Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/136

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

CHAPTER X
SEQUANAWAH PLEDGES FRIENDSHIP

On the morrow he was summoned to the sachem, and on entering the big wigwam found it half full of Indians. Most of them were young men, although a few were of middle-age and one quite old. In all there were some eighteen or twenty including the sachem himself and the interpreter of yesterday. The sachem’s wife and the three children hovered in the background, and the dogs slunk about underfoot, as ever.

David bowed and gave the Nipmuck salutation and those present gravely responded. From the size of the audience and the air of gravity prevailing, David judged that Metipom had assembled his counselors to learn what the white man could tell them of the trouble between King Philip and the English. His surmise was soon proved correct, for after the sachem had inquired politely as to his “guest’s” state of health and appetite, and had expressed the grave hope that he had enjoyed much sleep, he began, through the powwow, to question David about the