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All were surprised and captured. But no one could tell where Annawan was to be found. All agreed in the declaration that he was continually roving about, never sleeping twice in the same place. One of the Indian prisoners entreated Captain Church to permit him to go into a swamp, about four miles distant, where his father was concealed with his young wife. He promised to bring them both in.
But right soon a message reached him, from Rehoboth, of southern Massachusetts north of Rhode Island, that Head Captain Annawan was "kenneling" in Squannaconk Swamp, and plundering the farms outside. Being a true citizen, and knowing that the settlers looked to him for aid, Captain Church, instead of resting up, sought his faithful lieutenant, Jabez Howland, and others of his former company.
This night he dared make no fire, and they had nothing at all to eat, for the supplies were behind with Lieutenant Howland. The scouts began to fear that Nathaniel had deserted perhaps had given Lightfoot the slip or tolled him into ambush, for there had been several gunshots in the distance. In that case, old Annawan himself was likely to turn up and make serious trouble.
He is a man of courage and strong mind, and we have heard him say that he will never be taken alive by the white people. We know the men with him. They are warriors and very determined; and we are but a handful. It will be a pity if after all your great deeds you should throw your life away at last." "I do not doubt that this Captain Annawan is a valiant man," Captain Church admitted.
In this manner, supporting themselves by roots and vines, the small party effected its descent undiscovered. Captain Church, with his hatchet in his hand, stepped directly over the young man's head, and seized his weapons and those of his father. The young Annawan, discovering Captain Church, whipped his blanket over his head, and shrunk up in a heap.
His nerve had won out for him. So far, Chief Annawan had not uttered another word. He seemed dumb with his astonishment. Captain Church maintained a bold front, as though he truly had a great army at his back. "What have you for supper?" he asked. "You see I have come to sup with you." Chief Annawan aroused. He was a strong, burly man, and spoke in a deep voice.
Captain Church could not speak Indian, and he supposed that Annawan could not speak English. At length Annawan arose, laid aside his blanket, and deliberately walked away. Almost before Captain Church had time to collect his thoughts, he had disappeared in the midnight gloom of the forest.
The surprise was perfect. Young Annawan, seeing, instantly "whipped his blanket over his head and shrunk in a heap." Old Annawan straightened half up, astonished. Then he fell back, without speaking farther, while Captain Church, with his men on guard, gathered the guns. No one dared to resist. None, there, dreamed that he had only the six men.
He laid himself down, but the excitement caused by his strange and perilous position drove all slumber from his eyelids. He looked around him, and soon the whole company was soundly sleeping, all excepting Annawan himself. The Indian and the English chieftain lay side by side for an hour, looking steadfastly at each other, neither uttering a word.
Captain Church queried. "If you start at once and travel stoutly, you might get to him by sunset," replied the old man. "Where were you going when I seized you?" "Annawan had sent me down to look for some of his Indians who were to kill provisions on this Mount Hope Neck." "Those Indians have all been taken by me," Captain Church informed him. "They are with my men and will not be harmed.
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