For his aid in this trifling business the Governor
gives him thanks."
A smile just lit the features of the Indian. It was gone in a moment.
"Does not Opechancanough love the white men?" he said. "Some
day he will do more than this for them."
We left the lodge and the dark Emperor within it, got to horse, and
quitted the village, with its painted people, yellowing mulberries,
and blood-red gum trees. Nantauquas went with us, keeping pace
with Rolfe's horse, and giving us now and then, in his deep musical
voice, this or that bit of woodland news. At the block house we
found confirmation of the Emperor's statement. An embassy from
the Paspaheghs had come with presents, and the peace pipe had
been smoked. The spies, too, brought news that all war-like
preparations had ceased in the village. It had sunk once more into
a quietude befitting the sleepy, dreamy, hazy weather.
Rolfe and I held a short consultation. All appeared safe, but there
was the possibility of a ruse. At the last it seemed best that he, who
by virtue of his peculiar relations with the Indians was ever our
negotiator, should remain with half our troop at the block house,
while I reported to the Governor. So I left him, and Nantauquas
with him, and rode back to Jamestown, reaching the town some
hours sooner than I was expected.
It was after nooning when I passed through the gates of the
palisade, and an hour later when I finished my report to the
Governor.
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