’And you have also drawn some of my people into rebel lion, and persuaded them to consent to the murder of their Chief.  One of them has already shed his life-blood in punishment of his sin; and the rest will bear the marks of shame to their graves.  All this is your work.’

’If more of your people had the courage to join me in resisting the pretensions of the proud stranger, you and Henrich would now have been lying dead at my feet.  You would never again have been obeyed as Sachems by the Nausetts.  But they loved their slavery—­and let them keep it.  My soul is free.  You may send it forth in agony, if you will:  for I am in your power, and I ask no mercy from those to whom I would have shown none.  Do your worst.  Coubitant’s heart is strong; and I shall soon be with the spirits of my fathers, where no white men can enter.

The wrath of Tisquantum was stirred by the taunts and the bold defiance of his prisoner; and he resolved to execute on him a sentence that should strike terror into any others of the tribe who might have harbored thoughts of rebellion.

’The death that you intended should be my portion, and that of all my family, shall be your own!’ he exclaimed.  The torments of fire shall put a stop to your boasting.  My children,’ he added—­turning to the warriors who stood around him—­’ I call on you to do justice on this villain.  Form a pile of wood here on the river’s brink; end when his body is consumed, his ashes shall he cast on the stream, and go to tell, in other lands, how Tisquantum punishes treachery.’

A smile of scorn curled the lip of Coubitant, but he spoke not; and no quivering feature betrayed any inward fear of the approaching agony.

‘Hear me yet, Coubitant,’ resumed the old Chieftain; and, as he spoke, the strokes of his warriors’ hatchets among the neighboring trees fell on the victim’s ear, but did not seem to move him.  ’Hear me yet, and answer me.  Was it by your arts that Salon’s soul was turned away from his lawful Chief, and filled with thoughts of murder?  Was he true to me and mine until you returned to put evil thoughts into his heart? or had pride and jealousy already crept in there, which you have only fostered?’

’Salon hugged his chains till I showed him that they were unworthy of a true-born Indian.  The smooth tongue of the pale-face had beguiled him, till I told him that it would lead him to ruin and subjection.  Yes:  I taught Salon to long for freedom for himself, and freedom for his race.  And now he will die for it, as a red man ought to die.  Let the same pile consume us both!’

‘No!’ interrupted Henrich, eagerly.  ’His guilt is far less than yours, and mercy may be extended to him.  By every law of God and man your life, Coubitant, is forfeited; and justice requires that you should die.  But I would desire your death to be speedy, and I would spare you all needless agony.  My father,’ he continued, addressing Tisquantum, ’let my request be heard in favor of Salon, that he may live to become our trusty friend again; and since Coubitant must die, let it be by the quick stroke of the knife, and not in the lingering horrors of the stake.’