"What a shame!" exclaimed Ned. "Papa, I'm glad we don't have those bad fellows here now."
"So am I," replied his father. "We ought to thank God every day for making us so free, and giving us this dear land of our own. I hope my boy will always remember to do so."
Reaching the top of the hill, they found the view from it all that the captain had said. Calling attention to it, now on this side, now on that, he named the different towns and other objects worthy of particular attention. Mount Hope was one, and again he spoke of it as the former home of King Philip.
"Papa," said Elsie, "who was he? I thought we never had any king in our country."
"The Indians used to have them, and he was king of one of their tribes," was the reply.
"Is there a story about him, papa?" she asked.
"Yes. Would you like to hear it?"
"Oh, yes, sir! yes, indeed! you know I always like stories."
"Yes; even if they are rather sad; as this one is. But if you wish, I will tell you a little about it now; perhaps more at another time."