As the little girl on her way out of the apartment passed nigh the chief, she stopped, and with childish impatience strove to take the manacles from his arms.  A sad smile crossed the face of Sassacus at her vain attempt, and he said: 

“They are the presents of Owanux.  Neebin will not forget.”

“Allow no farther speech between them,” cried Winthrop, as the Sagamore commenced saying something more.  “Part them, and take her instantly away.”

“Waqua, or Sassacus, or whatever be thy name,” said Winthrop, “wherefore, being at peace with my people, have you slain two of my men.”

The chief looked steadily at the questioner, but returned no answer.

“We know,” said the Governor, “that thou hast sufficient knowledge of our tongue to make thyself intelligible, for thou hast conversed with me.  Speak, lest for thy refusal it should go the harder with thee.”

Thus addressed, Sassacus surveyed with an indignant look his chains, and then stretching out one of his arms as far as his bonds permitted, spoke in a bold tone several sentences in his own language in reply.

“The spirit of the old proverb,” said an Assistant, “that one may lead a horse to water, nathless it will be impossible to compel him to drink, applies, it seems, as well to Indians as to horses.”

“Why sit here to be scorned by this unbreeched heathen?” cried Dudley.  “Away with him!  He was taken in the very act, and can render no excuse for this devilish malignity.”

“Under favor,” said Sir Richard, “that were but a hasty conclusion.  It is only Christian mercy to labor with him a little more.”

“It may be,” said Winthrop, “that on an occasion so momentous, he distrusts his ability worthily to defend himself in a speech wherewith he is imperfectly acquainted.  He must not be condemned unheard.  The flashes of nobility I have discovered in him did once prepossess me greatly in his favor, and, therefore, if for nought else, would I be indulgent.  But, besides, he is a man whose blood is not to be spilled like a wild animal’s.”

“Be it so,” said Dudley, “If ye can make him speak, I will promise to listen.”

“Samoset is in the settlement, and may be instantly forthcoming,” suggested Master Nowell.

“Let him then be called,” said Winthrop.

But a short time elapsed before the messenger returned with the Indian, Samoset, who, in consequence of his superior acquaintance with the English language, had often acted as interpreter between his countrymen and the white strangers.  This knowledge he had acquired from his intercourse with the English fishermen, before the wanderers who erected their tabernacle at Shawmut arrived in the country.  He was a quick, apprehensive fellow, who, on account of the services he had rendered the colonists, stood high in their favor, and was treated with considerable confidence.  No sign of recognition passed betwixt him and Sassacus on his entrance, but they regarded one another as strangers.