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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 a snake skin as a present to Owanux. The Taranteens are a great people and forget not a benefit."
"Soog-u-gest is wanted among his own people," said Quecheco, who had possessed himself of the much coveted gun 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."
"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.
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 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. "Soog-u-gest is the woman's 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."
They were friends, but why should the Knight conceal the fact? "Has my brother been long acquainted with Soog-u-gest," inquired Arundel. "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.
"The deer was quicker than the arrow of Quecheco," returned 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.
"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.
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 might then have taken alarm, and cunning been met by cunning.
"Soog-u-gest is my brother," answered the Sagamore. "Does he know the occasions of Soog-u-gest's frequent absences from home?" "He hunted sometimes with Sassacus," was the answer. "And what knows he of the woman?" "She is the sister of Soog-u-gest." "Is she not his wife?" demanded Dudley. But Sassacus, merely shaking his head, made no reply.
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