Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/192

178 We have heard that the English have killed many of Philip’s warriors and taken many  prisoners. We care little for the English, although we have long remained at peace  with them. Nor is Philip’s quarrel our quarrel unless we make it so. We go not to war at any man’s ordering. Yet it seems that our people have been patient under many  wrongs inflicted by these white-faces and it  may be that, as you have said, the time has  come to drive them forth from our fields and  forests, that peace and prosperity may return  once more to us. I, too, have suffered wrong, for these same English did seize my son,  Nausauwah, for no cause and do now hold  him prisoner in their town of Boston. And yet to take up Philip’s quarrel may not be  wise, for the English fight with guns and we  have but few, and against powder and lead  the arrow is weak. I would take counsel, my brothers. By sunset you shall have my answer. Until then my house is yours, and all that is mine is for you to partake of.”

“I hear, O Sachem,” answered Wissataumkin. “May your council be wise. As to that Philip’s warriors have been killed  and made prisoners, why, that is but an English lie. None dare stand but a moment’s