Tisquantum weighed all these considerations in his mind; and he resolved to spare the life of his young captive.  But he would not at once announce that he had relented from his bloody purpose, and yielded to his child’s solicitations.  He therefore maintained the severe gravity that usually marked his countenance, and replied—­

’But what can the white boy do, that he should fill the place of an Indian chieftain’s son?  Can he cast the spear, or draw the bow, or wrestle with our brave youths?’

Reviving hope had filled the heart of Henrich with courage, and he looked boldly up into the Sachem’s face, and merely answered, ‘Try me.’

The brevity and the calmness of the reply pleased the red Chief, and he determined to take him at his word.

‘I will,’ he said.  ’To-morrow you shall show what skill you possess, and your fate shall depend on your success.  But how have you learned anything of Indian sports, or of the Indian tongue?’

’I have been much in Mooanam’s lodge, and have played with the youths of his village,’ replied Henrich; ’and the Sachem was well pleased to see me use a bow and arrow in his woods.  And from him, and my young companions, I learnt to speak their tongue.’

‘It is good,’ said the old Chief, thoughtfully.  Then, fixing his penetrating eyes on Henrich again, he hastily inquired:  ’And can you use the fire-breathing weapons of your countrymen? and can you teach me to make them?

‘I can use them,’ answered the boy; ’but I cannot make them.  They come from my father’s land, beyond the great sea.  But,’ he added—­while a stronger hope of life and liberty beamed in his bright blue eye and flushing face—­’send me back to my countrymen, and they will give you muskets for my ransom.’

‘No, no!’ said the Sachem:  and the dark cloud again passed over his countenance.  ’Never will I restore you to your father, till he can give me back my son.  You shall live, if you can use our Indian weapons; but you shall live and die as an Indian.’

He turned and left the apartment; and the heart of Henrich sank within him.  Was he then taken for ever from his parents, and his brother, and sister?  Should he behold his friends, and his teacher, no more?  And must he dwell with savages, and lead a savage life?  Death, he thought, would be preferable to such a lot; and he half resolved to conceal his skill and dexterity in Indian exercises, that Tisquantum might cast him off and slay him, as unfit to dwell among his tribe.  But hope soon revived; and his trust in the providential mercy of God restored his spirits, and enabled him even to look upon a lengthened captivity among the red men with composure.  Plans for escaping out of their hands, and making his way back to the settlement, filled his mind; and a short residence among the wild men even appeared to offer some attraction to his enterprising spirit.  So he turned to Oriana, who stood gazing on his changing and expressive countenance with the deepest interest, and again resumed the conversation which had been interrupted by the entrance of the Chief.