“Ask him,” proceeded Winthrop, “if this Sir Christopher Gardiner is his friend.”

“Soog-u-gest is my brother,” answered the Sagamore.

“Does he know the occasions of Soog-u-gest’s frequent absences from home?”

“He hunted sometimes with Sassacus,” was the answer.

“And what knows he of the woman?”

“She is the sister of Soog-u-gest.”

“Is she not his wife?” demanded Dudley.

But Sassacus, merely shaking his head, made no reply.

“The proud savage disdains to answer your question, Master Dudley,” observed Endicott, with a smile.

“Nay,” answered Dudley.  “It is because he cannot deny it.”

“We will see,” said Winthrop; and he put the question.

It was as Endicott (better acquainted from his longer residence in the country than the others with the feelings of the natives) had suggested, for now Sassacus spoke without hesitation.

“Soog-u-gest is the woman’s brother.  His wigwam is large.  The woman and Neebin, the little sister of Sassacus, live in one part, and Soog-u-gest and his men in the other.”

An expression of great astonishment was visible in the faces of the members of the Council, as Sassacus avowed his relationship to the little girl, but nothing was said.  The thoughtful countenance of Winthrop became still more grave, and a moment or two passed before he asked the next question.

“Why did Sassacus give away his own sister?”

“He gave her not away.  She was to remain to learn the wisdom of the white man, as the little bird stays in the nest until it is strong enough to fly.”

Another pause ensued, for the reply of the Sagamore had furnished pregnant matter for thought, until the silence was broken by the voice of Winthrop.

“Why did Sassacus attack my people, and kill two of my men?”

“A superfluous question, after what we have heard,” said Sir Richard Saltonstall.

“Nevertheless, it is involved in the purpose for which the Indian was brought before us, and he shall have the benefit of a reply, Sir Richard,” answered the Governor.

“Is it an earnest question the white chief asks,” demanded the Pequot chief.  “Why does the bear attack the hunter who has robbed her of her cubs?  Shall Sassacus love Neebin less than a bear its cub?  Owanux burned the lodge of my friend.  They seized his sister and Neebin, and carried them away, and their chief asks why Sassacus fought for his friends, and for the daughter of many Sachems!  What white man ever before was hurt by Sassacus?  Who ever came to his lodge, and he set not a meal before him?  Who ever was tired, and Sassacus gave him not a skin whereon to lay his limbs?  When the white chief burns our lodges, and carries away captive our women and children in the dark, must Sassacus run with a bowl of succotash to refresh him, after his great victory?”

“A shrewd retort withal, and, according to the law of nature, and of the woods, an all-sufficient justification,” said Sir Richard Saltonstall, who had been opposed to the plan to capture the Knight from the beginning.