the compliments of Capt.  Sparhawk, (do ye hear?) and let him know how they drifted ashore.  And hark ye, if he should be inclined to a little agreeable conversation with the tanned hides, just let him send me an invitation, and I shall be happy to officiate as interpreter.  Heave ahead, Bill Pantry, and take command of the squad.  You’ve been long enough under my command to know how to do the honors in a gentlemanly way.”

Accordingly Bill Pantry, in obedience to the Orders of his Captain, which seemed to the bystanders the most sensible suggestion, took possession of the Indians, and escorted them to the Governor’s house.

It so happened, by an accident, that the invaluable services of Capt.  Sparhawk, as a linguist, were not needed on the occasion, for upon the strangers being announced by one of the soldiers on guard at the door, the Knight of the Golden Melice was found to be with Winthrop.

As the Indians entered the room, Winthrop rose, and with great urbanity, offered his hand to him who appeared to be the principal.  To his astonishment, however, the Taranteen extended not his own.

“How is this?” exclaimed Winthrop.  “Is this intentional discourtesy, or are ye ignorant of the customs of the English?”

Hereupon the principal Indian uttered a sentence or two, unintelligible to Winthrop.

“Thou dost understand the language of the Taranteens, Sir Christopher,” he said.  “May it please you, who are so happily here, to explain his meaning?”

“He says,” replied the Knight, “that he has been sent as a messenger by his nation, and that he hopes you will respect his character.”

“Surely,” said Winthrop.  “How could he imagine the contrary?  Who can impeach our faith?”

“You forget,” said the Knight, “what suspicions must have been engendered by the unhappy termination of the late embassy.”

“It will be difficult to persuade me,” said Winthrop, “that it was other than a broil, wherein our people had no part.  I cannot be deceived,” continued he, waving his hand, observing that Sir Christopher was about to reply, “by the cunning stratagem resorted to, for the purpose of averting suspicion.  But a truce with this.  Say to him he is as safe as his child, if he has one, in his wigwam.  What says he now?” he inquired, after the Knight had interpreted his words, and the Indian replied.

“He asks where are the four companions of Pieskaret.”

“Tell him I know not, but suppose they have either returned to their homes, or been destroyed by hostile Indians.”

When this was explained, the stately savage sadly smiled, and shook his head.  He then spoke again.

“He says,” answered the Knight, to the look of Winthrop, “that it is not the custom of Taranteen ambassadors to run away, and that they know how to protect themselves from the Aberginians.”