"Yes, Millicent; fear not, there is no foe near; and if there were I would protect you. Why do you tremble so?"
"Is it strange I tremble at the least noise, when the sound of a footstep or the rustling of a leaf may mean instant death to me? The forest is full of enemies. They lurk in every by-path. Behind every bush or fair spreading tree may be seen their leering faces. What, then, has a poor captive girl to expect of their mercy?"
"Do not I and those of my tribe here protect you? Have I not already saved you from death at the hands of a roving Indian?"
"You have; perhaps only for a worse fate. Death, indeed, would be no worse than a future of such captivity; for though you will save me from the violence of the red men, neither you nor your associates will liberate me. Ah, Ninigret! why are you so in the power of that tyrant, Philip? Why will you not brave him, he is so far from here now, and take me to a white settlement? I promise you no harm shall come to you. You shall return unhurt to your people."
"Do you not remember that Wattasacompanum has promised to keep you in safety until Philip is ready to have you ransomed? Have you forgotten the solemn rites by which he bound himself the day they brought you to us? Wattasacompanum is a good chief, a true Indian, who will not break his promise."
"Then, Ninigret, I appeal to you, who have made no promise for me, to help me to escape to my countrymen."
"I cannot do that; but I will take you to a place of safety, though it may be a long, long journey from here. Say, Millicent, will you come with me?"
"Go with you, Ninigret, in any direction other than to a white settlement?" replied Millicent, turning her wondering blue eyes full upon him. "Even if such a thing were possible, where would you take me? Where and how in this time of war?"
"Beyond the reach of the present strife, until Philip has driven the white men from our country. I cannot take you to the whites, for they will soon be swept from the land. They are much broken up already. Philip is a mighty chief, and has powerful friends among the Indians."
"Can it be so? No, no; the Indian may do harm and cause suffering, but surely the white race cannot be exterminated."
"Yes, it can, Millicent; as when, in the spring, the warm sun melts the snow, causing it to disappear from the dark earth, so will the white men vanish from this country, leaving the red men in possession."