"God grant they mean us no evil!" The sounds drew nearer.

The swarthy figure of an Indian came gliding through the brush-wood into the clearing, followed closely by several Englishmen.

In answer to the eager inquiries of Mr.Ward, Captain Eaton, the leader of the party, stated that he had left Boston at the command of Governor Winthrop, to secure and disarm the sachem, Passaconaway, who was suspected of hostile intentions towards the whites.

They had missed of the old chief, but had captured his son, and were taking him to the governor as a hostage for the good faith of his father.

He then proceeded to inform Mr.Ward, that letters had been received from the governor of the settlements of Good Hoop and Piquag, in Connecticut, giving timely warning of a most diabolical plot of the Indians to cut off their white neighbors, root and branch.