The Pilgrims of New England - A Tale of the Early American Settlers by Mrs. J. B. Webb
page 68 of 390 (17%)
page 68 of 390 (17%)
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make himself understood in the Wampanoge language, and he resolved to
try whether his Nausett guide would reply to his questions in that tongue. He therefore besought him to tell him whither he was leading him, and for what purpose. But Coubitant deigned him no reply. He understood him--for the Nausett language was but another dialect of the Wampanoge--but he did not choose to inform the boy of his destination at present, and he preserved a profound silence, and an expression of sullen gravity. It was not until the evening of the fourth day that the party reached the Nausett village, which, as we have already observed, was situate near the site of the 'first encounter'; and to which Tisquantum, and the greater part of his warriors had returned, when Coubitant and a few picked associates were left to carry out his schemes of vengeance. Henrich was instantly conducted to the lodge of the old Chief; and brightly did Tisquantum's dark eyes glitter when he beheld the son of his enemy in his power. He praised the skill and the perseverance by which Coubitant had thus procured him the means of revenge; and, taking off his own brilliant coronet of feathers, he placed it on the head of the proud and successful warrior, as a distinguished mark of his approbation. Coubitant was highly gratified; but his desire for vengeance was stronger than his vanity, and forgetting the honor that had been conferred upon him, he entreated the Chief to allow him instantly to drive his spear into the boy's heart, or else with his own weapon to take the life of the slayer's child. 'Not yet!' replied Tisquantum--and Henrich comprehended the full purport of his words--'not today, Coubitant. I would pour out the |
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