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184 to remain their friends.” David hoped that this was true, but did not know it. “It may be that a few have dishonored that promise,  but a few only. Say to the Great Sachem that there can be but one outcome of a war between the English and the Indians, and that  when, as it will be, the English are victorious,  then much trouble will come for all who have  shown themselves their enemies. The English have many guns that shoot farther than an arrow can fly, and many horses wherewith they can outdistance the fleetest runner. They are many and the Indians few. If the Wachoosetts take arms against them, many years of sorrow will follow.”

During David’s words Metipom kept his eyes on the boy’s face as though seeking to  read what thoughts lay behind it. And when the powwow had again translated, the sachem was silent a moment, his gaze on the  ghastly tokens before him. Finally he raised his eyes to David and pointed at the heads.

“What of those?” he asked in his own tongue.

“I have not said, O Sachem, that none of my countrymen have been killed. Doubtless a few have fallen and a few are prisoners. But said these messengers from Philip how