and the British courage; but they still continued to lurk in the neighboring forest, and to keep a vigilant watch over all that took place at the settlement.  Often were the keen eyes of Coubitant and his most trusty followers fixed, with a malignant gaze, on the dwelling of Rodolph and often were his movements, and those of his family, carefully noted by these sagacious savages, when no suspicion of their presence existed in the minds of the settlers.  They would climb by night to the summit of some lofty tree that overlooked the village, and there remain all day unseen, to obtain a knowledge of the habits and proceedings of their hated enemies, and to devise plans for turning this knowledge to account.

The departure of the embassy to Packanokick was, consequently, well known to Coubitant, and he resolved to take advantage of the absence of so considerable a part of the British force, to execute, if possible, his schemes of vengeance.  What they were, and how he attempted their accomplishment, will be presently seen.

Edith’s bower looked gay with its spring blossoms and luxuriant creepers, but Henrich was not quite satisfied with its appearance, and he wished to place at its entrance a graceful climbing plant which he had observed during his last walk to the Wampanoge village, and had neglected to secure it on his return.  It had been the desire of his parents that he should not go into the forest which bordered their grounds, except in the company of his father or some of his friends; but the apparent departure of the Nausetts had caused this injunction to be neglected of late, and he, and even his younger brother and sister, had frequently strayed, unmolested, a short distance into the wood, in search of flowers and fruits; and even Helen had ceased to feel alarm.

‘Edith,’ said Henrich, on the evening of which we are speaking; ’I think my father will return tonight, or tomorrow at the farthest; and I must complete my task before he arrives.  Your bower still requires a few plants to adorn the entrance, and the seats of moss are scarcely finished.  Let us go into the wood, and procure what we want before the sun sets, and our mother comes out to see what progress we have made.’

‘No, Henrich,’ replied his sister; ’do not go this evening.  I know not why, but the wood looks dark and gloomy; there is no sunlight on the path, and the shadows are so deep, that I could fancy every low bush was a crouching Indian.  I cannot go into the wood tonight.’

’You are timid, dear Edith.  You never feared to go with me before; and why should you fear this evening?  See, the sun is still high in the horizon, and the darkness is all in your own fancy.  Come and see that lovely creeper I told you of; and when you have admired it hanging from the decayed trunk of the old tree that supports it, you shall help me to remove it to your bower, where it will be the fairest flower that grows, except the little fairy queen herself.’