Similar opinions were uttered by almost all of the Assistants, being none other than anticipated by the wily Governor, who meant not what he said, but desired to mitigate the severer counsels of his associates.
During these remarks, a conversation in a low tone had been passing betwixt the Sagamore and Samoset.
"Has the heart of Samoset turned white?" asked the Pequot.
"Samoset is an Indian," replied the interpreter, "and his heart is red."
"Has he forgotten the time when, with Sassacus and his Paniese, he drank of the Shetucket, where it bounds into the river of the Pequots, when he was thirsty with driving the Narraghansetts over the hills, like leaves chased by the wind?"
"Samoset has not forgotten."
"Does he powah with Owanux, or is he true to the faith of his fathers?"
"The feet of Samoset will chase the deer and the bear over the happy hunting grounds, whither his fathers have gone. He would not know what to do in the heaven of Owanux."
"Then is not Samoset my brother, and lies he not close to the heart of Sassacus, as a pappoose nestles up to its mother?"
"Samoset will do the bidding of the great Sagamore," said the interpreter, anticipating what was to follow.