It is not surprising that Winthrop, thinking highly of the importance of the occasion, should avail himself of all the means at hand to produce a striking and imposing spectacle, and that he should be seconded, to the best of their ability, by the colonists.  As Arundel walked along he could observe indications of the approaching ceremonies.  The roll of a drum, mingled with the shriek of a fife, and the blast of a trumpet was heard; an occasional passenger either on foot or horseback, with a musket on his shoulder, and whose face was not to be seen daily in the streets of the town, loitered on his way; the guard at the door of the Governor’s house was doubled, more for show than for any other purpose, and a greater number of the assistants than usual was to be seen.  Several of these gentlemen lived in the town, but some resided on their plantations in the neighborhood, and came to Boston only for purposes of business, or diversion, or pleasure.  Several men were also engaged in drawing a couple of culverins to the place of audience, which was to be in the open air.  Waqua, as he walked demurely after Arundel, doubtless noticed all that was passing, but he made no remark, nor through his appearance of indifference was the interest which he really felt perceptible.

When they reached the inn, they found an unusual number of persons there collected.  Here were to be found not only the captains and inferior officers of the vessels, who, while in harbor, were accustomed to make this a place of resort, but divers colonists from the country round, who, upon the requisition of the Governor, had assembled, provided with military equipments.  The heart of the landlord, goodman Nettles, rejoiced, and his contradictory face beamed with pleasure, as, surveying the increasing crowd, he calculated what quantity of ale and wine and victuals they would put down their throats, and how many pounds, shillings, and pence, into his own pocket.  On such occasions the large circle of his benevolence comprehended all mankind—­Indians as well as whites.  As the two entered the public room of the inn, they heard rising above the confused din of voices, that of Captain Sparhawk, who seemed objecting to the preparations.

“If they were good Christians,” he said, “the sail would fit better to the yard.  If they were even your frog-eating mounseers, with their popery and d——­d wooden shoes, (’I hope,’ he added, ’a man may curse the Pope,’) I wouldn’t care about touching off a culverin or two by way of good fellowship; but as for these whopping red skins, it will all be no better than so much powder thrown away.”

“Canst not let the Indians alone, Captain?” cried mine host.  “Ahem! for my part I believe there’s many a proper man among them, though ’tis a grievous pity,” he added, sighing, “that they be’nt Christians.”

“Avast, and belay there with a double turn, goodman host,” exclaimed the Captain.  “Of what use do ye think would it be to make the red skins Christians?  Keep your weather eye open, and tell us if ye don’t see breakers ahead.  Hark ye! do ye think it would be so very pleasant to have the sharks swim into heaven and go jumping and yelling round like so many red devils as they are?”