline. If thou wilt, 1 promise thee a 
 husband for thyself in good time." 
 
 " From plague, pestilence, famine, and husbands, (I did ever 
 think the litany deficient,) good Lord deliver us," exclaimed Pru- 
 dence, holding up her hands. "Do I look, forsooth, like one in 
 need of a husband, or likely to assist my young mistress there- 
 with ? She deserves better at my hands. I see, besides, Master 
 Miles, that you are ignorant of the law in this blessed country, 
 which forbids young men to woo maidens. I know all about it, 
 for I had it from the lips of a venerable Assistant. Shall I re- 
 hearse it to you T' 
 
 " Why, what has got into the girl ?" said Arundel, tired of 
 this foolery. " I prithee no more, sweet Prudence, but conduct 
 me at once to Eveline. Consider how long it is since I saw 
 her." 
 
 " Nay, an' you come to calling me sweet, there is no resisting 
 you. I do love sweet things, and it is pleasant to be called sweet 
 by some persons. I will delay you no longer," she added, re- 
 suming her natural manner, " since Mistress Eveline must by 
 this time have made up her toilette. So, please you, follow me.' '
 
 340 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 So saying, she tripped forward, and ushered Arundel into a 
 room, where we have already seen him, and retired. Almost in- 
 stantly, the beautiful Eveline came in with a smile upon her lips 
 and a blush on her cheeks, for from her room, the door of 
 which was open in that warm season, she had overheard the 
 whole conversation, as indeed Prudence had intended she should. 
 
 " A strange way, Miles," she said, biting her red lips to re- 
 strain a laugh, " to show the devotedness of your affection to the 
 mistress by kissing the maid. Is it a fashion taught thee by the 
 savages f " 
 
 Arundel, notwithstanding the words of Eveline, could not dis- 
 cover much severity either in the tones of her voice or the 
 glances of her eyes, for those were days when scarcely so great a 
 delicacy of manners prevailed as in the present; and, catching 
 her to his bosom, he found little difficulty in obtaining pardon 
 for his fault. 
 
 *' Ah, you know, Miles," said Eveline, withdrawing herself 
 from his embrace, " that a maiden who scolds her lover has more 
 than half forgiven him already." 
 
 It is unnecessary to dwell upon the particulars of a meeting, 
 which, even without experience of like scenes, the imagination will 
 suggest, and which, lacking the spice of personal interest, might 
 appear tame, even to those whose recollection of early emotions 
 still has power to send the blood with a livelier glow through the 
 heart. From his conversation with Eveline, the apprehensions 
 in regard to Sir Christopher, which began to invade the mind of 
 Arundel, were increased, although his fears were of an indefinite 
 character. Without being able to determine exactly what were 
 the accusations against the Knight, of one thing at least he be- 
 came certain that they were commonly considered of too serious 
 a nature to be passed by in silence ; that any services would 
 hardly screen him from censure or punishment of some sort, if 
 they were proved ; and that Spikeman was exerting his malig- 
 nity against him to an extraordinary degree.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 341 
 
 Upon leaving Eveline, Arundel meditated on the conduct he 
 ought to adopt, whether to remain and await the arrival of 
 Sir Christopher on the next day, as he originally intended, or 
 to return and inform him of what he had learned. That some ca- 
 lamity threatened his friend, was plain. What it was, was not so 
 evident. The only cause of complaint against him he could dis- 
 cern, was a supposed connection with Sir Ferdinando Gorges. 
 On this point he knew that Winthrop and his council were ex- 
 tremely sensitive, warmly resenting the claim which that gentle- 
 man made, and was trying to prosecute in England, adverse to 
 their patent, which he declared was void, and determined to 
 punish whoever should assert the title of Sir Ferdinando as su- 
 perior to their own, or should in any respect countenance or abet 
 him in his schemes. As for other intimations, Arundel consid- 
 ered them as only additions, which stories, like rolling snow- 
 balls, naturally receive in their progress, and which, in the present 
 instance, deserved even less credit than usual, on account of their 
 vagueness and improbability. What motive could there be, for 
 example, to induce Sir Christopher to arrogate a title which did 
 not belong to him, when there was every chance of detection, 
 and no important advantage to be gained ? He had never no- 
 ticed in the Knight any assumption of superiority, but, on the 
 contrary, rather a careless cordiality, amounting almost to bon- 
 hommie. Everything which he had seen about his friend forbade 
 the supposition. From the baselessness of this, he inferred the 
 falsity of all other charges, whatever they might be ; and yet, 
 notwithstanding his conviction of the innocence of his friend, 
 it appeared to him that information of the disposition of 
 Dudley ought to be made known to Sir Christopher, in order to 
 enable him to decide for himself upon the steps necessary to be 
 taken, before he should be assailed unawares. Having arrived 
 at this conclusion, Arundel lost no time in hurrying off to the 
 residence of the Knight,
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 " Ah ! home let him speed, for the spoiler is nigh ! 
 Why flatnes the far summit ? Why shoot to the blast 
 Those embers, like stars from the firmanent cast ?" 
 
 CAMPBXLL'S " Lochiel." 
 
 As ARUNDEL left the hostelry, whither he had returned after 
 his snap-chance, he observed the figure of a man, whom he had 
 seen several times during the day, standing at a distance in the 
 street. Unless his suspicions had been excited, he would proba- 
 bably have paid no attention to the circumstance ; but, in the 
 present condition of his mind, he could not avoid connecting the 
 man's frequent appearance with himself. It seemed, indeed, as 
 if his motions were watched, though why, he knew not. In or- 
 der to satisfy himself whether it were so, he stopped when he 
 reached the edge of the forest, and, concealing himself, waited 
 for the purpose of ascertaining whether he were followed ; but, 
 after remaining some time without seeing any person, he con- 
 cluded that he must be mistaken, and more leisurely resumed his 
 walk. 
 
 The day had been one of exceeding warmth, which circum- 
 stance, in connection with the excitement he had passed through, 
 produced an exhaustion that indisposed the young man to exer- 
 tion. In consequence of this, it was at a slow pace he pro- 
 ceeded, imagining any haste unnecessary, and esteeming it a 
 matter of indifference at what hour he reached his destination.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Hence it happened that the evening was^considerably advanced 
 before he had passed over half the distance which he had to go. 
 He had advanced as far as the spot where he encountered the 
 panther, and was thinking of his peril then, and of Sassacus, 
 when he suddenly found himself surrounded by a number of 
 armed men, one of whom demanded his piece. Arundel instantly 
 recognised in the man who spoke, and appeared to be the leader, 
 tie Assistant Spikeman ; and, suspecting mischief wherever he 
 was concerned, and indignant at being stopped, refused to deliver 
 up the gun. The refusal jwas useless, for it was forthwith 
 wrested violently from his hands, after a struggle, in which he 
 gave and received some unimportant hurts. 
 
 "What means this outrage, Master Spikeman," demanded 
 Arundel, "on one in the king's peace, and quietly about his own 
 business ?" 
 
 " We desire your company," replied Spikeman. " It is out of 
 our abundant affection therefor that we have been so bold, and 
 in consideration of the motive, we pray you to pardon the 
 offence." 
 
 " This is insulting one who is unable to defend himself," an- 
 swered the young man ; " but be sure, Master Spikeman, that 
 for this, and other like favors, a day of bitter reckoning will 
 come." 
 
 " Spare thy threats, beardless boy," said the Assistant, " and 
 know that what I do is not without warrant. Thy wisdom con- 
 sists in submission, for thou seest we have a force thou art una- 
 ble to resist. But I may not waste further words. Place the 
 prisoner in the middle ; watch him closely ; treat him well, if 
 submissive ; but should he attempt escape, shoot him down. 
 Forward !" 
 
 After these orders, the men started on, taking Arundel with 
 them, who entertained no purpose^of flight, even though a favor- 
 able opportunity should present itself.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 845 
 
 If he had doubted at first whither the party were directing 
 their steps, the doubt was soon dissipated, and he became sure 
 that it was to the habitation of Sir Christopher. Meanwhile, 
 he had been turning over in his mind his observations through 
 the day, and became satisfied that he had been watched, and 
 that the band by which he had been captured was sent after 
 him, and, by taking a course somewhat different from his 
 own, and hastening their speed, had succeeded in throwing 
 themselves in front, so as to cut him off from the Knight's 
 house, whither they rightly judged he was going. The determi- 
 nation was obvious, he thought, that, for the present, there 
 should be no communication between Sir Christopher and 
 himself. 
 
 Kapidly and in silence the party pushed on, until they came 
 to the small clearing surrounding the Knight's house. Here 
 they halted, and Spikeman placed his men around the open 
 space so as completely to surround it, with orders for half 01 
 their number to advance simultaneously toward the centre, while 
 the others remained in the shadow of the wood. The manoeuvre 
 was so skilfully executed, that it was impossible for any one 
 within the house to escape the men composing the circle, meet- 
 ing at the same moment at the centre. 
 
 The deep silence of the night was first interrupted by the 
 noise the Assistant made on the door with the handle of his 
 dagger. 
 
 " Who is there ?" inquired the drowsy voice of one as if just 
 awakened. 
 
 " A person demanding admission," answered Spikeman. 
 
 " I know that, else would you not be knocking. Very well ; 
 abide a moment till I don some clothing and I will open, when 
 we will become better acquainted." 
 
 Accordingly, in a few moments the door was opened, and 
 Spikeman, with half a dozen men, rushed into the house, leaving 
 
 15
 
 846 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDKN MELICE. 
 
 the others to guard the exterior. Philip Joy (for it was he) 
 was instantly seized, and ordered to tell where the Knight was to 
 be found. 
 
 " It is easier to ask questions than to get answers," said Philip. 
 " For me, I never could speak plain till I had been awake a half 
 hour or so." 
 
 " Sirrah !" cried Spikeman, sternly ; " trifle not, or I will have 
 thee scourged within sight of the gates of death. Answer where 
 is Sir Christopher Gardiner T' 
 
 " An' I knew I would not tell thee," replied Philip. " Make 
 no ugly faces at me, Master Spikeman, for it is of no use. Look 
 for yourself, an' you like." 
 
 " He cannot avoid us, if he be in the house," said Spikeman, 
 turning away. " Here, Ephraim," he added, addressing one of 
 the men ; " come thou with me. We will waste no more words 
 with this fellow, but see whither this door leads." 
 
 " Stop !" exclaimed Philip ; " it is the passage to the chamber 
 of the Lady Geraldine." 
 
 ' " Forward ! Ephraim," cried Spikeman ; " we cannot be de- 
 layed in this way. Heed not his clamor." 
 
 By the light of the tallow candles, which they had brought 
 with them, the two proceeded, in spite of the remonstrances of 
 the soldier. The door admitting into the larger apartment of the 
 lady, and into which we were introduced at our first acquaint- 
 ance with her, was open, but the inner door to her own private 
 chamber was barred. A slight rustling was heard within, as 
 they listened, as of one putting on clothing. 
 
 " We have tracked the fox to his den," whispered Spikeman. 
 " Open instantly," he added, aloud, " or we will burst in the 
 door." 
 
 " Who are ye," inquired a woman's voice, " who, in the dead 
 of night, assail the rest of innocent folk ?" 
 
 " Open at once," cried Spikeman, impatiently, " or we will 
 tear down the house."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 347 
 
 " I will not open," said the voice. " That were to assist you 
 in your lawless proceedings. I may be murdered, but will lend 
 no aid to my murderers." 
 
 "' Silly woman," said the Assistant, who felt unwilling to re 
 sort to violence with a woman, believing that his prey was per- 
 fectly secure within " silly woman, we are no murderers. I 
 require thee, by authority of the Commonwealth, to unbar the 
 door." 
 
 " Ye cannot be officers of the State," answered the woman > 
 " else would ye not proceed thus rudely. Ye are robbers and 
 assassins." 
 
 " We must not stand here trifling," said Spikeman. " Throw 
 thyself against the door, Ephraim, and burst it in, since we are 
 resisted." 
 
 His companion, accordingly, endeavored, by flinging the whole 
 weight of his person against the barrier, wherein he was assisted 
 by his superior, to break it down ; but in vain, the stout planks 
 defeating all their efforts. 
 
 " Bring an axe, quickly !" cried Spikeman. " We will try the 
 virtue of steel blows." 
 
 Under the repeated strokes of the axe, wielded by brawny 
 arms, the strong door presently fell with a crash into the room, 
 and stepping over its fragments, the assailants stood in the pre- 
 sence of the occupants. By a taper, which was burning on a 
 small table, the apartment was sufficiently lighted to make all 
 objects visible, though indistinctly. 
 
 The dimensions of the room could not exceed a square of 
 twelve feet. The sides, which rose to a height of perhaps eight 
 feet, were hung all around with a black cloth, and overhead the 
 same covering was extended. The furniture consisted of only a 
 chair or two, and of the table above mentioned. In the centre 
 stood the tall form of sister Celestina, clothed in garments as 
 black as the drapery which surrounded her, and holding by the
 
 848 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 hand, the little Indian girl Neebin. Without stopping to notice 
 them, Spikeman and Ephraim immediately commenced searching, 
 with drawn rapiers, behind the hangings. The cloth, on being 
 withdrawn, exposed to view nothing but unhewn logs, and a 
 recess of a few feet, containing a rude couch. During the search, 
 which was soon completed, the lady remained standing, with the 
 little girl by her side, viewing the proceedings in silence, and 
 with an air of offended dignity. 
 
 " What seek ye ?" she demanded, when, with looks of disap- 
 pointment, the men desisted. " Tell me, that I may render you 
 that assistance whereof ye seem to stand in need." 
 
 " Madam," answered Spikeman, " where is Sir Christopher 
 Gardiner ? It is him we seek." 
 
 " And is it in my sleeping apartment, audacious wretch, that 
 you expect to find him ?" exclaimed the lady. " Your question 
 is a greater insult than your violence." 
 
 " Madam," replied the Assistant, " it behooves you to be 
 careful of your language. Ephraim," he added, turning to his 
 companion, " do thou inquire without, whether the Knight be 
 taken. He may have leaped from the window." 
 
 Upon Ephraim's departure, Spikeman again addressed the 
 lady. 
 
 " Madam," he said, " I know that the work wherein I am 
 engaged is ungracious. Sad is the necessity which compels me 
 to invade the retirement of a lady whom I hold in all honor and 
 respect, and who has it in her power to make our whole Com- 
 monwealth her grateful debtors." 
 
 " Speak quickly, sir," said the lady, " that I may the sooner 
 be rid of your intrusive presence." 
 
 " You know me not, madam, nor my kind intentions, else 
 would you not indulge this scorn." 
 
 " If to break open the house of a defenceless woman at mid- 
 night, to batter down the door of her chamber, to intrude therein",
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 349 
 
 and to insult her, besides, with base suspicions, be your kindness, 
 what must be your cruelty ?" 
 
 " Necessity, madam necessity must be our excuse. We will 
 have Sir Christopher Gardiner, dead or alive. Judge by the im- 
 portance which we attach to his capture, how great will be our 
 gratitude, and the reward of him who shall enable us to lay 
 hands on the traitor." 
 
 " He is no traitor, base slanderer. Thou hadst never dared 
 to utter these injurious words in his presence." 
 
 " I would he were in presence," said Spikeman, sternly, " and 
 you would soon be convinced of the contrary. But more plainly, 
 madam. Let me entreat you, for your own sake, to disclose the 
 hiding-place of this man, and to deliver to me his papers, for only 
 by so doing can you escape severe and dreadful punishment." 
 
 A deeper pallor overspread the pale face of the lady, but re- 
 covering herself she said 
 
 " If I understand thee aright, thou dost seek to make me an 
 accomplice of thy crime." 
 
 " It is no crime, but an acceptable deed, to deliver a criminal 
 to justice, to suffer for his deserts. On such conditions, and on 
 such only, can I promise immunity for thyself." 
 
 " Justice ! I trust not the justice of a State, where such as 
 thou bear rule. Ye know not the meaning of the word. Sacred 
 heaven ! what would you have me do ? Betray into your toils 
 an innocent man, that I may avoid, I know not what consequen- 
 ces ! Infamous tempter, I spurn thee ! And know, that were I 
 capable of such inexpressible shame, I could not commit it. I 
 know not where is Sir Christopher." 
 
 But, evidently, Spikeman placed no confidence hi the denial. 
 He strode across the room, as though reflecting on some subject, 
 and then stepping up to the lady, bent over, and whispered some 
 inaudible words into her ear. 
 
 " It is false. Holy Virgin !" she exclaimed, forgetting herself
 
 350 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 in the excitement of feeling, " must I bear this * Leave me ! 
 leave me ! Rid me of your hateful presence ! The room is full 
 of horrid shapes since you came in." 
 
 " Ha ! madam," cried Spikeman, " you have betrayed your- 
 self, I have your secret, and will find means to force you to 
 speak the truth, ere I am quit of you," and scowling malignantly, 
 he left the apartment. 
 
 The excitement which had hitherto sustained the lady, seemed 
 now to desert her, and she sunk upon a seat. Sobs broke from 
 her bosom, and tears, which she vainly tried to restrain, streamed 
 down her cheeks. 
 
 " O, holy Virgin," she murmured " immaculate lady, whose 
 heart was pierced with so many sorrows, help me to bear my 
 own. This is the sorest trial of all. Without thy preventing 
 grace, divine Mary, I shall sink under it. Intercede with thy 
 dear son for me." 
 
 The little Indian girl, who, during the whole time while Spike- 
 man remained, had stood by the lady's side, showing no appre- 
 hension whatever, but listening attentively to every word, and 
 following each motion with her keen eyes, now kneeled down by 
 the lady, and looking into her face, said 
 
 " Do not cry, lady. Owanux have not found the book with 
 the pretty pictures, nor the man with the sweet face, with his 
 eyes shut, and his head falling on one side, upon his shoulder, 
 who makes Neebin feel like crying when she looks at him ; and 
 Sir Christopher is gone away, so that they cannot catch him." 
 
 " Dear Neebin," said the lady, " thine are timely words of 
 consolation. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings," she 
 added, looking up, " dost thou ordain strength. I will be grate- 
 ful for these mercies, nor allow a weakness to overcome me 
 again." 
 
 The lady now, with more care, adjusted her garments, which, 
 when wakened by the noise made at the entrance of the band
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 351 
 
 into the house, she had hastily thrown on, and smoothed down 
 the hair that, without a curl, lay on her temples. She paid the 
 same attention to Neebin, and then, crossing her hands, sat down 
 to await what should follow. 
 
 " Has any thing been heard or seen of him whom we seek 7" 
 demanded Spikeman of a soldier, as he entered the room wherein 
 he had left Joy. 
 
 " Nothing, so please you," answered the man ; " and Philip 
 here says that our search will be bootless, for that he is not in 
 the house." 
 
 " A fine soldier thou, and a shrewd," said Spikeman, contempt- 
 uously, "To trust what a prisoner may say ! Call me Lieutenant 
 Venn." 
 
 The soldier went out, and presently returned with the lieuten- 
 ant. 
 
 " Hast thou discovered nothing on thy watch on the outside "?" 
 inquired Spikeman. 
 
 " We invested the building so closely," answered Venn, " that 
 had a mouse attempted to run away, we had seen and captured 
 it ; but no sound has broken the silence, nor aught met our 
 sight." 
 
 " Has the whole interior been thoroughly searched ?" 
 
 " But short time does it require to unshell the kernel of a nut 
 like this," returned the officer, looking round ; " and Cowlson re- 
 ports to me that everything in it, save in the woman's quarters, 
 (which his modesty did not permit him to search,) is as well known 
 to him as the contents of his own cabin." 
 
 " I fear that the principal object of our undertaking is de- 
 feated," said Spikeman, with a look of disappointment. 
 
 " Yea," said the officer, " the prey hath escaped even as a 
 bird from the snare. What is to be done now, seeing that Sir 
 Christopher is not to be found ?" 
 
 Spikeman did not hesitate, for he had been considering th,e
 
 852 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 course to be adopted in the contingency, and he therefore 
 promptly answered 
 
 " We have not entirely failed. We have at least the woman, 
 and important information may be obtained from her. The hope 
 of working her deliverance, or of making terms with us on her 
 account, may also induce the Knight to put himself in our 
 power." 
 
 " I like not," said Venn, " a foray, whose achievement is the 
 making prisoners of Miles Arundel, of honest Philip, and of a 
 sorrowful-looking woman. Meseems it redounds but little to the 
 credit of a file of twenty men." 
 
 " I understand not," continued Spikeman, as though the re- 
 mark failed to reach him, " by what means the man was apprised 
 of our design. Or it may be, that, by mere chance, he is absent ; 
 for some evil purpose, doubtless. It will, however, avail him 
 nothing, for sooner or later he must fall into our net. I have 
 lingered in the hope that he might return and be caught by the 
 men on the margin of the wood a hope I give not up yet, and, 
 therefore, perhaps it were better to wait awhile." 
 
 " I pray you, sir," said Lieutenant Venn, " to do me a pleasure 
 in one thing. Delay not our departure until it be so late that 
 the sun is risen when we enter Boston. I confess to some shame 
 on account of this night's work, and desire that what was begun 
 in darkness may be ended in like manner." 
 
 "What fanciful follies be these?" said Spikeman. " Art thou 
 degraded by any service which promotes the interests of the 
 Commonwealth *?" 
 
 " Nevertheless, be it a fanciful folly or grave wisdom, I will 
 take the liberty to iterate the request, and will hold myself in- 
 debted if it be granted." 
 
 "Surely," said Spikeman, "it is a light thing, and because 
 you wish it, it shall be done. Call in the men from the margin 
 of the clearing, and we will begin preparations for return."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 353 
 
 Let no surprise be felt at the character of the conversation 
 betwixt the superior and inferior officer, and at the influence 
 exercised by the latter over the former. The men under the com- 
 mand of the Assistant for the occasion were not regular soldiers 
 but ordinary citizens ; liable, it is true, to be called out at any 
 moment to do military duty whenever an exigency arose, but 
 without bein? subject to any very strict discipline. The most of 
 them were voters, and hence a source of power, and therefore to 
 be courted by any one ambitious of political distinction. ^ Such 
 an one was the Assistant, and he stood in about the same rela- 
 tion to his men that a modern militia captain, who is desirous of 
 civil office, does to his company of soldiers, and who, through fear 
 of giving offence and so losing the object of his aspirations, is 
 obliged to relax the strictness of military rule." 
 
 On receiving the order, Lieutenant Venn started off to execute it, 
 and, as soon as he was gone, Spikeman took Ephraim Pike aside. 
 
 "Ephraim," he said, " the badger may lie hid in some cunning 
 place of concealment in the house, and after all laugh at our 
 simplicity at our departure without him." 
 
 " That can hardly be," said Pike. " The house has been thor- 
 oughly searched, and I would pledge my life the Knight is not in 
 it." 
 
 " Verily thou mayest be right, yet is there a possibility of mis- 
 take. Ephraim, with our hands on the plough, we will not look 
 back. We must burn this nest of hornets, and should the Knight 
 of the Melice be burned with it, there will be no harm done." 
 
 "I suppose," said Ephraim, rather sulkily, "this is a service 
 you want to put on my shoulders, but an' you wish to burn the 
 house, you can burn it yourself." 
 
 " That can I not do," answered Spikeman. " The thing must 
 be done secretly, so that it may appear the consequence of some 
 accident. Were I to absent myself I should be missed, but thou 
 canst do it without suspicion." 
 
 15*
 
 864 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " And suppose it done, what then "?" asked Pike. 
 
 " Thou shalt have a gold piece for that which costs thee but 
 little trouble and no risk." 
 
 " How shall it be done ?" 
 
 " I will presently take all the inmates of the cabin with us on 
 our return. After we have gone a few rods, do thou retrace thy 
 steps and fire the building, and hurry back immediately." 
 
 " But should I be missed 1 ?" 
 
 " There is little probability of that ; but thou knowest me, 
 Ephraim, and can be certain that I will be able to account satis- 
 factorily therefor should it happen." 
 
 " Yea, I do know thee," said Ephraim to himself, " for as cun- 
 ning a one as Beelzebub himself ; but thou hast never failed me, 
 and I will trust thee yet again. I will do the thing," he said 
 aloud, " since thy mind is set thereon ; but it rubs mightily against 
 the grain." 
 
 " Thou shalt not repent it," replied Spikeman. " We are in 
 some sort confederates, and our fates are so interwoven that thy 
 fortunes depend on mine." 
 
 With these prophetic words the Assistant left his co-adjutor, 
 and returning to the apartment of the lady, requested her to pre- 
 pare herself and the Indian child to accompany him. She made 
 no reply, and, on his departure, sat some little time pondering 
 what it became her to do ; after which, she rose and prepared 
 some articles of clothing. 
 
 Spikeman soon re-appeared, and directing one of his soldiers 
 to carry the clothing, begged the lady to follow him. This she 
 did without objection, holding the girl by the hand, and appear- 
 'ing indifferent to all that happened. She found Arundel and 
 Joy, with a number of strange persons, in the largest room of 
 the building, preparing for departure. The countenances of the 
 two men expressed the indignation which they felt, but they were 
 obliged to content themselves with the offer of such services, as
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 355 
 
 their situation permitted. This the lady graciously acknowl- 
 edged in a few words, but seemed more inclined to indulge in her 
 own private thoughts than to encourage any conversation. They 
 all left the house together, and, when in the open air, were com- 
 mitted to the special guard of half a dozen of the party, who 
 composed the centre ; and, in this order, led by Spikeman, the 
 cavalcade" commenced their march. They had proceeded at a 
 slow pace, on account of the females, and in silence, broken only 
 by an occasional question and answer, for perhaps half an hour, 
 when one of the men observed that either the moon had risen or 
 the morning was breaking. 
 
 " There is no moon, Cowlson," said a soldier ; " nor, accord- 
 ing to my reckoning, can it be much past midnight. The light 
 ye see comes from the North ; and, an' it were winter, I should 
 think it was the shooting of the Northern lights." 
 
 " These be no Northern lights, nor Southern, nor moon, nor 
 morning," said another. " An' it be not a fire, my name is not 
 Job Bloyce." 
 
 " How can it be a fire ?" said Ephraim Pike, who had con- 
 trived to join the band without his absence being noticed, after 
 accomplishing his purpose. " There is nothing in that direction 
 but the house we just left, and sure it cannot be that." 
 
 " I know not," said Spikeman. " It may be the work of the 
 desperate man whom we failed to take, and who has done the 
 deed, in order to throw disgrace in some sort on us." 
 
 " That is a strange supposition," said Lieutenant Venn. " A 
 man would hardly be likely to destroy his own property." 
 
 " Not without some malicious design, I grant ye ; but that 
 were motive sufficient with Sir Christopher. Besides, what is it 
 he would burn up but a heap of old logs, whose whole valuo 
 could scarcely exceed ten pounds?"
 
 356 THE KNGIHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 By this time the fire had gained such an ascendancy over the 
 building, as to throw a light which could no longer be mistaken, 
 and all were satisfied that it must proceed from the habitation of 
 the Knight. The majority of the men adopted, without reflec- 
 tion, the idea thrown out by the wily Assistant, but there were 
 others who were unable to satisfy themselves as easily.
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 When the King of Tars saw that sight, 
 Wood he was for wrath aplight : 
 
 In hand he bent a spear, 
 And to the Soudan he rode full right ; 
 With a dunt of much might, 
 
 Adown he gan him bear. 
 
 OLD ENGLISH METRICAL ROMANCE. 
 
 ONLY the accidental absence of the Knight saved him from the 
 indignity to which his household was subjected. Well were the 
 measures of his enemies taken, and the time chosen, for it was 
 reasonable to suppose, that after so long a journey, he would cer- 
 tainly be found at his domicile the first night. His erratic habits 
 were well known, and it was this knowledge which induced the 
 choice of the time for the arrest, and indeed had assisted to 
 deepen suspicions, in a suspicious community, against him. It 
 would not have suited the purposes of Spikeman to wait, and 
 thus afford the Knight an opportunity to present himself in town. 
 He chose to bring in Sir Christopher as a criminal, knowing that 
 having committed his associates thus far, to an act of violence, 
 they would not be likely to rest until they ^had expelled Sir 
 Christopher from the colony. 
 
 At the time Spikeman. was rifling his house, and injuriously 
 treating its inmates, the Knight, unsuspicious of harm, was lying 
 in the wigwam of Sassacus, which was distant but a mile or two 
 from his own residence. Lying on his side, with his head sup- 
 ported on one hand by the elbow resting on the ground, he was
 
 358 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 addressing the Sagamore, who, seated in Indian fashion, with the 
 soothing pipe at his lips, was listening to his discourse. A flick- 
 ering fire sent up now and then a bright flame, by means of 
 which the two became ever and anon more distinctly discernible 
 to each other, while in the intervals, there was only light enough 
 to distinguish the outlines of their persons. Even through the 
 studied apathy of the Pequot, it was obvious that the subject 
 possessed considerable interest for him, for occasionally he would 
 remove his pipe from his mouth, and gaze fixedly on the ground, 
 as if lost in profound thought. 
 
 "Wonderful, O chief," he said, after the Knight had ceased 
 speaking, " are the things which thou hast told, and I believe, 
 because the white men are very strange, and I have never caught 
 thee in a lie. Truly, as thou sayest, are the red men children, 
 and the white men exceed them in wisdom, even as the beaver 
 the wolf. The wise beaver is warm in his lodge, when the wolf 
 howls for hunger and cold in the forest. The white man is the 
 beaver, and the red man the wolf. The Great Spirit made them 
 BO, for so it pleased him, and so they must remain." 
 
 " Nay," said the Knight. " There was a time when the white 
 race was like thine own, without that knowledge which makes 
 them so powerful." 
 
 " And can the chief say why the Great Spirit gave Owanux 
 the wisdom which he denied to us ?" 
 
 " That is a question I cannot answer, any more than why thy 
 skin is red and mine white ; but the Christian religion was the 
 means whereby the change was effected." 
 
 " There is but one Great Spirit, who made all things," said 
 Sassacus, solemnly, " and we worship him as well as the white 
 men. Lightnings are the glances of his eyes; thunder is his 
 voice ; the sun is the fire before his lodge, which he extinguishes 
 when he sleeps, and the moon and stars are the sparks which fly 
 up into the air when it goes out."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 359 
 
 " Thou hast indeed, in some sort, a religion, for He hath not 
 left even the most barbarous nations without some knowledge of 
 himself, howbeit it is not unto wisdom. But it is only with his 
 true religion that he has connected that acquaintance with him- 
 self, which makes men to advance in all that is worthy to be 
 known here, and happy hereafter." 
 
 " Our wise men say," replied Sassacus, " that for the spirits 
 of brave and just warriors there are happy hunting grounds, far 
 away towards the setting sun, which the Indian travels to, over 
 the white path in the middle of the sky, where deer, and elk, and 
 bears never fail, and where the hunter is never tired, nor very 
 hungry." 
 
 " Alas !" said the Knight ; " these are but figments of the ima- 
 gination fond dreams as unsubstantial as morning mist, and 
 deceitful as the wandering fire, which lures the ignorant traveller 
 into the morass." 
 
 " O, wise chief," said Sassacus, " our tribes have also their 
 traditions, and I know not why they may not be as true as thine. 
 We do not think, as your powahs teach, that our traditions come 
 from Hobbamocki, while yours all proceed from the Master of 
 life." 
 
 " Hobbamocki is thy name for the Evil Spirit?" 
 
 " My brother has said it. Would he like to know how he was 
 created ?" 
 
 " I listen," said the Knight. 
 
 " A long, long time ago," said Sassacus," the Master of Life, 
 Kiehtan, went to a large flat island, in order to complete his work 
 of creation. He there created a multitude of animals, some of 
 which were so large that he was unable to control them. It is 
 said that remains of gigantic beasts are still to be found upon the 
 island, which were never finished. It was out of clay that 
 Kiehtan formed the beasts, while the inferior manitos looked on 
 and rejoiced in his labor. He made in the side of each animal
 
 860 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 an opening, whereinto he crept, and so warmed it into life. It 
 the animals pleased him he permitted them to swim to the great 
 pasture land, and to fill the woods ; if they pleased him not, he 
 first withdrew the life, and then turned them into clay again. 
 Once he made so large a beast that he was afraid to give him life. 
 There were also other smaller, to whom he gave not life, because 
 he considered them not useful. Once he made a creature, in the 
 form of a man, which he also rejected, but he forgot to take the 
 life away from him, and this is the evil spirit, Hobbamocki." 
 
 " And thou believest this fable, as wild as ever sprung from 
 the unbridled license of an Oriental story-teller f 
 |. " Sassacus believes as the wise men of his nation believed, when 
 he was a little pappoose, and as their fathers believed, when they 
 were papooses, and as his people have always believed, for more 
 summers than there are stars in the sky. But do not the white 
 men believe in Hobbamocki f 
 
 "They do, though they give him a different name," answered 
 the Knight. " He was a Great Spirit, who was expelled from 
 heaven, or the happy hunting grounds, because of his wicked- 
 ness." 
 
 " Was he not very happy there, and had all that he wanted ?" 
 inquired the Pequot. 
 
 " He was happy and preeminent above all other manitos in 
 glory and power." 
 
 " How then became he wicked ?" 
 
 " That is a question which our wise men have never been able 
 to answer. But he envied the greatness of the Master of Life, 
 and desired to occupy his place." 
 
 " Can your Hobbamocki be in two places at once *" 
 
 " No. Being a created spirit, he is limited." 
 
 " It cannot be, then, that he was such a fool," said the chief, 
 decisively. " Behold ! the Master of Life is every where ! He is 
 like the air and the light. Manitos are very little things beside
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 361 
 
 him, and all together cannot fill his place. Your powahs have 
 deceived you, and told a foolish story of their own invention. 
 No. Hobbamocki was vexed because the Great Spirit did not 
 like him, and for that reason tries to revenge himself, by troub- 
 ling those whom the Great Spirit loves." 
 
 " At least," said the Knight, " our two traditions agree in 
 this that there is an evil spirit, who injures and leads men into 
 wickedness, and therein do thy legends confirm the truth of the 
 Catholic religion." 
 
 " Do the people at Shawmut, under Sagamore Winthrop, be- 
 lieve in all things, as my brother ?" 
 
 " Nay. They are heretics, and given over to believe a lie from 
 whom this land shall be taken, and bestowed as an heritage on 
 others, who shall be the Indians' friends, and they shall all live 
 together." 
 
 " Listen ! My brother has spoken of this before, and Sassacus 
 has thought much about it. It seems to me that when the Great 
 Spirit spoke to the white men, they could not understand his 
 words, but his voice was to them like the sighing of the wind 
 among the trees, or the dashing of the green water on the shore, 
 for they cannot agree about their religion. But the ears of the 
 Indians were sharper, and they all understood alike, and there- 
 fore they do not diifer about what the Master of Life said, and 
 they also know better concerning Hobbamocki. Has not my 
 brother told me that the white men fight and kill one another 
 about their religion 1 ?" 
 
 " Alas ! it is too true," replied Sir Christopher. 
 " Indians never do so. Let us do a great thing," added Sas- 
 sacus, his face suddenly kindling, as with the inspiration of a 
 magnificent thought " we will teach the English our religion, 
 which we never fight about, because we know it to be true, and 
 the English shall teach us how to build ships, and make guns 
 and powder ; and, together, we will drive the Taranteens into the 
 salt lake."
 
 362 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 "It is in vain," said the Knight to himself, on hearing this 
 extraordinary proposition. "He doth, ever in his childlike sim- 
 plicity, say something to confound me. His untutored mind is 
 yet incapable of receiving the mysteries of our holy religion, but, 
 in lieu thereof, perpetually runs after the practical and imme- 
 mediate advantages of powder and guns. Direct the conversa- 
 tion as I may, this target doth it hit at last." 
 
 At this moment an Indian stepped into the lodge, and, utter- 
 ing the word " fire !" accompanied by a gesture of the arm, 
 retired. 
 
 The Knight and Sassacus sprung up, and, looking in the di- 
 rection indicated, beheld the heavens all aglow with the confla- 
 gration. 
 
 " It is my lodge !" exclaimed Sir Christopher. " I will hasten 
 thither instantly." 
 
 " Come with us, Towanquattick," said the Chief, calling to the 
 Indian, and the three at once directed their course toward the 
 dwelling of the Knight. 
 
 With all their haste, they did not reach it until the fire had 
 made such progress that it was impossible to suppress it, or even 
 save anything from the building. The flames were pouring out 
 in billows from the doors and windows, and a moment after their 
 arrival the roof fell in. They approached as near as the heat 
 would permit, but were unable to distinguish anything in the 
 interior, nor was a sound to be heard, save that of the rushing 
 flames and falling timbers. No one was present, except the three 
 the natives who lived near having retired deeper into the wood 
 on the first alarm. Leaning on his gun, the Knight gazed sadly 
 on the burning ruin, reflecting on what had probably become of 
 its former occupants. If he had any doubts, they were soon 
 dissipated by Sassacus, whose attention, with that of the other 
 Indian, had been attracted by marks upon the ground which had 
 escaped the notice of Sir Christopher. These plainly revealed to
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 363 
 
 them by the light of the fire, the two, like well-bred hounds, had 
 been examining in every direction, until, gathering together the 
 various tracks into one trail, they had followed it into the wood. 
 Keturning to the Knight, and pointing out the traces, the chief 
 said : 
 
 " Many Owanux have been here, and all are gone to Shaw- 
 mut." 
 
 " I surmised as much," said Sir Christopher, partly to him- 
 self. " We will follow, Sagamore, and assure ourselves with 
 our own eyes." 
 
 No time was lost in lamentation, but the three instantly 
 started after the band. 
 
 Sir Christopher could see the trail until it reached the wood ; 
 but here, notwithstanding his experience in woodcraft, he fre- 
 quently lost all trace of it, though to the Indians it seemed as 
 plain as a beaten highway. Never hesitating, even in the ob- 
 scurest recesses of the forest where penetrated no ray of a star, 
 with rapid steps they pursued their way. 
 
 Meanwhile, the party of soldiers, conscious of their strength, 
 and encumbered with their prisoners, though pushing on at first 
 at a good pace, had of late been proceeding more leisurely. 
 Even Lieutenant Venn, satisfied that they would be able without 
 haste to reach their destination before daylight, ceased to hurry. 
 As they approached nearer the village, their vigilance diminished 
 the men talked loud and jested with one another, and it was 
 obvious that no apprehensions of danger were entertained. 
 
 This state of things had not been unnoticed by Philip, who 
 had been meditating over the question, whether it were not bet- 
 ter make an attempt to escape. " There is no great hazard in 
 it," he said to himself; "but were I to get away I should be 
 about as badly off as now, unless I could meet Sir Christopher 
 or the Sagamore ; and perhaps they have been captured by some 
 other party, for our folk do not things by halves. They have
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 taken away my snap-chance, too, and I cannot shoot with arrows 
 like a savage, so that, as one may say, I am a sort of cat without 
 claws. I know not what they can have against me now, or why 
 I should be afraid of them ; and yet, when I think of their pur- 
 gatory of a prison, it makes me crawl all over. A week's lodg- 
 ing there would about make an end of me. I think I have 
 never been quite the man I was before, since they stuck me 
 there." 
 
 Thus revolving in his mind the advantages and disadvantages 
 of his position, the remembrance of his sufferings during his im- 
 prisonment, at last turned the scales in favor of liberty, and 
 Philip began to think of means to accomplish his purpose. He 
 tried, by lagging behind and falling down once or twice, to get 
 into the rear ; but this manoeuvre the vigilant eyes of Lieutenant 
 Venn detected, who ordered him nearer to the front, and directed 
 that he should be watched closer. Foiled in this manner, that 
 freedom which but a moment before, and when apparently in his 
 power, seemed almost a matter of indifference, assumed a con- 
 stantly increasing importance, and the mind of Philip worked 
 more actively than ever. In a short time they would be out of 
 the forest, when any attempt at evasion would be folly, for, 
 should he succeed in shaking off his guard, he would run great 
 risk of being shot down in 'the open space. It was therefore ne- 
 cessary to think quickly. 
 
 " If I only had Prudence with me," thought Philip, " I be bound 
 she would have invented a dozen ways to get off by this time. 
 Sweet wench ! there is some difference between sitting on a log 
 with her and stealing a smack once in a while, though a slap be 
 pretty sure to follow, and dragging my legs in the dark among 
 the briers. But she is not here, and so I will e'en take up with 
 Master Arundel, and suck his wits a bit." 
 
 " What think you," he whispered to his companion in cap- 
 tivity, " of making a rush, and showing our heels to the Philis- 
 tines r
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 865 
 
 " It were madness," answered the young man, in the same 
 manner. " Thou wert sure to be retaken, perhaps shot." 
 
 " I have no fancy for either ; but cannot your wit devise some 
 mode to save me from yon lock-up ? My bones ache when I 
 think of it." 
 
 " I have no desire to get away," answered Arundel; " nor un- 
 derstand I how it can advantage thee, seeing that, sooner or later, 
 thou art tolerably certain of being made prisoner again." 
 
 " Nevertheless, there is a chance of better things ; and I say 
 once more I like not the thoughts of the close quarters they in- 
 tend for us. An' you will not run for it yourself, at least help a 
 poor fellow, whose ideas are like a skein of tangled silk, to avoid 
 the bilboes." 
 
 "Assuredly, if you wish, what I can I will do to facilitate 
 thy escape. Only tell me how." 
 
 " You have me there in a Cornish hug," said Philip. " An' I 
 knew, I had not asked." 
 . " You would not have us fight for our liberty?" 
 
 " I am not so crazy as that. Ten to one is odds that any one, 
 except Sampson, might avoid without disgrace, and even he 
 would not stand much chance, for all his bushy head, when bul- 
 lets were flying." 
 
 " We must out-manoeuvre them by some stratagem." 
 
 " If Sassacus were here," said Philip, " he could show us the 
 way. There is not a tree or a rock but would have something 
 to say to him about a contrivance." 
 
 " What would you think, Philip," asked Arundel, (the direc- 
 tion of Sassacus to sound the notes of the robin, whenever he 
 desired to see him, occurring to his mind,) " were I to conjure up 
 the Chief r 
 
 " I would think thee more cunning than any powah of them 
 all, and, moreover, advise thee to keep out of the way of the 
 elders and magistrates."
 
 866 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Keep quiet a moment, and I will try my powahing." 
 
 So saying, the young man whistled the peculiar notes of the 
 bird, which, in the dewy silence of night, rung wide through the 
 woods. 
 
 " Halt!" cried Spikeman, who instantly suspected some 
 treachery. " Close up around the prisoners. Who dared make 
 those sounds *?" 
 
 No answer was returned ; and, after a vain attempt to discover 
 their author, the party resumed its march. 
 
 "If your powahing has done no other good, Master Arundel," 
 said Philip, " it at least frightened the General." 
 
 " I am a beginner," answered the young man, jestingly, " and 
 it would not be surprising should I fail at first. If it raise not 
 the sagamore or one of his men before we reach the open space, 
 I will try the spell again." 
 
 But the notes had struck the quick ears of the Pequot chief, 
 and at their sound he bounded forward at a pace which his com- 
 panions vainly endeavored to equal, and which shortly left them 
 out of sight ; but they could hear the rustling he made tearing 
 through the bushes, and, guided by it, followed. The noise oc- 
 casioned by the movements of so large a party, and the conversa- 
 tion among them, prevented the approach of the sagamore being 
 heard, especially as when he drew nearer he proceeded with more 
 caution. Gliding from tree to tree, he was able to advance quite 
 close without being discovered. What was the rage of the chief, 
 when, at the head of the band, he beheld his enemy, the Assistant 
 Spikeman, leading as prisoners his friends and the little Indian girl. 
 Not waiting for the Knight and the Paniese to come up, fitting an 
 arrow, he drew the deer's sinew till the head of the missile touched 
 the hand that held the bow, and sent it whizzing through the air. 
 The cavalcade had passed on, so that the front ranks were in 
 advance of Sassacus, when he discharged the shaft, and the back 
 of the Assistant was turned to him. It entered just below the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 367 
 
 right shoulder, and was sent with such vigor, that, passing be- 
 tween the ribs, it stopped not until arrested on the other side by 
 the steel corselet which Spikeman wore on his breast. Shouting 
 then his war-whoop, and drawing his tomahawk from his girdle, 
 the Pequot leaped among the band. Like lightning it sunk into 
 the head of one man, who fell to the ground. The chief raised 
 it again, but before it could descend, a blow prostrated him, and, 
 in an instant, he was overpowered and disarmed. So rapidly 
 followed these occurrences, that before the Knight and Towan- 
 quattick came up, the chief was a prisoner, and every man on his 
 guard was prepared and watching for an enemy. To attack 
 would have been certain death or captivity ; they, therefore, bit- 
 terly lamenting the passionate impetuosity of the sagamore, kept 
 themselves concealed in order to take advantage of circumstances. 
 Plaving disposed his Company so as to face in every direction, 
 to repel attack, Lieutenant Venn approached to examine the 
 fallen men. A corpse was all that remained of Ephraim Pike, 
 who must have instantly expired on receiving the blow. His 
 head was cleft to the neck, and portions of the brain were lying 
 on the leaves. He had probably been selected by the sagamore 
 (from his neighborhod to the Assistant, by whose side he marched) 
 as second in command, and thus expiated with his life his evil 
 devotion to his master. Spikeman lay upon his face, groaning, 
 while the blood slowly oozed from his wound. The lieutenant, 
 with one of the men, raised him up, while Lady Geraldine strove 
 to stanch the bleeding. An attempt was made to withdraw the 
 arrow, but the pain it occasioned and the amount of blood which 
 followed were so great, that it was abandoned. All that could 
 be done was to carry the wounded man as gently as possible 
 home. Venn, now at the head of half a dozen men, scoured the 
 woods in the immediate vicinity all around ; arid, rinding no en- 
 emy, returned, and ordered a couple of trestles to be made, on one 
 of which was to be placed the body of Pike, and on the other the
 
 368 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELIOE. 
 
 groaning Spikeman. Upon mustering the company, it was found 
 that all were present, with the exception of Philip Joy, who 
 had escaped in the confusion. Four men being assigned to each 
 of the trestles, to be relieved as occasion should require, the re- 
 mainder having charge of the prisoners, and composing the van 
 and rear, Lieutenant Venn re-commenced his march Arundel 
 walking by the side of the Pequot chief, to whom he expressed 
 regret at his capture. '"''.' 
 
 " It is a summer cloud," said the sagamore. 
 
 As for Philip, on effecting his escape, he felt some embarrass- 
 ment what to do with himself. There he was, alone and with- 
 out arms, in the forest, wandering helplessly about, and, if un- 
 able to find Sir Christopher, in a worse condition than before. 
 He had half a mind to pursue the band and surrender himself, 
 when, remembering the powahing, as he called it, of Arundel, he 
 determined to try it himself. Imitating, therefore, to the best 
 of his ability, the sounds made by the young man, he sat down 
 and waited for the effect. Presently the figure of Towanquattick, 
 followed by that of the Knight, stole out of a thicket and stood 
 before him.
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 But, gasping, heaved the breath that Lara drew, 
 And dull the film along his dim eye grew. 
 
 BYRON. 
 
 ON the arrival of the party at the settlement, Lieutenant Venn 
 divided it into two detachments ; at the head of one of which he 
 carried the Assistant to his own house, while the other, under 
 the command of an inferior officer, was charged with the secu- 
 rity of the prisoners. Only the sagamore was strictly confined, 
 being ironed and placed in the same dungeon which Joy had oc- 
 cupied. Sassacus made no resistance, but submitted with a sto- 
 ical impassivity as to an irresistible fate. The lady and Indian 
 girl, as those from whom flight was less to be feared, and with 
 whom it would be more difficult to effect, and also out of defer- 
 ence to the weakness of their sex, were committed to the care of 
 Dame Bars, by whom they were to be closely watched. As for 
 Arundel, he was permitted to depart, the lieutenant informing 
 him that he had been arrested only to prevent the carrying of in- 
 formation to the Knight. It is doubtful, however, whether, if 
 Spikeman had still been in command, he would have escaped on 
 as easy terms. 
 
 The little community was thrown into some commotion by 
 these events. The dangerous wound of so prominent a person 
 as the Assistant, and the capture of the renowned Indian sachem 
 
 16
 
 370 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 not to speak of the lady could not fail to occasion a lively 
 interest. As soon as the results of the night expedition were 
 known, (and the news flew with wonted celerity,) every body 
 was in the streets, giving and receiving information, or what 
 purported to be such, and making and listening to comments 
 thereupon. We cannot, however, remain to hear the conversa- 
 tion of the grave citizens at the corners, but must follow those 
 whose particular fortunes we have undertaken to portray. 
 
 The unfortunate Spikeman, unable to suppress his groans at 
 the pain occasioned by the motions of his bearers his clothing 
 saturated with blood, which kept oozing from the orifices of the 
 wound was borne to his dwelling, and delivered to the weeping 
 household. It would be absurd to suppose that any great grief 
 was felt by Dame Spikeman, and hers was partly the feeling 
 arising from early associations and long familiarity ; but it is 
 impossible for the most stoical to contemplate, without emotion, 
 one in the condition of the suffering man, and the tears of Eve- 
 line and of Prudence were mingled with those of the dame. 
 
 It happened that Dr. Samuel Fuller, of the Plymouth colony, 
 who had come over with the first Pilgrims, was in Boston at the 
 time He was immediately brought to the wounded man, and 
 was soon followed by Governor Winthrop, Mr. Eliot, and other 
 friends. The corselet had been removed, and a portion of the 
 clothing cut away, and Spikeman lay on his side, spasmodically 
 breathing. Yet had resolution not entirely deserted him. His 
 strong character still spoke in his face, and he looked like one 
 who, though conquered, was not subdued. 
 
 Doctor Fuller approached the couch and gently touched the 
 arrow, but it produced such a spasm that he did not repeat the 
 experiment. The eyes of Spikeman were fastened on the coun- 
 tenance of the surgeon, and read therein his doom. 
 
 " There is no hope ?" he gasped. 
 
 " I humbly trust," said the doctor, who was " not only useful
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 371 
 
 in his faculty, but otherwise, as he was a godly man, and served 
 Christ in the office of a deacon in the Church for many years, 
 and forward to do good in his place," according to an old chronicle 
 " I humbly trust that a crown of glory awaits thee in the 
 other world whither thou art hastening." 
 
 A groan, which shook the couch whereon he was lying, and 
 sent the blood gushing from the wound, burst from Spikeman, as 
 he heard the answer. 
 
 " Yea," said good and tender-hearted Mr. Eliot, " let our 
 brother anchor his mind on the promises which are very com- 
 fortable ' For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again 
 to fear, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we 
 cry, Abba, Father.' For I reckon that the sufferings of the 
 present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which 
 shall be revealed in us. ' Blessed are the dead who die in the 
 Lord, and their works do follow them.' " 
 
 " Works?" interrupted Spikeman. " Who speaks of works? 
 They are filthy rags." 
 
 " They are indeed but filthy rags," said Mr. Eliot, " to them 
 who rely upon them for salvation ; yet are they not unpleasing 
 as being the fruits of saving faith." 
 
 " I will not hear of works," said Spikeman. " Moreover, 
 whom he did predestinate them" a sudden pang prevented 
 the conclusion of the sentence, but it was finished by Mr. Eliot. 
 
 " He also called ; and whom he called, them he also justified ; 
 and whom he justified, them he als glorified." 
 
 A silence followed, which was interrupted only by the sobs of 
 Dame Spikeman, until the wounded man inquired : 
 
 " How long shall I live " 
 
 " It may be two hours ; it may be only one," answered the 
 physician. 
 
 " A short time !" murmured the Assistant, " My soul doth 
 travail with anguish," he said, fixing his burning eyes on Mr. 
 Eliot.
 
 372 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " O, my brother !" exclaimed the divine, " the precious blood 
 of Christ cleanseth from all sins, though they be as crimson. 
 Faint not now, when thou art about to cross the river of Jordan, 
 but think upon thy Redeemer." 
 
 " I strive," said Spikeman, " but there are thoughts which 
 which rise up, as a mist, between me and him." 
 
 " O, cleanse thy bosom of this perilous stuff," said Winthrop. 
 " If there be a sin which persecutes thee, confess it and re- 
 pent." 
 
 " Is that the voice of the Governor ?" asked Spikeman, who 
 seemed to have forgotten his entrance. " Repentance ! Repent- 
 ance ! it is too late." 
 ^ Those around the couch looked at one another with dismay. 
 
 " Our dear brother," said Mr. Eliot, " of what specially wouldst 
 thou repent ? Believe me it is never too late to trust God's 
 mercies. Think of the penitent thief upon the Cross." 
 
 "Do you dare to call me a thief 1 ?" said Spikeman, hoarsely. 
 "Ah!" he added, "how I talk! These are strange feelings. 
 What I have to do must be done quickly. Call Eveline Dun- 
 ning." 
 
 " Who is in the room ?" he inquired, after the young lady had 
 entered. 
 
 The names of those present were enumerated. "Let them re- 
 main," he said. "They are of the congregation, but I would 
 not that the world should know my shame. Look not thus at 
 me," he exclaimed, as soon asfce saw Eveline. " Thy face is like 
 thy father's, the friend whom I wronged. Be nigh to hear, but 
 let me not see thee. Eveline, the property which should be 
 thine, I have misapplied, and it has melted from my grasp. It 
 was that my misdeed might not be discovered that I denied thee 
 to Miles Arundel, though thy father wished the nuptials. Yet, 
 Eveline, marry him not ; he is of the corrupt Church of Eng- 
 land."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 873 
 
 These words he uttered with many interruptions of pain, re- 
 suming when the paroxysm passed away. 
 
 "Would you see Miles?" inquired the weeping girl. 
 
 " To what end ? I care not for him. He is not of the con- 
 gregation. Go now. I have done." 
 
 " My spirit is lightened," he said, as she left the room. " Ed- 
 mund Dunning," he added, as his mind temporarily wandered, 
 " why do you fasten your accusing eyes on me "? I have made 
 all the reparation that I can. What more ?" 
 
 " Alas !" said Mr. Eliot, aside, to Governor Winthrop, " who 
 would have thought this of one so zealous for our Israel T' 
 
 Low as was the tone, the words struck the ear of Spikeman. 
 
 " Whatever be my sins," he said, " even though dark as those 
 of David, I have been zealous unto slaying for the people of God, 
 Is the enemy taken?" he inquired. 
 
 " Whom mean you ?" asked Winthrop. 
 
 " Whom should I mean, but the man ye call the Knight of the 
 Golden Melice?" 
 
 " He is not yet taken," answered the Governor. 
 
 " Let him be hunted, as a partridge on the mountains ; let him 
 be run down and seized ; kill him, if he resists." 
 
 " This is no fitting frame of mind for a parting spirit," said 
 Mr. Eliot. " Let me beseech you to turn your thoughts on the 
 Saviour." 
 
 But delirium had now taken possession of the mind of the 
 dying man, and made him insensible alike of all that was said 
 and of pain. 
 
 " Away with him !" he cried, " who lays snares for the feet of 
 my people. Hew him down, though he hugged the arms of the 
 altar." 
 
 " Shall we not, beloved brother, unite our supplications to the 
 throne of grace, for the last time on earth ?" asked Mr. Eliot, 
 bending over him.
 
 374 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? It is 
 God who justifies," said Spikeman, turning on the minister his 
 glazing eyes. 
 
 " It is in vain," said Winthrop. " He heeds not nor under- 
 stands what you say." 
 
 " Papistical mummeries ! Your croziers, your mitres, your 
 mumbled prayers from the mass-book ! I hate them ! Forty 
 years long they wandered in the wilderness, but they prevailed at 
 last. Stay ye the hands of our Moses ! Be strong ! Quit ye 
 like men." 
 
 " His mind, even in its wanderings, doth remember Israel," 
 said Dr. Fuller. 
 
 " He hath, indeed," said Winthrop, " ever avouched himself a 
 devoted servant of our cause. Unhappy is it " 
 
 He looked at the weeping wife, and left the sentence un- 
 finished. 
 
 " Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," said good 
 Mr. Eliot. 
 
 " Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound !" ex- 
 claimed the dying man. 
 
 "Dear husband," said Dame Spikeman, sobbing, and taking 
 his hand, " know you me ?" 
 
 " What woman speaks f ' said Spikeman. " It is the voice of 
 Prudence sweet Pru " 
 
 His wife let the hand fall, and covering her face with her 
 handkerchief, burst into a flood of tears. A severer spasm than 
 any before shook the Assistant's frame ; a more copious gush of 
 blood poured from the wound ; and in the effort to speak the 
 name of the girl, the spirit passed to its account. 
 
 " Strange," said pure-minded Mr. Eliot, " that he should utter 
 the name of the serving-maid." 
 
 A look of intelligence passed between the Governor and the 
 physician, but neither spoke.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 375 
 
 " He is silent," said the divine ; " he is stiller, and feels less 
 pain." 
 
 " He will never feel pain again in this world," said the doc- 
 tor, approaching the bed, at a little distance from which he had 
 been sitting, and gazing on the corpse. 
 
 Dame Spikeman screamed, and was borne, fainting, from the 
 apartment in the arms of Eveline and Prudence, who hastened 
 in at the sound. 
 
 " Behold," said Mr. Eliot, who, after the manner of clergymen, 
 was anxious to a improve the solemn occasion," " another warning 
 addressed to us all, to be ready, for we know not neither the day 
 nor the hour. How suddenly hath our friend been forever removed 
 from the scene of his labors and his hopes. ' As the cloud is con- 
 sumed and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to the grave shall 
 come up no more ; he shall return no more to his house, neither shall 
 his place know him any more.' But, though the spirit be gone, 
 its memory remains behind. Out of the good and the evil it 
 hath done, shall be erected its monument on earth. O, let us 
 hope that the former, sprinkled and cleansed by the blood that 
 maketh all things pure, may be accepted, and the latter forgiven, 
 for His sake who shed it. For He who made us knoweth 
 whereof we are made ; He remembereth that we are dust ; He 
 seeth not as man seeth. Only He knows all the secrets of the 
 weak, trembling heart, its temptations, its trials, its struggles, 
 its sorrows, its triumphs, its despairs. Our friend was a captain 
 in Israel. He hath fallen with his armor on, and girded for the 
 battle. He loved the suffering Church. Be that a remembrance 
 to rise like a sweet- smelling incense before the congregation; 
 and if Thou, whose pure eyes cannot behold iniquity, wilt not be 
 extreme to mark what is done amiss, neither may we, the work 
 of thy hands, dare to assume Thy prerogative ; but as the sons of 
 sinning Noah, with averted eyes, covered the nakedness of their 
 father with their garments, so will we hide in forgetfulness each 
 short-coming and each transgression."
 
 376 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 As the good man, with a swelling heart and sad eyes, in 
 which glittered the sacred drops of human feeling, uttered these 
 words, he looked like a pitying angel from whose lips reproach 
 could not fall, and whose blessed office was only to instruct and 
 to forgive. 
 
 The death of one as important as the Assistant Spikeman 
 could not but be sensibly felt in so small a community. He had 
 been a man whose daring nature would not allow him to be at 
 rest, and who was never contented, except in the exercise of all his 
 faculties. Hence he had been not only active and scheming in 
 private life, but also busy and bold in public, driven forward, as 
 it were, by a sort of inborn necessity. Though not deeply re- 
 gretted, he yet was missed. Those whom his adventurous spirit 
 employed in the fisheries, and the just-commencing fur trade, 
 missed him ; his brethren of the congregation, wherein his voice, 
 to the edification of his hearers, had often been lifted up in the 
 " gift of prophecying," missed him ; and his coadjutors in the 
 government, to whom in more than one instance his keen natural 
 sagacity had been a guide, and his zeal a stimulus and support, 
 missed him ; but it was only for a short time. How often has it 
 been remarked, that few things are as capable of making us feel 
 our insignificance, as the shortness of time in which we are for- 
 gotten. Active, prominent, influential as he had been, Spikeman 
 was soon remembered only as yesterday is remembered. There 
 were no loves twining around his memory, reaching beyond the 
 grave, and bringing him back to earth ; no tender recollections of 
 benefits conferred, which the heart cherishes as an inestimable 
 treasure. There was naught for the mind to dwell upon, save 
 his public duties, which he had indeed discharged respectably, 
 but no more. Another Assistant could fill his place as well ; 
 another exercise the gift of prophecying to the use of edifying ; 
 and other merchants succeed to, his trade. Verily is the life 
 of man as the track of an arrow in the air ; as smoke lost in
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 377 
 
 the clouds ; as a flake of snow that falls upon the water ; as a 
 childish grief, or aught else that is most transient. 
 
 But the death of the wicked is a benefit to earth. A gloomy 
 shadow hath passed away ; the blight of its presence will fall no 
 more on the innocent. The purpose for which he was sent into 
 this world, that from its joys and its sorrows he might become a 
 nobler being, seems to have been defeated. But I know not. 
 Pass, then, dark spirit ; my eyes seek not to follow thy track. 
 
 The relation which existed between Arundel and Eveline was, 
 of course, affected by the disclosure of Spikeman on his death- 
 bed no opposition being henceforth made to the free intercourse 
 of the two young people. There were, indeed, some who la- 
 mented that the daughter of precious Edmund Dunning should be- 
 come the wife of one who had not cast in his lot with the saints ; 
 but then, again, Arundel was no enemy to their cause, no railing 
 Rabsheka, but a well-behaved and modest youth, who paid, at 
 least, an outward respect to the customs of the congregation, and 
 might yet, from the influence of godly Edmund Dunning's child, 
 be converted into a vessel of grace. Moreover, the story was 
 pretty well known, and the romantic love which had attracted 
 him from New-England, and the wrong the two had suffered 
 from Spikeman, worked in their favor in the hearts of the Puri- 
 tans. The marked attention which the generous Winthrop 
 manifested now toward them, seeming as if anxious by present 
 kindness to atone for former injustice, contributed also not a lit- 
 tle to the feeling ; and, honored and beloved, the young couple, 
 with the sanguine anticipations of youth, looked forward to a 
 cloudless future. Yet was their happiness, especially that of 
 Arundel, damped by reflections upon the condition of the Pequot 
 chief and the lady hi the prison, and of the Knight wandering 
 homeless in the forest, with no place of shelter for his defenceless 
 head save the wigwams of the friendly savages. Knowing the 
 severity of the government, the foreboding mind of the young 
 
 16*
 
 378 THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 man was harrassed with apprehensions for the fate which might 
 befall them. Access to the Lady Geraldine was permitted to 
 him and Eveline, and thus were they able to bestow upon the un- 
 happy lady at least their sympathy, for of nothing else would 
 she accept ; but no one was allowed to see the Sagamore. In 
 vain Arundel pleaded and intreated ; in vain he recounted his 
 personal obligations to the Chief; he was firmly repulsed, and 
 told that though the feeling was honorable, it constituted no 
 claim for the violation of a rule which their circumstances im- 
 posed. 
 
 Disappointed and somewhat incensed at the unnecessary harsh- 
 ness, as he conceived, wherewith the Chief was treated, and at 
 the suspicion implied toward himself, he, one day on his return 
 from an unsuccessful attempt to obtain an order for admission to 
 the prison, from Winthrop, poured out his vexation and wounded 
 pride to his mistress. 
 
 " Is it not," he said, " most extraordinary, this refusal to allow 
 me to say to a man who saved my life, that I have not forgotten 
 him ? Is it because their treatment of the unfortunate Saga- 
 more is so bad that they are unwilling it should be known ? or 
 do they think that in open day I would attempt to rescue him ?" 
 
 " It is more likely," said Eveline, " to conceal the weakness 
 of the prison." 
 
 " By heaven, Eveline, thy woman's wit hath discovered the 
 cause. I have been thinking over his wrongous confinement, and 
 my debt, till I can endure my inaction no longer, and I swear by 
 St. George of England, that I will soon seek an opportunity to 
 deliver the noble savage from the undeserved death, which sure 
 am I, is his intended doom." 
 
 " I blame thee not, Miles," said Eveline. " One were craven 
 to forget a benefit. Only show me how I can aid thee, and my 
 assistance shall not be wanting." 
 
 " Nay," said her lover. " This is no matter wherein soft, small 
 hands like thine must interfere."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 379 
 
 " It is not so big as thine," she said, measuring the little hand 
 on the palm of Arundel, "but such as it is, it shall ever.be at 
 the service of honor and justice. Were I a man I would strike 
 a blow for the sake of the generous chief, even although sure of 
 being prostrated to the earth by a hundred the next instant." 
 
 The color of Eveline was heightened, and her voice trembled 
 a little, as she made the declaration. 
 
 " Thy language, dearest, is a spur to a determination already 
 formed. Were Sassacus to lose his life, and I to leave this land, 
 conscious of having omitted anything to save it, (at present so 
 greatly imperilled,) the thought would cast a gloom over the 
 remainder of my days, which, even thy love could not chase 
 away." 
 
 " Yet run into no unnecessary danger do not be rash. What 
 have I done by my imprudent words?" said the young lady, 
 tears swelling into her eyes, as the possible consequences of what 
 she had said, occurred to her mind. " O Miles, heed me not. 
 What do I know of such things !" 
 
 " To prudence and courage," said Arundel, " there is little 
 danger in any enterprise ; but sooner shall life desert me, than I 
 the Pequot chief.'' 
 
 They parted, he to ponder means to accomplish his purpose, 
 and she alternately to reproach and to forgive herself, for encour- 
 aging her lover in an undertaking full of peril, yet demanded by 
 gratitude and honor.
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 No wound, which warlike hand of enemy 
 
 nflicts with dint of sword, so sore doth light, 
 As doth the poisonous sting which infamy 
 
 Innxeth in the name of noble wight ; 
 For by no art, nor any leeches might, 
 It ever can recovered be again. 
 
 SPEXSIR'S FAIRY QUEEX. 
 
 THE reader is introduced, once more, into the company of the 
 assembled magnates of the Massachusetts Bay, in New-England, 
 and into the same room where we beheld them before. Gover- 
 nor Winthrop, upon the elevated dais, in his elbow chair, presides, 
 while, ranged around the central table, is a full attendance of the 
 Assistants. Not as before, however, are spectators admitted. 
 Saving the honorable Council, no person is present, for the busi- 
 ness before them has reference to concerns of State, as well as to 
 a judicial examination, and it is considered expedient to conduct 
 it in secrecy. The members, at the moment we enter, are en- 
 gaged in an earnest discussion, and it is the rough voice of Deputy 
 Governor Dudley which first salutes the ear. 
 
 " It were of little avail," he said, as if objecting to something 
 which had been proposed. " Let us not, like the ancient Phari- 
 sees, lay upon the shoulders of the people burdens too heavy to 
 be borne." 
 
 " Thy comparison," said Endicott, in reply, " is somewhat un- 
 pleasing, and the shoe fits us not ; but in vain hath been our 
 pilgrimage hither, if we continue to imitate the unhappy model 
 we left behind."
 
 382 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Call you," said Dudley, " the accidental shaping of a ruff, 
 or the manner of disposing of the folds of ray galligaskins, an 
 imitation of a prelatical model 1" 
 
 " And call you," retorted Endicott, " the requiring of people 
 vowed to the Lord, to dress themselves in a plain and unpreten- 
 tious manner, a burden too heavy to be borne "?" 
 
 " Gentlemen," said Winthrop, " ye be both in the right. 
 Procul dubio, it becomes us, of all men, to apparel ourselves in a 
 sober manner, as thus protesting against the foolish vanities of 
 the world, and yet is it in some sort a burden, to be required to 
 change the fashion of our garments." 
 
 " I perceive, already, with much sadness of heart," said Endi- 
 cott, " a declension in that strictness of regimen which marked 
 the earlier time. Have ye not heard of the godly man who, long 
 time, had been prisoner at Norwich for the cause, and was by 
 Judge Cook set at liberty "? Now, this man, desiring to go into 
 the Low Countries by ship from Yarmouth, did turn into the 
 house of an ancient woman in the city, who had been very kind 
 and helpful to him in his sufferings, in order to return thanks, 
 and she knowing his voice, made him welcome. But when he 
 was ready to depart, she came up te him and felt of his band, 
 (for her eyes were dim with age,) and perceiving it was somewhat 
 stiffened with starch, she wad much displeased, and reproved him 
 very sharply, fearing God would not prosper his journey. Yet 
 was the man a plain countryman, clad in grey russet, without 
 either welt or guard, (as the proverb is,) and the band he wore 
 scarce worth three pence, made of their own homespinning. 
 What would such professors, if they were now living, say to the 
 excess of our times ?" 
 
 " Thy tale," said Dudley, a little sarcastically, " reproaches 
 thine own band." 
 
 " I did instance this case," replied Endicott, slightly abashed, 
 tf not as acknowledging myself literally bound to accept it as a
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 383 
 
 guide for mine own conduct, but for the wholesome admonition 
 therein contained." 
 
 " That is to say," returned Dudley, " inasmuch as it jumps 
 not with thy humor, thou wilt none of it ; but being fitted, as 
 thou conceivest, to reproach us withal, thou dost accept it." But 
 having sufficiently annoyed the other, he added, by way of make- 
 peace, "there is one custom which my soul abhors, and against 
 the which I desire with thee, Master Endicott, to bear my testi- 
 mony, and that is the coming of women unveiled into the congre- 
 gation. I remember that the venerable Countess of Lincoln had 
 a falling veil to conceal her features, when she came into the 
 house of the Lord, to worship with his people." 
 
 In spite of himself, a smile passed over the face of Winthrop, 
 as it did also over those of several Assistants. 
 
 " What excites your risibles, gentlemen," asked Dudley, se- 
 verely. " I trust that I am not the subject of your mirth." 
 
 " For me, sir," said Master Simon Bradstreet, on whom the 
 eyes of the deputy happened to rest at the conclusion of the sen- 
 tence, " if thou desirest an answer, I will crave permission first 
 to inquire, if this discreet lady, who, from thy epithet, I infer to 
 be somewhat advanced in life, was preeminently distinguished for 
 beauty T 
 
 " Although of a gracious presei.ce, I cannot say that she greatly 
 excelled in that respect," answered Dudley. 
 
 " Then," replied Master Bradstreet, " I see not how the view 
 of her face could disturb the devotions of the congregation." 
 
 " Ye smile, my masters," said Dudley, looking round, " as 
 though ye had me at advantage ; but ye consider not the 
 importance of the example of a lady so high in station, and so 
 exemplary in her Christian calling. Not so much on account 
 of herself, but for other's sakes, was it done by the godly and 
 honorable lady." 
 
 " I see no foundation therefor in Scripture," said an
 
 384 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ant. " Surely married women have no pretext to wear veils as 
 virgins, neither would married nor unmarried choose to do so 
 from the example of Tamar the wanton, nor need they do it for 
 sueh purpose as Ruth did, in her widowhood." 
 
 " We claim no certain warrant of Scripture for the practice," 
 said Endicott, coming up to the rescue of the deputy, " but only 
 as being based on the propriety and fitness of things." 
 
 " Fall you not then into the very condemnation of the Scribes 
 and Pharisees, who imposed upon the people burdens enjoined 
 neither by Moses nor the prophets ?" said the same Assistant, 
 using the deputy's own argument. 
 
 " Nay," said Master Increase No well. " If we confine our- 
 selves strictly to what we find in the Scripture, I fear it might 
 strike, in some respects, at the proceedings of our government. 
 The sounder rule, it appears to me, is to follow Scripture as far 
 as we may, having regard to the difference of our circumstances." 
 " Such hath been our endeavor," said Endicott. "The man- 
 ner of our dealing with the vile and pernicious weed, tobacco, 
 sufficiently illustrates the principle of our government. The wis- 
 dom of the godly founders of the plantation at Salem, the charge 
 whereof was entrusted to my weak hands, did clearly perceive 
 the lamentable effects, both to the souls and bodies of the users, 
 hebetating the former, and debauching the latter, likely to arise 
 from an indulgence therein, and they did therefore, both in their 
 first and second letter of instructions to myself and the Council, 
 straightly enjoin that no tobacco should be planted by any of the 
 new planters under our government, saving under close restric- 
 tions, and that the same might be taken by ancient men and 
 none other, and that privately. Now, there were those affecting 
 to be pinched with tender consciences, who said that this was an 
 infringement of their natural liberty, authorized by no rule of 
 Scripture, to whom we made answer that the said abominable 
 weed, the smoke whereof may fitly be compared to the vapor from
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 385 
 
 the bottomless pit, was not known in those primitive days, and 
 for that reason, no rule regarding it was to be found, showing at 
 the same time that other things, less objectionable, (as it would 
 seem,) were prohibited, and thus by parity of reasoning, estab- 
 lishing our point. Concerning this matter, as I understand, 
 there is little difference of opinion among us, although a report 
 hath of late reached my ears, that certain men in high position, 
 even elders, having become addicted to the use thereof, are beat- 
 ing about for reasons to excuse their backsliding." 
 
 " A calumny, doubtless," said Winthrop. " But touching the 
 principle involved in matters of government, I will deliver my 
 opinion. Of things coming within the scope of government, I 
 judge there are two classes ; whereof, the one class may be said 
 to consist of things mala in se that is, of those which, by an in- 
 ner quality or essence, are evil ; and the other, of such as are 
 mala ab extero, or what may be connected with them and made 
 evil only by a positive law of the State, in which is vested the 
 duty of watching over the common good. The fantastic notions 
 of certain libertines, who, setting at naught the experience of the 
 world, and fondly imagining that wisdom will die with themselves, 
 have insinuated a doubt of the rightful power of the law-giver 
 in this latter particular, I condemn, and see not how government 
 can exist without it. Now, as for things embraced in the former 
 category such, for example, as those prohibited in the decalogue 
 there can be no doubt of the duty of every Christian State to 
 see that the prohibition be sustained and enforced even by extreme 
 penalties, if otherwise the end cannot be reached. But as for 
 those contained in the latter category, a wide latitude of opinion 
 may and doth exist among brethren with regard to the extent 
 whereunto the Sovereign power should go in imposing restraint. 
 Some, with queasy consciences, are for making most of the duties 
 of life to be practised, whether of a civil or religious nature, and 
 also the vices to be avoided, matters of public enactment ; while
 
 386 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 others as honestly hold, that the cause of virtue is not thereby 
 promoted, but that, contrariwise, the very prohibition, when not 
 based either on the law of God or the plain and unequivocal 
 reason of the thing, doth act oft-times as a stimulus or uneasy 
 incitement to the breach of law, besides making men hypocrites 
 and time-servers. I may not dilate, but merely hint this much, 
 not doubting that your quick-conceiving minds have already 
 sounded the depths of the subject. And now, touching the mat- 
 ter more immediately in hand, which is the proposition of Master 
 Endicott concerning apparel, and also the expediency of females 
 wearing veils in the congregation, it seems to me to belong 
 plainly to things indifferent, and not to be of instant or pressing 
 importance, requiring present action ; and as there is a difference 
 of opinion in the Council respecting it, I propose that it be post- 
 poned, and meanwhile referred to the grave judgments of the 
 elders, more especially as the wearing of veils is a thing con- 
 nected with the assembling together of the congregation in the 
 Lord's house." 
 
 " "We are content that it should take that course," cried sev- 
 eral voices. And such, accordingly, was the disposition made of 
 Master Endicott's sumptuary motion. 
 
 "Time doth wear," said Sir Richard Saltonstall. "Were it 
 not well to proceed to the examination of the woman ?" 
 t "If no objection be offered, I will consider such to be your 
 minds," said the Governor. A silence following, the servitor 
 was ordered to conduct the person calling herself Lady Geraldine 
 De Vaux to the presence. 
 
 While awaiting her arrival, the conversation re-commenced 
 upon a subject which seemed to possess peculiar interest for En- 
 dicott. 
 
 " 1 cannot abide it," said he to his next neighbor. 
 
 " May I inquire what excites your indignation, master Endi- 
 cott?" said Winthrop.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 387 
 
 " The detestable fashion of wearing long hair, after the man- 
 ner of ruffians and barbarous Indians, which is beginning to in- 
 vade our Canaan, contrary to the rule of God's word, which 
 says that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, and contrary 
 also to the commendable custom generally of all the godly of our 
 nation, until within these few years." 
 
 "You have flushed a new covey," said Winthrop, with a 
 smile. 
 
 " Nay ; it is a chicken of the same brood," said an Assistant. 
 
 " Call it what you will," answered Endicott. "It may be a 
 chicken, if you please, or a hawk, or whatever else your learn- 
 ings may call it, but I do declare and manifest my dislike and 
 detestation of such wearing of long hair, as against a thing un- 
 civil and unmanly, whereby men deform themselves, and offend 
 sober and modest persons, and corrupt good manners." 
 
 " This is but a thing indifferent," broke in Dudley. " It will 
 be time enough to think thereof, when no business of moment is 
 before us." 
 
 " Call you that a thing indifferent," demanded Endicott, 
 " which is plainly reprobated in Scripture ?" 
 
 " I would have you notice," answered the Deputy, " that the 
 custom is nowhere prohibited. The apostle doth merely speak 
 of it as of something contrary to usage in his days." 
 
 " Brother Dudley Brother Dudley," said Endicott, " I read 
 not so the Epistle of Paul. Thus speaks he : ' Doth not nature 
 itself teach you that if a man have long hair it is a shame unto 
 him?'" 
 
 " Spoke Paul in this wise," inquired Dudley, " as Paul the 
 inspired messenger, or as Paul the fallible man ?" 
 
 " Have a care, brother Dudley," said Endicott. " These be 
 dangerous distinctions. What is written is written for our 
 learning, and I will not curiously inquire into the amount of in- 
 spiration therein, having no guage whereby to determine its 
 measure."
 
 388 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 The conversation, much to the relief of Dudley, who found 
 himself, somehow or other, speaking in opposition to Endicott in 
 a matter wherein the opinions and feelings of the two did not 
 after all materially differ, was here interrupted by the opening of 
 a door and the introduction of the lady. She was clothed en- 
 tirely in black, with a veil of the same color covering her head, 
 and falling so low as completely to conceal her features. With 
 a modest mien she followed the servitor, and, at a courteous 
 wave of the hand and inclination of the body from Winthrop, 
 took a seat near the Secretary, a little aback from the table. 
 
 " She is attired," said an Assistant to another, " as if she did 
 divine the thoughts of Endicott. For the sake of her veil she 
 ought to find favor in his eyes." 
 
 " Yet see how he doth eye her, as if his fiery glances longed 
 to burn up the envious screen. He would tell us, I fancy, that 
 he confines his rule to meetings of the congregation, and would 
 consider it an invasion of his Christian liberty to be denied the 
 sight of beauty elsewhere, to compensate his self-denial." 
 
 "Madam," said Winthrop, "it pains me and every member of 
 the Council that we meet under these circumstances. Let me 
 trust that you will be able to dispel certain suspicions, and that 
 the frankness of your answers to the questions to be propounded 
 will lighten for you and make less onerous for us the sad duty 
 we are performing." 
 
 The lady said something in reply, but either on account of the 
 the low tone in which she spoke, or of the interposition of the 
 veil, the words were inaudible. 
 
 " I hear not what she says," cried Dudley. " Let her throw 
 back her veil. Master Endicott," he added, turning to the Ex- 
 G-overnor of Salem, " here hast thou evidence that thy rule is 
 not of universal application." 
 
 Endicott turned his steady eyes upon the Deputy, and began 
 to caress his chin beard with his hand, but, before he could speak, 
 Winthrop's voice was heard.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN HELICE. 389 
 
 " Do us the favor, madam," he said, "to remove the covering 
 from your face." 
 
 " Allow me," said the lady, with a voice which trembled a 
 little, " to keep hid a face which ye would cover with shame." 
 
 "Think not so evil of us," answered Winthrop. "Nought 
 would more glad our hearts than your innocence." 
 
 He waited an instant, as if to see whether she would comply 
 with his request, and, upon her failing to do so, added, " for my- 
 self, I will not press what I see is unpleasant." 
 
 But this concession appeared not to meet with general ap- 
 proval. Murmurs circulated about the table, and presently Dud- 
 ley spoke. 
 
 " It is contrary to the custom of every civilized court," he 
 said, " to permit a witness or an accused person to conceal his 
 features. The reason thereof is too patent to need explication." 
 
 " We do entreat you, madam," said Sir Richard, " to pleasure 
 us thus far, and to believe that no want of consideration is 
 designed." 
 
 Again a pause followed, which was broken by the impatient 
 Dudley. 
 
 " It were painful," he said, looking sternly at the lady, " to 
 use force." 
 
 " It shall not need," she replied, with a tremulous voice, 
 which, however, acquired steadiness as she proceeded. " I am in 
 your power, and will obey your commands." 
 
 So saying, without raising her eyes, she withdrew the veil, and 
 exposed her pale face to view. It was seen for the first time by 
 most of the Assistants, and it was obvious, from the whispered 
 comments, that no unfavorable impression had been made. 
 
 u A modest looking gentlewoman enough," quoth Sir Richard. 
 
 " Discreet in her bearing," said another. 
 
 " All is not gold that glitters," said Dudley. " The beautiful 
 skin of the snake covers, after all, a snake."
 
 390 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " For shame, Master Deputy," said Bradstreet. 
 
 " We desire to learn of you your knowledge of the person 
 calling himself Sir Christopher Gardiner," said Winthrop. 
 " Know you by what right he doth assume the title ?" 
 
 " I will answer your question," replied the lady, protesting 
 against the coercion exercised over me. " He is a worthy and 
 honorable gentleman of my own personal knowledge, and of the 
 family of the Gardiners, of whom Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of 
 Winchester, was an illustrious scion." 
 
 " How know you of the relationship ?" inquired Winthrop. 
 
 " Sir Christopher hath himself told me so," answered the 
 lady. 
 
 " A manifest invention," said Endicott, in a low voice to 
 Dudley, " to raise himself in the estimation of his paramour." 
 
 " Our minds do meet in the same conclusion," said Dudley, in 
 a like tone. " Hear, too, the boasting manner in which she rolls 
 the word ' bishop' over her tongue." 
 
 " When and where became you first acquainted with the 
 Knight T' inquired Winthrop. 
 
 " From early youth, at Boirdly, in Salopshire, England.", 
 
 " Know you when he was knighted ?" 
 
 " I know not," answered the lady. 
 
 " What is the relation," inquired Winthrop, with some hesi- 
 tation, " wherein you stand to him ?" 
 
 ".I apprehend not the meaning of your question." 
 
 " Hath he not been your protector since leaving England?" 
 
 " He hath," answered the lady. 
 
 A look of intelligence passed between Dudley and Endicott at 
 the answer. 
 
 " For what purpose came ye into these parts ?" 
 
 "Am I at a confessional," demanded the lady, "that I am 
 bound to expose the secrets of my soul ?" 
 
 " If, madam," said Endicott, " you are familiar with the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 391 
 
 popish device, practice will enable you to answer the more 
 glibly." 
 
 " Have pity upon me, gentlemen," said the lady. " I am quite 
 deject and wretched. Take not advantage of your power to 
 humiliate me into the dust." 
 
 "The question doth still remain unanswered," exclaimed Dud- 
 ley, looking at Winthrop. 
 
 " Be not hasty, Master Deputy," said Winthrop. " Give the 
 gentlewoman time to frame her answers." 
 
 " I ever liked a quick and unpremeditated response," said En- 
 dicott. " It is more like to savor of the truth." 
 
 " Madam," said Winthrop, " we await your reply." 
 
 " How can I make answer thereto "?" she* said ; " for what 
 know I of the private motions of the mind of Sir Christopher T* 
 
 " At least, you can tell the purpose wherefor you came t" 
 
 " It was with no evil intent. I had no motive wherefor I 
 need be ashamed before God or man." 
 
 " Then why hesitate to avow it ?" 
 
 " I came influenced by like motives to those which have brought 
 others to this land." 
 
 " Know you aught of a report that the father of this Sir Chris- 
 topher did disinherit him, by reason of his long-continued travels 
 in various parts of Europe?" 
 
 " Supposing him to be dead," said the lady ; " I cannot deny it, 
 and therefore will not." 
 
 " What know you of any wife or wives he may have had ?" 
 
 " I know nothing of them." 
 
 " What !" interrupted Dudley : " hath he not confessed unto 
 thee that he married a wife on his travels, from whom he was 
 divorced, and that she is long since dead ?" 
 
 " Ye do strive to put words into my mouth, and to entangle 
 me in my talk," said the lady. " Call you this justice ?" 
 
 "We are the interrogators, madam," said Dudley. Looking
 
 392 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 at Winthrop, he saw that the Governor had fallen back in his 
 seat, with his eyes cast upon the floor, and was silent, as if tired 
 of his part of the examination, and willing to relinquish it to 
 others. Observing this, the Deputy proceeded. 
 
 " May it please you, madam, to answer the question ?" 
 
 " Heaven help me," she said. " My poor brain is so bewil- 
 dered that I hardly know what it is." 
 
 " Thou hast a treacherous memory," answered Dudley ; " but 
 I will repeat it. It was concerning certain confessions about 
 this Gardiner's wife." 
 
 " What confessions ?" said the lady. 
 
 " Prevaricate not, nor think to blind me," he answered. " The 
 facts are of public notoriety, and it will not profit to deny 
 them." 
 
 " If I deny them I am not to be believed, and the denial would 
 only bring down upon my head additional insult ; then why 
 tempt so hard a fate "? Tell me what you would have me say, 
 and I will endeavor to conform to your wishes." 
 
 " Woman !" said Dudley, sternly, " trifle not. Answer me 
 aye, or nay." 
 
 " Thou hast thine answer," said the lady, with some spirit, as 
 if goaded into resistance by the severity of the treatment. 
 
 " I am content," said Dudley. " Thou knowest that falsehood 
 were in vain." 
 
 " Madam," now took up Endicott the word, " we have not as 
 yet been favored with your name." 
 
 " It is Geraldine De Vaux." 
 
 " Hast never another ?" 
 
 " What mean you, sir !" she exclaimed, with a startled air. 
 " What other name ?" 
 
 " I mean, plainly is not thy name Mary Grove?" 
 
 At the question, the lady, unable longer to control herself,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 burst into tears. Quickly recovering herself, however, and dry- 
 ing her eyes, she said : 
 
 " The wicked man who first insulted me with the name and" 
 the infamy connected therewith is dead. Dread ye not a like 
 judgment on yourselves ?" 
 
 " Thou dost ill to remind us," observed an Assistant, " that 
 thou art, according to thine own opinion, in some sort, a cause 
 of the death of our brother, Spikeman, and to threaten us with 
 his fate." 
 
 " I threatened not. I did but repel a wrongful accusation," 
 said the lady, more humbly. 
 
 " Yet dost thou not deny the name ?" persisted Endicott. 
 
 " If it availed, I would deny it ; but I see that ye are all 
 leagued together to persecute me unto the death. Not my will," 
 she sighed, folding her hands and looking up, " but Thine be 
 done !" 
 
 " Wilt thou say nothing mo/e touching this subject ?" inquired 
 Endicott. 
 
 " I desire to say nothing thereupon, except to protest against 
 the injurious constructions you seem determined to put on all 
 that I can say." 
 
 " How hath it happened," continued Endicott, " that you 
 have never appeared with the congregation, in the Lord's 
 house ?" 
 
 " Consider the distance we did live in the woods, and the diffi- 
 culty of the travel," answered the lady, deprecatingly. " But, 
 has not Sir Christopher attended f ' 
 
 Endicott paid no attention to the question, but went on. 
 
 " What is thy profession of faith?" 
 
 " I am a Christian, and most miserable sinner." 
 
 " Aye, but Protestant or Catholic T 
 
 "Protestant," answered the lady, with an inflexion of the 
 voice which made it difficult to decide whether the word was in- 
 
 17
 
 394 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 tended for an ejaculation, a question, or a declaration. " Holy 
 Virgin !" she murmured, so low as not to be overheard, " forgive 
 me this half lie. Not for my own sake do my lips utter it, and 
 my heart abhors it." 
 
 The answer seemed to take Endicott by surprise. 
 
 " Have heed to thy words," he said. " We are well advised 
 that this runnigadoe and thyself were, until of late at least, at 
 Home." 
 
 " You seem to know all things," said the lady, scornfully, 
 " and I wonder why ye trouble yourselves with anything that an 
 ignorant woman can say. Have it as you will." 
 
 " Hath not our examination proceeded far enough ?" asked 
 Sir Richard. " Is there aught else ye expect to elicit ?" 
 
 " The woman, I think, hath confessed the whole," said Dudley. 
 " She openly admits that this Gardiner, or whatever else be his 
 name, is her paramour ; and, for the remainder, what hath been 
 wrested from her by her own contradictions, sufficiently con- 
 founds her." 
 
 " Base man, it is false !" cried the lady, roused into indigna- 
 tion by the charge. I have confessed to naught whereof a woman 
 should be ashamed. There is no infamy attached to my name ; 
 and as high as Heaven is above the earth, so far is Sir Christo- 
 pher above thy craven nature." 
 
 " Heyday !" said Dudley ; " it thunders and lightens. I bandy 
 not words with thee, but the record of the Secretary will 
 show." 
 
 " I find not the exact word," said the Secretary, Master 
 Nowell, after examining his minutes, "but she doth acknow- 
 ledge this pretended Knight as her protector since they left Eng- 
 land, and the terms are equivalent." 
 
 '*! meant it not so. I have acknowledged nothing to my 
 disgrace," exclaimed the lady. " Ye have enveigled and entrapped 
 me by artful questions, and then put constructions on my an-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 395 
 
 swers which do not belong to them. A worthy business, truly, 
 for grave and learned men to be engaged in, to set their wits to 
 work against a forlorn woman, to pervert her language into 
 shameful meanings." 
 
 "Madam," said Winthrop, "you have permission to retire. 
 Bring with thee," he added, addressing the beadle, " the little In- 
 dian girl, without letting her come to speech with this gentlewo- 
 man, and also Sassacus, properly guarded."
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 " Vainly, but well, that Chief had fought, 
 
 He was a captive now ; 
 Yet pride, that fortune humbles not, 
 
 "Was written on his brow. 
 The scars his dark, broad bosom wore, 
 Showed warrior true and brave ; 
 
 A prince among his tribe before " 
 
 BRTAWT. 
 
 "A MANIFEST Papist ! I can scent one of them out as easily 
 as a hound doth the hare," said Endicott, after the lady had 
 retired. 
 
 " Beyond a peradventure," echoed Dudley ; " and the attempt 
 at deception doth aggravate her guilt." 
 
 " I, too, remarked," said an Assistant, " that she possesses not 
 the shibboleth whereunto she laid claim." 
 
 " Yet, wherefore should they, being Papists, come hither ?" 
 said Master Nowell. " I understand not the mystery that sur- 
 rounds them." 
 
 " A circumstance in itself suspicious," said Endicott, ' where- 
 fore needs an honest intent to hide its head ?" 
 
 " On the contrary, it is ever ready to show itself in the sun- 
 light," said Master Nowell. 
 
 " Know you what is expected to be learned from the child 1" 
 asked an Assistant, of Dudley. 
 
 " I surmise our Governor desires something further to quiet 
 his ever-anxious and doubting mind," answered Dudley. 
 
 'I lack no light to form a judgment," said Endicott, "and a 
 further inquiry is supererogatory."
 
 398 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Nevertheless," said Master Bradstreet, ' there be some of us 
 on whom a clmr light hath not yet shined. My charity strongly 
 inclines me to view this poor woman in a less unfavorable light 
 since she hath avowed, herself not to be an idolater of Rome." 
 
 " Well saith the Scripture," exclaimed Dudley, " that charity 
 doth cover a multitude of sins. The rule is good in the exercise 
 of judgment in things pertaining to private concerns, but in pub- 
 lic business it is nanght. But your scruples, and those of Master 
 Winthrop, are likely soon to be satisfied, for here comes the little 
 Canaanite." 
 
 And as he spoke the door was opened, and the servitor ap- 
 peared, bringing in the child. 
 
 " Where is the other Indian ?" inquired Endicott. 
 
 " He will be here incontinently, your worship," replied the 
 man. " As there was some delay in the needful preparation, I 
 did think.it expedient not to keep your worships waiting, more 
 especially as it would not be becoming that ye should be put to 
 inconvenience for a heathen red skin." 
 
 " Reasoned like Aristoteles," said Dudley, laughing. " Give 
 me a man of thy humor, Hezekiah Negus, who rightly appre- 
 hends the value of time, and the danger of keeping his superiors 
 dependent on his laziness." 
 
 " Bring hither the child," said Winthrop. 
 
 "The servitor, in obedience to the order, led the girl to the 
 Governor's seat, and placed her standing by his side. 
 
 "What is thy name, little one?" asked Winthrop, putting his 
 hand upon her head. 
 
 " Neebin," answered the girl, whose eyes, from the moment 
 of her entrance, had been scanning the company and the room 
 in that quiet, covert way, in which the Indian is wont to gratify 
 his curiosity while endeavoring to conceal it. At the same time, 
 if she felt fear, neither her voice nor manner betrayed it. 
 
 " Neebin !" repeated Winthrop. " A very pretty name, and 
 hath a pretty meaning in English, I doubt not."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 399 
 
 The child, encouraged by the gentleness of his voice and looks, 
 and perhaps proud of showing her knowledge of the language of 
 the whites, answered : 
 
 <; Neebin is summer." 
 
 "Darling Neebin," said Winthrop, whose countenance really 
 expressed an interest in the little Indian, " hast ever been taught 
 thy prayers ?" 
 
 " Neebin knows two prayers." 
 
 "Will she say them for me 1 ?" 
 
 The child crossed her arms upon her bosom, after having first 
 made the sign of the cross upon her brow, her lips, and breast ; 
 and then, letting fall the long, black lashes of her eye-lids, com- 
 menced repeating the '' pater-noster." At the sign of the cross, 
 Dudley started ; but, as if recollecting himself, sunk back with a 
 groan. After finishing the pater-noster, the little girl began the 
 " Ave Maria ;" but this was more than the scandalized deputy 
 could endure. 
 
 * I may not," he'cried, starting up, " listen without sin to this 
 idolatry. Better to smite " 
 
 " I pray thee to have a little patience," said Winthrop, inter- 
 rupting him. " None of its guilt attaches itself to us." 
 
 " I know not that," replied Dudley. " I will not, like Naaman 
 the Syrian, bow myself down in the house of Rimmon, even al- 
 though my master leaneth on my hand. I do bear my testimony 
 against these popish incantations." 
 
 The face of Winthrop flushed at the taunt conveyed, both in 
 the manner and in the language ; but, as his custom was, he 
 paused before replying; 1 which gave opportunity to Endicott to 
 say: 
 
 " My teeth, also, as well as those of Master Dudley, are set on 
 edge ; and I think that any farther inquiry on this branch of the 
 subject may well be pretermitted.'' 
 
 " In my judgment," said Sir Richard Salto'nstall, " it were well,
 
 400 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 inasmuch as, though not partaking to the degree of their delicacy 
 of the scruples of the Deputy-Governor and of Master Endicott, 
 yet do I respect them, considering the fountain whence they flow. 
 I also highly approve of and thank the Governor for his judi- 
 cious questions, whereby the truth hath been brought to light, 
 and what was a little dark before hath been made plain. But 
 the end being sufficiently attained, it were better, perhaps, not to 
 press in this way after further knowledge, seeing we neither need 
 nor desire it." .' .-'. 
 
 " I accede to your wishes, gentlemen," said Winthrop, " though 
 I hardly approve of this cutting short the answer of a witness. 
 Ye shall have, however, your will." 
 
 " What !" exclaimed Dudley ; " not when the answer is blas- 
 phemous, or idolatrous, or otherwise impious f 
 
 " We will have no argument thereupon, Master Dudley," said 
 Winthrop. " Your desire is granted, and that, methinks, should 
 satisfy you." 
 
 The door now opened, and Sassacus entered between two sol- 
 diers, clanking the fetters on his wrists as he moved. Alas ! 
 confinement, though short, had not been without baleful effect on 
 the Sagamore. Not that he appeared cast down or humiliated ; 
 not that his gait was uncertain, or his bearing less proud ; but a 
 shadow, the shadow of a prison-house, encompassed him. The 
 iron was evidently beginning to enter his soul. The free denizen 
 of the boundless forest could no more live without liberty, than 
 flame without air. He was like an eagle struck down from his 
 home in the clouds, 
 
 " Sailing with supreme dominion, 
 Through the azure deep of air," 
 
 to be chained upon a stump, and approached and gazed at by 
 every wayfarer. The imperial bird darts round the lightning of 
 his eyes, but he knows them to be innocuous, and his head droops 
 at the consciousness.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 401 
 
 " Remain where ye are," said an Assistant to the soldiers- 
 " The Governor is engaged at this moment." 
 
 " Can Neebin," said Winthrop. resuming his interrogatories, 
 " tell me where is Sir Christopher Gardiner ?" 
 
 " Flower of the forest and of the wild rushing stream," ex- 
 claimed Sassacus, in his own language, " be to him as the rock 
 to which the wind whispers an idle tale." 
 
 " What says he ?" inquired the Assistants of one another, not 
 one of whom understood more than here and there a word." 
 
 " Let the chief keep silent," said Winthrop, addressing Sassa- 
 cus. " He will soon have an opportunity to say what he will ;" 
 and he repeated the question. 
 
 But the little Indian showed herself no longer docile as be- 
 fore, but to every question returned a stubborn silence. 
 
 " We have made a mistake in bringing in the chief," said an 
 Assistant. " She will not open her lips again. He hath said 
 something to frustrate our inquiries." 
 
 " Thou hast rightly divined," said Winthrop, after another 
 vain attempt to induce the child to speak. " And now what 
 shall be done ? for I hold it unmeet that she should be sent back 
 to the source whence, instead of the Gospel truth she should have 
 been taught, she hath sucked only error." 
 
 " That were indeed a deadly unkindness to the poor fawn," 
 said Sir Richard, " seeing it would be imperiling her eternal sal- 
 vation." 
 
 " Better," said Endicott, " that she should continue in a dark- 
 ness penetrated only by the dim light of nature than be made a 
 victim of Roman superstition." 
 
 "If any one of ye, gentlemen, will take her in charge," said 
 Winthrop, " gladly will I resign the child into your hands ; but if 
 not, then will I receive her into mine own household, where, by 
 God's grace, the tares which the enemy hath sown may be eradi- 
 cated." 
 
 17*
 
 402 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELIOE. 
 
 " No one manifesting a desire to accept the offer of "Winthrop, 
 he ordered the child to bo removed to his own house. 
 
 As the little girl on her way out of the apartment passed nigh 
 the chief, she stopped, and with childish impatience strove to 
 take the manacles from his arms. A sad smile crossed the face 
 of Sassacus at her vain attempt, and he said : 
 
 " They are the presents of Owanux. Neebin will not forget." 
 
 " Allow no farther speech between them," cried Winthrop, as 
 the Sagamore commenced saying something more. " Part them, 
 and take her instantly away." 
 
 " Waqua. or Sassacus, or whatever be thy name," said "Win- 
 throp, " wherefore, being at peace with my people, have you slain 
 two of my men." 
 
 The chief looked steadily at the questioner, but returned no 
 answer. 
 
 " We know," said the Governor, " that thou hast sufficient 
 knowledge of our tongue to make thyself intelligible, for thou 
 hast conversed with me. Speak, lest for thy refusal it should go 
 the harder with thee." 
 
 Thus addressed, Sassacus surveyed with an indignant look his 
 chains, and then str-etching out one of his arms as far as his bonds 
 permitted, spoke in a bold tone several sentences in his own lan- 
 guage in reply. 
 
 " The spirit of the old proverb," said an Assistant, " that one 
 may lead a horse to water, nathless it will be impossible to com- 
 pel him to drink, applies, it seems, as well to Indians as to 
 horses." 
 
 " Why sit here to be scorned by this unbreeched heathen ?" 
 cried Dudley. " Away with him ! He was taken in the very 
 act, and can render no excuse for this devilish malignity." 
 
 " Under favor," said Sir Richard, " that were but a hasty con- 
 clusion. It is only Christian mercy to labor with him a little 
 more."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 403 
 
 " It may be," said Winthrop, <; that on an occasion so mo- 
 mentous, he distrusts his ability worthily to defend himself in a 
 speech wherewith he is imperfectly acquainted. Pie must not 
 be condemned unheard. The flashes of nobility I have discovered 
 in him did once prepossess me greatly in his favor, and, therefore, 
 if for nought else, would I be indulgent. But, besides, he is a 
 man whose blood is not to be spilled like a wild animal's." 
 
 " Be it so," said Dudley. " If ye can make him speak, I will 
 promise to listen." 
 
 " Samoset is in the settlement, and may be instantly forth- 
 coming," suggested Master Nowell. 
 
 "Let him then be called," said Winthrop. 
 
 But a short time elapsed before the messenger returned with 
 the Indian, Samoset, who, in consequence of his superior ac- 
 quaintance with the English language, had often acted as inter- 
 preter between his countrymen and the white strangers. This 
 knowledge he had acquired from his intercourse with the English 
 fishermen, before the wanderers who erected their tabernacle at 
 Shawmut arrived in the country. He was a quick, apprehensive 
 fellow, who, on account of the services he had rendered the colo- 
 nists, stood high in their favor, and was treated with considerable 
 confidence. No sign of recognition passed betwixt him and Sas- 
 gacus on his entrance, but they regarded one another as strangers. 
 
 " "We have called thee, Samoset," said Winthrop, " to inter- 
 pret between us and this prisoner. Ask him if he acknowledges 
 himself to be the famous chief of the Pequots." 
 
 " Tell him," replied Sassacus, " that I am that eagle at whose 
 scream the Narraghansetts hide themselves like little birds in the 
 bushes." 
 
 "A bold answer," said Winthrop. "Ask him now, where- 
 fore he hath been lurking in the woods in the vicinity of our 
 lodges." 
 
 " The feet of Sassacus," answered the chief, " tread upon the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 forest leaves at his pleasure. His ancestors never inquired of the 
 Taranteens nor of the Narraghansetts where they should hunt, 
 and he will not ask permission of the strangers with beards." 
 
 " Frank and defiant," muttered Endicott. " Come, I like this." 
 
 "The forests are very wide," said Winthrop, "and the game 
 is not so abundant in our immediate neighborhood. There must 
 be some more particular reason for thy conduct." 
 
 "Listen, O, white chief!" returned the Indian. "The path 
 whereon the tongue of Sassacus travels is a straight path. A 
 great chief disdains to tell a lie. Know then, that, for a long, long 
 time our oldest men cannot recollect so far back, for they heard 
 the legend from their grandfathers, and they again from theirs 
 it hath been told among us, that a race with a skin like the 
 snow should come to our land, with strange manners, and speak- 
 ing a strange language ; and when I heard of Owanux, I came to 
 see whether they were the men, for it becomes a chief to watch 
 for his people." 
 
 " And what said the tradition," asked Winthrop, " should be 
 the fate of the two races?" 
 
 " Tell him not, O, Samoset ! my friend, who hast eaten with 
 me from the same pot that the legend, sadder than the wail of 
 warriors from an unsuccessful expedition over the dead ; than 
 the sobs of the wintry wind around the grave of my first-born 
 that, like the cloud in the full moon, we were to waste away, and 
 the intruders to occupy our hunting grounds." 
 
 " He says," said Samoset, interpreting to suit the chief, " that 
 the Indians were to drive the strangers, as the wind whirls the 
 leaves into little heaps." 
 
 " There will be two words to that bargain," said Dudley. " I 
 trow it will take more than one Powah to make me believe such 
 a story." 
 
 M It is the inspiration of the devil, who is ever the father of 
 lias," observed Endicott. " Go to, with nonsense like this, but I 
 do admire the brave bearing of the savage."
 
 TEE KNIGHT OF TRE GOLDEN MELICE. 405 
 
 " Yet is it an unfortunate belief to prevail among the natives," 
 said Master Bradstreet. " If extensively entertained, it may be 
 fraught with great peril." 
 
 " A cunning invention of the Powahs, no doubt, to sustain 
 the fainting courage of their deluded followers," said Sir Richard. 
 
 " Give me three hundred stout and well-armed fellows, trusting 
 in the Lord, and careful to keep their powder dry and bullets 
 ready, and I will so take the conceit out of their red-skins, from 
 the Kennebec to the mouth of the Connecticut, that they will 
 never tell this story again," said Endicott. 
 
 " Ask him," proceeded Winthrop, "if this Sir Christopher 
 Gardiner is his friend." 
 
 " Soog-u-gest is my brother," answered the Sagamore. 
 
 " Does he know the occasions of Soog-u-gest's frequent ab- 
 sences from home ?" 
 
 " He hunted sometimes with Sassacus," was the answer. 
 
 " And what knows he of the woman 1" 
 
 " She is the sister of Soog-u-gest." 
 
 " Is she not his wife ?" demanded Dudley. 
 
 But Sassacus, merely shaking his head, made no reply. 
 
 " The proud savage disdains to answer your question, Master 
 Dudley," observed Endicott, with a smile. 
 
 " Nay," answered Dudley. " It is because he cannot deny it." 
 
 " We will see," said Winthrop ; and he put the question. 
 
 It was as Endicott (better acquainted from his longer residence 
 in the country than the others with the feelings of the natives) 
 had suggested, for now Sassacus spoke without hesitation. 
 
 " Soog-u-gest is the woman' ^brother. His wigwam is large. 
 The woman and Neebin, the little sister of Sassacus live in one 
 part, and Soog-u-gest and his men in the other." 
 
 An expression of great astonishment was visible in the faces 
 of the members of the Council, as Sassacus avowed his relation- 
 ship to the little girl, but nothing was said. The thoughtful
 
 406 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 countenance of Winthrop became still more grave, and a moment 
 or two passed before he asked the next question. 
 
 " Why did Sassacus give away his own sister ?" 
 
 " He gave her not away. She was to remain to learn the 
 wisdom of the white man, as the little bird stays in the nest 
 until it is strong enough to fly." 
 
 Another pause ensued, for the reply of the Sagamore had fur- 
 nished pregnant matter for thought, until the silence was broken 
 by the voice of Winthrop. 
 
 " Why did Sassacus attack my people, and kill two of my 
 men *" 
 
 " A superfluous question, after what we have heard," said Sir 
 Richard Saltonstall. 
 
 " Nevertheless, it is involved in the purpose for which the In- 
 dian was brought before us, and he shall have the benefit of a 
 reply, Sir Richard," answered the Governor. 
 
 " Is it an earnest question the white chief asks," demanded 
 the Pequot chief. " Why does the bear attack the hunter who 
 has robbed her of her cubs? Shall Sassacus love Neebin less 
 than a bear its cub ? Owanux burned the lodge of my friend. 
 They seized his sister and Neebin, and carried them away, and 
 their chief asks why Sassacus fought for his friends, and for the 
 daughter of many Sachems ! What white man ever before was 
 hurt by Sassacus ? Who ever came to his lodge, and he set 
 not a meal before him ? Who ever was tired, and Sassacus gave 
 him not a skin whereon to lay his limbs ? When the white chief 
 burns our lodges, and carries away captive our women and chil- 
 dren in the dark, must Sassacus fttn with a bowl of succotash to 
 refresh him, after his great victory ?" 
 
 " A shrewd retort withal, and, according to the law of nature, 
 and of the woods, an all-sufficient justification," said Sir Richard 
 Saltonstall, who had been opposed to the plan to capture the 
 Knight from the beginning.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 40? 
 
 " And yet none other than I expected," said Winthrop, whose 
 generous design in allowing the chief to exculpate himself in his 
 own way was only now understood. " Gentlemen," he added, 
 desirous to take advantage of the favorable impression produced 
 by the Sagamore's reply, " what remains but to remand our pri- 
 soner, unless it be your intention to discharge him in considera- 
 tion of the provocation, and that he can hardly be said to be as 
 fully amenable to our laws as they who understand what these 
 laws are." 
 
 " I desire to express my hearty astonishment," exclaimed De- 
 puty Dudley, " at the extraordinary proposition of the Governor. 
 The consequences which lie hid therein are horrible. Are our 
 friends, engaged in the execution of our orders, to be slaughtered 
 with impunity, and thus others to be encouraged to like atroci- 
 ties ?" 
 
 " Blood for blood," thundered Endicott. " If that of Abel 
 fell not to the ground unavenged, though the slayer knew no law, 
 save that written in his heart, to forbid the deed, so now may not 
 this savage escape. Besides, the example were impolitic, as hath 
 been already set forth." 
 
 Similar opinions were uttered by almost all of the Assistants, 
 being none other than were anticipated by the wily Governor, 
 who meant not what he said, but desired to mitigate the severer 
 counsels of his associates. 
 
 During these remarks, a conversation in a low tone had been 
 passing betwixt the Sagamore and Samoset, 
 
 " Has the heart of Samoset turned white ?" asked the Pequot. 
 
 " Samoset is an Indian," replied the interpreter, " and his 
 heart is red." 
 
 " Has he forgotten the time when, with Sassacus and his 
 Paniese, he drank of the Shetucket, where it bounds into the 
 river of the Pequots, when he was thirsty with driving the Narra- 
 ghansetts over the hills, like leaves chased by the wind ?"
 
 408 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Samoset has not forgotten." 
 
 " Does he powah with Owanux, or is he true to the faith of 
 his fathers ?" 
 
 " The feet of Samoset will chase the deer and the bear over the 
 happy hunting grounds, whither his fathers have gone. Pie 
 would not know what to do in the heaven of Owanux." 
 
 " Then is not Samoset my brother, and lies he not close to 
 the heart of Sassacus, as a pappoose nestles up to its mother 1 ?" 
 
 " Samoset will do the bidding of the great Sagamore," said 
 the interpreter, anticipating what was to follow. 
 
 " Go then, my friend, my brother, terror of the Narraghansetts, 
 praise of the valiant Pequots, and find Soog u-gest. Tell him 
 that the blood of Sassacus is running away, like water from an 
 overturned vessel, and that soon all will be spilled, unless he 
 comes to set up the vessel. Tell him to come quickly, and deli- 
 ver the great Sagamore of the Pequots, and his sister, and the 
 young man with eyes like the sky." 
 
 " The feet of the blue eyes are free," said Samoset. " I saw 
 him only a little while ago." 
 
 " Good !" said the chief. " Then seek first my young friend, for 
 he loves Sassacus, ani tell him, and do what he says. But if 
 they cannot help, fly, like the swallow over the hills and streams, 
 to the hunting grounds of my tribe, and say to my people that 
 their Sachem is a wolf in a trap, and Neebin a slave to Owanux." 
 
 " What says he?" inquired Endicott, whose attention had been 
 attracted by the longer speech, and somewhat raised tone of the 
 Sagamore's voice. 
 
 "He says," answered Samoset, drawing readily on his inven- 
 tion, " that a great Sachem ought not to be put into a box for 
 killing wolves who run into his wigwam." 
 
 A pleased expression lighted up the face of the captive chief 
 at the answer, which he perfectly understood, as indeed he had 
 much that had been spoken. His a\ oiding to use the English Ian-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 409 
 
 guage, as through ignorance, having had for him, at least, the 
 advantage of putting his examiners off their guard, and inducing 
 them to speak more freely in his hearing. The tone of Samoset's 
 voice, and the reply, satisfied the Pequot that he was secure of 
 the interpreter's fidelity, and he stretched out both his arms, as 
 though grasping his recovered liberty. 
 
 Endicott bent his brow at the reply, as a suspicion darted 
 through his jealous mind ; but the stolid mien of the Indian, who 
 bore the look as if he had been a statue carved out of the heart 
 of the cedars of his native hills, baffled his penetration. 
 
 " Why do I distrust him ?" he murmured, under his thick 
 moustache. " Yet is distrust the mother of safety, and in our 
 situation a duty." 
 
 " Let him return now," said Winthrop, "and take order that 
 every comfort be supplied consistent with safe keeping. Noble 
 Sassacus," he added, " it grieves me that we meet and part thus." 
 
 The savage, who, through the whole interview, could not mis- 
 take the favorable sentiments of Winthrop, answered as before, 
 in his own Pequot tongue. 
 
 " Sassacus understands the thoughts of chiefs, for he is one 
 himself. The voice of the long knife (alluding to the rapier 
 worn by Winthrop) is not so unpleasant to him as those of these 
 counsellors, and he hopes that what he is about to say 
 will be listened to as the words of a great Sagamore. Sassacus is 
 very tired of lying in a box, but not afraid to die. Let him de- 
 part to his o vn country, or if the white chief will kill, let him, 
 with his long knife, pierce the bosom of Sassacus, for the blood 
 of a chief should be shed by a chief." 
 
 " It may not be, noble savage," said Winthrop, mournfully. 
 " Such is not our custom. Yet be not cast down, but rely upon 
 our justice." 
 
 The withdrawal of the captives was a signal for the discussion 
 of what had been elicited by their examination. It had con-
 
 410 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 firmed suspicions before entertained, and more than that, revealed 
 an intimacy betwixt the Knight and Pequots, a warlike and rest- 
 less, though not numerous tribe, which filled the minds of the 
 Assistants with apprehension. If the influence of Sir Christopher 
 (whom not one doubted to be a Catholic) extended as far as they 
 suspected, he might make himself a formidable enemy. He had 
 been able to induce the chief of the Pequots to intrust to him his 
 own sister, to be taught the Catholic faith, doubtless intending to 
 make her conversion the means of extending among the tribes 
 the superstitions of Popery. The success of the plan was fraught 
 with danger to the colony, for the new religion would be a means 
 of reconciling the differences of the tribes, and binding them 
 together, in a common union with the Eastern Indians, already 
 much under the influence of the Romish priests. Favored se- 
 cretly or openly by the French government, which they were sure 
 to be, and supplied with fire-arms, they might become too pow- 
 erful to be resisted, and, reversing the campaign of the Israelites 
 in the wilderness, drive out those who had intruded into their 
 Canaan, only themselves to fall finally a prey to the French, and 
 to have one form of idolatry substituted for another. Sternly 
 frowned Dudley, and grimly stroked Endicott his tufted chin, as 
 they revolved such thoughts, and inly vowed, as they trusted in 
 the Grod of Jacob, that such things should not be. The conclu- 
 sion to which the council came, was that the Pequot and the 
 woman should be detained in custody until the Knight was taken, 
 whose capture they considered not difficult, and that then the 
 fate of the three should be decided. 
 
 As for Samoset, he sought Arundel at the earliest opportunity 
 when he could do so unnoticed, and acquainted him with the 
 message of the chief. With this coadjutor it was easy to estab- 
 lish a communication with his friends in the forest, the conse- 
 quences of which will presently be seen.
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 The waithman goode of Silverwoode, 
 
 That bowman stout and hende, 
 In donjon gloom abides his doom 
 
 God dele him gentil ende. 
 
 It breaks true herte to see him stert, 
 
 When as the small birds sing, 
 And then to hear his sighynges drere, 
 
 Whereas his fetters ring. 
 
 OLD BALLAD. 
 
 IN order to secure the person of the Knight of the Golden 
 Melice, several small parties were dispatched to scour the forest 
 another object being to protect the remoter colonists against 
 wandering Taranteens, should, any have the temerity to venture 
 near the settlement. A reward was offered to the Indians for 
 the apprehension of Sir Christopher strict injunctions being 
 given that he should be taken alive. An increased vigilance 
 also was exercised over the rude prison wherein the captives were 
 confined a soldier being kept constantly on guard before its en- 
 trance. 
 
 On the plot in front the sentry was pacing his round on a night 
 which was dark and threatening. No rain had fallen, but the 
 clouds were constantly becoming denser, and it was plain that a 
 storm might soon be expected. With the wind rose also the 
 voice of the ocean, murmuring along the curving shores of the
 
 412 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 bay, distinctly heard in the silence of the night by the solitary 
 soldier, whose thoughts it carried back to the sea-beaten island 
 he had left. 
 
 " An' my guns deceive me not," he said to himself, " it 
 should be past midnight. There is no moon, nor star, to be sure, 
 to tell by, but I have mounted guard before, and my feelings let 
 me know as surely as a dial what's the hour. Hark ! (as a 
 measured step was heard approaching) that must be Cowlson. 
 Stand," he cried, " and give the countersign !" 
 
 " Poh ! Job Bloyce," answered a voice. " You know my 
 croak as well as your own ; but babes and sucklings must be 
 taught, and it is regular, so I will let you know lest you may 
 have forgotten the sling of David." 
 
 " Always full of thy nonsense," said Bloyce. " But what 
 made thee so late I" 
 
 " Late is it *? It can be but a matter of ten minutes past twelve, 
 and it takes a little while to rub one's eyes and get them open 
 after being called. Hast seen or heard anything on thy watch "?" 
 
 " Nothing. I had better have been in my warm bed and 
 asleep, considering the hoeing I must give my corn-field to-mor- 
 row, than be watching a skeary Indian and a woman." 
 
 " Thou hast little need to trouble thy gizzard on that score," 
 returned Cowlson ; " for, an' I mistake not greatly, the rain will 
 fall heavy enough to spoil thy chance at hoeing. It is blacker 
 than the darkness in Egypt. I cannot see the tip of thy nose." 
 
 " That^s of no consequence. My nose is a white nose and no 
 Indian's, and I take it that it is for the copper skins you are to 
 watch." 
 
 " And they will be still harder to be seen. But I care not. 
 I am good for ten Indians any day, though I expect not that 
 they will venture to sneak into our streets, be it light or dark." 
 
 " Nevertheless, keep your eyes open, for thou mayest need 
 them ; so good night."
 
 THE- KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 413 
 
 " Good night, and shut thine own, so soon as Dame Bloyce will 
 permit thee." 
 
 The two knew not, so dark was the night, that a third person 
 stood so near to them that he had overheard the whole of their 
 dialogue. Soon after the departure of the first sentinel, his suc- 
 cessor, Cowlson, seemed to consider it of very little importance 
 to make his rounds with much diligence, and to be more intent on 
 protecting himself from the rain, which began to fall, than to 
 perform his duty. He, therefore, after a few turns, ensconced- 
 himself as comfortably as possible on the lee side of the building 
 during the violence of the storm, taking advantage of occasional 
 intermissions to resume his walk. The stranger waited until the 
 little vigilance of the sentinel was relaxed, and, noting exactly 
 the place where he had bestowed himself, stole noiselessly back 
 to a group of three or four persons. Here a whispered conver- 
 sation was carried on until the rain began to pour more violently, 
 when, as if they thought it a favorable moment for their enter- 
 prise, the whole party began to move forward in Indian file 
 that is to say, following one another in a line led by the man 
 who had overheard the conversation of the soldiers. Such was 
 the noise made by the falling drops, and so dark the night, that 
 they had approached close to the sentry before he became aware 
 of any one's presence. An accidental slipping of one of the 
 men betrayed them, and, presenting his piece, he demanded the 
 countersign. 
 
 " The sling of David," was the reply, and the sentry dropped 
 the breech of the musket on the earth. He had hardly done so 
 before he was violently seized. A strong hand grasped his throat ; 
 another was applied to his mouth ; his piece was wrested from 
 him, and, disarmed and unable to utter a cry, he was hurled to 
 the ground. His hands and feet were then bound ; a gag inserted 
 into his mouth ; his coat taken off and muffled around his head to 
 stifle the least sound, and he was then removed to a little distance
 
 414 THE KKIGHT OF THE GOLDEN ilELlCE. 
 
 behind the building, and one left to guard him and give notice of 
 any approach. The rest of the party next proceeded to the door 
 of the cabin occupied by the jailer Bars. A light was burning 
 inside, but it was impossible, through the oiled paper, to see any- 
 thing within. He who appeared to be the leader, having disposed 
 his men on each side of the door, rapped upon it. No answer 
 was returned, and it was not until after repeated rappings, and 
 the patience of the strangers was becoming exhausted, and they 
 had begun to consult respecting bursting open the door, when 
 some one was heard moving and growling at the disturbance of 
 his slumbers. 
 
 " Who is there ?" he demanded, impatiently. 
 
 A low voice from the outside now entreated to be let in, for a 
 moment, out of the rain. 
 
 " Nay," returned Bars. " You put no foot into my house, at this 
 time of night, without the countersign." 
 
 "The sling of David," replied the voice. 
 
 " All right," said Bars, beginning to unbar the door. " But 
 what do you" 
 
 He was unable to finish the sentence, for, as soon as the 
 door turned on its hinges, a rush was made by those on the out- 
 side, and poor Bars, half clothed, rudely upset on the floor. 
 " Murder," he undertook to cry, but his throat was choked when- 
 ever he attempted to make a sound, and he was soon disposed of 
 in like manner as the sentinel, and thrust into a corner, after 
 having discovered that his assailants were Indians. All this, 
 with however little noise accomplished, could not be done without 
 disturbing Dame Bars, who, from the closet where she slept, in- 
 quired what was the matter. One of the party thereupon gliding 
 over the floor with moccasoned feet, presented himself with finger 
 on lip before her. Terror benumbed the tongue of the poor 
 woman at the sight, and the cry she strove to utter died in her 
 throat. By smiles and gestures the Indian endeavored to satisfy
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 415 
 
 her that no injury was designed, and then, as if to confirm 
 his peaceable intentions, retired, drawing the door after him ; 
 and frightened, though in some slight degree re-assured, the 
 dame employed the respite in clothing herself in her day-ap- 
 parel. 
 
 Meanwhile, one of the Indians, who had found two or three 
 large keys tied together, had taken them from the peg where they 
 hung and proceeded to the prison. His actions evinced a strange 
 familiarity with the place. He advanced straight to the prison 
 door, and, fitting the key, presently stood in the narrow passage 
 which ran round the two cells into which the central part was 
 divided. Only one of these was locked. Opening it, he called, 
 in a low tone " Sassacus." 
 
 " Who wants Sassacus f asked the chief in his own lan- 
 guage out of the darkness, for the stranger had come without 
 a light. 
 
 " I do not understand your gibberish," answered the other. 
 " Know you not Philip's voice ?" 
 
 " Thou hast come to place the feet of Sassacus on the forest 
 leaves. Quick ! O good white man ! and free him," cried the 
 impatient chief. 
 
 Philip, guided by the sounds, bent down, and feeling for the 
 shackles which confined the legs of the captive, soon unfastened 
 them, and the liberated Sagamore stretched out with delight his 
 cramped limbs. " Sassacus," he said, " shall see again the 
 pleasant river of the Pequots, and he will deliver Neebin from 
 the robbers." Then following Joy, the two entered, noiselessly, 
 the cabin of the jailer. 
 
 During the absence of Joy, a scene of a different kind had 
 been passing. The Lady Geraldine, aroused by the sounds, had 
 left her couch, and appeared among the intruders. She man- 
 ifested no fear at sight of the Indians, (for what had she to 
 dread from those who had always shown her kindness?) and
 
 416 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 when one of them glided to her side, she strove not to avoid 
 him. 
 
 " Celestina !" said a well-known voice in her ear, " hasten to 
 accompany me from this wretched den, and the tyranny of your 
 oppressors." 
 
 She started at the first sound, but quickly recovering herself, 
 replied, in a tone as low : 
 
 " Of what avail ? My usefulness here is ended. I will give 
 place to another, and Heaven will employ me somewhere 
 else." 
 
 " Be it so," said the Knight ; " yet fly, for the sake of thy 
 liberty, perhaps of thy life." 
 
 " I fear not for my life," she added ; " and as for my liberty, I 
 cannot long be deprived of it." 
 
 " Time flies ! What madness is this"? I have risked my life 
 to rescue thee, and now dost thou reject my service ?" 
 
 " I cannot fly with thee. Better to die." 
 
 " What strange language do I hear"? What mean you ? Ex- 
 plain quickly, for our time is short." 
 
 " I have no explanation, except that I will not go. The here- 
 tics may rage, but the virgin will protect me." 
 
 " O, listen !" urged the Knight. " You shall be delivered from 
 this atrocious persecution. I will take thee to the French s.et- 
 tlements, where thou wilt be secure, and mistress of thine own 
 movements." 
 
 " And thereby seem to admit the truth of all wherewith we 
 are charged. That were in some sort a betrayal of our trust, 
 and what neither thou nor I may do." 
 
 " Call you the preservation of our liberty and lives a betrayal 
 of trust ? Celestina, grief hath crazed thy brain." 
 
 " Nay, Sir Christopher, I have thought over all these things, 
 and the virgin inspires my determination. I will do nought to 
 confirm a suspicion already entertained, that we are Catholics,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 417 
 
 which would be turned into certainty, were we to take refuge 
 among our French neighbors. Thus should we make the task 
 more difficult for the successors who must take our places, since 
 we have been found unworthy." 
 
 " Then we will remain among the Indians, if that please thee 
 better." 
 
 " To bring trouble upon them for their hospitality ; to cause 
 them to be hunted on our nccount, like wild beasts. Thy 
 generosity would disdain safety purchased by another's suf- 
 fering." 
 
 " We will go to some distant tribe. Anything is better than 
 to remain in the hands of these pitiless fanatics." 
 
 " I dread them not," answered Sister Celestina, loftily. " The 
 talisman of the true faith will preserve me." 
 
 " Is, then, thy resolution fixed beyond change ? Will no 
 prayers, no entreaties change thee?" 
 
 " It is better thus : the poor Sister Celestina knows how to 
 suffer and to die, but not how to desert the post entrusted to her 
 by her superiors." 
 
 At this moment Joy and Sassacus entered, and the former, 
 approaching the Knight, informed him that all was ready for 
 a start. 
 
 "I am ready," said the Knight. "Yet, once again, before I 
 hasten away, O, Celestina, come ! I cannot bear to leave thee 
 with these men with natures rougher than the savage." 
 
 " If I were to tell thee all," she said, moved by his importuni- 
 ties, " t-hou thyself wouldst bid me remain. Noble gentleman ! 
 unfortunate and slandered Knight, save thyself from thine ene- 
 mies. Hasten away ; there is danger in every moment's delay. 
 Whatever may become of me, no fault is thine." 
 
 She took his hand in hers, and as she pressed it to her lips, the 
 Knight felt a tear trickling over its surface. 
 
 " Farewell, then," he said, " since it must be so ; but I 
 
 18
 
 418 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 will hover near to assist thee, shouldst thou change thy reso- 
 lution." 
 
 He turned away, greeted the Sagamore, and, with his fol- 
 lowers, began to leave the cabin. As he passed the jailer, he 
 stooped, and, removing the gag from his mouth, looked at him 
 steadily an instant, and then placed two broad gold pieces on the 
 floor before him. 
 
 The lady pursued with her eyes the retreating figures till swal- 
 lowed up by the darkness. " I will bear my cross as I may," 
 she said to herself, "for I deserve it for all my unhappy suspi- 
 cions of his generous nature. But I will do nothing which 
 may give further color to the malignant charge devised by the 
 justly-slain Spikeman, and taken up by his associates. An 
 escape with him were sure to do that. The tongue of calumny 
 would wag, and the finger of scorn be universally pointed at me, 
 and all would cry, ' aha ! we said it.' Such triumph shall not 
 mine enemies have over me." 
 
 Her meditations were interrupted by Bars, who now begged 
 her to release him from bondage, or call his wife to do the 
 friendly office for him. 
 
 " I desire to take you to witness," said the lady, " that, though 
 flight was in my power, I have not availed myself of the oppor- 
 tunity. Say that to my oppressors, to increase the guilt of their 
 cruelty." 
 
 " I will say what you please," answered Bars, peevishly, " an* 
 you will untie me." 
 
 " I will do so, if you promise to make no hue and cry." 
 
 " What should I want of tramping after Indians in the dark, 
 and perhaps catch an arrow in my paunch for my pains ?" 
 groaned the jailer ; " though I have some notions of my own 
 about the Indian part of the business." 
 
 " Trusting thy promise, I will [relieve thee from thy bonds," 
 said the lady, cutting the cords.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 419 
 
 " I made no promise," said Bars, as soon as he was set at 
 liberty, " though I will behave as if I had. These be brave In- 
 dians," he said to himself, slyly taking up the gold, " and pay 
 handsomely for their right to be considered such. An' it be thy 
 pleasure that it should be so," he added aloud, " these golden In- 
 dians shall remain Indians till the day of judgment, for all 
 Bars " 
 
 Dame Bars, now, from her nook, made her appearance on the 
 scene. 
 
 " O, Sam !" she exclaimed, " be they gone, and have not they 
 scalped you ?" 
 
 " You can look for yourself, wife," answered Sam, passing his 
 fingers through his shock of hair, as if to satisfy any doubts 
 of his own. " But what should they want with my scalp, I 
 wonder." 
 
 " I am sure I can't tell what they do with such things," said 
 the dame, " unless to cover their own heads when they get 
 bald." 
 
 " A pretty figure," grunted Bars, " my red crop would make 
 on the top of one of them salvages. It never will come to that, 
 goody. But I must not stay here talking about scalps, when, 
 perhaps, the poor sentinel may have lost his." And he started 
 toward the door. 
 
 " O do not go, do not go, Sam !" said his wife, throwing her arms 
 around him ; " they may be watching for thee on the outside." 
 
 " Women be always cowards," said the jailer ; " but thou need 
 not hug me so tight now. I warrant, having got what they 
 wanted, they are in the woods before this time." 
 
 " Yet stay a little longer," persisted his wife. " If the poor 
 soldier he murdered, thou canst do him no good." 
 
 " You forget, goody, that I am a public officer, and must do 
 my duty," said Sara, extricating himself from her grasp ; and , 
 lighting a lantern, he went out of doors.
 
 420 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Bars directed his course straight to the door of the prison, 
 which he found open. 
 
 "It is as I expected," he thought. " There is no use in going 
 in. The Indian's long legs are loping far away in the forest, be 
 sure. Cowlson ! friend Cowlson !" he asked, " art thou dead, 
 or only scalped ?" 
 
 He listened for an answer, but none was returned. Pro- 
 ceeding round the little building, he soon found what he sought 
 the soldier, tied by the jneck and heels, in a most uncomfortable 
 posture, and soaked with the rain. 
 
 " Humph !" ejaculated Bars ; " these salvages be learning civi- 
 lization fast. An' I had done it myself, I could not have tied 
 the knot with more judgment." 
 
 The soldier (to add to whose misfortunes, his musket was gone, 
 together with the powder and ball wherewith he had been fur- 
 nished) felt in no talking humor, and sulkily followed the jailer 
 into the house, where he recovered his speech, and recounted his 
 portion of the adventures of the night. . Bars pretended to believe 
 that the party consisted entirely of Indians ; of which, however, 
 Cowlson could by no means be persuaded ; " for how," asked he, 
 " could they learn our countersign ?" 
 
 " They be cunning vermin," said Bars. " But now, that I 
 recollect, methinks that when they deceived me it sounded a little 
 heathenish." 
 
 " Then, why did you admit them ?" demanded Cowlson. 
 
 " A fine question for you to ask, Jim Cowlson. An' I had 
 not, the chance is they would have bowled you off with them, as 
 a hostage for the sachem, and like as not burned us up besides. 
 But the fact is, I was half asleep. An' I had been wide awake, 
 perhaps I would have discovered the trick. And who would 
 have guessed that Indians knew anything about countersigns'? 
 I wonder how they found it out." 
 
 " I must report this night's work forthwith," said Cowlson,
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 421 
 
 rising ; " but I had almost as lief have lost my scalp as my 
 musket." 
 
 The disconsolate soldier accordingly wended on his way, to tell 
 the best story he could to save himself from blame ; while Bars, 
 after relocking his empty prison, and barring his door, snuggled 
 himself alongside his partner to busy his rather obtuse brain 
 with schemes of a like nature on his own behalf.
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 
 
 " This monument shall utter of the past 
 It hath no tongue ; and yet Demosthenes, 
 Or Roman Tully, never stirred the breasts 
 Of gaping citizens with subtler speech, 
 Than shall this pile of stones the wayfarers. 
 Who pass this way." 
 
 ANONYMOUS. 
 
 WHILE with rapid steps through the tempestuous night the 
 retiring party were seeking the forest, one of them, the only one 
 in the dress of the whites, and who for that reason had not ven- 
 tured into the cabin of the jailer, but had kept watch on the 
 outside, approaching Sassacus, said : 
 
 " Let the feet of the chief be swift, for many warriors will be 
 after him with the morning light." 
 
 " My brother !" said the delighted Sagamore, recognizing the 
 voice of Arundel. " Let not my brother be afraid. The forest 
 loves Sassacus, and tells him all its secrets." 
 
 " Yet remain not here, my friend, my Sassacus, nor be troubled 
 about Neebin. I will take care of her, and she shall be restored 
 to thee." 
 
 " Sassacus trusts his young white brother," said the Indian. 
 " He hears Neebin singing by the river of the Peqaots." 
 
 " We part here, and perhaps forever," said Arundel. " Fare- 
 well, Sagamore. A nobler heart than thine never beat in savage 
 or Christian bosom. I will never forget you." .
 
 424 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 He wrung the hand of the chief, and, turning, was instantly 
 lost in the darkness. 
 
 The occasion permitted no further words, and, as the two 
 separated, it was with a glow of pleasure on the part of each. 
 Arundel'reflected with satisfaction on the success of his enter- 
 prise, and the Sagamore's enjoyment of his recovered freedom 
 was heightened by the thought that he had been remembered by 
 one who had so much attracted him. The young man succeeded 
 in reaching his quarters without being discovered, and we now 
 leave him, to accompany those with whom he had been associated. 
 
 So well had their measures been taken, and with such good 
 fortune executed, that they were already deep in the woods be- 
 fore the settlement was aroused by the alarm given by the 
 sentinel. 
 
 " They may make as much noise as they choose, for their own 
 pleasure," said Philip, laughing, as the report of the culverins, 
 which startled the colonists from their sleep, were heard ; " but it 
 is only a useless pother, and a vain rubbing of drowsy eyes. I 
 should like to see how valiant Captain Endicott will look, when 
 he finds that the bird has flown." 
 
 " In thy present habiliments of a savage "?" said the Knight. 
 
 " Nay," answered the soldier. " I care not to be seen naked, 
 and stained up like an Aberginian. I was half ashamed of my- 
 self, especially before the lady, though there was not much 
 light." 
 
 " It were well," said the Knight, " to cast our slough before 
 we chance to be seen by Indians, notwithstanding they may be 
 friendly. "We must retire deep, too, into the forest, for I mistake 
 much the character of Winthrop and his council, if desperate 
 means be not adopted to avenge the doings of this night." 
 
 This indeed appeared to be the opinion of all, to judge from the 
 haste with which they pushed steadily on, resting not until they 
 had reached the wigwam of the chief whereto Spikeman had
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 425 
 
 been taken. Here, the first care of the white men was to wash 
 off the paint from their persons, not without a half-jesting objec- 
 tion from the Sagamore. 
 
 " The two friends of Sassacus," he said, " have Indian hearts ; 
 why should they not keep their Indian skins ? Let them come 
 with me, and they shall become great sachems over the tribes 
 that listen to the voice of the little salt lake." 
 
 Philip, who was in high spirits at the success of their enter- 
 prise, and whose philosophy enabled him always to enjoy the 
 present moment, was ready with an answer. 
 
 " A tempting offer," he said ; " and, by the head of King 
 Charles, (his favorite oath), better, I trow, than this hand-to- 
 mouth life we have lately been leading. Plenty of bear's meat 
 and venison, and no prisons, Sagamore ! Verily, thy words are 
 pleasant." 
 
 " The deer shall come to lick the hands of my brothers, and 
 the bear offer his steaks, and they will be as free as the wind on 
 the tops of the hills. They shall also have many squaws, and 
 young wives shall smile on them when the old are wrinkled and 
 cross." 
 
 " Ha ! ha !" laughed Philip. " I misdoubt whether that would 
 suit all round. But, Sagamore, if I should ever have the luck to 
 get a nice white squaw, I will ask her opinion ; and if she 
 fancies the plan of my having half a dozen wives, I will con- 
 sider it." 
 
 " A truce to this trifling," said Sir Christopher. " It is all 
 sport with thee, Philip, but dost not remark it begins to be ear- 
 nest with the chief?" 
 
 " He is quick-witted enough to understand," answered Joy. 
 " Why, Sir Christopher, these salvages laugh so seldom, that they 
 ought to be encouraged when they begin. I fear me that the 
 long faces of the folk at the settlement are catching, and that 
 the poor Indians are more than half spoiled already. Now, ac- 
 
 18*
 
 426 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 cording to my judgment, it is a human privilege to laugh. Some 
 say, to be sure, that dogs and horses laugh, but I never heard 
 anything that amounted to more than a snicker, and that I sup- 
 pose they caught from being with people." 
 
 " Sassacus," said the Knight, " this is no longer any place for 
 thee. The white men are at this moment seeking me, and will 
 soon be also on thy track, and show no mercy. The voices of 
 thy tribe are shouting thy name through the forest, and calling 
 thee home. Here and now we part." 
 
 " Sassacus is troubled," replied the Sagamore, " about his 
 little sister. How shall he answer his mother, when she asks 
 after Neebin ?" 
 
 " Neebin is in no danger," said the Knight ; " and though she 
 were, thy remaining could do no good. But I will stay, and if 
 artifice can avail for force we have none Neebin shall be re- 
 stored to her mother." 
 
 " My brother speaks well," said the Sagamore, having thus 
 secured another guardian for the sister whom he tenderly 
 loved. " He shall stay, but Sassacus will return to the river 
 of the Pequots, and will speak a loud word in the ears of 
 his tribe, and they shall fill their quivers with arrows, and 
 sharpen their tomahawks, and many will come back with him 
 to ask for Neebin. Sassacus will go alone, and will leave Tow- 
 anquattick." 
 
 " Leave not the Paniese behind," said the Knight. " That 
 were only to expose him to unnecessary danger." 
 
 But the chief was not be diverted from his purpose. To every 
 objection he replied : " A great chief takes not back the word 
 he has spoken. Were he to do so, what would become of the 
 respect of his people?" 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding the peremptory tone wherewith he had 
 announced his determination, very soft was the voice, and gentle 
 the manner of the Sagamore, as he addressed his follower :
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THS GOLDEN MELICE. 427 
 
 " Tovvanquattick," he said, "is my friend, and will watch 
 over the little Pequot bird that has strayed into the trap of 
 Owanux."' 
 
 " Towanquattick will watch," was ttfe answer. 
 
 ," Stay to teach the little bird to fly away, or until I return 
 with my warriors. Sassacus goes now like a brook just starting 
 from the ground ; but he will come back like a mighty river 
 when angry 'Hpoon pours its swollen waters into the salt lake. 
 Sassacus hath said." 
 
 The words were pronounced with a dignity and gravity that 
 impressed those who heard them, and seemed to communicate 
 some of the daring of the speaker ; but the wiser Knight saw the 
 rashness of their import, and determined to convince the Saga- 
 more of the impolicy of the course proposed. Taking him for 
 that purpose on one side, that the chief might speak uninfluenced 
 by the presence of his follower, he represented to him the supe- 
 rior strength of the English, and the impossibility of prevailing 
 in any contest until a complete union was established among the 
 tribes. ^ 
 
 "Behold!" he said: "these strangers are as one man, and 
 across the salt lake come in ships from time to time fresh forces. 
 They are clad in armor thy arrows" cannotjpierce, and wield the 
 thunder and the lightning. What have the Pequots to oppose, 
 but naked bodies and uncertain arrows ?" 
 
 " Owanux are few, and the Indians many," replied the Saga- 
 more. " Sassacus will bury the tomahawk with the Narraghan- 
 setts, and exchange wampompeag with the Taranteens, and they 
 unite against the strangers. The eyes of Sassacus are opened. 
 There can be no peace with Owanux" 
 
 ." Good !" answered the Knight, whose apprehensions, lest plans 
 which he cherished might be defeated by the precipitancy of the 
 chief, were quieted by the answer, knowing that the pacification
 
 428 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 of the tribes among themselves was no easy matter, and would 
 require time. " Good ! the eyes of the Sagamore are sharp. He 
 is wise when he says that he will do nothing until he has made 
 friends with the Narraghansetts and the Taranteens. Farewell, 
 then, and be that the compact between us." 
 
 The chief now turned away, and, calling Towanquattick, the 
 two began to dig a hole in the ground with pointed sticks. The 
 white men looked on in silence, rightly judging it to be some 
 ceremony, and waiting for its explanation. After a cavity of a 
 foot in depth, and about the same diameter was dug, the Indians 
 ceased their labor, and the chief answered the wondering eyes of 
 his friends. 
 
 " This hole," he said, " shall tell all Indians who see it of the 
 captivity of Sassacus, and of the white men, his deliverers." 
 
 " I never heard before of a hole talking," said Joy. 
 
 " It will talk," said the chief. " When Sassacus passes by 
 with his Paniese he will tell them that here was a great 
 parting, and Towanquattick will do so also, and they shall tell it 
 it to their children, and so the tale shall run, as the waters of a 
 spring follow one another until they become a lake. So the hole 
 shall speak, long after I have departed with my friends for the 
 happy hunting grounds. Hole!" he added, addressing it as if it 
 were capable of understanding what he said, " Sassacus is sad 
 because he leaves Neebin behind, but say thou not that. Say to 
 all who behold thee, that Soog-u-gest and Sassacus were friends ; 
 say that when Owanux put Sassacus into a box, Soog-u-gest and 
 two other white men, and Towanquattick, let him out ; say that 
 Soog-u-gest and the other white men, and Towanquattick, re- 
 main to watch that no harm shall happen to Neebin, whom 
 Owanux have made a prisoner ; and say that Sassacus has gone 
 after his warriors. This is enough for thee, O hole, to remember. 
 Forget not lest thou be ashamed."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 429 
 
 While the Pequot chief was speaking, the Paniese paid the 
 strictest attention, evidently striving to fasten the speech in 
 his memory. It was a custom common among the natives, 
 though witnessed by the Knight and Joy for the first time, 
 whereby, on the same principle that more civilized communities 
 erect monuments to perpetuate the memory of events, the In- 
 dians transmitted to posterity matters of interest. The hole 
 was usually dug either by the side of some traveled path or 
 on the spot where the event desired to be commemorated 
 took place. They who passed by naturally inquired into its 
 meaning, and the facts, known to few at first, became of public 
 notoriety. 
 
 When the ceremony was completed, the Sagamore of the Pe- 
 quots, as if unwilling by further words to confuse the record, 
 turned away in silence, and took his solitary way through the 
 forest, to seek the seat of his tribe.
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 
 
 Deserted at his utmost need 
 By those his former bounty fed, 
 On the bare earth, exposed, he lies. 
 
 DRYDIN 
 
 THE colonists were exasperated at the breaking of the prison, 
 Justly concluding that it was not entirely the work of Indians, 
 notwithstanding Bars, faithful to the impression made on him by 
 the gold pieces, stoutly maintained such to be the fact ; and that 
 Cowlson was unable to contradict him. But it was, after all, 
 only suspiciona suspicion, too, that pointed at various persons. 
 While some, with a lucky sagacity, ascribed the violence done 
 their authority to the Knight, as a leader ; there were those who 
 suspected others, of whom they would gladly be rid. For, how- 
 ever desirous the great bulk of the colonists were that only they 
 of their own moral habits and modes of thinking should be con- 
 nected with their enterprise, it was impossible completely to 
 exclude the obnoxious. Some would creep in, and the colony 
 resembled a draught of fishes from the rivers in the spring, when 
 the schools are running ; wherein, although the great majority 
 are shad or salmon, occasional intruders of other scales and 
 stripes are found. This little minority were watched with Argus 
 eyes every transgression being visited with exemplary punish- 
 ment the hand of Justice being made heavier by two consider-
 
 432 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ations, viz : difference of opinion, and a desire to drive away 
 recusants, who were regarded as vessels doomed to destruction, 
 and whose presence was held to be dangerous. That was no era 
 of toleration, but of fierce, intractable dogma. The breach be- 
 twixt Protestants then was almost, if not quite, as wide as between 
 Protestants and Catholics now. Opinion, bold, enthusiastic 
 opinion, calling itself by the gracious name of saving faith, 
 usurped the place and prerogative of reason ; and, as from a 
 Papal chair, denounced, as damnable error, whatever harmonized 
 not with itself. In this strife of ignorances, the amenities and 
 charities of life were lost sight of and forgotten ; and, if not quite 
 trampled out of existence, it was owing more to that celestial 
 spark which, with a dimmer or a brighter light, guides every 
 man who comes into the world than to the lessons of the teachers. 
 Men were dismissed from the colony, or otherwise punished, on 
 bare suspicion of wrong-doing or wrong-thinking. Nor is it un- 
 likely that hostility in high places may have availed itself of this 
 laxity of law to gratify private malignity. 
 
 Hence, let it not be wondered at, that, in consequence of the 
 prison breach, several innocent persons were arrested, whose 
 modes of life or principles of faith came not up to the orthodox 
 standard. If their apprehension answered no other purpose, it, 
 at least, served to weaken the desire of the suspected persons to 
 remain where they were not wanted. 
 
 Hitherto the magistrates had been foiled, but failure only in- 
 creased their vigilance and activity. Additional men were des- 
 patched to scour the woods ; word was sent to Salem and to 
 Plymouth, and co-operation to capture the fugitives asked for ; re- 
 wards were offered for their seizure ; and, in fine, no means omitted 
 which indomitable will and ingenuity could devise. So hot, at 
 length, became the chase, that, familiar as they were with the 
 woods, Sir Christopher and his companions found it difficult to 
 avoid capture. They had it, indeed, in their power to place them-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN AIELICE. 433 
 
 selves in comparative safety, either by following the steps of the 
 Pequot chief, or seeking the Taranteens for to the west they dared 
 not go, for fear of the tribes in that direction, who were at feud with 
 those on the Atlantic border but various considerations inter- 
 fered to prevent. With neither Sir Christopher nor the Indian 
 was mere personal safety a ruling motive. The former had not 
 abandoned all hope of changing the strange resolution of Sister 
 Celestina, with whom he determined, on accomplishing her release, 
 to proceed with Neebin to the country of the Pequots in this 
 way only transferring their labors to another place and with 
 the latter, the charge wherewith he was entrusted was too sacred 
 for any cause to be neglected. Flying from their posts, even 
 though bands of enemies were after them, was therefore not to be 
 thought of. As for Philip, his wild, reckless nature took pleasure 
 in their adventurous mode of life ; satisfied, besides, that were 
 he even made prisoner, no serious punishment could befall him, 
 unless his participation in the prison-breach became known, 
 which, he confided too much in the fidelity of his associates to 
 believe was possible. Seldom daring, therefore, to discharge 
 their fire-locks, but depending principally on the arrows of the 
 Indian, and snares they set for subsistence, occasionally aided by 
 the friendly natives with whom the Knight was a favorite, and 
 constantly changing their places, the three continued to elude 
 the search, and the baffled soldiers were obliged to return, digest- 
 ing their disappointment as they might, and asserting that those 
 whom they sought had left the neighborhood. To make assur- 
 ance sure and to stimulate the Indians to exertions, which the 
 magistrates were certain had never been made, higher rewards 
 were offered for the capture of Sir Christopher in particular, 
 which, it was supposed, the cupidity of the natives would be un- 
 able to resist. 
 
 Among the Indians trusted by Sir Christopher, none had con- 
 trived to secure a greater share of his confidence than Quecheco,
 
 434 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the frequent and favored companion of his hunts. The skill of 
 the Indian in hunting had, at first, recommended him to the 
 Knight, and afterwards, the interest of the latter in his protege 
 was increased by the attention with which Quecheco listened to 
 instruction and by the intelligence of his questions. Hitherto 
 he had always been found faithful, in consequence whereof the 
 haunts of the outlyers were not concealed from him, and he was 
 employed to procure information from the English settlements, 
 and depended on, generally, as a confederate. Quecheco was 
 not without affection ; in proof whereof, he had withstood the 
 bribe at first offered for the capture of Sir Christopher, but his 
 feeble virtue finally succumbed. There was one temptation 
 which he was unable to withstand. He had frequently been a 
 witness of the effectiveness of the gun in the hands of the Knight, 
 and, with a hunter's love, conceived a longing to possess one. 
 This was no easy matter to be accomplished, furnishing guns to 
 Indians being strictly prohibited, and such weapons taken away 
 whenever found in their possession. Quecheco now thought he 
 saw an opportunity of gratifying a desire that had become a 
 mania, and determined that a gun should be the price of his 
 friend's liberty. 
 
 With this view, at one of his visits to Plymouth, or Accomac, 
 he sought Governor Bradford, with whom he was acquainted, 
 and proposed to deliver the Knight into his hands, in considera- 
 tion of the coveted gun and a certain quantity of powder and 
 ball. Much as was desired the capture of Sir Christopher, Brad- 
 ford hesitated, but finally promised the bribe, stipulating for the 
 life of the Knight, considering that the rule might bear infringe- 
 ment in a single instance, for the sake of the object to be at- 
 tained; and from that moment Quecheco begun his work of 
 treachery. 
 
 In consequence of the activity of the search, the fugitives had 
 been obliged not only often to change their hiding-place, but
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 435 
 
 sometimes to remove to a considerable distance from Boston. 
 One of their favorite resorts was near Plymouth, both because 
 they were less likely to be suspected to lurk in a vicinity where 
 the Knight had no acquaintances, and also on account of a 
 greater abundance of game. Here the two white men often 
 remained without Towanquattick, who, less liable to discov- 
 ery, hovered around the spot where was the sister of his Saga- 
 more. 
 
 Such being the state of things, Quecheco selected the neigh- 
 borhood of Plymouth (on account of the absence of Towanquat- 
 tick, betwixt whom and himself a feeling of mutual dislike 
 existed, caused in his jealous mind by the favor which the Knight 
 had lately shown the Pequot, and which he esteemed a derogation 
 of his rights) as the theatre of his .plot, and here we find Sir 
 Christopher at this moment. 
 
 " Our larder is exhausted, Philip," said the Knight one morn- 
 ing, " and must be replenished. Shall we try our fortune 
 together f ' 
 
 " I am always ready," answered Philip. " It is two days since 
 I stretched my legs, and, by my halidome, I shall forget how to 
 use them, without more practice." 
 
 " Methinks," replied the Knight, smiling, " it is less than a 
 week since I saw legs much resembling thine moving with mar- 
 vellous celerity." 
 
 " When this copper-hide here showed us Venn's band; within 
 a hundred yards of the old wigwam, right under Winthrop's 
 nose, in the swamp. Aye, it was high time to be moving ; but it 
 was unkind of Venn to burn our quarters, seeing that. I had been 
 a sergeant in his company." 
 
 " Quecheco, my fine fellow," said Sir Christopher, " thou 
 didst us a service on that day not to be forgotten, and now we 
 must look to thee for another. Where shall we hunt ?" 
 
 " Let Soog-u-gest and Quecheco go a little towards Accomack,
 
 436 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 where I saw yesterday some deer, and the sanop toward the set- 
 ting sun," answered the Indian. 
 
 " Go thou with Philip, and I will take my chance alone," 
 said the Knight. 
 
 " The chief must not go alone," said the Indian. " Quecheco 
 will go to carry the deer which Soog-u-gest will shoot." 
 
 " A sensible Indian," said Philip. " Take him with you, Sir 
 Christopher. For my part, I do not want his copper skin 
 gliding like a snake among the bushes ; and, Sir Christopher, 
 look sharp, and see if I bring not back as much game as you and 
 your friend." 
 
 "I accept the challenge," said the Knight, good-humoredly, 
 " and will take him, since you prefer to go alone." 
 
 " I will none of him. He is thy valley-doo-doo a murrain on 
 mounseer for his hard words ; and why a waiting-man should be 
 called a valley, more than a mountain, or a river, doth pass my 
 understanding." 
 
 " An interesting mystery. Yet is its solution unnecessary at 
 the present. Get thy bow and quiver, Quecheco, and we will 
 see by evening how Philip's boastings will turn out." 
 
 " And, hark ye, red-skin," cried the soldier, " take care that 
 thou bring back Soog u-gest, as thou callest Sir Christopher, safe, 
 and with a good appetite to eat my game." 
 
 In spite of his habitual self-possession, the Indian started. A 
 guilty conscience began already to affright him, and for an instant 
 he fancied his purpose detected. 
 
 " What ails thee ?" asked the Knight, regarding him with a 
 quick, keen glance. 
 
 " Quecheco hurt his foot," answered the Indian, with a limp, 
 and bending down to hide his face from the sharp eyes. 
 
 " Poor fellow, then, remain behind, and we will hunt for thee, 
 who hast done so often for us." 
 
 " Quah !" exclaimed the Indian, with a gesture of disdain. " It
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 437 
 
 is nothing. See, Quecheco can run like a deer." And with 
 that he sprung round with great agility, as if to make good his 
 words. 
 
 " Enough," said the Knight ; " reserve thy breath until it is 
 wanted." 
 
 The course taken by the two was toward the south, as recom- 
 mended by the savage, in order to find the herd which he said he 
 had seen the day before. 
 
 " Why, then, brought you back no venison ?" asked the 
 Knight. 
 
 " The deer was quicker than the arrow of Quecheco," re- 
 turned the Indian ; " but he will not escape," he added, looking 
 with admiring eyes at Sir Christopher's gun, " the round stone 
 which Soog-u-gest will throw at him;" 
 
 " I have often seen thee," said the Knight, " gaze at my piece 
 with such eyes as the sight of thy squaw, after long absence, 
 might kindle up. Were it not sure to be thy ruin, I could find it 
 in my heart to give it thee." 
 
 The eyes of Quecheco flashed. " Give me the stick," he cried, 
 " that makes a loud noise, and Quecheco will do a great thing." 
 
 " I have done wrong," thought the Knight, " in raising his 
 expectations. Nay, Quecheco," he said, "it would be taken 
 away from thee by the white men, and who would sell thee 
 powder and ball T' 
 
 " Nin-e-yi-u wa-wee," (it is well,) said the Indian. " Soog-u- 
 gest flies so high that he sees a great way, and Quecheco spoke 
 like a pappoose. What has he to do with guns ?" 
 
 The gift of the gun would have diverted the savage from his 
 purpose, by awakening the affection which covetousness had put 
 to sleep, and probably altered the fate of Sir Christopher and 
 himself; but the answer of the Knight dispelled the hope that 
 for a single instant warmed the heart of Quecheco with better 
 feeling, and he persisted in his original design.
 
 438 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 They had walked several miles without seeing any game of 
 importance, or such as was thought worthy of other attention 
 than the arrows of the Indian, before they reached the spot indi- 
 cated by him as where he had marked the deer the day previous. 
 It was a falsehood invented by Quecheco, and great was his 
 astonishment, on approaching, to behold a herd of a dozen of 
 these timid creatures. 
 
 F* It was a sort of lawn, of six or seven acres in extent, with a 
 few trees scattered over it, where they were feeding. The shape 
 of the ground was an irregular oblong, in some places not more 
 than a hundred yards across, and in others of double the dis- 
 tance, being like a basin, at a depression of twenty or thirty feet 
 below where the Knight stood, concealed by trees and bushes. 
 At the bottom flowed a small, rapid stream, perhaps three rods 
 wide, interposing itself betwixt him and the herd. Sir Christo- 
 pher had visited the locality before, and was familiar with its 
 features ; and expecting game, from the story of Quecheco, had 
 taken care to approach with the wind in his face, to avoid the 
 scent of his person being carried to the delicate nostrils of the 
 animals while he stepped noiselessly along. The Indian, in 
 order the better to carry out his meditated deceit, had been imi- 
 tating the Knight's conduct, and on the discovery of the deer, his 
 hunter's instinct induced him to continue what his hypocrisy had 
 begun. Selecting the finest buck from the herd, Sir Christopher 
 levelled his piece and fired. A single instant stood, with erected 
 heads, the beautiful creatures, as if stupefied with astonishment, 
 and then all but one vanished in the wood all but the stricken 
 buck, who made one bound, and fell to the earth. The prodi- 
 gious leap testified to the extremity of his terror and his hurt ; 
 and vain struggles to rise from his knees, to its fatal char- 
 acter. With eyes fixed upon the struggling deer, the Knight 
 reloaded his gun, and then bounded down the declivity after 
 him.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 439 
 
 Arrived at the margin of the stream, he discovered a canoe 
 drawn up a little way on the bank, approaching which, to push 
 it into the water, he suddenly found himself surrounded by a 
 number of Indians. They were the confederates of Quecheco, 
 who had been for some time lying in wait in the thick bushes. 
 Simultaneously rushing forward, they attempted to seize him ; 
 but this was no easy matter. A resolute, athletic man, with 
 body and sinews hardened by his hunter's life, and accustomed 
 to exercise command over the natives, Sir Christopher shook 
 roughly oif the hands laid on him, and shouting, " ha, villains ! 
 death to traitors !" presented his gun, before the terror of 
 whose fatal lightning his assailants recoiled. Keeping the muz- 
 zle of the piece directed at them, and threatening with it any one 
 who made a motion to draw near, the Knight succeeded in get- 
 ting the canoe afloat, when, jumping in, he pushed from the 
 shore. With a pole found in the canoe, he strove to urge it 
 across the stream ; but, embarrassed with watching his enemies, 
 and swept down by the current, the effort was attended with 
 great difficulty. Meanwhile, the savages, who had hitherto 
 forborne any act that might endanger life, bearing in mind 
 their instructions, became apprehensive of losing him, and 
 excited by his resistance, began to shoot arrows at him. One 
 of the missiles took effect in the right arm of the Knight, 
 just above the elbow, and the pole dropped from his hand. 
 At the same instant the canoe struck against a submerged 
 rock and upset. Taking advantage of the accident, the In- 
 dians sprung into the water, and succeeded in mastering his 
 person. 
 
 " Quecheco," said the Knight, reproachfully, as he stood upon 
 the bank, " is it thou, and thou, too, Negabamat, who treat me as 
 an enemy ? Why this violence ?" 
 
 "Soog-u-gest is wanted among his own people," said Que- 
 checo, who had possessed himself of the much coveted gun
 
 440 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 which had fallen into the water. "Indians will not hurt 
 him." 
 
 " Quecheco, thou art a villain," said the Knight ; " but if not 
 an incarnate demon, outrage me not further than is necessary for 
 thy base purpose." 
 
 Thus spoke Sir Christopher, seeing that preparations were 
 made to confine his arms with withes. The Indians said some- 
 thing among themselves, and at length Quecheco replied : 
 
 " Soog-u-gest always speaks the truth. Let him promise not 
 to run away, and his arms shall be free." 
 
 " I promise," said the Knight, who, in spite of his treatment, 
 could not but feel pleased at this evidence of the confidence in 
 his truth with which he had inspired the natives. " Take the 
 powder horn and bullets," he added, detaching them from his 
 person. " I will attend you." 
 
 At a sign from Quecheco the Indians released Sir Christopher, 
 nor seemed after that to trouble themselves much with watching 
 him. 
 
 An Indian, who had crossed the stream, now returned bearing 
 the slain buck on his back, and threw it down on the grass, and 
 his companions with pleased faces gathered around it. Sir Chris- 
 topher, notwithstanding the unpleasantness of his situation, could 
 not avoid smiling. 
 
 " Nature's children !" he said to himself. " It would have 
 pained me had I unfortunately killed one of them. Blessed Jesu, 
 I thank thee for saving me from bloodshedding." 
 
 He threw himself on the ground, and watched their proceedings 
 in cooking the venison with some interest, for he was hungry, 
 and, when it was ready, partook of it with them as though they 
 had been a party of friendly hunters, nor would any one have 
 suspected that he was a prisoner. Having thus placed him- 
 self on terms as little disagreeable as possible with his captors, 
 Sir Christopher endeavored, while they were under the influence
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 441 
 
 of the welcome dinner, to dissuade them from their purpose in 
 regard to himself, but on this point he found remonstrance use- 
 less. The Indians were not inclined to talk about it, and either 
 preserved a total silence, or simply said that the white chief 
 at Accomack had sent them. When they had eaten up the 
 buck, they started with the Knight in the direction of Ply- 
 mouth. 
 
 19
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 Well skilled he was in regulating laws, 
 So as by law he could defend the cause 
 Of poor distressed plaintiff 1 , when he brought 
 His rase before him and for help besought. 
 Above all other men he loved those 
 
 Who gospel truths most faithfully unclose, 
 Who were_with grace and learning fully fraught 
 
 MORTON'S NEW ENGLAND'S MEMORIAL. 
 
 THE ancient town of Plymouth has probably about as much 
 resemblance to what it was two hundred years ago, as an ante- 
 diluvian at a like age had to his boyhood. Were Governor Brad- 
 ford, whose worth is more quaintly than poetically delineated in 
 the above lines, Captain Miles Standish, Master Thomas Prince, 
 or any other worthies of those days of peaked hats and falling 
 bands to revisit the scenes of their pilgrim labors, I fancy that 
 they would find it difficult at first to recognize them. By the 
 eternal features, only, of nature, the sparkling waters of the bay, 
 the waving line of its shore, and by the eminences not wholly 
 levelled, would the site be identified, and the likeness traced. 
 Only with memory, assisted by these marks, might they be able, 
 as the moonbeams fell upon their pale faces, and they stroked 
 their solemn beards, to exclaim here stood our Plymouth. 
 
 As it presented itself that day to the eyes of Sir Christopher 
 Gardiner, surrounded by his Indian escort, it seemed an incon- 
 siderable village lying on the slope of a hill, dropping towards
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the sea. A broad street, some eight hundred yards long, led 
 down the hill, and was crossed nearly in the middle by another, 
 the ends of which were protected by gates made of solid planks- 
 the fourth end, viz : that on the bay, being without any barricade. 
 The houses were rude and small, constructed of hewn planks, 
 and stood in areas, around which were thrown fences made also 
 of plank, serving as very effectual stockades against any sudden 
 attack, and bidding defiance to the simple enginery of the na- 
 tives. Near the centre was the Governor's house (built in like 
 manner), and in front of it, at the intersection of the streets, a 
 square block, answering the purposes of a fort, and mounted with 
 four patereros, or small cannon, commanded the streets and four 
 points of entrance. On the top of the hill, a large square edi- 
 fice with a flat roof, whereupon were placed six cannons, shoot- 
 ing balls of four or five pounds, dominated the surrounding 
 country. The upper part of this building served for a fort, and 
 the lower for public worship and meetings generally. On the 
 whole, as against arrows and tomahawks, it was a very pretty 
 fortified place, and would not have been found fault with by 
 Vauban himself, could he have had the good fortune to be- 
 hold it. 
 
 The Knight passed through one of the open gates, which were 
 closed only at night, and proceeded straight to the residence of 
 the Governor. Here he was delivered by the Indians to Brad- 
 ford, who chid them for wounding Sir Christopher. They ex- 
 cused themselves on the ground of his resistance, declaring that 
 the wound was trivial, and had merely numbed his arm for a mo- 
 ment. (Such, indeed, proved to be a fact, when, shortly after- 
 wards, the broken piece of the arrow was cut out.) The 
 Indians were dismissed with the promised presents, Quecheco 
 being permitted to retain the coveted gun of the Knight as 
 part of his reward. A moment's digression to record the 
 fate of the savage, and we will return to Sir Christopher.
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 445 
 
 Proud was the Indian of his new acquisition, with its gold and 
 silver ornament?, so far surpassing in beauty all other pieces he 
 had seen, and affectionately he caressed it, calling it his week-su- 
 buck otaw, (sweetheart,) and often repeating, gee-wawee-fee-yi-ee, 
 i. e., you are welcome. He was alone in the forest, the others 
 having departed in different directions, and was on his way to 
 Boston, where he expected to get more of the powder and ball for 
 which he had covenanted. It was the day after his treachery, 
 and he had nearly accomplished his journey, only three or four 
 miles remaining between him and his place of destination, when 
 he heard a rustling in the bushes, and saw Towanquattick ad- 
 vancing. He had first been seen by the Pequot, who, recogniz- 
 ing him, came unsuspiciously forward. Instantly saw Quecheco 
 the consequences of being found by Towanquattick in possession 
 of the gun, with which the latter was familiar as the property of 
 Sir Christopher, and this thought, combining with his hatred, 
 made him suddenly raise the weapon and fire at the approaching 
 Pequot. The forest rang with the report, and as Quecheco, un- 
 practised in the use of fire-arms, having discharged the piece 
 but a few times, recovered himself, he beheld Towanquattick 
 fitting an arrow to his bow. Seizing the tomahawk out of his 
 belt, Quecheco hurled it at the Pequot as the arrow whizzed from 
 the string, but both weapons failed of their mark. Drawing his 
 own tomahawk, the Pequot in turn threw it at his foe, who es- 
 caped by a sudden movement of the body. 
 
 The two Indians now stood regarding one another with looks 
 of rage, and took the knives off their necks. Neither spoke a 
 word. Each understood the other, and with flashing eyes 
 watched to take an advantage. They were both powerful men, 
 well matched in size and age, and equally armed, so that upon 
 fortune and skill, more than upon brute strength, the result was 
 likely to depend. 
 
 Presently, each grasping the knife in his right hand, and bend-
 
 446 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 ing over, ready for a spring, they began, with eyes fixed on one 
 another, to move round and round, watching for a favorable op- 
 portunity to make the fatal dart. Thus, occasionally increasing 
 the rapidity of their movements, then relaxing their swiftness 
 again, they moved in circles several times, but without drawing 
 within striking distance. The thought occurred to both of 
 throwing the knife, which, if skilfully done, might terminate the 
 contest, but the consideration that if the stroke failed, the unsuc- 
 cessful combatant would be left at the mercy of the other, deterred 
 from the hazardous experiment. After various feints and strat- 
 agems foiled, by mutual cunning the two foes stopped, as if by 
 agreement, to devise more effectual schemes of destruction. In 
 this truce of a moment, the eyes of Quecheco fell upon a toma- 
 hawk lying near the feet of his opponent, and unobserved by him. 
 His efforts were now directed to getting possession of the weap- 
 on, and he re-commenced the system of attack he had practised. 
 It was no difficult thing, by a series of retreats and advances, 
 and constant changes of position, to entice the Pequot, ignorant 
 of the other's design, from the place whereon he stood, and pres- 
 ently the foot of Quecheco touched the missile. The movement 
 of his foe's limbs in searching for the tomahawk had caught the 
 notice of Towanquattick, and before it was touched by Queche- 
 co's foot he had seen it. At the sight, throwing aside the cau- 
 tion he had practised, the Pequot sprung straight at his enemy, 
 and, without seeking to protect himself, plunged his knife into 
 the breast of Quecheco. The force of the blow threw the stoop- 
 ing savage upon his back, and before he could rise, the tomahawk, 
 caught from the ground by the hand of the Pequot, crashed into 
 the brain of the dying traitor. Drawing out, then, the knife, 
 the Pequot, with a rapid turn that indicated a practised hand, 
 passed it round the head of his foe, and tearing off the bloody 
 trophy, hung it at his girdle. A little while the Pequot stood 
 contemplating the body, and as bis eyes wandered from the corpse
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 447 
 
 to the gun, which lay on the ground, and back again to the corpse, 
 a ferocious gleam of gratified revenge, like the lurid gleam of 
 fires at night, swept over his swarthy face. Picking up, then, 
 the gun, the knives and tomahawks, and stripping the corpse of 
 the articles containing the powder and bullets, the Indian started 
 in search of Joy. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Knight had been entertained with all human- 
 ity and honor by the Governor of Plymouth ; nor was other 
 treatment to be expected from tho learned and accomplished 
 Bradford. In appearance he was somewhat less than fifty years 
 of age, with a mild and thoughtful expression of countenance, 
 which revealed to the close observer as much of the meditative 
 student as of the man of action. A thorough receiver and ad- 
 mirer of the principles of the sect to which he belonged, it was 
 the business of his life to illustrate them by his learning, and en- 
 force them by his example. 
 
 That strange charm of manner for which the Knight of the 
 Golden Melice was so distinguished, his persuasive voice and in- 
 tellectual cultivation, failed not to exert their wonted fascination 
 over one so likely to be influenced by exactly such qualities and 
 acquirements as Bradford, and, indeed, nowhere were they calcu- 
 lated to exercise so great a power as in a country where they 
 were uncommon. 
 
 The two gentlemen had met before, but the interview had 
 never ripened into acquaintance ; and now, that fortune had 
 thrown them together in relations which might seem none of the. 
 most agreeable, but which the kindness of the one and the polish 
 of the other hid in flowers, it appeared as if they were welcome 
 to both. 
 
 " We have become acquainted under singular circumstances, 
 Sir Christopher," said Bradford, a day or two after the Knight 
 came to Plymouth ; " and, although wishing they were somewhat 
 different, I can scarcely regret the providence which has brought
 
 448 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 so every way accomplished a gentleman to honor my roof. Your 
 mind, wonderfully imbued with the gentler humanities, sweetly 
 accords with mine own, and when you are gone I shall look back 
 with refreshment and a sad longing to our thoughtful conferences. 
 Never have the strains of the divine harper of Israel, whether 
 exulting in the favor of Jehovah or sorrowing for sin, so affected 
 my spirit as when read by you in the original speech of Eden." 
 
 " For your kind expressions, right worshipful sir," answered 
 the Knight, " and the delicate attentions which make my impris- 
 onment sweet, receive my unforgetting gratitude. I, too, what- 
 ever unjust suspicion may inflict, will revert to these our religious 
 and philosophic hours, wherein we discussed questions nobler 
 than those which, in the shades of Tusculum, engaged the minds 
 of the great Roman orator and of his friends, with a satisfac- 
 tion which shall not run out with the sands in the hour-glass of 
 time." 
 
 " If outraged, by I scarcely know what wild reports, for the 
 moment," replied Bradford, " I entreat you to forgive it, and to 
 believe me that I believe them not. Remember that David fled 
 before his enemies, yet the Lord delivered him and brought him 
 to great honor." 
 
 " 3 am not worthy to be joined in thought with the Shepherd 
 King, who, to the ringing strings of the harp, warbled inspiration," 
 said the Knight. " Yet, noble sir, do I accept your words of cheer, 
 and they shall be a buoy to bear me up as I cross this tempest- 
 uous Jordan. When is it your purpose that I should depart * 
 Accompany you me, or go I melancholy, alone ?" 
 
 " As for the first question, you shall remain at your pleasure, 
 or until Governor Winthrop requires your presence ; as for the 
 latter, though unable to leave home at present, I hope shortly to 
 be at leisure. Thus generally can I answer, but present or ab- 
 sent, my best wishes shall attend you." 
 
 The above conversation is sufficient to give an idea of the rela-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 449 
 
 tion of the Governor and Knight to one another, and of the feel- 
 ings of both. In truth, the enjoyment of Sir Christopher was 
 almost as great as Bradford's, and neither manifested any desire 
 to shorten their intercourse. Every leisure moment devoted the 
 Plymouth Governor to his agreeable companion their conversa- 
 tions turning more on questions of literature than on political 
 matters. These latter, the Knight avoided, seeking thereby to 
 impress the other with the opinion, that he felt but little interest 
 in them. 
 
 In this manner passed the time, until one morning the Gover- 
 nor announced that messengers had arrived from Winthrop, com- 
 missioned to wait on Sir Christopher to his presence. 
 
 "I grieve," said Bradford, " that I cannot go with you. Mat- 
 ters of instant importance demand my presence here, but so far 
 as friendly words in a letter may avail they shall not be want- 
 ing. May it please you to be ready at your convenience, and 
 meanwhile I will prepare my epistle." 
 
 At the time appointed, four armed men appeared at the Gov- 
 ernor's house to receive the prisoner. To them Sir Christopher 
 was delivered by Bradford, who, at the same time, handed them 
 a letter for Winthrop. 
 
 Upon the departure of one whose presence had imparted so 
 much pleasure ; from whom no unguarded word of censure or 
 impatience had escaped, and who had revealed a mind adorned 
 with such rich stores of culture, the scholastic Bradford sought 
 his study, a small room, or closet, well supplied with books, to 
 meditate on what had happened and to pui'sue his studies. Ab- 
 sorbed in his books, hours passed away unheeded, and he re- 
 marked not the opening of the door and entrance of a serving- 
 man, who, seeing his master engaged, waited respectfully until he 
 should be noticed. At length Bradford looked up and demanded 
 his business. 
 
 " This," said the man, " was found in the chamber of Sir
 
 450 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Christopher Gardiner." So saying, he handed to the Governor 
 a small leathern pocket-book, such as were used for making mem- 
 oranda, and withdrew. 
 
 Bradford, on being left alone, turned the book several times 
 in his hand with a doubting air, then placing it at a little 
 distance before him, leaned his head on his elbow, and began to 
 muse. 
 
 " Publico ulilitati cedet jus privatum" he said at last aloud, 
 and opened the book. He had hardly glanced his eyes at the 
 page, when they lighted up, and he seemed to read with intense 
 interest. 
 
 "Ha!" he exclaimed, after reading through several leaves: 
 " was ever man worse deceived ? Here have I .been harboring 
 in my house and taking to my bosom a concealed Papist, as 
 this writing sufficiently discloses. Nor yet a born Papist either, 
 laboring under a delusion sucked in with mother's milk, but 
 a recreant Protestant, a voluntary seeker after error ; for here 
 are written down the memorial of his shame, the very time 
 and place where and when he struck hands with Anti-Christ, 
 the name of the university where he assumed the scapula, as 
 the blinded errorists call two woollen bands, the one crossing 
 the breast and the other the back, one of those ridiculous mum- 
 meries whereby, with other devices and unseemly grimaces, 
 they have contrived to bring the cross itself of the Redeemer 
 into disrespect, and the degrees in superstition taken by this 
 wretched backslider. Woe is me ! How can the arch-deceiver 
 assume the form of an angel of light ! Yet is here no name 
 written. The memorandum may refer to some one else. But 
 that cannot be. Himself is meant. Why should he carry about 
 with him a note of this kind respecting another? This be- 
 trayer of treachery, this touchstone of truth, shall off forth- 
 \vith to Winthrop, and be the antidote to the bane of my 
 letter."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 451 
 
 Thus murmured Governor Bradford, grieved as well as vexed 
 at the deceit, as he supposed it to be. With a rapid hand, he 
 wrote an account of his discover}', and entrusting it, with the 
 note-book, to a messenger, commanded him to hasten after the 
 soldiers from Governor Wiuthrop, and deliver to them the 
 package.
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 Kought is on earth more sacred or divine, 
 That gods and men do equally adore, 
 
 Than this same virtue that doth right define, 
 For th' heavens themselves, whence mortal men implore, 
 Bight in their wrongs, are ruled by righteous lore. 
 
 SPENSER'S FACET 
 
 IT was with some embarrassment that Governor Winthrop 
 received his prisoner, though none was manifested in the mien of 
 . Sir Christopher. On the contrary, his manner indicated conscious 
 innocence, and just that degree of resentment which a well- 
 balanced mind and good temper might be expected to exhibit 
 under the circumstances. If there was any change in his bearing, 
 he was a trifle haughtier, as presuming on his rank a trait never 
 noticed in him before, and it showed itself by his speaking first, 
 without waiting to be addressed, the moment he entered the pres- 
 ence of the Governor. 
 
 " By what authority," he demanded with some sternness, " is 
 it, that I, a free-born Englishman, innocent of crime, have a 
 price set on my head, and am hunted by savages bribed for that 
 purpose ?" 
 
 Before making a reply, the Governor intimated his desire to 
 be left alone with the Knight, whereupon those present retired. 
 
 " You inquire by what authority you are arrested," said Win- 
 throp. " I answer, by that authority vested in me by charter,
 
 454 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 as the ruler of a State ; by common law, and by common sense. 
 The question is not asked by one with the endowments of Sir 
 Christopher Gardiner because he is ignorant, but for some other 
 reason." 
 
 " Is it in humanity," returned the Knight, " not to be annoyed 
 at the outrage ? How bitterly," he added, looking sorrowfully at 
 Winthrop, " is the pain of the wound aggravated by the knowl- 
 edge from whose quiver flew the arrow !" 
 
 " I may not choose between my duty and my inclination," re- 
 sponded the Governor. " I were, otherwise, more unworthy than 
 I am of the awfully responsible station which Providence hath 
 assigned me. It shall never be said that, through favor or other 
 motive, I buried the one talent committed to my keeping." 
 
 " I dared not, at my entrance," replied the Knight, who strove 
 to make his tone and demeanor conciliatory, " entertain the 
 thought that a friendly feeling toward me lurked in his bosom, 
 by whose mandate my helpless household has been invaded in 
 the night and made prisoners, and my house turned into a heap 
 of ashes." 
 
 " It was by no order of mine," said Winthrop, hastily, " that 
 the house was burned, and I lament its destruction as deeply as 
 yourself. How it caught fire, is to me unknown ; but if by the 
 act of our people and not of the savages, ample recompense 
 shall be made." 
 
 " How shall that be determined ? But I will not waste my 
 words thereupon. The loss of my house and other property is 
 insignificant, compared with the cruel wrong done the Lady 
 Geraldine and the dishonor to my name." 
 
 " She, whom you call the Lady Geraldine, has been treated 
 with all courtesy; and, considering what, in the judgment of 
 the Council, has been proved against her, with more than she is 
 entitled to. For yourself, every opportunity shall be granted to 
 clear off the clouds of suspicion hovering over you."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 455 
 
 " Only a clear field and no favor do I desire for myself ; but 
 for the persecuted lady, my cousin, I pledge you my knightly 
 word that any charges reflecting upon her character as a virtuous 
 and godly lady, are infamous and false. You perceive, right 
 worshipful sir, that I do not pretend to be ignorant of the accu- 
 sations which inventive malice, hatched out of what cockatrice 
 egg I kno\\ not, has brought against my suffering cousin, but I 
 pronounce them, again, alike dastardly and without truth." 
 
 " If so, she is, indeed, greatly wronged, though partly respon- 
 sible herself therefor, as having confessed the same." 
 
 " Then have strange means been employed to make her ac- 
 knowledge a lie," said the Knight, warmly, "for any such con- 
 fession were utterly untrue. I have heard of wretches, who, 
 upon the rack, in order to escape its intolerable agonies, have 
 accused themselves of all sorts of crimes of which they were 
 innocent. Is this the way you have abused my relative ?" 
 
 " Sir Christopher," answered Winthrop, mildly, " you know 
 as well as I that such practices are alien to the spirit of British 
 law and unused by us. Touching this unhappy female, I think 
 it meet to say no more at present, but will wish you success in 
 the vindication of yourself." 
 
 " For myself," replied the Knight, " I care little. The char- 
 acter of a man is like a garment, which, when soiled, may be 
 washed and restored to a likeness of its pristine beauty ; that of 
 a woman resembles white paper, whereupon if a drop of blood 
 has ever fallen, it may never be erased. But what are the accu- 
 sations devised against me?" 
 
 " Sir Christopher," answered Winthrop, with some hesitation, 
 " it were hardly orderly to communicate them to you now. Be- 
 fore the Council, perhaps, should you hear them first. And yet 
 see I no reason why, in harmony with the merciful spirit of our 
 law, they should not be disclosed. We desire to overpower no 
 man by surprise, or to deprive truth of a single aid. You shall 
 know."
 
 456 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 Here Winthrop entered into the particulars, which it is, we 
 trust, unnecessary to set down, as the reader is supposed to be 
 already informed of them. He mentioned the contents of the 
 letters from England, but did not exhibit them, concealing nothing 
 except what appertained to the examination of the Lady Geral- 
 dine, all inquiries respecting which he either evaded or directly 
 refused to answer. Courteously, indeed, was it done ; nor could 
 Sir Christopher deny that the information was rightfully with- 
 held. It was only in accordance with the usual proceedings 
 of courts of justice, when those who are considered accomplices 
 are examined apart from one another, in order that they may 
 not, by a knowledge of each other's answers, be better able to 
 frame their own. 
 
 To every accusation Sir Christopher opposed a steady denial. 
 " That falsely suspected as I am," he said, " of other crimes and 
 misdemeanors, I should also be deemed an usurper of a title that 
 does not belong to me, surprises me not. But grant me time to 
 send home, (as the English in the colonies affectionately call Eng- 
 land to this day,) and I will prove my knighthood honorably won 
 upon a stricken field, by irrefragable testimony. I will not deny 
 that I have the honor of an acquaintance with Sir Ferdinando 
 Gorges, but I am in no sense his agent, nor in any wise hold 
 communication with him, save as a friend. For the note-book 
 found at my lodgings, and deemed conclusive proof that I am a 
 Catholic, I aver that the memorandum therein contained refers 
 not to myself but to one whom it concerns not you that I should 
 name ; and it furnishes no evidence against me, except what 
 arises out of the fact that I acknowledge one who is of Rome 
 to be my friend." 
 
 "Whatever my private thoughts," said Winthrop, "it were 
 useless to express them, seeing that thy fate hangs not entirely 
 upon me. With no unnecessary severity," he continued, in a 
 kinder tone than he had hitherto adopted during the conversa-
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 457 
 
 tion, " will I treat one, whom, before these unhappy suspicions 
 were raised, I was beginning to love as a brother ; and, if thou 
 wilt pledge me thine honor neither to attempt escape, nor by 
 word or deed to practise aught against the Commonwealth, thou 
 shalt have liberty of the precincts of the settlement until the 
 Council shall take further orders." 
 
 " I accept thine offer," answered Sir Christopher, " and plight 
 thee my knightly troth to observe the conditions. And hi this, 
 my adversity, it is a consolation to know that the noblest spirit 
 who is to sit in judgment on me, believes me not wholly lost to 
 the duties and sensibilities of a gentleman." 
 
 The Governor, without reply, summoned Lieutenant Venn, 
 who was in waiting ; and, after communicating to him the con- 
 clusion to which he had come, requested him to escort the Knight 
 to his lodging. 
 
 A few days passed, during which Sir Christopher was seem- 
 ingly in the full enjoyment of freedom, though closely watched. 
 He attempted to speak with the Lady Geraldine, but was re- 
 fused permission ; and upon her being told of his desire, she 
 sent him word that she had no wish to see him. No objection, 
 however, was interposed to his intercourse with Arundel, who, 
 with his lovely mistress, did all in their power to console the 
 Knight and the unhappy lady in their misfortunes. The relation 
 which the latter stood to the colony affected not the young 
 people, except to excite their sympathies for those whom they 
 considered unjustly suspected and persecuted. 
 
 It might be supposed that in these circumstances Sir Christo- 
 pher would betray some anxiety or gloom. Far from it. The 
 command over his emotions which nature and discipline had given 
 him, concealed his trouble of mind. He seemed to think but 
 little of himself, and to be principally occupied with the ap- 
 proaching nuptials of Arundel and Eveline, who, immediately 
 thereafter, were to sail for England in the ship commanded by
 
 458 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 the jolly Captain Sparhawk. The ceremony, in order to give it the 
 greater dignity, was to be performed by Winthrop himself, the right 
 to tie the mystical knot being, among these planters of new customs 
 in a new world, confined to the civil magistrate. Strongly, at first, 
 did the young lady object, and it needed all the eloquence of her 
 lover, and all her affection for him, to prevail upon her to dis- 
 pense with the priestly blessing. However, there was no alter- 
 native, if they meant to be married before their departure ; and 
 the circumstances of their situation and mutual inclination were 
 persuasive arguments. Voyages, too, were not then as safe as now ; 
 and to the romantic girl contemplating the dangers of the sea, 
 there was something sweet and even fascinating in the thought, 
 that if she perished, she should die in the arms of her husband. 
 This last consideration, above all, prevailed to overcome her 
 scruples, and the uncanonical marriage was accordingly deter- 
 mined upon. 
 
 At length the day arrived for the hearing of Sir Christopher, 
 and, attended by Arundel, he presented himself before the Coun- 
 cil. It is unnecessary to enter into details. The result is all that 
 need he stated. The accusations contained in the letters, though 
 denied by the Knight, (who vehemently protested against the 
 liberties taken with those addressed to himself, on which latter 
 was founded the charge of being in correspondence with Sir Fer- 
 dinando Gorges, the most dreaded enemy of the colony,) 
 obtained credence with his judges. Winthrop blushed when 
 reproached with the violation of the letters; but the rough 
 Dudley justified and commended the act, as fidelity to public 
 interests. There was a settled conviction in the minds of all of 
 the Assistants, that the Lady Geraldine was other than she 
 seemed ; and the conclusion they had arrived at concerning her 
 were not of a nature to operate favorably for the Knight. The 
 memorandum in the note-book was also considered weighty evi- 
 dence. It was recollected, that long before suspicions were con
 
 THE KXIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 459 
 
 ceivcd concerning Sir Christopher, and when he stood highest in 
 the favor of the principal inhabitants, he had, in speaking of his 
 travels in foreign parts, mentioned that he was at the very place 
 where, and at the time when the scapula was assumed ; and his 
 ascribing the reference to another, was regarded as only an awk- 
 ward attempt at deception. It was thought plainly to betray 
 him as a member of a religious order among the Roman Catho- 
 lics. Winthrop himself was of that opinion, and that, without 
 more, was sufficient to support an unfavorable decision. The 
 idea of having covert Papists lurking in their midst was not to 
 be tolerated, and, by whatever means, they were to be got rid 
 of. Allusion was made to his embassy to the Taranteens, and 
 services rendered on that and other occasions, but they were 
 deemed insufficient to neutralize his guilt ; yet, in consideration 
 of those services, they forbore to inflict any severe punishment. 
 The sentence of the Council was, that both the Knight and lady 
 should be sent back to England in the next ship, and forbidden 
 to return. 
 
 " All England shall ring with the report of your injustice," 
 cried Sir Christopher, when the decision was announced. " Ye 
 do yourselves more wrong than me, and the time will come 
 when ye shall hang your heads with shame for the deed. Ye have 
 power, it is true, to extrude me from this new world, but my 
 presence will be a bane to you in the old. I go with solemn pro- 
 test against your violence." 
 
 " Enough," said Winthrop, rising with dignity, " of threats 
 which we notice not, because we are above them. The men 
 who are founding an empire, whose future extent and power hu- 
 man sagacity cannot limit, and who, for the sake of present 
 liberty of thought and action, and of prospective blessings for 
 their descendants, have renounced and count as naught the vani- 
 ties of this world, fear no arm of flesh. Their shield is the Lord 
 of Hosts. This Council is dissolved."
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 " To feel that we adore 
 
 "With such refined excess, 
 That though the heart would burst with more, 
 We could not live with less." 
 
 Ifoou. 
 
 FAIR rose the morn of the day which was to unite the 
 destinies of Miles Arundel and of Eveline Dunning, as if to make 
 some amends for the clouds which had attended the progress of 
 their affection. 
 
 With a tear in her eye, and smiles in the dimples of her plump 
 cheeks, Dame Spikeman looked on the adorning of the lady for 
 the marriage ceremony, by the cunning fingers of Prudence Rix. 
 She thought, as she gazed on the fair, young face, of her own 
 maiden beauty, of the timid happiness that palpitated in her 
 bosom on her wedding-day, of the dress that heightened her 
 charms, and (shall I so soon acknowledge it ?) of what would be 
 becoming for herself on a like occasion, wherein she was to bear a 
 principal part, and the too-fascinating Master Prout another. 
 Let not the solemn pretender to decorum, who, in proportion to 
 his demureness, is apt to be worse than others, with owlish 
 visage quote, " frailty, thy name is woman," or, " e'er those 
 shoes were old," or whatever musty apothegms besides, as stale 
 and senseless. The name of Frailty is no more woman than 
 man, and old shoes have no business at weddings. Stand aside
 
 462 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 censorious reader, (I desire not thy acquaintance,) while I 
 whisper to both maid and widow, what, probably, they have 
 often pondered that life is short, and that in Heaven they 
 neither marry nor are given in marriage. 
 
 "Bless thy sweet face!" said the dame. (" Pull down the 
 stomacher a little, Prudence ; an' it had been a thought longer 
 it were better.) Ne'er saw I so lovely a bride." 
 
 " It is the latest London fashion," muttered Prudence, " that 
 hath come to these outlandish parts, where, thank the Lord, our 
 stay will not be much longer than the stomacher." 
 
 " What is the girl chattering about ?" said the dame. " Why, 
 Prudence Pert, thou wilt tear the beautiful satin with thine im- 
 patience." 
 
 " You have already made me prick my fingers three times, 
 dame," answered the waiting-maid, pettishly. " I never could 
 dress my young lady aright, when I was talked to. There ! O 
 dear ! you have made me cut a ribbon in the wrong place !" 
 
 " Did ever one see the like !" exclaimed the widow, as, with a 
 jerk of the petulant Prudence, a few stitches now gave way. 
 " Why, minx, thou art as much flustrated as if thou wert to be 
 married thyself." 
 
 " I know somebody, I guess," said the girl, in so low a tone as 
 to be heard only by her mistress, close to whose ear was her 
 mouth, " who would like to be flustrated in that manner." 
 
 1 Eveline could not restrain her smiles at the impertinence of 
 her maid, and her gaiety seemed to please the good dame. 
 
 " Thou art a sensible child, Eveline," she said. " Now have 
 I known many a wedding, and generally there are quite as many 
 tears as smiles at them. I like not that, exactly, though I be- 
 lieve I was as great a simpleton as most, when I mar (here 
 
 the dame decorously put her handkerchief to her eyes to receive 
 
 the tears which she did not shed) when I ; but I must not 
 
 think of my sorrow, when thy happiness is just commencing."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 463 
 
 (Dam3 Spikcman wiped her eves, and went on more composedly.) 
 " There is nothing them hast cause to fear, and thou wilt soon get 
 used to it. But, who is to be thy bridesmaid '?" 
 
 " It was my intent to have had little Neebin," replied the 
 young lady. " It would have sounded so prettily in England 
 to say that an Indian Princess stood up with me, for Miles says 
 
 that she is the sister of a great king of Waqua ; thou 
 
 dost recollect him, Prudence?" 
 
 " The funny salvage," said the girl, " who mistook a painting for 
 a live man. But to think of the like of the sister of an Indian, 
 though he be a handsome fellow, going to the 'menial halter with 
 my mistress!" she added, tossing her head. 
 
 "The danger is past, Prudence," said Eveline, "for Miles tells 
 me she has run away from the Governor's, and was last seen in 
 the woods with one of her brother's Paniese, as the savages call 
 their greatest warriors, Town , Town , I forget his name, 
 but they were going in the direction of their own country." 
 
 " Toweringantic was the salvage's name," said Prudence. " I 
 remember it very well, because it sounds so like English." 
 
 "That is it not precisely, "said the young lady, with a smile; 
 " but it matters not about the name. Our little Princess has fled 
 to her home, and I am left without a bridesmaid." 
 
 " The ungrateful heathen !" exclaimed the dame. "Only to 
 think of her deserting the comfortable house of our right wor- 
 shipful Governor, and instruction in the Christian graces by 
 godly Master Phillips, for the smoky wigwams and powawingof 
 the Indians. The girl, I am sure, will come to no good, and I 
 will never trust one of these Canaanites again." 
 
 " Nay ; but dame," said Eveline, " I rejoice that she escaped. 
 I did much pity her in her captivity, for she seemed to me like 
 a wild bird, that hath all its life been accustomed to fly in the 
 air, which had been caught and put into a cage, where it sits 
 constantly with moping head and drooping wings, forgetful of the 
 songs which made its woodland home so sweet."
 
 464 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " I did never like to disagree in opinion with thee, Eveline," 
 said the dame, "and leastwise would I do so, of all days in the 
 year, on thy wedding-day; so have it as thou wilt. For thy 
 sweet sake, whom I am so soon to lose, I could find it in my 
 heart to be pleased at anything the little savage might do, were 
 she twenty times a heathen Amalakite or Jebusite." 
 
 " Dame," said Eveline, kissing her comely cheek, " how shall 
 I ever be able to repay thy motherly kindness ? O, wherever I 
 may be, and whatever my lot, I will ever think of thee as my 
 second mother." 
 
 " Dear child," replied the dame, moved to tears, which flowed 
 with womanly facility, " never had mother a sweeter and more 
 Joving daughter than thou hast been to me. Hast thou not done 
 more than most daughters, in giving me all the property that re- 
 mains to thee here "?" 
 
 " Speak not of it, dame," answered Eveline, " though it is 
 Miles' gift, for he desired me to give it thee." 
 
 " Oh! dame, do not disturb my young lady more, for if you 
 get her crying, think how her eyes would look," here interposed 
 Prudence, very sensibly. 
 
 "It is time that I were attending to my own apparelling, 
 which, in looking at thee, I quite forgot," said the widow, rising, 
 and leaving the apartment. 
 
 The marriage, which took place at the house of the Gover- 
 nor, was private, and attended only by some of the principal 
 personages of the colony and their families. Besides the Knight 
 of the Golden Melice, Sir Richard Saltonstall, who was to sail 
 in the same ship with the -young people, came with his two 
 daughters, as did also Master Increase Nowell, and Master 
 Bradstreet. No minister was present, the order resenting, it may 
 be, in a quiet way, an invasion of their prerogative, which exclu- 
 ded thtm from business of this sort ; but in the solemn and grace- 
 ful manner in which the accomplished Winthrop performed the
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 405 
 
 ceremony, no one noticed any deficiency, not even Eveline her- 
 self, who, indeed, was thinking of other matters. Winthrop 
 concluded his part with a little speech, in which he reminded the 
 young couple of the new duties they had assumed, and of the 
 loving mystery Avhereby two souls were united into one, like two 
 brooks, which, pouring each into the other their bright waters, 
 flow on, inseparably joined, to the ocean of eternity. Something 
 he said, too, of the blessedness of a true faith, as a crowning 
 glory, without which the world was but an unprofitable 
 desert. 
 
 Scarcely had the congratulations which followed the sweet 
 voice of the Governor ceased, when a stranger, an honored friond 
 of Master Bradstreet, and who had come with him, stepped for- 
 ward, and saluting Arundel by the title of the Earl of Cliffmere, 
 informed him that he had matters of importance to commu- 
 nicate. 
 
 " I had waited upon you, my lord, before," he said, " even 
 upon the instant of my arrival, had I known where to find you : 
 but I suspected you not under your assumed name." 
 
 " I welcome you," said the Earl, advancing and taking the 
 stranger's hand, " I welcome you, Master Hatherly, to the new 
 world, which I this day leave, probably forever. As for thy 
 news, I think thou art anticipated : I am informed by letters 
 brought by the vessel wherein you came, that my father and 
 eldest brother are no more, and that the coronet which I would 
 willingly place upon their living brows, alas, is mine. Wonder- 
 ful is the drama of life. I abandoned rank and fortune," he ad- 
 ded, looking with eyes swimming in love upon his wife, " to seek 
 that without which they possessed no value. They have pur- 
 sued me across the sea, and, besides, I have obtained my dearest 
 treasure." 
 
 The astonished Eveline hid her face in the bosom of her hus- 
 band, while tears of happiness fell fast. Bewildered, amazed at 
 
 20
 
 466 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN ilELICE. 
 
 the discovery of the rank of her lover, she knew not what to say ; 
 but amid all her confusion, prevailed triumphantly a sense of 
 sparkling joy, of full contentment, and of radiant hope. 
 
 "Why should I conceal from you, noble Winthrop, from you, 
 my valued friend, Sir Christopher, or from any of you, my 
 other friends, with whom I would leave no unsatisfactory remem- 
 brance of myself, the little romance that brought me among you," 
 continued the Earl. " Know,, that a second son of the deceased 
 Earl of Cliffmere, I wooed, in the character of an humble pain- 
 ter, the sweet daughter of Edmund Dunning. He aspired higher 
 than to unite the destinies of his only child with those of an 
 unknown artist, and looked coldly on my suit. He left England 
 with her, and I, unable to endure the pangs of separation, desired to 
 follow. My mother knew of my attachment from the beginning, 
 and to my entreaties yielded her acquiescence to my desires, for 
 she loved me greatly, and had informed herself of the worth of 
 her to whom I had given my heart, but required me to wait for 
 the permission of my father (absent at the time on the continent) 
 before I followed Eveline to this new world. That permission 
 I received, and straightway departed. Still I continued to con- 
 ceal my true name and station from even Eveline herself, for a 
 reason, perhaps, more romantic than rational ; for, with selfish 
 jealousy, I chose to be loved for my own sake, nor did I mean 
 my secret should be revealed until I had presented my wife to 
 my parents, but the curtain has been unexpectedly lifted, and ye 
 know all." 
 
 " I congratulate you, my lord," said Winthrop, " and will 
 venture to do so also in the name of all present, upon the auspi- 
 cious termination of your fortunes among us, and only lament 
 that BO little time is left us to express our respect. When re- 
 turned to our dear mother England, from whose bosom we are 
 self-banished, yet whom, with filial reverence, we love, we trust 
 that you will not forget your brethren in the wilderness. It ii
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE G JLDEX MEL1CE. 467 
 
 upon the far-seeing judgment of those in high places, as well 
 as upon the zeal of the people, [all under God,] that we rely to 
 assist us iii extending the material and earthly power of our 
 country, as well as in spreading the doctrines of true religion." 
 
 " Be sure, sir," answered the Earl, " that I will endeavor to 
 do my duty toward you according to my honest convictions. 
 And now, Eveline, bid farewell. The favoring breeze is bellying 
 in the half unfurled sails, gallant Captain Sparhawk is impatient, 
 aud we must away." 
 
 Lady Eveline fell upon the neck of the weeping Dame Spike- 
 man, and after kissing her repeatedly, exchanged farewells with 
 those around her, [as did all about to depart,] and then, accom- 
 panied by a numerous train, the passengers proceeded to the ship, 
 whither the Lady Geraldine had preceded them, and where, also, 
 they found Philip Joy. The sails were cast off from the yards 
 and hoisted home ; the fair wind gracefully curved the canvas, 
 and the good ship, with silver waves breaking at her prow, and a 
 stream of light following in her wake, gallantly stood down the 
 bay.
 
 CHAPTER xxxvrr. 
 
 So, splendid dreams, and slumbers sweet, 
 To each and all Good Xight. 
 
 WILLIAM E. HUKLBUT. 
 
 HERE might this tale be permitted to end, were it not that 
 a doubt has arisen in my mind whether some particulars do not 
 need explanation. Doubtless the nimble wits of the sagacious 
 have fathomed to their satisfaction all that seemed mysterious ; 
 but there may be others who, either less imaginative or more in- 
 dolent, would like an elaborate elucidation. These latter I invite 
 to accompany me across the blue Atlantic to the pleasant town 
 of Exeter, in the lovely county of Devon, in England. 
 
 In the nave of the splendid old cathedral of that town, two 
 men, engaged in conversation, are walking backwards and for- 
 wards, one of whom we recognize as the Knight of the Golden 
 Melice ; the other is a stranger. Through the stained glass, the 
 dim light of a winter's afternoon falls indistinctly on the stone 
 floor, while from behind the screen which separates the open 
 area where they are pacing from the portion devoted to religious 
 worship, the solemn tones of an organ (for it is the time of eve- 
 ning service) are floating around the massy pillars and among the 
 sculptured arches, as if imploring saintly rest for the high born 
 nobles and reverend bishops who, for hundreds of years, have 
 lain in their marble tombs around. None are present save the 
 two, and, as with reverent feet they tread, they seem dwarfed 
 into children by the huge proportions of the building.
 
 470 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 "Two beings more blessed with mutual affection than the 
 young Earl of Cliffmere and his lovely countess I know not," 
 said the Knight, continuing the conversation. " Three weeks 
 remained I with them in their magnificent palace at London, the 
 attractions whereof were tenfold heightened by his courteous 
 bearing and her graciousness. Nor could I without difficulty 
 tear myself away, so lovingly they delighted to dwell upon the 
 time when, as Miles Arundel, he wooed Eveline Dunning, or 
 hunted with me, in the wilds of America, and so sweet were their 
 attentions to my chafed spirit. With them is my trusty Philip, 
 whose trials are now over, while he basks in the favor of the 
 Earl and the smiles of the pretty Prudence, his wife, undisturbed 
 save by her occasional coquetry, which only serves, I suppose, to 
 make his love more piquant." 
 
 "A pleasing episode in your romantic life," said the stranger; 
 but know you perfectly how you came to leave America so sud- 
 denly 1" 
 
 " There is a mystery connected therewith which hath ever 
 puzzled me," replied the Knight. 
 
 " How felt you in reference to the plan of converting an Eng- 
 lish into a French colony ?" 
 
 " I did never either feel therefor inclination, or give it the ap- 
 probation of my judgment. I cannot forget that I am an Eng- 
 lishman." 
 
 "And did Sister Celestina know your sentiments?" inquired 
 the stranger. 
 
 " Surely. Wherefore should I have hesitated to bestow on 
 one so devoted my absolute confidence I" 
 
 " Ne crede principibus" said the stranger, " is no more worthy 
 of acceptance than ne crede feminis." 
 
 " Chosen friend of my soul, sworn brother of my heart," ex- 
 claimed the Knight, " I conjure thee to tell me what thou know- 
 est or dost suspect of these mysterious circumstances."
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 " Thou hast borne, beloved friend, a cross, whereof thou knew- 
 est not. You were betrayed, like him whose name you bear, 
 even in the house of your friends." 
 
 " A light begins to dawn upon my mind. And Sister Celes- 
 tina " 
 
 " Aye, Sister Celestina, or, as she must now be called, the 
 Abbess of St. Idlewhim, was the traitress. Yet, why call I her 
 so ? She did but obey her vow." 
 
 " May it please thee, Albert, to be more explicit ?" 
 
 " Know, then," said the stranger, " that it was in consequence 
 of representations from Sister Celestina thou wast recalled." 
 
 " How knowest thou this to be true ?" 
 
 " Ask me not, for that I dare not reveal ; but I swear, by the 
 bones of Loyola, and by our mutual friendship, that it is the sin- 
 cere truth. Father (I will not breathe his name, he 
 
 added, looking cautiously around,) loves thee not. Thou wert 
 in his way, and he had thee removed from England. He is 
 strong now and fears thee no longer, and has had thee sent igno- 
 miniously home, seizing hold of the idle suspicions of a woman 
 as a pretext." 
 
 " I see now," saicTthe Knight, " reasons for her conduct, which 
 at the time seemed inexplicable. But what reported Celestina to 
 him?" 
 
 " .Recollect you your offer to join the congregation ?'V 
 
 " It was but a stratagem." 
 
 " But so could she not understand it. Besides, she mistrusted 
 thine intimacy with Winthrop, and his influence over thee." 
 
 " I loved the man for his gracious qualities, heretic though he 
 be ; but he never influenced me." 
 
 " The intense zeal of Celestina, guided only by her womanly 
 instincts, was unable to comprehend thy feeling. She communi- 
 cated her suspicions to the Father, and it was his pleasure to re- 
 ceive them as truths and act accordingly. It was the father who
 
 472 THE KNIGHT OF' THE GOLDEN MELICE. 
 
 wrote the letters, signing thereto feigned names, and charging 
 thee with crimes as feigned. It was he who, to avert suspicion 
 from our order (for news had come that the jealousy of the prick- 
 ear'd heretics was aroused, and that they were on sharp look-out 
 for Catholics,) hesitated not to slander the Sister, his own confi- 
 dential agent, trusting, by the magnitude and foulness of the 
 charges, so to fill the minds of your judges, that other surmises 
 would be thrust out, and thus the ground be preserved for fur- 
 ther operations." 
 
 " I understand," said the Knight, " that my successor has de- 
 parted." 
 
 " He has gone. Sister Celestina, in her elevation, forgets her 
 temporary humiliation, and Sir Christopher Gardiner " 
 
 " Is the victim of a woman's suspicions and of a monk's pol- 
 icy. Albert, I thank thee ; my mind is now at ease, and I shall 
 no longer beat the air in vain attempts to discover my accusers, 
 unsubstantial figments of the Father's imagination. But why 
 told you me not on my arrival in London, when I did so eagerly 
 search for the infamous varlets who had attempted to attaint my 
 honor, and when vain, of course, were my exertions *?" 
 
 " 1 was not then permitted. And now, I rely upon thy dis- 
 cretion to bury the secret in thy breast. Any other course might 
 be fatal to us both." 
 
 " Fear me not," said Sir Christopher. " I have been exam- 
 ining my heart, and find I bear no malice against the holy Father. 
 It was time we should be removed, and the means, though harsh, 
 were politic ; for suspicions of our being Catholics were rife, and 
 what may sound strangely, our friendship, Albert, served to con- 
 firm them." 
 
 "Explain thy meaning." 
 
 " Out of my love to thee, and as a remembrancer for myself, I 
 had made a note in my pocket-book of the time and place of thy 
 admission into the holy Catholic Church, of the taking of thy
 
 THE KNIGHT OF THE GOLDEN MELICE. 473 
 
 scapula, and of thy degrees, whereunto I had appended no name. 
 This book escaping from my pocket, was found and delivered to 
 my judges, and considered pregnant proof against me." 
 
 " The writing was a great imprudence," said the stranger. 
 
 "Conjiteor, and whatever shame I may have endured I accept 
 as the fitting punishment of my sins. Alas ! my individual sor- 
 rows are swallowed up in grief at the thought of the condition ' 
 of the Church. How doth she sit like a widow in affliction ! 
 The flood-gates of error are opened, and the world is deluged 
 with impure streams. When 1 look on the marble images of the 
 crusaders, lying with crossed legs upon their tombs around us, 
 and on the cold faces of the abbots and mitred bishops, standing 
 in solemn dignity in their niches, they seem saddened and indig- 
 nant at a reverse that hath changed the very temple erected by 
 Catholic piety over their ashes, and wherein the incense of ac- 
 ceptable worship was offered unto the Lord, into a place of resort 
 for impious aud deluded heretics with their tasteless rites. Here, 
 with these mournful monitors around me, I cannot indulge in pri- 
 vate resentment while my heart is breaking for the sufferings of 
 my people." 
 
 " It is a holy and a commendable frame of mind, my brother," 
 said the stranger. " O, if the spirit that animates thee were 
 universal in our order, how might the Avilderness of the world be 
 made to blossom as the Rose of Sharon, and the lamentations of 
 Sion be converted into songs of deliverance I
 
 THE LOST HUNTER: 
 
 A TALE OP EARLY TIMES. 
 
 By the Author of " THE KNIGHT OP THE GOLDEN MELICE." 
 I2mo. $1 25. 
 
 " The style is fluent and unforced ; the description of character well 
 limned ; and the pictures of scenery forcible and felicitous. There is a 
 natural conveyance of incidents to the denouement ; and the reader closes 
 the volume with an increased regard for the talents and spirit of the 
 author. Knickerbocker ^Magazine. 
 
 "The style is direct and effective, particularly fitting the impression 
 which such a story should make. It4s a very spirited^and instructive tale, 
 leaving a good impression both upon the reader's sensibilities and morals." 
 
 Eclectic Magazine. 
 
 " A.n interesting plot, dramatic incidents, characters well conceived and 
 executed, picturesque sketches of American scenery, and a satisfactory 
 denouement, are the elements of success which this new novel invites." 
 Ballou's Pictorial. 
 
 "The locale of the story is at Norwich, Ct., the time, a generation ago, 
 and it embraces a wide range of characters, and brings into discussion a 
 variety of subjects. There is no feature of the book more worthy of com- 
 mendation than the Indian ; this is worked up with great fidelity to the 
 character, passions and legendary history of the aborigines, and exhibits a 
 rare acquaintance with their characteristics. The surprises of the story to 
 the reader are most felicitously arranged, and the conversations introduced 
 are keenly bright." Springfield Republican.
 
 " The author of this work has not favored the public with his name and 
 why, we are at a loss to know, for it is one whose authorship no one need 
 be ashamed to acknowledge. A train of incidents, now pathetic, now 
 humorous, and now marvelous, is woven together with an ingenuity not 
 less happy than remarkable. Any reader, so intense will become his 
 interest, who shall peruse the first chapter, will find it difficult to lay the 
 book aside before all its contents shall have been devoured. And more, 
 and better, no one can read it without becoming wiser and better it 
 abounds with wholesome lessons." Examiner. .# 
 
 " No clue is given to the author of this story, but it is marked on every 
 page by evidence of a practised pen, of great dramatic power, of ex- 
 perienced judgment of character, and of rare powers of description." St. 
 Louis Republican. 
 
 - at 
 
 " Something as bright and cheery as the blue skies and sparkling waters 
 of the New-England land selected for the scene of narrative ; as quaint 
 and hearty as the early settlers of the northeastern States, whence it 
 draws its sketches of character, and as wild and picturesque in places as 
 the Indian legends of that " long time ago" it so cheerfully describes. 
 
 " Savage life and scenes of the forest are interwoven like threads of 
 purple and crimson with the pleasant homespun of colonial story ; and, 
 ere the reader has ceased to smile over the antics, adventures and sports 
 of the odd specimens of early Yankee character that fill the foreground, he 
 is charmed into silence by the poetic pomp of Indian tradition and the fiery 
 display of Indian loves and hatreds. 
 
 " The Lost Hunter is a fine specimen of that class of American literature 
 we have sought to encourage, and we will not mar the enjoyment of those 
 whom we hope this notice may attract, by any brief, imperfect shadowing 
 of the story. Buy it, read it, and you will find it amply worth the time." 
 National Democrat. 
 
 " We were prepared, by the original and facetious style of the preface of 
 this book, for something out of the beaten track ; nor have we been dis- 
 appointed. The plot is ingeniously concealed, and well carried out. The 
 delineations of character are admirable. The Indian legends, and speci- 
 mens of Indian eloquence, are some of them surpassingly beautiful ; while 
 the history of the hero is so exciting, and withal so shrouded in mystery, 
 that there is no flagging of the interest till the last page is reached." 
 Vermont Republican.
 
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