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22 denial, but so they would in any case, and always do. One brave who appeared to be their leader—his name is Noosawah, an I  have it right—told a wild tale of strange  Indians from the north and how they had  been seen near the High Hill two days since,  and proclaimed his innocence most loudly.”

“And might he not have been telling the truth?”

“’Tis thought not, Master David, At least, it was deemed best to disperse them,  for they were but a Gypsy-sort and would not  say plainly from whence they came.”

“It sounds not just,” protested David. “Indeed, Obid, ’tis such acts that put us English in the wrong and give grounds for  complaint to the savages. And now, when, by all accounts, there is ill-feeling enough, I  say that it was badly done.”

Obid snorted indignantly. “Would you put your judgment against that of your  father and Master Vernham and such men  of wisdom as John Grafton, of Sudbury, and  Richard Wight, Master David? ”

“I know not,” answered David troubledly. “And yet it seems to me that a gentler policy were better. It may be that we shall need all the friends we can secure before  many months, Obid.”