A ROMANCE OF KING PHILIP’S WAR.
BY FANNY BULLOCK WORKMAN.
CHAPTER I.
One bright afternoon early in the month of June, 1676, a young girl stood leaning against the trunk of a tree, gazing into the waters of the beautiful Lake Quinsigamond. Her head rested heavily on her hand, as if weighed down by the burden of despair. Suddenly she started, uttering a slight cry, then sank back against the tree with a sigh of relief as she recognized a tall young Indian who approached her.
“Ah! is it you, Ninigret?”
“Yes, Millicent; fear not, there is no foe near; and if there were I would protect you. Why do you tremble so?”
“Is it strange I tremble at the least noise, when the sound of a footstep or the rustling of a leaf may mean instant death to me? The forest is full of enemies. They lurk in every by-path. Behind every bush or fair spreading tree may be seen their leering faces. What, then, has a poor captive girl to expect of their mercy?”
“Do not I and those of my tribe here protect you? Have I not already saved you from death at the hands of a roving Indian?”