But true to
Himself and his cause, second thoughts and a firmer purpose restored his
resolution, though they could not remove the perplexity of his doubts.
"What does Conanchet wish?" he said. "Twice have his warriors broke into
this valley, and twice have the tomahawks of his young men been redder
than the head of the woodpecker. The fire was not good fire; the tomahawk
will kill surer. Had not the voice of my brother said to his young men,
'let the scalps of the prisoners alone,' he could not now say 'yet do they
now stand here!'"
"My mind is troubled, friend of my father. Let them be questioned,
artfully, that the truth be known."
Metacom mused an instant; then smiling, in a friendly manner, on his young
and much moved companion, he made a sign to a youth who was straying about
the fields, to approach. This young warrior was made the bearer of an
order to lead the captives to the hill, after which the two chiefs stalked
to and fro in silence, each brooding over what had passed, in a humor that
was suited to his particular character and more familiar feelings.
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