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Updated: May 4, 2025
It was seen now how great had been the mistake in permitting Sassacus, the terrible chief of the Pequots, the most dreaded and implacable foe of the Taranteens, to be present at the council. Him the Taranteens had seen in apparent good understanding with the English, and been made the subject of his taunts in their presence.
He was completely successful in making the impression he desired upon 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 generous. Among their number was an inferior chief, endowed with the gift of eloquence, which often exists in a high degree among the red men.
To his astonishment, however, the Taranteen extended 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, unintelligible to Winthrop. "Thou dost understand the language of the Taranteens, Sir Christopher," he said.
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 Taranteens never forget.
The Taranteens themselves, following the example of the others, stood up and fastened their dyes intently on the speaker, as if, though not understanding a word he uttered, they expected to gather some meaning from the motion of his lips. When the prayer was ended, Gov. Winthrop rose, and requesting Mr. Eliot.
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.
If, by restraining the ferocity of the Taranteens, the end may be accomplished, gladly will I exert my influence therefor; 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."
They had it, indeed, in their power to place themselves 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 interfered to prevent.
"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 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."
Pursuing these meditations, he 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.
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