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was clear to him that, so long as the sachem’s son was neither harmed nor deported into slavery, his own safety was assured, but  if the court in Boston presently put Nausauwah to trial and ordered him executed, which  was not beyond the possibilities, or sent to  the Indies, his life would not be worth a  grain of corn. Therefore, thought the boy, it behooved him somehow to manage an escape  before Nausauwah’s fate was decided. Fortunately, he believed, the troubles with King Philip might well delay the sitting of the  court beyond its usual time.

Woosonametipom had made him hostage to ensure the safety of his son, but, lest he  bring the English about his ears, was prepared to deny the fact: for which purpose  he had invented the story that David had  wandered to the Indian village and asked for  food and shelter. Should David’s friends come there seeking him, which they would  do of a surety, Metipom would either hide  him and deny all knowledge of him or turn