Oh! he sits high in all the people's hearts.
SHAKESPEARE.
It was evident that, so far from anything being to be expected from
the interposition of the Governor, he was opposed to the marriage of
Arundel as long as the latter should remain outside of the charmed
circle of the Church--a full communion with which was necessary, even
to the exercise of the rights of a citizen. But the young man was
incapable of deception. His ingenuous mind turned, displeased, away
from the bait the wily Governor had presented; and, dearly as he loved
his mistress, he would have preferred to renounce her rather than play
the hypocrite to obtain the prize. He was not much cast down, for,
having sought the interview, not from the promptings of his own
judgment, but out of deference to the wishes of the knight, he was not
greatly disappointed. He remained firm in the resolution, whatever
might be the risk, to release Eveline from the constraint exercised
over her by her guardian. Silent, with the Indian silent following in
his footsteps, he returned to his lodgings to brood over his prospects
and to devise schemes.
The next day was the time fixed for receiving the Taranteens; and not
without interest, notwithstanding the pre-occupation of his mind, did
Arundel look forward to the event. Such deputations or embassies were,
indeed, not uncommon, and the young man had already been present at
more than one occasion of the kind; but great consequence was attached
to the present, and unusual preparations were made to convert the
ceremony into a scene that should be imposing to the imagination of
the savages, and forcibly impress them with an idea of the power of
the English.
The name Taranteen was given to the natives living on the banks of the
river Kennebec, in the present state of Maine, and embraced a number
of tribes, among whom were those called by the French Abenakis. They
were a fierce and proud race, and had spread the terror of their arms
to a wide distance from their hunting grounds. There was a perpetual
feud betwixt them and the Aberginians, as the Indians on Massachusetts
Bay were styled, who, in consequence of wars with their northern
neighbors, as well as of the pestilence which had desolated their
wigwams, had become reduced from the condition of a powerful people to
comparative insignificance. These Taranteens had, at the beginning of
the settlement of the colony, occasionally done some mischief,
descending these rivers in canoes in small bands, plundering the
cabins of exposed settlers, and sometimes murdering the inmates. As
the power of the whites increased, and their name became more
terrible, these forays had almost ceased, and in most instances the
colonists were able, in one way and another, to obtain satisfaction
for the wrongs committed. There was no defined state of hostilities
existing betwixt them and the Taranteens, nor could it be said they
were strictly at peace with each other, and it was felt that great
advantages might result from an interchange of activities and a formal
establishment of friendly relations. The efforts of Winthrop and of
his council had been for some time directed to this object, but
hitherto they had been frustrated by the intrigues of the French, who
found it for their interest to discourage intercourse between the
Taranteens and the colonists, lest the lucrative trade with the
former, of which they enjoyed the monopoly, might be diverted from
them entirely, or diverted into other channels. In these exertions the
French traders were not a little aided by the Jesuit missionaries
scattered among them, who naturally favored their countrymen, and
besides were afraid of the spiritual influence which the heretical
Puritans might exercise over their dusky neophytes. For even at that
early period, the zeal of the Romish Church had penetrated the wilds
of North as well as of South America, and erected the sacred crucifix
where before stood the stake of the victim. Solitudes which, until
then, had only trembled to the horrid war-whoop, were now tranquilized
by the soft sounds of the lowly muttered mass. The ferocity of the
natives began to be softened, and if not christianized and practising
only the outward ceremonies of Christianity, they had at least taken
the first step towards civilization. In this state of things a
circumstance had occurred, which made abortive any further opposition
of the missionaries and traders.
A shallop, or small vessel employed by the colonists in fishing, had
picked up at sea, at a considerable distance from the land, a canoe
containing some half a dozen Indians, who were on the point of
perishing from hunger. They were Taranteens, who had probably ventured
out too far from the Main, and been caught in a storm, and swept out
by currents, until they lost all knowledge of their situation, and had
been for some days paddling about in the fogs, which prevail in those
latitudes near the coast, in a vain attempt to retrace their course to
land. The starving wretches had been taken on board the shallop, and
instead of being destroyed as they expected, had been kindly treated,
and brought in safety to Boston, where they were presented to
Winthrop. The Governor, politic as well as humane, seized the
favorable opportunity to cultivate a better understanding than had
hitherto existed between his own people and the eastern tribes. He was
completely successful in making the impression he desired upon the
rescued Taranteens; and when they took their departure, loaded with
presents, it was with a lively regret that they had not sooner become
acquainted with a people so hospitable and generous. Among their
number was an inferior chief, endowed with the gift of eloquence,
which often exists in a high degree among the red men. His eulogies of
the colonists on his return were so glowing, and his representations
were so well confirmed by his companions, that the exertions of the
Frenchmen were no longer able to stifle their curiosity to know more
of their neighbors, especially as the report of their returned
tribes-men effectually contradicted the monstrous fictions which had
been invented to deter them. Such was the origin of an embassy which
was a source of fear to the French, and of hope to the English.
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?"
"But, Captain, if divine grace once entered their hearts, they would
give up all such ways, you know," sighed the host.
"Tell that to a landsman," answered the Captain, "and not to a man who
was with Jacob Le Maire the first time when them harricanes that
dances the devil's hornpipe the whole year round Cape Horn ever had a
chance to split an English jib. (Old Jacob--the Dutch, do ye see, the
ignorant beggars, capsize it into Yacob),--old Jacob, or Yacob, as the
Mynheers spoil it, was a stout fellow, if he was a Dutchman. He was
like a grampus when he set his teeth, and a southwester couldn't blow
harder if he chose. But where away was I when I begun chase after old
Jacob Le Maire? Aye, aye, here away with Indians on the weather bow,
bearing up into heaven. What does the Scriptures say, goodman Nettles,
about an Ethiopian changing his spots?"
But mine host was at the moment too busily engaged with new guests to
attend to questions of theology.
"You're out o' your reckoning there, Captain," said Bill Pantry. "It
is a leopard--a sort o' wild beast, as one may say, that finds it
unhandy to get rid of his spots. They are pricked in by natur', I take
it, in a manner, with Indy ink, so that it isn't scrubbing will take
'em out."
"And why should not an Ethiopian have a right to spots as well as a
leopard, or yourself, Bill, with a big anchor settling in the mud, on
your right arm, and the Union Jack flying on 'tother. Answer me that,
man, before you interrupt your superior officer again."
"Why, do ye see, Captain," Bill began.
But the impatient sailor waited for no answer to his question, for
looking round, his eyes happened to fall on Arundel, with the Indian
near him, and immediately rising, he approached them.
"How are ye, once more, my hearty?" he inquired, extending his hand to
Arundel, while he looked at the Indian. "Is this one of the
plenipo-po-pothecaries? That's not it, but it's as much like as
children generally are to their fathers."
"Plenipotentiaries you mean," answered the young man, with a smile.
"No, this is not a Taranteen; he is one of our own Massachusetts Bay
countrymen."
"I thought," said the Captain, "he looked too young for such a line of
business, though he looms up as grand as a king's ship. But these
Indians, if they be heathens, have some wit as well as other folk, and
they know that older chaps are fitter for the like of this here
navigation. Howsoever, there's something that pleases me in the cut of
your dark colored friend's jib. Would it be asking too much for the
honor of an introduction?"
"Captain Sparhawk," said Arundel, "this is my noble friend Waqua, to
whom I am under the greatest obligations."
The Captain offered his hand to the savage, who, acquainted with this
custom of the whites, extended his own. As for what the seaman had
been saying, Waqua had but an imperfect conception of it.
"Do ye see, Master Arundel," said the Captain, "I think there is some
difference between the red skins and the blackamoors. To be sure they
are all heathens, and for that reason not much better than so many big
monkeys; and there's a comfort in that, do ye see, because that gives
us a right to catch and make them do our disagreeable work. Anyhow,
I've read in Scripture that Ham, who was the old ringleader of the
niggars, was made black on purpose. Now, according to my notion, these
red skins are a sort o' cross betwixt Ham's and Japhet's children, who
were cousins, you know, for do ye see, though they're darkish, they
have got long hair like us white men. But come, let us sit down and
splice the main brace to better acquaintance."
Arundel accepted the invitation to a seat, for he knew not how better
to pass the time than in watching the humors around him, but declined
participating in any potations. The Indian too, much to the surprise
of the Captain and of Arundel, refused to drink, and to the pressing
entreaties of the former only answered,
"Waqua is not thirsty."
"I believe," said the Captain, peevishly, "that the bad manners of
these crop ears will spoil the very heathens themselves at last.
Whoever heard of an Indian before who refused drink when he could get
it?"
"Noble Captain," said Arundel, "be not offended at our friend, who is
not accustomed to wine, and therefore is probably afraid of the effect
upon himself; nor with me, who never could bear more than half a dozen
glasses, and have already sufficiently indulged."
"Well, if there is anything I pray for more than for another,"
exclaimed the disappointed Captain, "it is that I may never become a
milksop (saving your presence, Master Arundel)."
"There is not much danger of that," said the young man, laughing. "But
what is the difficulty across the room?"
A group of some dozen persons had been engaged for a considerable time
in animated conversation, the tones of which had gradually been
growing louder, until at last they could be heard above all other
noises. As the sounds increased, the general hum of conversation died
by degrees away, until the whole interest was centered in the group
above mentioned.
"I will stand by stout Capt. Endicott," said a strongly built man in
citizen's dress, and holding a musket in his hand, "resting assured
that he does nothing without a reason, and that his conduct doth
spring from a godly zeal."
"And I will maintain, in any proper mode," replied an officer-looking
personage, "that it was a deed insulting to his majesty, and
disgraceful to a British subject. If not treason, it is something very
like."
"Bethink you, Colonel McMahon," said the first speaker, "that this is
not England. I trow we left her to but little purpose, if we are to
enjoy no more liberty here than there."
"What kind of a liberty call you that, Capt. Larkham," demanded the
other, "which authorizes Endicott, or any other man, to cut out the
cross from the King's colors? Call you yourselves loyal subjects who
tolerate such an outrage?"
"And by what authority," retorted Larkham, "was the Papistical sign
foisted into the standard of England, except by that of the scarlet
woman, whose robes are red with the blood of the saints?"
"Methinks," said the Colonel, "that the flag which waved at Cressy and
Poitiers deserved a better fate."
"I pray thee to take to heart and perpend," answered Larkham, with
some solemnity, "that I will yield in loyalty to no man, and that the
last drop of blood I have is at the service of my country. In this
matter a distinction is to be taken. It was not as a contemner of the
flag of England, and of the glorious memories connected therewith (he
would deserve my dagger in his heart if it were so,) that Capt.
Endicott cut out the cross, but as one who is zealous against
error--What! is it reasonable to ask us to march to battle with the
sign of Rome flaunting over our heads? Shall we do anything which may
induce the poor savages (whom, as I am told, the emissaries of Rome
are deluding, taking good care to keep out of our reach) to recognize
her errors, and admit her power?"
"Such scruples," said the Colonel, "neither you nor I ever heard at
home. It required a foreign soil to give birth to them," and as he
uttered the word foreign, he threw an emphasis on it which offended
the other.
"I shall entreat of your courtesy," said Larkham, slowly, "to weigh
well the words which it may be your pleasure to apply to any opinions
of mine, I will resent any imputations upon the loyalty of the colony,
or upon mine own."
"Think not to affect me by any threats, sir," answered the Colonel,
standing up, and looking sternly at his opponent. "I say that it was
the act of a rebel, and will avouch my words against you, though the
whole colony were at your back."
The last sentence was spoken in a defiant tone, and some mischief
might have been the consequence, had not Master Prout, who for some
time had been listening to the conversation, placed himself with his
long staff in hand, between the two, and commanded the peace.
"I pray ye, gentlemen," he said, addressing them in a manner very
different (as becoming their quality) from the style he had adopted
toward Capt. Sparhawk, "to consider the great scandal ye occasion by
this unseemly altercation. Who is there doubts the godly zeal of Col.
McMahon, or the loyalty of Capt. Larkham, or the valor of either?
There is no cause of enmity betwixt ye, but contrariwise of peace and
good will. How sweet it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It
is like the precious oil that ran down Aaron's beard, yea, even to the
skirts of his garment. I pray ye to be reconciled one to the other."
Master Prout was exceedingly fond of hearing himself talk, and a
shrewd man withal, he had purposely applied to each gentleman the
quality in which he was deficient, and spun out his speech with great
deliberation, in order to give time for the passion of the opponents
to subside. At its conclusion he was startled to hear a voice just
behind him exclaim,
"Well done, Master Prout. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
in pictures of silver."
All turned to the voice, and there stood Endicott himself, who, in the
height of the interest excited by the controversy, had entered
unobserved, and overheard a part of the dispute. There he stood, with
his left hand caressing the tuft of hair on his chin, looking grimly
round him.
"Capt. Larkham," he said, as soon as the commotion occasioned by his
sudden appearance abated, "I do appreciate thy well meaning love, but
hold it an unprofitable thing to engage in debates which can lead to
no useful results. What I have done, I have done, and that not in the
inconsiderate heat of youthful blood, but with the thoughtful
deliberation that becometh manhood. If there be any who impeach the
deed, they do it ignorantly, as not understanding the meaning on
bearing thereof."
"I impeach it," cried the impetuous Colonel, "and shame it is that so
unsoldierly and disloyal an act should pass unpunished."
Here Master Prout advanced, first looking at Endicott for approval, as
if about to arrest the audacious speaker.
"Nay, good Master Prout, by thy leave I desire no offices of thine,"
said Endicott, putting him aside. "I might, with justice, take offence
at thy language, which is harsh," he continued, addressing the
Colonel; "but I will not, seeing that it springs out of an honorable
but misguided apprehension of the matter. Is it possible that a
gentleman of Col. McMahon's intelligence, and whose spirit hath been
enlightened to see the truth, even to casting in his lot with ours,
should condemn an act which me-seems ought to command his sanction?
Had it been told me by another, I would have disbelieved what but now
mine own ears have heard."
"I repeat," said the Colonel, "it appears to me no better than
treason."
"If thou dost esteem me a traitor, step forward and arrest me in the
King's name. But no; surely thou dost speak hastily. For the sake of
the respect I feel for thee, I will explain the motives of my conduct.
Not from any disrespect to King Charles; not because I honor not the
flag of my country; but because I owe a higher allegiance, even to the
King of kings, cut I out the sign of Papistical idolatry; not as
designing to be deficient in any earthly duty, but as intending to
make known to the world my protest, and, as far as may be, the protest
of this godly colony against a corrupt church, which is no church; and
against all, though not calling themselves of her communion, who drink
of the cup of her abominations, desired I to remove from before our
eyes that which, whenever beheld, only reminded us of a damning
delusion and daily oppression. If this were sin, then have I sinned;
but I will abide the consequences without flinching, whether in this
world or in the world to come."
A deep, stern murmur ran round the room, and it was evident, from the
countenances of the company and from the expressions that could now
and then be caught, that by far the greater part of them entertained
the sentiments of the audacious sectary. Such, it is highly probable,
were the sentiments of a majority of the government of the colony,
notwithstanding their disavowal, afterwards, of all sympathy, with the
act, and public censure of the bold Puritan. Not that a democratical
feeling lurked therein, as some may fancy, but for the very reasons
manfully proclaimed by Endicott--reasons, not of a political, but
entirely of a religious character.
Endicott, a sagacious and daring politician, as well as zealous
religionist, heard the sounds and beheld the faces of those around him
with satisfaction. It pleased him publicly to vindicate his conduct,
and to test the feelings of his countrymen.
"Thou hearest," he resumed, "those sounds and seest these faces, and
dost thou believe that all these men are also disloyal? Review thy
judgment, I pray thee, and believe that attachment to the Crown may
not be inconsistent with hatred of Papistical baubles."
"Capt. Endicott will find it difficult, in my judgment, to satisfy the
Privy Council of the propriety of the outrage, as easily as he has
satisfied himself and these people," replied Col. McMahon.
"Be assured," replied Endicott, "that whether here or in
England--before the Court of Assistants or the Privy Council, I will
avouch the deed, even though it should build the steps to a scaffold."
So saying, and looking deliberately around, and with an inclination of
the body, which hardly amounted to a bow, he placed upon his head the
slouched hat he had taken off on his entrance, and left the apartment.
Upon his departure, the company became broken up again into various
groups, and began once more to busy themselves with the mugs and cans;
and Arundel, tired of the confusion, left, with Waqua, for his own
chamber.