With this unsatisfactory answer the young man was forced to content himself as well as he could, though his mind misgave him as to the possible consequences of the insult.  He trusted, however, that Spikeman’s knowledge of Indian character would place him sufficiently on his guard to make abortive any attempts against him, and determined to keep a watchful eye upon his wild companion for the present, and until time should have blunted sensibility to the injury.  For this reason, and in order also to counteract, as far as might be, the effect of the incidents at the house of the Assistant, after purchasing the articles which they came out to procure, he took the savage with him on the visit to the Governor, which he had promised the knight to make.  Nor is this a circumstance that should excite surprise; it being the policy of the colonists to cultivate the best understanding with the natives, to accomplish which object the latter were not only admitted into their houses, but sometimes even invited by the principal inhabitants to seats at their tables.  They found Winthrop at home, and were admitted to his presence.

“Welcome, young friend,” he exclaimed, “with England’s red rose still blooming in thy cheeks; and a welcome, too, to my Indian brother.”

“This, right worshipful sir,” said Arundel, “is Waqua, to whom I owe my life, which he saved this morning from a panther.”

“Ah!” said Winthrop, “one of the hazards not uncommon in our wild-beast-infested forest, and young blood is rash.  But relate to me thine adventure.”

Arundel was obliged to detail the circumstances of his escape, which he did with the greater pleasure, as contributing thereby to recommend his companion to the favorable consideration of so powerful a person as the Governor.  At the conclusion of the narrative, Winthrop devoutly said: 

“The praise be to Him to whom it justly belongs, and whose unsleeping Providence perpetually watches over us.  Yet,” he added, turning to the Indian, “be not the instrument forgotten by whom He manifested his favor.  The life of a white man is very precious, and Waqua may ask much because he saved it.”

“It is a small thing,” replied the Indian.  “My brother would have killed the beast himself without Waqua’s arrow; it only saved him a little trouble.”

“How modest is ever true merit, Master Arundel,” said Winthrop, “and that is noticeable in both civilized and savage.  This community of feeling doth, as I take it, evidence, in connection with other matters, the truth revealed in the Scripture, (nature herself thereunto bearing witness,) that we are descended from one common parent, of whose qualities all do partake, even to the remotest generations.  But, however desert may be disclaimed by thy preserver, it were shame, morally, as also censurable in another view, were I to show myself no sense of the obligation.”

So saying, the Governor opened the desk before him, and taking therefrom a medal attached to a glittering chain, presented it to the Indian,