Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/32

20 is indeed an idle dream, for now that the Colonies are leagued together their strength  of arms is too great. Not all the Indian Nations combined could bring that about. Philip should take warning of what happened to the Pequots forty years ago.”

“Um big war,” grunted Tanopet. “Many Indians die. Joe um little boy, but um see. Indians um fight arrow and spear, but now um fight guns. English much kind to Indian. Um sell um gun, um sell um bullet, um sell um powder.” Tanopet’s wrinkled face was  slyly ironical. “Philip got plenty guns, plenty bullet.”

“But how can that be, Joe? ’Tis but four years gone that his guns were taken from  him.”

“Um catch more maybe. Maybe um not give up all guns. Good-bye.”

Tanopet made a sign of farewell, turned and strode lightly away into the darkening  forest, and David, his gun across his shoulder, sought his home, his thoughts busy with  what the Indian had said. Joe Tanopet was held trustworthy by the colonists thereabouts, and, since he was forever on the  move and having discourse with Indians of  many tribes, it might well be that his words