to have and to hold-第46章

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　fields　or　at　the　wharves；　the　women　and　the　children　busy　within　doors；　all　unwarned　…　O　my　God！〃

Diccon　strode　over　from　the　doorway　to　the　fire。　〃We'd　best　be　going；　I　reckon；　sir；〃　he　cried。　〃Or　you　wait　until　morning；　then　there'll　be　two　chances。　Now　that　I've　a　knife；　I'm　thinking　I　can　give　account　of　one　of　them　damned　sentries；　at　least。　Once　clear　of　them〃　…

I　shook　my　head；　and　the　Indian　too　made　a　gesture　of　dissent。　〃You　would　only　be　the　first　to　die。〃

I　leaned　against　the　side　of　the　hut；　for　my　heart　beat　like　a　frightened　woman's。　〃Three　days！〃　I　exclaimed。　〃If　we　go　with　all　our　speed　we　shall　be　in　time。　When　did　you　learn　this　thing？〃

〃While　you　watched　the　dance；〃　he　answered；　〃Opechancanough　and　I　sat　within　his　lodge　in　the　darkness。　His　heart　was　moved；　and　he　talked　to　me　of　his　own　youth　in　a　strange　country；　south　of　the　sunset；　where　he　and　his　people　dwelt　in　stone　houses　　and　worshiped　a　great　and　fierce　god；　giving　him　blood　to　drink　and　flesh　to　eat。　To　that　country；　too；　white　men　had　come　in　ships。　Then　he　spoke　to　me　of　Powhatan；　my　father；　…　of　how　wise　he　was　and　how　great　a　chief　before　the　English　came；　and　how　the　English　made　him　kneel　in　sign　that　he　held　his　lands　from　their　King；　and　how　he　hated　them；　and　then　he　told　me　that　the　tribes　had　called　me　'woman；'　'lover　no　longer　of　the　warpath　and　the　scalp　dance；'　but　that　he；　who　had　no　son；　loved　me　as　his　son；　knowing　my　heart　to　be　Indian　still；　and　then　I　heard　what　I　have　told　you。〃

〃How　long　had　this　been　planned？〃

〃For　many　moons。　I　have　been　a　child；　fooled　and　turned　aside　from　the　trail；　not　wise　enough　to　see　it　beneath　the　flowers；　through　the　smoke　of　the　peace　pipes。〃

〃Why　does　Opechancanough　send　us　back　to　the　settlements？〃　I　demanded。　〃Their　faith　in　him　needs　no　strengthening。〃

〃It　is　his　fancy。　Every　hunter　and　trader　and　learner　of　our　tongues；　living　in　the　villages　or　straying　in　the　woods；　has　been　sent　back　to　Jamestown　or　to　his　hundred　with　presents　and　with　words　that　are　sweeter　than　honey。　He　has　told　the　three　who　go　with　you　the　hour　in　which　you　are　to　reach　Jamestown；　he　would　have　you　as　singing　birds；　telling　lying　tales　to　the　Governor；　with　scarce　the　smoking　of　a　pipe　between　those　words　of　peace　and　the　war　whoop。　But　if　those　who　go　with　you　see　reason　to　misdoubt　you；　they　will　kill　you　in　the　forest。〃

His　voice　fell；　and　he　stood　in　silence；　straight　as　an　arrow；　against　the　post；　the　firelight　playing　over　his　dark　limbs　and　sternly　quiet　face。　Outside；　the　　night　wind；　rising；　began　to　howl　through　the　naked　branches；　and　a　louder　burst　of　yells　came　to　us　from　the　roisterers　in　the　distance。　The　mat　before　the　doorway　shook；　and　a　slim　brown　hand；　slipped　between　the　wood　and　the　woven　grass；　beckoned　to　us。

〃Why　did　you　come？〃　demanded　the　Indian。　〃Long　ago；　when　there　were　none　but　dark　men　from　the　Chesapeake　to　the　hunting　grounds　beneath　the　sunset；　we　were　happy。　Why　did　you　leave　your　own　land；　in　the　strange　black　ships　with　sails　like　the　piled…up　clouds　of　summer？　Was　it　not　a　good　land？　Were　not　your　forests　broad　and　green；　your　fields　fruitful；　your　rivers　deep　and　filled　with　fish？　And　the　towns　I　have　heard　of　…　were　they　not　fair？　You　are　brave　men：　had　you　no　enemies　there；　and　no　warpaths？　It　was　your　home：　a　man　should　love　the　good　earth　over　which　he　hunts；　upon　which　stands　his　village。　This　is　the　red　man's　land。　He　wishes　his　hunting　grounds；　his　maize　fields；　and　his　rivers　for　himself；　his　women　and　children。　He　has　no　ships　in　which　to　go　to　another　country。　When　you　first　came　we　thought　you　were　gods；　but　you　have　not　done　like　the　great　white　God　who；　you　say；　loves　you　so。　You　are　wiser　and　stronger　than　we；　but　your　strength　and　wisdom　help　us　not：　they　press　us　down　from　men　to　children；　they　are　weights　upon　the　head　and　shoulders　of　a　babe　to　keep　him　under　stature。　Ill　gifts　have　you　brought　us；　evil　have　you　wrought　us〃　…

〃Not　to　you；　Nantauquas！〃　I　cried；　stung　into　speech。

He　turned　his　eyes　upon　me。　〃Nantauquas　is　the　war　chief　of　his　tribe。　Opechancanough　is　his　king；　and　he　lies　upon　his　bed　in　his　lodge　and　says　within　　himself：　'My　war　chief；　the　Panther；　the　son　of　Wahunsonacock；　who　was　chief　of　all　the　Powhatans；　sits　now　within　his　wigwam；　sharpening　flints　for　his　arrows；　making　his　tomahawk　bright　and　keen；　thinking　of　a　day　three　suns　hence；　when　the　tribes　will　shake　off　forever　the　hand　upon　their　shoulder；　…　the　hand　so　heavy　and　white　that　strives　always　to　bend　them　to　the　earth　and　keep　them　there。'　Tell　me；　you　Englishman　who　have　led　in　war；　another　name　for　Nantauquas；　and　ask　no　more　what　evil　you　have　done　him。〃

〃I　will　not　call　you　'traitor；'　Nantauquas；〃　I　said；　after　a　pause。　〃There　is　a　difference。　You　are　not　the　first　child　of　Powhatan　who　has　loved　and　shielded　the　white　men。〃

〃She　was　a　woman；　a　child；〃　he　answered。　〃Out　of　pity　she　saved　your　lives；　not　knowing　that　it　was　to　the　hurt　of　her　people。　Then　you　were　few　and　weak；　and　could　not　take　your　revenge。　Now；　if　you　die　not；　you　will　drink　deep　of　vengeance；　…　so　deep　that　your　lips　may　never　leave　the　cup。　More　ships　will　come；　and　more；　you　will　grow　ever　stronger。　There　may　come　a　moon　when　the　deep　forests　and　the　shining　rivers　know　us；　to　whom　Kiwassa　gave　them；　no　more。〃　He　paused；　with　unmoved　face；　and　eyes　that　seemed　to　pierce　the　wall　and　look　out　into　unfathomable　distances。　〃Go！〃　he　said　at　last。　〃If　you　die　not　in　the　woods；　if　you　see　again　the　man　whom　I　called　my　brother　and　teacher；　tell　him　。　。　。　tell　him　nothing！　Go！〃

〃Come　with　us；〃　urged　Diccon　gruffly。　〃We　English　will　make　a　place　for　you　among　us〃　…　and　got　no　further；　for　I　turned　upon　him　with　a　stern　command　for　silence。

〃I　ask　of　you　no　such　thing；　Nantauquas；〃　I　said。　〃Come　against　us；　if　you　will。　Nobly　warned；　fair　upon　our　guard；　we　will　meet　you　as　knightly　foe　should　be　met。〃

He　stood　for　a　minute；　the　quick　change　that　had　come　into　his　face　at　Diccon's　blundering　words　gone；　and　his　features　sternly　impassive　again；　then；　very　slowly；　he　raised　his　arm　from　his　side　and　held　out　his　hand。　His　eyes　met　mine　in　sombre　inquiry；　half　eager；　half　proudly　doubtful。

I　went　to　him　at　once；　and　took　his　hand　in　mine。　No　word　was　spoken。　Presently　he　withdrew　his　hand　from　my　clasp；　and；　putting　his　finger　to　his　lips；　whistled　low　to　the　Indian　girl。　She　drew　aside　the　hanging　mats；　and　we　passed　out；　Diccon　and　I；　leaving　him　standing　as　we　had　found　him；　upright　against　the　post；　in　the　red　firelight。

Should　we　ever　go　through　the　woods；　pass　through　that　gathering　storm；　reach　Jamestown；　warn　them　there　of　the　death　that　was　rushing　upon　them？　Should　we　ever　leave　that　hated　village？　Would　the　morning　ever　come？　When　we　reached　our　hut；　unseen；　and　sat　down　just　within　the　doorway　to　watch　for　the　dawn；　it　seemed　as　though　the　stars　would　never　pale。　Again　and　again　the　leaping　Indians　between　us　and　the　fire　fed　the　tall　flame；　if　one　figure　fell　in　the　wild　dancing；　another　took　its　place；　the　yelling　never　ceased；　nor　the　beating　of　the　drums。

It　was　an　alarum　that　was　sounding；　and　there　were　only　two　to　hear；　miles　away　beneath　the　mute　stars　English　men　and　women　lay　asleep；　with　the　hour　thundering　at　their　gates；　and　there　was　none　to　cry；　〃Awake！〃　When　would　the　dawn　come；　when　should　we　be　gone？　I　could　have　cried　out　in　that　　agony　of　waiting；　with　the　leagues　on　leagues　to　be　traveled；　and　the　time　so　short！　If　we　never　reached　those　sleepers　…　I　saw　the　dark　warriors　gathering；　tribe　on　tribe；　war　party　on　war　party；　thick　crowding　shadows　of　death；　slipping　though　the　silent　forest　。　。　。　and　the　clearings　we　had　made　and　the　houses　we　had　built　。　。　。　the　goodly　Englishmen；　Kent　and　Thorpe　and　Yeardley；　Maddison；　Wynne；　Hamor；　the　men　who　had　striven　to　win　and　hold　this　land　so　fatal　and　so　fair；　West　and　Rolfe　and　Jeremy　Sparrow　。　。　。　the　children　about　the　doorsteps；　the　women　。　。　。　one　woman　。　。　。

It　came　to　an　end；　as　all　things　earthly　will。　The　flames　of　the　great　bonfire　sank　lower　and　lower；　and　as　they　sank　the　gray　light　faltered　into　being；　grew；　and　strengthened。　At　last　the　dancers　were　still；　the　women　scattered；　the　priests　with　their　hideous　Okee　gone。　The　wailing　of　the　pipes　died　away；　the　drums　ceased　to　beat；　and　the　village　lay　in　the　keen　wind　and　the　pale　light；　inert　and　quiet　with　the　stillness　of　exhaustion。

The　pause　and　hush　did　not　last。　When　the　ruffled　pools　amid　the　marshes　were　rosy　beneath　the　sunrise；　the　women　brought　us　food；　and　the　warriors　and　old　men　gathered　about　us。　They　sat　upon　mats　or　billets　of　wood；　and　I　offered　them　bread　and　meat；　and　told　them　they　must　come　to　Jamestown　to　taste　of　the　white　man's　cookery。

Scarcely　was　the　meal　over　when　Opechancanough　issued　from　his　lodge；　with　his　picked　men　behind　him；　and；　coming　slowly　up　to　us；　took　his　seat　upon　the　white　mat　that　was　spread　for　him。　For　a　few　minutes　he　sat　in　a　silence　that　neither　we　nor　his　people　cared　to　break。　Only　the　wind　sang　in　the　　brown　branches；　and　from　some　forest　brake　came　a　stag's　hoarse　cry。　As　he　sat　in　the　sunshine　he　glistened　all　over；　like　an　Ethiop　besprent　with　silver；　for　his　dark　limbs　and　mighty　chest　had　been　oiled；　and　then　powdered　with　antimony。　Through　his　scalp　lock　was　stuck　an　eagle's　feather；　across　his　face；　from　temple　to　chin；　was　a　bar　of　red　paint；　the　eyes　above　were　very　bright　and　watchful；　but　we　upon　whom　that　scrutiny　was　bent　were　as　little　wont　as　he　to　let　our　faces　tell　our　minds。

One　of　his　young　men　brought　a　great　pipe；　carved　and　painted；　stem　and　bowl；　an　old　man　filled　it　with　tobacco；　and　a　warrior　lit　it　and　bore　it　to　the　Emperor。　He　put　it　to　his　lips　and　smoked　in　silence；　while　the　sun　climbed　higher　and　higher；　and　the　golden　minutes　that　were　more　precious　than　heart's　blood　went　by；　at　once　too　slow；　too　swift。

At　last；　his　part　in　the　solemn　mockery　played；　he　held　out　the　pipe　to　me。　〃The　sky　will　fall；　and　the　rivers　run　dry；　and　the　birds　cease　to　sing；〃　he　said；　〃before　the　smoke　of　the　calumet　fades　from　the　land。〃

I　took　the　symbol　of　peace；　and　smoked　it　as　silently　and　soberly　…　ay；　and　as　slowly　…　as　he　had　done　before　me；　then　laid　it　leisurely　aside　and　held　out　my　hand。　〃My　eyes　have　been　holden；〃　I　told　him；　〃but　now　I　see　plainly　the　deep　graves　of　the　hatchets　and　the　drifting　of　the　peace　smoke　through　the　forest。　Let　Opechancanough　come　to　Jamestown　to　smoke　of　the　Englishman's　uppowoc；　and　to　receive　rich　presents；　…　a　red　robe　like　his　brother　Powhatan's；　and　a　cup　from　which　he　shall　drink；　he　and　all　his　people。〃

He　laid　his　dark　fingers　in　mine　for　an　instant；　　withdrew　them；　and；　rising　to　his　feet；　motioned　to　three　Indians　who　stood　out　from　the　throng　of　warriors。　〃These　are　Captain　Percy's　guides　and　friends；〃　he　announced。　〃The　sun　is　high；　it　is　time　that　he　was　gone。　Here　are　presents　for　him　and　for　my　brother　the　Governor。〃　As　he　spoke；　he　took　from　his　neck　the　rope　of　pearls　and　from　his　arm　a　copper　bracelet；　and　laid　both　upon　my　palm。

I　thrust　the　pearls　within　my　doublet；　and　slipped　the　bracelet　upon　my　wrist。　〃Thanks；　Opechancanough；〃　I　said　briefly。　〃When　we　meet　again　I　shall　not　gree