Here the Taranteen, who acted as spokesman, turning to his companion, uttered a sentence; whereupon the other, feeling in the folds of his deer skin robe, produced a pipe, the bowl of which was made of a reddish clay, into which was inserted, for a stem, a reed beautifully ornamented with black and white shells, and bright colored feathers of various birds.  This the orator received from the hands of his follower, and again addressed the Governor: 

“The Taranteens are a great nation, and they love peace.  It pleases them to see the smoke as it ascends from the calumet.  It is more beautiful to their eyes than the white summer clouds which protect them from the heat of the sun.  They would be glad to smoke with Owanux, but they cannot do it now, because should they attempt it, the blood of Pieskaret would put out the fire and the groans of his four brothers would agitate us so that the pipe would fall from our hands.  I want the white chief to strengthen our hands, so that we can hold the calumet firmly, and perhaps that will satisfy Pieskaret too.”

“I understand him,” said Winthrop, after the Knight had interpreted, “but let him proceed.”

“If the white chief will deliver to us the murderers of Pieskaret, and release our brothers from slavery,” said the Taranteen, slowly and impressively, “it is well, and we will smoke with Owanux and forget what has happened; but if he will not,”—­and here his voice sounded like the growl of a bear, as, putting his hand into his bosom, he took out a small package and handed it to Winthrop,—­“we speak to the white chief thus:” 

The Governor received the package, and saw that it consisted of a tomahawk in the centre, around which were placed several small arrows tipped with a red dye, and tied together with the stuffed skin of a rattle-snake, the rattles of which sounded as he took the ominous present into his hand.  He waited composedly until the Knight had explained the words, though he comprehended at once the meaning of the savage, and then answered: 

“If the Taranteens are a great nation, they are a nation of fools, else why do they not listen to my words?  I tell thee a white English chief cannot lie; the Great Spirit will not permit a Christian chief to lie.  In vain have I asserted our innocence in this matter; in vain have I expressed sorrow, and humiliated myself to thy reproaches.  But the English know how to treat those who, faithless themselves, believe not in the faith of others.  Behold!”

Winthrop drew his rapier, and cut the snake skin so that the tomahawk and arrows fell apart.  Placing the skin upon a table, he next took up the arrows, and, breaking several at a time, let the pieces drop at his feet.  Then seizing the tomahawk, he dashed it with such violence on the hearth of the fire-place, that the handle flew off and the stone head was broken.  Lastly, taking down from a nail in the wall whereon they hung, a powder-horn and pouch of bullets, he filled the skin with powder and ball, and held it out to the Taranteen.