Henrich’s desire to see the Sachem become a Christian was increased in the same measure that his hope of its accomplishment became less; for the more intimately he became acquainted with him, the more he found in his natural character that was interesting, and even estimable.  Tisquantum was brave; and he was also generous and sincere, far beyond the generality of his race.  We have said that the influence of his wife, whom he had, loved to an unusual degree for an Indian, had tended to soften his temper and disposition; and his regret for her loss, and his anxiety that his only daughter should resemble her, had made him more domestic in his habits than most of his brother chiefs.  He was kind, also, when not roused to harshness and cruelty by either revenge or superstition; and he was capable of strong attachments where he had once taken a prepossession in favor of any individual.

Such a prepossession he had formed for his English captive on the evening when his child had pleaded for his life, and when his own ingenuous and beautiful countenance had joined so eloquently in her supplications.  No insidious efforts of the wily Coubitant had availed to change the Sachem’s sentiments; and he continued to treat Henrich as an adopted son, and to allow him all the privileges and indulgences that had once been bestowed on his beloved Tekoa.  The white boy was permitted to enjoy full and unrestricted liberty, now that he was beyond all possible reach of his countrymen.  He was encouraged to hunt, and sport, and practice all athletic games and exercises with the Nausett and Pequodee youths; and he was presented with such of the arms and ornaments of the lost Tekoa as were deemed suitable to his use, and his unusually tall and muscular figure.

Often when adorned with these strange and curious specimens of Indian art and ingenuity, did Haunch smile to think how Edith and Ludovico would wonder and admire if they could see him thus attired:  and then he would sigh as he remembered that months and years must probably elapse—­and possibly even his life might come to an end—­ere he could hope to see their loved countenances, or to excite their surprise and interest by a relation of all his perils and adventures.  To Oriana, alone, could he unburden his mind on such subjects; and from her he always met with deep attention and heartfelt sympathy; but every day she felt his presence to be more necessary to her happiness, and her dread of his escaping to his own people to become greater.  Not only did she shrink from the idea of parting with her ’white brother ’—­her newly-found and delightful friend and companion—­but daily, as she grew in the knowledge of Henrich’s religion, and learnt to know and love the Christian’s God and Savior more sincerely, did she fear the possibility of losing her zealous young teacher, and being deprived of all intercourse with the only civilized and enlightened being whom she had ever known.