This message had the desired effect; for Tisquantum called a council of his braves, and submitted to them the request of their powerful ally, that they would fight with him against the Narragansetts.  The emissary was instructed to say nothing of the quarrel with the English; for Coubitant wished to get Henrich into the power of the Pequodees, before he became aware of the service that was to be required of him; and he trusted that no intelligence would reach him in the desolate country through which he and his warriors would have to march.

All the assembled council were unanimous in their decision, that the request of Sassacus should be complied with; and Tisquantum then turned to Henrich, who sat beside him, and said—­

’My son! the days are past when I could lead forth my warriors to the battle, and wield my tomahawk with the best and the bravest.  I must sit in my tent with the children and the squaws, and tell of the deeds that I once could perform, while my young braves are in the field of fight.  You must now be their leader, Henrich; and let them see that, though your skin is fair, you have in your breast an Indian heart.’

‘I will, my father,’ replied the Young Sachem.  ’Your warriors shall be led into the thickest of the battle, even as if your long-lost Tekoa went before them with his glancing spear.  Tisquantum shall never have cause to feel shame for the son of his adoption.’

‘I know it, my brave Henrich,’ said the old Chief, ’I know that the honor of Tisquantum’s race is safe in your hands; and that you will fight in defence of my ancient friends and allies, even as I would have fought in the days of my young strength.  Come away, now; my warriors must prepare to go with the messenger of the great Sassacus.  No time must be lost in giving him the aid he asks; and you, my son, will be ready by to-morrow’s dawn to lead them on their way.  I cannot go with you, for these feeble limbs are unfit to travel at the speed with which you must cross the forests and the plains; neither could the women and children bear it.  We will follow the course that we designed to take, and go to the land of my fathers in the far east; and there we will wait for our victorious warriors.’

As Tisquantum said this, he left the hall of council, which consisted of a shadowing maple tree, and led his companion to the hut of boughs, in which Oriana and Mailah sat anxiously awaiting the result of the conference.  They did not regret when they heard that their husbands were to hasten to the scene of war, for they were Indian women, and could glory in the deeds of their warriors.  But when they were informed that the main body of the tribe was to pursue the intended route towards Paomet,[*] their grief and disappointment were very great.

[Footnote:  Cape Cod]

‘Must I leave you, Henrich?’ exclaimed Oriana.  ’Must I know that you are in the battle-field; and wounded perhaps, and wanting my aid, and I far away?  Let me go with you!  You know that Oriana can bear danger, and fatigue, and hardship; and with you there would be no danger.’