Hitherto the magistrates had been foiled, but failure only increased their vigilance and activity.  Additional men were despatched to scour the woods; word was sent to Salem and to Plymouth, and co-operation to capture the fugitives asked for; rewards were offered for their seizure; and, in fine, no means omitted which indomitable will and ingenuity could devise.  So hot, at length, became the chase, that, familiar as they were with the woods, Sir Christopher and his companions found it difficult to avoid capture.  They had it, indeed, in their power to place themselves in comparative safety, either by following the steps of the Pequot chief, or seeking the Taranteens—­for to the west they dared not go, for fear of the tribes in that direction, who were at feud with those on the Atlantic border—­but various considerations interfered to prevent.  With neither Sir Christopher nor the Indian was mere personal safety a ruling motive.  The former had not abandoned all hope of changing the strange resolution of Sister Celestina, with whom he determined, on accomplishing her release, to proceed with Neebin to the country of the Pequots—­in this way only transferring their labors to another place—­and with the latter, the charge wherewith he was entrusted was too sacred for any cause to be neglected.  Flying from their posts, even though bands of enemies were after them, was therefore not to be thought of.  As for Philip, his wild, reckless nature took pleasure in their adventurous mode of life; satisfied, besides, that were he even made prisoner, no serious punishment could befall him, unless his participation in the prison-breach became known, which, he confided too much in the fidelity of his associates to believe was possible.  Seldom daring, therefore, to discharge their fire-locks, but depending principally on the arrows of the Indian, and snares they set for subsistence, occasionally aided by the friendly natives with whom the Knight was a favorite, and constantly changing their places, the three continued to elude the search, and the baffled soldiers were obliged to return, digesting their disappointment as they might, and asserting that those whom they sought had left the neighborhood.  To make assurance sure and to stimulate the Indians to exertions, which the magistrates were certain had never been made, higher rewards were offered for the capture of Sir Christopher in particular, which, it was supposed, the cupidity of the natives would be unable to resist.

Among the Indians trusted by Sir Christopher, none had contrived to secure a greater share of his confidence than Quecheco, the frequent and favored companion of his hunts.  The skill of the Indian in hunting had, at first, recommended him to the Knight, and afterwards, the interest of the latter in his protege was increased by the attention with which Quecheco listened to instruction and by the intelligence of his questions.  Hitherto he had always been found faithful, in consequence