“It may be so, for our information is not so accurate as I wish; but this we do know, that a strange activity hath of late manifested itself in the movements of these foul conspirators, against uncorrupted Christianity the world over; and only a short time since was it that godly Mr. Eliot discovered, on the neck of a squaw, one of their brass idols made into the image of the Crucified, which, in righteous indignation, he took away from the woman.  Deluded and deluding, alas, if they have found their way into this land!”

“It is not necessary to suppose the presence of any member of the Company of Jesus, in order to account for the image on the neck of the Indian woman.  The French traders are Catholics, and one of them might have given it to her.”

“True; yet doth my jealous mind connect these men with every perversion and corruption of Gospel truth.  They are at this moment as well the plotting mind as the executing arm of the rotten Church of Rome.  The spirit of Loyola would seem lately to have left Hades, to animate his followers upon earth.  Be sure, Sir Christopher, that where error and mischief are, there is the Jesuit.”

“It is ever a consolation,” said the Knight, devoutly, “and in especial in these troublous times, that the Founder of the Church hath promised to be with her to the end of the world, and that the gates of hell shall not prevail against her.”

“If they have stolen among the innocent natives to intercept that knowledge of divine truth which it is our purpose to impart, we will, by God’s grace, defeat their designs and bring to naught their inventions.  In this Christian work it may be my desire to engage your services, Sir Christopher.”

“It needs not that I should make protestations of zeal, or offers of my poor self; yet do my feelings prompt me to say that my badge ’the honey-bee,’ is not more diligent in collecting his precious store than I will be in such a cause.”

“Then expect to have thy zeal and courage put to the test.  Should I request thee to visit the Taranteens in their own country, what would be thy reply?”

The Knight paused, as if the question was of importance sufficient to require consideration, so long, indeed, that Winthrop thought it proper to resume.

“I know,” he said, “that it is a service not unattended with danger; yet did danger never frighten a noble soul, but doth ever act as an incentive.  There is no one save thyself well acquainted with the tongue of these savages, (Mr. Eliot’s knowledge thereof, I observe, is imperfect, and he is in other respects but poorly qualified for the enterprise), and who would be able to make the impression upon them and obtain the information which I desire.”

“Disclose more perfectly your wishes, right worshipful sir,” said Sir Christopher.