THE BELT CHANGES HANDS
In all the history of the world it has happened that dwellers by the
sea have been more advanced and prosperous than their inland neighbors.
Thus, in the present instance, the Wampanoags and the Narragansetts
were the most numerous and powerful of the New England tribes. There
had always been jealousies and often open warfare between them, nor had
these wholly ceased to exist upon the election of Longfeather to the
high office of Peacemaker. Canonicus, head sachem of the Narragansetts,
felt that he was equally entitled to be thus honored, and consequently
was bitterly jealous of his successful rival. This feeling was shared
by his nephew and adopted son, Miantinomo, only that the envy and
hatred of the latter were directed against Nahma, whose place as future
ruler of the allied tribes he was determined to occupy, if by any
means such a thing might be accomplished.
Thus, when Canonicus planned to secure a power greater than that of
Longfeather by forming an alliance with the eastern Iroquois, he found
in Miantinomo an eager assistant. So, even as the Peacemaker had chosen
his own son to represent him in the mission to Sacandaga, Canonicus
selected Miantinomo for a similar position in the Narragansett embassy.
In this way, without either being aware of the fact, the two young
rivals became actively pitted against each other in the most important
undertaking of their lives.
While urged to make all possible haste, the Narragansett party was
obliged to adapt its pace to that of the oldest chief among them; and
while they expected that Longfeather would also send messengers to the
Maquas, they fancied these would be equally restricted as to speed.
They knew that they had a start of at least two days, and believed they
could reach Sacandaga's village, transact their business, and depart
for home before the coming of their rivals. At the same time they
neglected no precaution to insure the success of their undertaking.
They struck the Shatemuc at a point much lower than that reached by
Nahma, and from it ascended the river in canoes. As they advanced they
kept sharp watch of the eastern shore, and removed all craft found on
it to the opposite side of the river. Their last exploit of this kind
was at a place where they must again take to the land and follow a
trail to the Maqua villages.
Having thus provided for a further delay of the other party, they felt
no apprehension of being overtaken, and proceeded leisurely on their
journey. They did, however, take the added precaution of leaving a
scout behind them to watch the crossing until sunset. For this purpose
they selected Miantinomo, as being the keenest-eyed and swiftest-footed
of their party. So Nahma's most active rival and secret enemy was left
to cover the rear, while his elders disappeared in single file up the
narrow trail.
According to Indian custom Miantinomo had brought pigments with him,
and now he relieved the tedium of his watch, which he did not believe
would amount to anything, by painting his body in anticipation of a
speedy arrival at the Maqua villages. So interested was he in this
occupation that for a time he forgot everything else; then, startled
by a splash in the river, he glanced up. A swimmer, just emerged from
deep water, was wading ashore pushing before him a small raft, and
Miantinomo instantly recognized him. Being hidden behind a screen of
bushes, and satisfied that Nahma was still ignorant of his presence,
the young Narragansett, crouching low, made his way to a thick-leaved
oak that overhung the trail a short distance back from the river, and
was snugly hidden among its branches by the time Nahma gained the land.
Miantinomo was not wholly surprised to discover the son of Longfeather
at this place; but he could not understand why he should be alone.
It must be that he had come to obtain canoes in which to bring over
the others of his party. Thus thinking, he expected to see Nahma at
once recross the river. In that case he would hasten after his own
companions and urge them to travel all night, that they might still
reach the Maqua villages in advance of their rivals.
But the new-comer failed to do as expected, and Miantinomo was more
puzzled than ever at witnessing his preparations to secure a meal and
spend some time where he was. He evidently was alone, and after the
spy became convinced of this, he wondered if by some means he might
not prevent Longfeather's messenger from continuing his journey. He
was also filled with a great longing to possess himself of the Belt of
Seven Totems, which he recognized as Nahma again assumed it. Well did
the young Narragansett realize the power conferred upon the wearer of
that belt. If it should be opposed to him in the presence of Sacandaga,
then would his mission prove a failure and his uncle's cherished plan
would come to naught. On the other hand, if the all-powerful belt could
be made to appear in his behalf, if he only might possess it even for a
short time, how easy would become his task!
From the moment these thoughts entered his mind Miantinomo was
determined to acquire the coveted object by any means that should
offer. He knew that Nahma would never relinquish the belt of his own
free will, and that it must be taken from him by either stealth or
force. He knew also that should he succeed in his wicked design he
would incur the vengeance of Longfeather, and doubtless bring on a
war in which all the New England tribes would be involved. But what
of that? Would not the powerful Iroquois fight on the side of the
Narragansetts; and, armed with the white man's weapons, might they not
successfully defy the world?
Filled with these ambitious thoughts, Miantinomo flattened himself
closer against the great oak limb and, regardless of the discomfort
of his position, watched with glittering eyes every movement of his
rival. More than anything else he resembled a venomous serpent awaiting
an opportunity to spring upon an unsuspecting victim. At his back was
a bow and a quiver of flint-headed arrows, with one of which he might
easily have stricken Nahma to the earth at any moment, but he was not
yet prepared to shed innocent blood for the accomplishment of his
purpose. Besides, he dared not make a movement that might attract the
other's attention. So he waited with all the patience of his race and
an ever-strengthening resolve to obtain possession of the Peacemaker's
belt.
In the mean time Nahma, utterly unconscious of the dangerous presence
so close at hand, procured, cooked, and ate his supper, selected what
he believed to be a safe resting-place, and laid himself down for a
nap. The moment for which Miantinomo had waited was at hand, and with
noiseless movement he slipped to the ground. For a few seconds he stood
motionless behind the tree, to assure himself that his rival had not
been aroused; then with catlike tread he stole towards the unsuspecting
sleeper.
At length he stood beside Nahma and bent over him with the coveted
belt easily within his reach. Bits of moonlight sifting through leafy
branches fell upon it and upon the upturned face of the sleeper. So
profound was his slumber that Miantinomo believed he might remove the
belt without disturbing him, and laying his stone-headed war-club
within easy reach, he began with the utmost caution to make the
attempt. It had very nearly succeeded, and the belt, partially
loosened, was within his grasp, when, without warning, Nahma opened his
eyes. Miantinomo leaped back at the first sign of waking, and as his
victim attempted to gain his feet a crushing blow stretched him again
on the ground motionless and to all appearance dead.
For a moment the young Narragansett stood ready to repeat his cowardly
assault; but, seeing that a second blow was unnecessary, he again bent
over the body of his rival and snatched from it the belt for which he
had been willing to risk so much. With his prize thus secured, he was
about to hasten from the spot when another thought caused him to pause.
It would never do to leave the evidence of his crime where it was so
certain to be discovered. He had not meant to kill Nahma, and now that
the awful deed was committed, he trembled at thought of its possible
consequences. Even his own people would regard him with abhorrence if
they knew of it, while the vengeance of Longfeather would be swift
and terrible. Therefore what he had done must never be known even by
his nearest friends, and before leaving that spot he must remove all
traces of his murderous deed. Stripping off his scanty raiment that it
might not become bloodstained, he lifted the limp form of the stricken
youth, and carrying it some distance down the stream, flung it into
the river. He heard the heavy splash of the body as it struck the
water, but was too nervous to make further inquiry as to its condition.
Thus whether it sank or floated he did not know, nor did he seek to
discover, but fled from the spot as though pursued.
Reaching the place where he had left his garments and the belt, he
hastily resumed the former, and concealed the latter beneath them. Then
he set forth at top speed to rejoin his companions and report that he
had seen nothing alarming during his watch by the river-side.
On the following day the Narragansett embassy reached the Maqua
villages, where, in spite of their alluring proposition and valuable
presents, they were at first received with coldness and suspicion.
At the council assembled to hear their talk Sacandaga flatly refused
to make an alliance with any one of the New England tribes, and the
Narragansetts retired from it believing that the cherished plan of
Canonicus must come to naught.
That night, however, Miantinomo sought a private interview with the
Maqua sachem, and displayed to him the Belt of Seven Totems, which
Sacandaga at once recognized, since its fame had spread far and wide.
"It is the belt of Longfeather," he said, after a close inspection.
"Yes," replied Miantinomo, "it is the belt of the great Peacemaker, who
is also my father."
"How can that be?" asked the other. "May a man have two fathers?"
"By adoption, yes," answered the young Narragansett. "Having no son of
his own, Longfeather has adopted the nephew of his friend Canonicus,
that in time their tribes may be united under one chief. To the
Narragansetts I am known as Miantinomo, but by all others am I called
Nahma, son of Longfeather."
"I have heard the name and it is described as being that of a most
promising warrior," said Sacandaga, regarding the young man with
renewed interest.
"One blessed with two such fathers should indeed prove himself
worthy," was the modest reply. "In proof that I am regarded as a son by
Longfeather," he continued, "the Peacemaker has intrusted me with this
token of authority. Never before has he parted with it, and to none,
save only the mighty chief of the Maquas, whose friendship he greatly
desires, would he send it. Also he has done this thing in secret, so
that even those who come with me know not that I am intrusted with so
great authority."
So impressed was Sacandaga by this flattering statement and by sight
of the belt offered in evidence of its sincerity, that he not only
listened attentively to the young man's proposals, but finally agreed
to accept them.
"With Canonicus alone I could not have treated," he said, "for he is
but one of many; but with Longfeather, who represents the many, I may
enter into a compact."
"The words of Sacandaga are good," replied Miantinomo, gravely, "and
will be as the singing of birds in the ears of Longfeather. At the
same time I trust it will not be forgotten that they may not be sent
directly to him. For the present he would not have it known that he
desires the wealth of the white-skinned strangers. If they think him a
friend they will the more readily fall into the snare he will set for
them. Therefore, my father, let the public treaty be made only between
Sacandaga and Canonicus, for Longfeather will be well pleased to have
it so proclaimed."
"I understand and will not forget," replied the Maqua chief.
Thus through treachery and deceit did the wily young Narragansett gain
his point and accomplish the mission with which he had been intrusted
by Canonicus.